• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1257-1262
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• 2002

The objective was to identify the appropriate form of progesterone, which exhibits compact reproductive responses in Awassi ewes during mid to late seasonal anestrous period. Forty-eight Awassi ewes were randomly allocated into four groups to be treated with 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP), 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA), 40 mg FGA, or 600 mg progesterone sponges. After a 12 day period, sponges were removed and ewes were administered i.m. with 600 IU PMSG (d 0, 0 h). Five harnessed Awassi rams were turned-in with the ewes to detect heat. Ewes were checked for breeding marks at 6 h intervals for 5 days. Blood samples were collected from all ewes for analysis of progesterone concentrations. Pretreatment (d -13 and -12) progesterone concentrations were ${\leq}0.2ng/mL$ among all ewes and were indicative of seasonal anestrous period. On d 0, progesterone concentrations were elevated to $1.4{\pm}0.1ng/mL$ in ewes received progesterone sponges only and were higher (p<0.0001) than those (${\leq}0.2ng/mL$) administered MAP or FGA sponges. Progesterone concentrations returned to their basal values of <0.2 ng/mL within 24 h of sponge removal and were similar (p>0.1) among all ewes. Incidence of estrus was similar (p>0.1) among the four groups and occurred in 75% (9/12), 82% (9/11), 67% (8/12) and 58% (7/12) of the ewes receiving MAP, 30 mg FGA, 40 mg FGA and progesterone sponges, respectively. Estrous responses occurred 14.7, 20 and 13.6 h earlier in progesterone-sponge-treated ewes than those of MAP- (p<0.04), 30 mg FGA- (p<0.01) and 40 mg FGA-treated (p=0.06) ewes, respectively. Induced estrus conception rates were 50% (6/12), 55% (6/11), 50% (6/12) and 42% (5/12), out of which 4/6, 4/6, 3/6 and 3/5 lambed 151 days following d 0, and were similar (p>0.1) among ewes of the four treatment groups. Ewes that returned to estrus 16 to 20 days following d 0 were 5/12, 5/11, 6/12 and 4/12 ewes treated with MAP, 30 mg FGA, 40 mg FGA and progesterone sponges, respectively, and all lambed 169 days later. Overall lambing rates were 75% (9/12), 82% (9/11), 75% (9/12) and 58% (7/12) ewes treated with MAP, 30 mg FGA, 40 mg FGA and progesterone sponges, respectively. Results demonstrate that applications of MAP, 30 mg FGA, 40 mg FGA and progesterone sponges Awassi ewes were equally effective in induction of estrus and tended to favor both types of FGA and MAP in overall lambing rates over progesterone sponges during the seasonal anestrous period.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.399-405
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• 1997

Progesterone is necessary for successful pregnancy and had immunosuppressive properties. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from many women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion responded to trophoblast extract in vitro by prolifertion and releasing soluble, heat-labile factors that are toxic to mouse embryos (embryotoxic factors). Accumulating evidence suggests that T Helper (Th)-1 type immunity to trophoblast is correlated with embryotoxic factor production and is associated with pregnancy loss, while Th2-type immunity is associated with successful gestation. The objective of this study was to determine whether progesterone can inhibit Th1-type cytokine secretion (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$) by trophoblast-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 nonpregnant women (age 25-35) with unexplained recurrent abortion (median 5, range 3 to 15)who otherwise produce embryotoxic factors in response to trophoblast. We also determined whether progesterone affected Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in this system in vitro and if IL-10 (1,500 pg/mL) could inhibit Th1-type immunity to trophoblast. IFN-${\gamma}$ was detected in 17 of 23 (74%) trophoblast stimulated PBMC culture supernatants ($77.94{\pm}23.79$ pg/mL) containing embryotoxic activity. TNF-${\alpha}$ was detected in 19 (83%) of these same supernatants ($703.15{\pm}131.36$ pg/mL). In contrast, none of the supernatants contained detectable levels of IL-4 or IL-10. Progesterone ($10^{-5}$, $10^{-7}$, $10^{-9}$M) inhibited Th1-type immunity in a dose dependent manner, but had no effect on Th2-type cytokine secretion. The inhibitory effects of progesterone were abrogated with RU486, but did not affect Th2-type cytokine secretion in trophoblast-activated cell cultures. IL-10, like progesterone also inhibited Th1-type cytokine secretion but had no effect on Th2-type cytokines. These data suggest that therapies designed to suppress Th1-type cytokine secretion in women with recurrent abortion who have evidence of Th1-type immunity to trophoblast may be efficacious in preventing pregnancy loss and should be tested in appropriately designed clinical trials.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 1991

This stduy was conducted to find out the changes of estradiol-17$\beta$ and progesterone levels in the plasma of Cheju mares during gestatation period and before and after parturition with 12 heads of Cheju ponies. The results are as follows : 1. The estradiol-17$\beta$ and progesterone levels on the 1~4 months showed 61.6~134.2pg/ml and 7.74~9.20ng/ml respectively, but the estradiol-17$\beta$ levels rapidly increased to 426.4~1772.9pg/ml, and the progesterone levels decreased to 1.42~5.43ng/ml on the 5~10 months of gestation period. 2. The progesterone levels of the pregnant and the non-pregnant mares showed 4.80ng/ml and 0.04ng/ml in winter, respectively, but both of the two appeared 1,211.5pg/ml and 99.4pg/ml of estradiol-17$\beta$, respectively. Therefore the diagnosis of pregnancy might be more accurate with the levels of estrdiol-17$\beta$ in autumn. 3. The progesterone levels showed 3.20ng/ml the day before parturition and less than 1ng/ml on 2 days after parturition. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels, showing the rising trend, and 90.1~162.4pg/ml up to 10 days.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2003

Gamiguibitang(GMGBT) is used in amenorrhea and female infertility caused by ovulation disorder. An attempt was made to evaluate the influences of GMGBT on the serum concentrations of FSH, LH, estradiol(E2) and progesterone, the histological and optical changes of ovary of rats. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Blood FSH level significantly increased in experimental group controlled by four times quantity as compared with control group. 2. Blood LH level increased in experimental group controlled by four times quantity as compared with control group, which showed no efficacy. 3. Blood E2 level increased in experimental group controlled by four times quantity as compared with control group, which showed no efficacy. 4. Blood progesterone level significantly decreased in experimental group controlled by double quantity as compared with control group. 5. In optically observations of ovary, weight of ovary significantly increased in experimental group controlled by double quantity as compared with control group 6. In histological observations of ovary, ovulation significantly increased in experimental group controlled by both double and four times quantity as compared with control group. According to these results, it can be concluded that GMGBT influences the pituitary gland and ovary to increase the ovulation of rats.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.95-107
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• 2006

Purpose : Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix is a herb with an effect on extravasated blood and is widely used in gynecology. This study examine, the effects of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix on endometriosis. Methods : Rats with surgically induced endometriosis were administered Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix for 40 days. The size of the ectopic uterine implants at the serosal wall and the concentration of progesterone, estradiol, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-2, 4, 6 and 10 in the blood were examined and compared with the control group. Results : The size of the ectopic uterine implants in the treated group was much smaller than that in the control group. The estradiol concentration was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The IL-10 level was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The TNF-${\alpha}$ level was lower in the experimental group than in the control group but the difference was not significant. The progesterone, IL-2, 4, 6 levels were similar in the experimental and control groups. Conclusion : These results indicate that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix reduces the size of ectopic uterine implants at the serosal wall and inhibits the growth of ectopic uterine implants. This suggests that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix is an effective treatment for endometriosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2008

For estimating the ovulation time in Miniature Schnauzer dogs during the estrous cycle, radioimmunoassay of plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone concentrations was conducted on blood samples in 21 pregnant and 13 non pregnant dogs. When Day 0 was that plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml, on Day 64, parturition day, progesterone declined below 1.0 ng/ml with $0.92\;{\pm}\;0.29\;ng/ml$ and when Day 0 was that plasma progesterone concentrations declined below 1.0 ng/ml, on Day -64, progesterone increased above 4.0 ng/ml with $4.56\;{\pm}\;0.87\;ng/ml$. Gestational length was $63.71\;{\pm}\;1.35$ (Mean${\pm}$S.D.) days from plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml and was $66.29\;{\pm}\;1.98$ days from first male acceptance. The plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations reached maximum value with $28.20\;{\pm}\;2.86\;pg/ml$ on Day .2, and plasma progesterone concentrations reached $5.90\;{\pm}\;0.36 ng/ml, 5.18\;{\pm}\;0.32 ng/ml on Day 0, and the maximum of 61.58\;{\pm}\;10.47 ng/ml on Day 19 and 56.05\;{\pm}\;8.86\;ng/ml$ on Day 16 in pregnant and non pregnant dogs, respectively. Afterward, plasma progesterone concentrations declined below 1.0 ng/ml on Day 64 with $0.92\;{\pm}\;0.29\;ng/ml$ in pregnant cycles and on Day 58 with $0.95\;{\pm}\;0.63\;ng/ml$ in non pregnant dogs. No difference were found pregnant and non pregnant dogs in plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone concentrations (p<0.01). Based on first male acceptance (Day 0), the maximum of plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations ($29.31\;{\pm}\;3.61\;pg/ml$) occurred on Day -1 and plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml on Day 2 in pregnant ($5.37\;{\pm}\;0.76\;ng/ml$) and non pregnant ($4.25\;{\pm}\;0.80\;ng/ml$) dogs. These results suggest that in Miniature Schnauzers, the ovulation occurred when plasma progesterone concentrations exceeded 4.0 ng/ml, 3 days after plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ peak and 2 days after first male acceptance.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2000

The ovaries of 178 Holstein heifers or cows (heifer; 41, 1 parity; 72, 2$\leq$ parity; 65) on Day 6 or 7 (Day 0=day of estrus) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography. Diameter of corpus luteum (CL) and large follicle ( $\geq$ 10 mm), and luteal tissue area were determined by ultrasound system with a 5 MHB rectal probe. Blood samples were taken to progesterone analysis. After selection of recipients, frozen Holstein embryos were thawed and directly transferred to recipients non-surgically. The diameter of CL and luteal tissue area was greater (P<0.01) on Day 7 than on Day 6 in heifers, 1 parity or 2 $\leq$ parity cows, respectively, although progesterone concentrations were not different. The presence of fluid-filled luteal cavitied or multiple CL (2 or more) did not affect serum progesterone concentration. A large follicles were observed in 67.4% of heifers or cows and the average diameter was 14.1 mm. Greater luteal tissue area attributed higher pregnancy in heifers, but not in cows, although there were no difference on pregnancy rate according to progesterone concentration in heifers or cows. The pregnancy rate of recipients contained a large follicle at embryo transfer was lower than that of recipients not contained. These results show ultrasonic assessment of ovaries in Holstein recipients is a reliable tool to determine the follicle and CL for recipient selection.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 1992

The study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone (20$\alpha$-OHP) levels during the oestrous cycle in Korean native goats. 4 cyclic goats were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein on day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 during the oestrous cycle, then the next oestrous day. The serum levels of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP were measured by radioimmunoassay. The progesterone concentration in seurm of the cyclic goats was 0.29$\pm$0.06ng/ml on the first day of oestrous (day 0), increased to 5.29$\pm$0.73ng/ml on day 9, reached to a peak level of 5.73$\pm$0.61ng/ml on day 13, and thereafter decreased to 0.35$\pm$0.30ng/ml on day 1. The serum level of 20$\alpha$-OHP during the oestrous cycle was 0.42$\pm$0.33ng/ml on day 0 and then decreased to 0.28$\pm$0.01ng/ml on day 5. This basal level was maintained until day 13, increased gradually, and reached a peak level of 0.62$\pm$0.05ng/ml on day 19. From the above results, it was suggested that the enzyme 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(20$\alpha$-HSD) catalyzing the conversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive steroid, 20$\alpha$-OHP, should be active in the luteal cells during the oestrous cycle in Korean native goats.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.297-300
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• 1997

Artificial insemination with frozen canine semen using vaginal endoscope was performed in a two years old Golden Retriever to investigate the feasibility of this technique. The bitch was in her second estrus. Blood progesterone concentration was evaluated every two days to decide the timing of insemination since vaginal bleeding was observed. Insemination was performed twice in 48 hours interval on the fourth and sixth posterior to LH surge, respectively. The volume of frozen semen injected was 1.5 ml $(1{\times}10^{8}$ sperms/1ml of semen). The bitch was pregnant and she whelped a female pup on sixty one days after first insemination.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.225-231
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• 2011

The objective of the present study was to determine the progesterone levels that effects on the pulsatile and surge modes of FSH secretion. In previous studies we have shown that LH surge occurred in the follicular levels of progesterone, whereas there was no surge mode secretion of LH in either the sub luteal or luteal levels of progesterone. LH pulsatile frequencies were high in two groups such as follicular level and sub luteal level. But in the luteal level of progesterone the pulsatile pattern of LH were strongly suppressed. Namely, sub luteal levels of progesterone, around 1 ng/ml, completely suppressed the LH surge but did not affect the pulsatile frequency of LH secretion. Because of this we hypothesized that the two secretory patterns of FSH are similar to that of LH. Long-term ovariectomized Shiba goats that had received implants of estradiol capsules and three different progesterone silastic packet inducing follicular, subluteal and luteal levels of progesterone were divided into three groups such as non-P, low-P and high-P group. Blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of gonadal steroid hormone levels and at 10-min intervals for 8 h on Days 0, 3, and 7 (Day 0: just before progesterone treatment) for analysis of the pulsatile frequency of FSH secretion. Then estradiol was infused into the jugular vein of all animals at a rate of 3 ${\mu}/h$ for 16 h on Day 8 to determine whether an FSH surge was induced. Blood samples were collected every 2 h from 4 h before the start of the estradiol infusion until 48 h after the start of the infusion. In each group, the mean ${\pm}$ SEM concentration after progesterone implant treatment was 3.3 ${\pm}$ 0.1 ng/ml for the high P group, 1.1 ${\pm}$ 0.1 ng/ml for the low P group, and < 0.1 ng/ml for the non-P group, concentrations similar to the luteal levels, subluteal levels, and follicular phase levels of the normal estrous cycle, respectively. The FSH pulse frequency was maintained highly in all groups on Day 0, Day 3 and Day 7. An FSH surge was induced in all 4 cases of the Non-P group. In the High P and Low P groups, the plasma concentrations of FSH remained low until 48 h after the start of estradiol infusion, and no occurrence of FSH surge was found in any of the animals. The results of this study not only confirm that the pulsatile patterns of FSH were not inhibited strongly relative to LH, they also suggest that some other mechanism and factor may be controlling the FSH secretion.