• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.867-872
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• 1994

Progesterone catabolizing enzyme, the enzyme $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrgenase($20{\alpha}$-HSD) is pivotal in the regulation of ovarian function in rodents, which catabolizes progesterone into biologically inactive $20{\alpha}$-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one($20{\alpha}$-OHP). In this study was carried out the influence of $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity of ovarian function, we investigated changes in ovarian cytosol $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity and serume progesterone concentration during the estrous cycles and pregnancy in rat. During the estrous cycles, the $20{\alpha}$-HSD activities were highest on the progestrous, but serum progesterone concentration was lowest on this phase. During the pregnancy, the $20{\alpha}$-HSD activities were relatively higher early pregnancy(day-1-3 gestation) and late pregnancy(day 21 to parturition), serum progesterone concentration was maintained significantly high to day 19 of gestation. The $20{\alpha}$-HSD activities were lower during the middle pregnancy. From these results, ovarian $20{\alpha}$-HSD activities may possibly act as physiologically very important in the control and maintenance of estrous cycles in rat.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2012

We prepared the polyclonal antibody anti-$20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (anti-$20{\alpha}$-HSD) against the recombinant full-length protein bovine $20{\alpha}$-HSD in Escherichia coli. The specificity of anti-$20{\alpha}$-HSD was demonstrated using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with recombinant bovine $20{\alpha}$-HSD and bovine placental tissues. According to western blot analysis, anti-$20{\alpha}$-HSD specifically recognizes the 37-kDa protein bovine $20{\alpha}$-HSD. The protein is not present in untransfected CHO cells. Anti-$20{\alpha}$-HSD also recognizes a specific protein in the ovaries and placenta of other animals. Immunostaining was used to detect expression of bovine $20{\alpha}$-HSD protein in the cultured luteal cells during the estrous cycle later.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.342-347
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• 2003

The enzyme $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) catabolizes progesterone to $20{\alpha}$-dihydroprogesterone ($20{\alpha}$-OHP), and is appeared in rat corpora luteal and placenta. A polled samples of 10-15 placental and ovarian tissues collected from each individual rat were subjected to measurement of $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity. A $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity in the cytosol fraction was based on the generation of NADPH. In this study, it is designed to study cytosolic $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity in rat ovarian and placenta during pregnancy, and its relationship to embryonic mortality. It was found that from days 5 to 18 of pregnancy the $20{\alpha}$-HSD activities steady by decreased but at parturition time rapidly increased in ovary. On the other hand, placental cytosolic $20{\alpha}$-HSD activities were high detected from days 8 to 10 of pregnancy, not detectable from days 11 to 20 of pregnancy, but again very high at the time of parturition. Analysis of DEAE column chromatography revealed that two different types of $20{\alpha}$-HSD (HSD-1 and HSD-2) were found with similar activity in the placental cytosol on day 10 of pregnancy. The number of fetuses on day 10 of pregnancy was 15.4 and decreased significantly to 12.9 on day 12. The results suggested that expression of $20{\alpha}$-HSD in the placental tissues seems to be related the number of fetal survived in the specific time (days 11 and 12) which spontaneous fetal loss occurs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 1998.02a
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• pp.10-12
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• 1998

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2018

In this review, we have tried to summarize the evidence and molecular characterization indicating that $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) is a group of the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) family, and it plays roles in the modulation and regulation of steroid hormones. This enzyme plays a critical role in the regulation of luteal function in female mammals. We have studied the molecular expression and regulation of $20{\alpha}$-HSD in cows, pigs, deer, and monkeys. The specific antibody against bovine $20{\alpha}$-HSD was generated in a rabbit immunized with the purified recombinant protein. The mRNA expression levels increased gradually throughout the estrous cycle, the highest being in the corpus luteum (CL) 1 stage. The mRNA was also specifically detected in the placental and ovarian tissues during pregnancy. The $20{\alpha}$-HSD protein was intensively localized in the large luteal cells and placental cytotrophoblast villus, glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium, syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta, the isthmus cells of the oviduct, and the basal part of the primary chorionic villi and chorionic stem villus of the placenta and large luteal cells of the CL in many mammalian species. Further studies are needed to determine the functional significance of the $20{\alpha}$-HSD molecule during ovulation, pregnancy, and parturition. This article will review how fundamental information of these enzymes can be exploited for a better understanding of the reproductive organs during ovulation and pregnancy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.739-745
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• 2017

In all mammalian species, progesterone is essential in the preparation for and maintenance of pregnancy. $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) predominantly converts progesterone into its biologically inactive form $20{\alpha}$-hydroxyprogesterone ($20{\alpha}$-OHP), and plays a crucial role in the termination of pregnancy and initiation of parturition. In this study, we characterized the expression and localization of $20{\alpha}$-HSDinthe testis of MediKinetics $Micropigs^{(R)}$. The testes were collected at days 6, 9, 12, 18, and 21 after birth. The $20{\alpha}$-HSD mRNA was found to be expressed in the testis at day 6 after birth by RT-PCR. The highest level of mRNA expression in the testis was detected on day 21 after birth. However, the mRNA was not detected in the placenta after parturition. Western blot for $20{\alpha}$-HSD reveal that the specific 37-kDa band was detected in immature pig testis. However, this band was not detected in testis tissue at day 6 after birth. In the immunohistochemical analysis of the testis, $20{\alpha}$-HSD was detected in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. Taken together, our study shows for the first time that the $20{\alpha}$-HSD mRNA and protein are expressed in pig testis after birth. Further investigation is required to elucidate the functional mechanisms of $20{\alpha}$-HSD in pig testis after birth.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2011

This study was performed to the expressions of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) in bovine corpus luteum during early pregnancy. To determine the function of PAPP-A gene during early pregnancy, we collected corpus luteum samples on 30, 60 and 90 days of pregnancy in bovine. The mRNA expression of PAPP-A, $20{\alpha}$-HSD, progesterone-receptor (PR) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein4 (IGFBP4) gene was conducted by Real-time PCR. In parallel with mRNA levels, The protein expressions of PAPP-A and $20{\alpha}$-HSD were detected by immunological analysis. The mRNA expressions $20{\alpha}$-HSD and PAPP-A significantly increased on day 90 in the corpus luteum during pregnancy. The mRNA expression of PR and JGFBP4 in the corpus luteum progressively was enhanced at 30 to 60 day, but decreased on 90 day of pregnancy in the corpus luteum. The expression patterns of these genes, PAPP-A and $20{\alpha}$-HSD were similar pattern in these tissues. In conclusion, PAPP-A and $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity in corpus luteum could be played a role for early pregnancy manifestation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.873-880
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• 1994

Progesterone catabolizing enzyme, the enzyme $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid deltydrgenase($20{\alpha}$-HSD) is pivotal in the regulation of ovarian function in rodents, which catabolizes progesterone into biologically inactive $20{\alpha}$ hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one($20{\alpha}$-OHP). In this study was carried out the influence of $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity to ovarian function and regulation such as ovulation, formation of corpus luteum, maintenance of estrous cycles and pregnancy, we investigated changes in activities of the splenic macrophages and ovarian histological findings in rat. During the estrous cycles, the ratious of phagocytotic macrophage in splenic adherent cells were highest on the proestrous, but they were lowest on metestrous. During the pregnancy, the ratious of phagocytotic macrophages in splenic adhrent cells were lowest by 1 day and then significantly increased toward the pregnancy, which were highest pregnancy on day 12. On histological findings in rat ovary, the mean number of growing, antral and mature follicles were 15.9(72.9%), 3.4(15.9%), and 2.4(11.2%), respectively. Growing follicles reached to lowest number at diestrus and mature follicle reached to lowest number at metestrus. The numbers of corpus luteums per tissue section of the ovary were 14.4 and the number of normal and atretic follicles were 11.0(76.4%) and 3.4(23.6%), respectively. The number of corpus luteum with vacolated cell were 1.7(11.8%). In this study suggests splenic macrophages are as a source of the substance which maintainer progesterone secretion from luteal cells, and are recognized pass the vessels and reside in the fresh corpora lutea soon after ovulation via inflammatory reactions, and these macrophages are felt to have a stimulatory effect on the formation of cropora lutea. In view of the results include previous report, ovarian $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme and splenic macrophages consider play central role in the control and maintenance of estrous cycles and pregnancy, and also applicable to both clinical and research in a wide variety such as control of reproductive system.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.307-322
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• 1996

The corpus luteum (CL) is formed by the action of a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) on the pre-ovulatory follicle. Luteal cells derived from granulosa and theca interna cells continue to secrete progesterone for about two weeks. LH in domestic animals is essential for the normal secretion of progesterone at all stages of the luteal phase. For this process in the rodents, 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20$\alpha$-HSD) is indispensable. 20$\alpha$-HSD is an enzyme to be a biologically inactive steroid. This enzyme plays a critical role in the regulation of the rat luteal function and reported to be present in steroid-producing tissues such as the testis and adrenal gland. We have purified 20$\alpha$-HSD and found two distinct 20$\alpha$-HSD molecules (HSD-1 and HSD-2). Their molecular weights are both estimated to be 33kd.The amino acid compositions of HSD-1 and HSD-2 are mostly similar, but there is a slight difference in the content of lysine. We demonstrated that 1) CL of previous generations contribute more to whole ovarian 20$\alpha$-HSD activity, 2) newly formed corpora lutea contain only 20$\alpha$-HSD-1 activity, and 3) old CL express activities of each HSD isozyme as shown in the luteal tissue of cycling rats on the day of diestrus where only degenerating old CL exist. The increase in 20$\alpha$-HSD activity identified seems to be related to the increase in the numbers of 20$\alpha$-HSD-positive cells. Interestingly, 20$\alpha$-HSD-1 activities were strongly found in the follicle fluids and theca interna cells by immunohistochemical study. Thus, the activity of 20$\alpha$-HSD may be related to a survival mechanism of those luteal cells and follicles remaining in the ovaries. Luteal cells arise from two sources. The small luteal cells are all of theca cell origin, while the large luteal cells are mainly of granulosa cell origin. CL of Korean Native Cattle, as those of other animal species, contains two morphologycally and functionally distinct luteal cell populations, such as small and large luteal cells as well as nonluteal cells. In all reproductive states except in the late luteal phase, the bovine CL also contained more small luteal cells than large luteal cells. Luteal tissue secretes a variety of growth factors (proteins) and the pattern of secretion changes during all stages of the luteal phase. These growth factors could be important in regulating the function of the bovine corpus luteum and may act in a potential endocrine autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Therefore, further work has to be done to elucidate the role of growth factors in the ovary, especially in the corpus luterum. Interest should be focussed on interaction of these growth factors in the regulation of luteal cell and the localization of cytokine synthesis in differnet luteal cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.583-589
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• 2001

To estalish bio-indices for detection of the development of multistep hepatotumorigenesis, rats were fed water containing 0.01% diethylnitrosamine (DEN) ad libitum for 13-14 weeks. Hepatocellular carcinoma was developed by treatment with DEN, DEN only was able to induce hepatic tumors in rats without any other cocarcinogen. Compared to control group, liver cytosol protein concentration in all treated grous was significantly decreased (p<0.05). From week to week, $20{\alpha}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ($20{\alpha}$-HSD) activity was increased and the highest activity was observed on the 12th week (p<0.05). In addition, the urine biopterin concentration was also significantly increased compared to control groups (p<0.05) in a time course manner. These results indicated that $20{\alpha}$-HSD activity, urine biopterin and liver cytosol protein concentration might be very useful maker to hepatic tumorigenesis.