• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.4
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• pp.102-108
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• 1986

This study was carried out to examine the effects of seasonality, age, abnormalities of reproductive tract and the frequency of superovulatory treatments on the superovulatory responses and rate of pregnancy in repeat breeder for embryo transfer. Thirty eight eggs were obtained from 6 donors by flushing the uterine horns and 33 embryos were transfered to 33 recipients. (29 holstein heifers, 3 holstein cows and 1 Korean native heifer). From this study, the following results could be obtained: 1. It seemed that spring (Feb.-Apr.) was the better season than any others to produce good embryos. Rate of pregnancy decreased significantly after August because of low heating rate. 2. Rate of pregnancy in the cows with normal reproductive tract showed much better superovulatory responses (80%) than the cows with abnormal reproductive tract (33%), as expected. 3. 8 years old cows produced higher rater of pregnancy than 4 years old cow (79.3 vs 50), and also in superovulatory responses, 8 years old cows showed slightly better results than 4 years old cow. 4. The number of ovulated eggs and rate of pregnancy in the repeated superovulatory treatment more than once were 41 eggs and 85.7%, and those of the donors treated the first superovulatory treatment were 32 eggs and 68.4%, respectively. 5. These results are showing the possibility that utilizing the repeat breeders as donors in embryo transfer could be able to elevate their economic values.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2002

5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT; serotonin) system has been implicated in the modulation of male sexual behaviors and the secretion of reproductive hormones. In human males, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are known to improve the major male sexual dysfunction, premature ejaculation, through the central nervous system-mediated pathways. As numerous hormone and local factors, 5-HT may have peripheral role in the regulation of male sexual function. The expression of 5-HT receptor subtypes in the target tissue, however, has not been explored yet. The present study was undertaken to test whether the 5-HT receptor subtypes are expressed in the reproductive tissues of male rat, especially in ejaculatory machinery such as seminal vesicle and vas deferens. To do this, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis were employed. The transcripts for the 1A, 1B and 2C subtypes of 5-HT receptor were amplified in all the tested tissues. The present study demonstrated the expression of 5-HT receptor in the rat ejaculatory machinery, suggesting that 5-HT may play a pivotal role in the male sexual function via not only central pathway but also peripheral route. Further study on the receptor subtype-specific effect and their harmonized mode of action will be needed to establish the understanding of ejaculation mechanism and drug design.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.821-828
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• 2016

We examed physiological and flowering response of S. capitata, the endangered plant in Korea, under LED light conditions in plant factory to cultivate artificially for conservation. We cultivated S. capitata and measured its physiological responses and the number of flowers under red, blue, white, red+far-red mixed, red+blue mixed, and red+blue+white mixed light. The results showed that its photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content were recorded relatively high in red+blue+white and red+blue mixed light respectively. Transpiration rate and stomatal conductance appeared relatively high in the white single light while water use efficiency was no difference. Photochemical efficiency of photochemical photosystem II by minimum and maximum chlorophyll fluorescence was the highest in the red+blue+white mixed light condition than other ones. The number of flowers of S. capitata was at its peak under the red light or red+far-red mixed light. Therefore, we conclude that the most efficient way to grow for flowering of S. capitata is to provide red light or red+far-red mixed light in the plant factory.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.53-70
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• 1987

The morphological study on the parenchymal cells in the adult planaria performed to observe their cytochemical and ultrastructural characteristics. The results are as follows. Nine types of cells are found in parenchyma. 1. Free parenchymal cell: These cells contain several chromatoid bodies around the nucleus. Heterochromatins are evenly dispersed in large nucleus. These cells are abundant in free ribosomes. 2. Fixed parenchymal cells: These cells have well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and Golgi complex but they contain the cytosols exhibiting electron-lucencies. 3. Rhabdite-forming cells: These cells contain the electron-dense rhabdite granules of up to about 0.3 x 0.9 $\mu$m in size. Rhabdite-forming cells have well-developed cell organelles, granular endolplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and Golgy complex. 4. A-type of basophilic granule cells: These cells contain irregularly-shaped granules exhibiting alcianophilia. These granules surrounded by a limited membrane, approximately 1.4 x 0.7 $\mu$m in size, are accumulated in the cytoplasm. 5. C-type of basophilic granule cells: These cells contain electron-dense granules of less than 0.2 $\mu$m in size, which exhibit PAS- positive reaction. This type of granule is also found in the muscle layer of parenchyma. 6. D-type of basophilic granule cells: This type of granule cell occurs only in the parenchyma around reproductive organ. The granules have cytochemical characteristics that they exhibit strongly positive reaction with PAS and weakly eosinophilic property. These electron-dense granules, which are 0.2 to 0.6 $\mu$m in length, have oval shapes. 7. E-type of basophilic granule cells: These cells are found only in the parenchyma around re productive organ. The granules contained in a small number in the cell, exhibit PAS-positive reaction and have an average size of 0. 2pm. 8. Eosinophilic granule cells: These cells contain a large number of eosinophilic granules which have relatively diverse sizes from 0.3 x 0.2 to 0.8 x 0.4 $\mu$m. Most of granules are round or irregularly-shaped and highly electrondense. These cells have an array of well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum of which cisternae are distened. 9. Transparent granule cells contain electron-lucent granules which exhibit negative reactions with three kinds of cytochemical methods used in this experiment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.486-491
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• 1999

Hypoparathyroidism has abnormally decreased secretion of parathyroid hormon which responds to the blood calcium level. Wherease, Pseudohypoparathyroidism has normal activity of thyroid hormon, but end-organs, such as urinary tract and osteoclast, do not respond to parathyroid hormon. The cause of this disease is due to the mutation of Guanine stimulating(Gs) protein regulating Gs gene, which is the receptor to this hormon. Pseudohypoparathyroidism is usually noted before 20 years old on average of 8-9 years old. The clinical features of this disease includes delayed growth and development, round face, obesity, soft tissue calcification, ectopic ossification, shortening of metacarpals and metatarsals by epiphyseal closure in advance of age. The mutation of Gs gene which are found in brain, endocrine organs, and chondrocytes is the cause of those features. Reaction to Glucagon, gonadal hormon, and thyroid stimulating hormon is not expected in both cases. The common dental manifestations include enamel hypoplasia, delayed eruption, agenesis of tooth, hypodontia, dysplastic short roots, widened pulpal space, microdontia, intrapulpal calcification, and malocclusion are also often reported. This case which is diagnosed to Pseudohypoparathyroidism showed short and under-developed root of permanent troth, delayed eruption, and non-eruption of premolars and molars. And morphogenesis imperfecta of first and second premolars were also found.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.4 s.84
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• pp.462-469
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• 2007

In this study, we isolated, characterized, and compared the vasa homologous genes of diploid and triploid Paragonimus westermani and localized VASA homologous proteins in both lung fluke types. Open reading frames of Pw-vasa-2n and Pw-vasa-3n were of 1812 bp, and encoded deduced proteins of 622 amino acids with calculated molecular weights of 69.0 kDa and 68.9 kDa and pI's of 9.11 and 9.03, respectively. A comparison of these two VASA deduced protein sequences showed that only 6 of the 622 amino acids differed. The deduced sequences of Pw-VASA-2n and Pw-VASA-3n contained eight consensus sequences characteristic of the DEAD-box protein family and their N-terminal regions contained four arginine-glycine-glycine (RGG) motifs. These two lung fluke VASA-like proteins were more similar to those of other VASA proteins than to those of other DEAD-family proteins isolated from several organisms (planarian, zebra fish, mouse, and human). vasa homologous gene transcription and VASA protein expressions in triploid type lung flukes was slightly stronger than in the diploid type. Immunostaining showed that testes and a portion of the ovaries of both diploid and triploid lung flukes reacted strongly to anti-Pw-VASA antibody.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2000

Most eggs initiated the fertilization processes but arrested at specific stages. The stages included failure of the oocyte to exit from the meiotic metaphase-II with or without sperm penetration, failure of appropriate sperm aster formation, inability to form proper male and female pronuclei, failure of suitable pronuclear apposition, and failure to form proper number of either male or female pronuclei. Various images of defective microtubule organization and chromatin configuration during IVF and ICSI procedures were observed. We discussed the data with previous research results during normal fertilization in humans and other mammals. In conclusion, various aberrant patterns in microtubule assembly and chromatin configuration, which were assessed in the present study, could be used as criteria to improve assisted reproductive technology in clinics. However, further cellular and molecular characterization is needed to clarify these aberrant patterns of cytoskeletal assembly.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.326-335
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• 1986

In cold water irrigation, some growth and yield were decreased by heavy application of nitrogen but in-creased by heavy application of phosphate, potassium and silicate. Among growth characters, number of spikelets per panicle and grain filling ratio were affected significantly. Cold damage in number of spikelets, spikelet sterility and degeneration of spikelet and branch could be reduced by increasing application amount of phosphate, potassium and in particular silicate. Number of spikelets per branch was closely related with number of spikelets per secondary branches. Number of abortive grains and immature grains had negative correlations with yield and could be reduced by heavy application of phosphate, potassium and silicate. Heavy nitrogen application led to high total nitrogen content and restrained the uptake of phosphate, potassium and silicate. However, adverse results were showed by heavy application of phosphate, potassium and silicate. Inorganic element contents in branches were lower than those in leaf blades, but higher than those in chaff. Branches showed little differences in inorganic element contents between heading stage and maturing stage. Inorganic element contents in branches were considered to be influenced by those in leaf blades and to affect those in chaff. Some growth characters related to source and sink, such as degeneration of branches and spike-lets, sterility ratio, ripening ratio, and yield had closer relationship with nutrient contents in branches than those in leaf blades and chaff. The results demonstrated that the rachis branch not only was a transport pathway of nutrient but also would play an important role in accumulating substances in panicles.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2006

Rodents and many other mammals have two chemosensory systems that mediate responses to pheromones, the main and accessory olfactory system, MOS and AOS, respectively. The chemosensory neurons associated with the MOS are located in the main olfactory epithelium, while those associated with the AOS are located in the vomeronasal organ(VNO). Pheromonal odorants access the lumen of the VNO via canals in the roof of the mouth, and are largely thought to be nonvolatile. The main pheromone receptor proteins consist of two superfamilies, V1Rs and V2Rs, that are structurally distinct and unrelated to the olfactory receptors expressed in the main olfactory epithelium. These two type of receptors are seven transmembrane domain G-protein coupled proteins(V1R with $G_{{\alpha}i2}$, V2R with $G_{0\;{\alpha}}$). V2Rs are co-expressed with nonclassical MHC Ib genes(M10 and other 8 M1 family proteins). Other important molecular component of VNO neuron is a TrpC2, a cation channel protein of transient receptor potential(TRP) family and thought to have a crucial role in signal transduction. There are four types of pheromones in mammalian chemical communication - primers, signalers, modulators and releasers. Responses to these chemosignals can vary substantially within and between individuals. This variability can stem from the modulating effects of steroid hormones and/or non-steroid factors such as neurotransmitters on olfactory processing. Such modulation frequently augments or facilitates the effects that prevailing social and environmental conditions have on the reproductive axis. The best example is the pregnancy block effect(Bruce effect), caused by testosterone-dependent major urinary proteins(MUPs) in male mouse urine. Intriguingly, mouse GnRH neurons receive pheromone signals from both odor and pheromone relays in the brain and may also receive common odor signals. Though it is quite controversial, recent studies reveal a complex interplay between reproduction and other functions in which GnRH neurons appear to integrate information from multiple sources and modulate a variety of brain functions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2011

Endometrium undergoing hormonal change plays important roles in preparation for implantation, fetal growth, and well-being. During pregnancy, cellular remodeling and hormonal changes in endometrium could change two-pore domain K$^+$ channel (K$_{2P}$) expression. This study was performed to identify whether K$_{2P}$ channel expression is changed in endometrium of pregnant Korean cattle, and whether the expression level is modulated by progesterone treatment. We investigated changes in the mRNA and protein expressions of K$_{2P}$ channel in pregnant endometrium using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. The expression levels of all K$_{2P}$ channel mRNAs tested in this study, except that of TREK-1, were changed in the pregnant endometrium. mRNA levels of TASK-3 and TRAAK were significantly down-regulated, whereas those of TREK-2 and TRESK were up-regulated in the pregnant endometrium. In parallel with the RT-PCR results, Western blot analysis revealed up-regulations of TREK-2 (7.9-fold) and TRESK (2-fold) proteins levels in the pregnant endometrium. In addition, TREK-2 and TRESK protein levels were up-regulated in bovine endometrial cells by progesterone treatment (10 ${\mu}g$/ml). From these results, we suggest that the up-regulation of TREK-2 and TRESK by progesterone may contribute to the regulation of physiological changes during pregnancy.