• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 1989

The effects of an antiprogesterone (RU 486) and an antiestrogen (tamoxifen) on ovulatory response and oocyte morphology were examined in pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-primed immatare female rats (28 days of age): a comparison has been made on two different regirnens primed with a "control" dose (4 IU) and a "superovulatory" dose (40 IU) of PMSG. Females for control control regimen received three consecutive injections of lmg RU486, lmg tamoxifen, or vehicle at 24, 36 and 48hr, and were killed at 72l'r after PMSG. Animals for superovalatory regimen received lmg RU486, 2.5mg tamoxifen, or vehicle fouowlag the injection schedule comparable to control regimen, and were killed at 60 and 72hr after PMSG. Compared to vehicle group, there was a significant reduction in ovulatory response as judged by the proportion of rats ovulating andi or by the mean number of oocytes per rat for each treatment of RU486 and tamoxifen in both regimens. The activity of tamoxifen in inhibiting the ovulatory response was greater in control, but less in superovulatory regimen than that of RU486 based on the dose employed for each antisteroid. In both regimens, RU 486 did not have any effect 6n the changes in the proportion of degenerate oocytes as well as ovarian weight, well tamoxifen treatment resulted in a marked promotion of oocyte degeneration as well as a great reduction in ovarian weight, compared to each parameter of vehicle group. RU486 treatment in each regimen did not alter the serum levels of any steroid hormones observed. Howerver, tamoxifen treatment was associated with significant increases in serum 17$\beta$-estradiol and decreases in progesterone in both regimens; also significant increases in androgens in superovulatory regimen. The results illustrate the relative inhibitory activity of RU486 and tamoxifen indicating major steroid hormone involved in PMSG-induced ovulation: 17$\beta$-estradiol for control and progesterone for superovulatory regimen. It also appears that tamoxifen-associated elevation of circulating 17$\beta$-estradiol andi or androgens could be in part, a contributing factor to the promotion of oocyte degeneration presumably by producing a hostile oviductal environment after ovulation.ent after ovulation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.694-700
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• 2001

Synthetic pyrethroids are analysis of a natural chemical moiety, pyrethrin derived from the pyrethrum plant Chrysanthemum. The natural pyrethrin structure has been modified to be highly lipophilic and photostable, creating an effective pesticide and resulting in an increased presence in the environment. Worldwide, they are commonly used insecticides against ticks, mites, mosquitoes, and as treatment for human head lice and scabies. Therefore, human exposure to their compounds in extensive. Several studies on the effects of pyrethroids on thyroid hormone regulation, estrogen and androgen function have been reported and yet little has been done try assess their potential hormonal activities. Among humans, a pyrethroid compound was suggested to be the causal agent for gynecomastia in a group of Haitian men. The reports suggest that some pyrethroid compounds are capable of disrupting endocrine function. Therefore, we examined estrogenic/antiestrogenic potential of three pyrethroid insecticides, that is permethrin, allethrin and fenvalerate in human breast cancer cell and action mechanism mediated by the estrogen receptor. Fenvalerate showed weak estrogenic activity but aallethrin and permethrin showed no effect. In combination with high levels (10$^{-10}$ M, 10$^{-11}$ M) of 17$\beta$-estradiol and three synthetic pyrethroids inhibited cert proliferations in MCF7-BUS cell by 17$\beta$-estradiol. Whereas, fenvalerate increased cell proliferative activity at lower level of estradiol (10$^{-12}$ M, 10$^{-13}$ M). The relative affinities to the estrogen receptor were observed by allethrin and permethrin treatment, but not by fenvalerate. These results indicated that some of pyrethroid insecticides may modulate estrogen functions in human breast cancer cell. The action mechanisms of estrogen receptor mediated antiestrogenicity by allethrin and permethrin were postulated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.114-114
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• 2003

Ginseng is a medicinal herb widely used in Asian countries, and its pharmacological effects has been demonstrated in various systems such as cardiovascular, central nervous, and endocrine systems. Its effects are mainly attributed to the ginsenosides. We hypothesize that a component of Panax ginseng, ginsenoside-Rbl, acts by binding to estrogen receptor. We have investigated the estrogenic activity of ginsenoside-Rbl in a transient transfection system using estrogen receptors ${\alpha}$ or ${\beta}$ with estrogen -responsive luciferase plasmids in COS monkey kidney cells. Ginsenoside-Rbl activated both estrogen receptors ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ in a dose-dependent manner (0.5 -100 M ). Activation was inhibited by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780, indicating that the estrogenic effect of ginsenoside-Rbl is estrogen receptor dependent. Next, we evaluated the ability of ginsenoside-Rbl to induce estrogen-responsive progesterone receptor gene by semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays. MCF-7 cells treated with l7${\beta}$-estradiol or ginsenoside- Rb1 exhibited an increased expression of progesterone receptor mRNA. However, ginsenoside-Rbl failed to displace the specific binding of ［3H］17${\beta}$-estradiol to estrogen receptor in MCF-7 cells as examined by whole cell ligand binding assays, suggesting that there is no direct interaction of ginsenoside-Rbl with estrogen receptor. Our results indicate that estrogen-like activity of ginsenoside-Rbl is independent of direct estrogen receptor association.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2006

Many of endocrine disrupting chemicals induce effects via interaction with hormone receptors and responsive elements in target cells. We investigated endocrine disrupting effects of some food additives and contaminants including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propionic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, CPM, aflatoxin B1, cadmium chloride, genistein, TCDD and PCBs in yeast transformants expressing human steroid hormone receptors along with steroid responsive elements. The response limit of genetically recombinant yeast to $17{\beta}$-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone was $1{\times}10^{-16},\;1{\times}10^{-12}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-13}M$, respectively. BHT induced weak transcriptional activity in estrogen sensitive yeast, while BHA and sorbic acid interacted weakly with androgen receptor/responsive element. CPM induced transcriptional activities in all types of yeasts sensitive to steroid hormones. Zearalenone and genistein induced high transcriptional activation in estrogen sensitive yeast with relative potencies almost $10^8$ folds lower than $17{\beta}$-estradiol. TCDD induced transcriptional activation weakly in estrogen- and progesterone- sensitive yeasts. This study elucidated that recombinant yeast is a sensitive and high-throughput system and can be used for the direct assessment on chemical interactions with steroid receptors and responsive elements. Also, the present study raises the requirement of evaluation on the endocrine disrupting effects of BHT, BHA, sorbic acid, CPM and TCDD for their transcription activity in yeast screening system though weak in intensity.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.697-703
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• 2006

Endocrine disruptors were measured with GC/MS in effluents discharged from sewage treatment processes in pilot scale for the purpose of water reuse. From that analysis, we compared the removal rate of them by treatment processes. Nonylphenol was mainly detected in effluents and high concentration from 0.36 to 0.94 ${\mu}g/L$. $17{\beta}$-estradiol(E2) and $17{\alpha}$-ethynylestradiol(EE2) were detected as below the limit of detection in effluent. Endocrine disruptors were removed effectively in the range from 50 to 100% by treatment process. EC50 value($9.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M) of $17{\beta}$-estradiol(E2) by dose response curve of E-screen assay has higher than that of bisphenol A($2.736{\times}10^{-5}M$) and p-octylphenol($9.760{\times}10^{-6}$ M). These results showed that alkylphenols have lower relative estrogen potency than other estrogens such as $17{\beta}$-estradiol(E2). Calculated estrogenic activity(ng-EEQ/L) was 2 times higher than measured total estrogenic activity which estimated by E-screen assay. Moreover estrogenic activity of effluent by treatment process showed very low as below 1 ng-EEQ/L.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2000

In association with the international validation program to establish a rodent uterotrophic assay, we conducted preliminary uterotrophic assay proposed by GECD using immature female rats. In the present study, oral and subcutaneous routes were chosen to compare the effects of estrogenic com-pounds in the two dosing regimens. The reference compound ethinyl estradiol (EE) and the antagonist ZM189154(ZM) were administered by gavage or subcutaneously (s.c.) to immature female SD rats from 20 to 22 days of age. For each study, sixty-six female rats were randomly assigned to eleven groups: Untreated control, EE 0,0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0,3.0 and 10.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, EE 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg(gavage)/0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg(s.c) & ZM 0.1 mg/kg, and EE 3.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg(gavage)/0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg (s.c) & ZM 1.0 mg/kg. There were no treatment-related changes in clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, and necropsy findings in any groups of two studies. The wet and blotted uterus weights increased dose-dependently. Histopathological examination revealed that diameter of uterine duct, height of uterine luminal epithelium. and height oj vaginal epithelium increased dose-dependently. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactive cells were increased in number dose-dependently. The estrogenic effects observed in the present studies occurred at $\geq$ 0.3 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of oral dose and $\geq$ 0.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg of s.c. dose. An antagonistic effect of ZM against EE was found in both uterus weight and histopathological parameters. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that dose-dependence of the uterotrophic assay using EE and ZM was well demonstrated by gavage and subcutaneous administration and that the estrogenic effects of EE by s.c. dose were higher than those by gavage administration. In addition, blotted uterus weight was more sensitive than wet uterus weight and vaginal epithelial height was found to be the most sensitive parameter among the parameters examined.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 1997

To make index on therapy or releasing from dairy holstein cows of reproductive disorder, the levels of serological sex hormones and total ALP, GOT, GPT, and serum protein were measured. The results obtained through the experiments are summarized as follows ; 1. The levels of FSH and estradiol in reproductive disorder group were significantly higher and lower than those in pregnant group and control group, respectively. (p<0.05) 2. The level of prolactin was showed mild difference in three groups and that of progesterone was reasonably higher in pregnant group with significance (p<0.05). 3. The activity of GPT was significantly higher and that of GOT was showed higher In reproductive disorder group, respectively ( p<0.05) 4. The level of total ALP was higher in reproductive disorder group, however no difference was showed between pregnant and control group. 5. The level of serum protein was followed as control, pregnant, and reproductive disorder with insignificance.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.163-170
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• 2004

CYP1B1 enzyme metabolize PAHs and estradiol. CYP1B1 metabolize estradiol to 4-hydroxyestradiol that is considered as carcinogenic metabolite. Luciferase activity was induced about 20 folds over that control by 1 nM TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrchlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) and these inductions were dose-dependent. Recent industrialized society, human hasbeen widely been exposed to widespread environmental contaminants such as PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) that are originated from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. PAHs are known to be ligands of the AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor). Induction of cytochrome P4501B1(CYP1B1) in cell culture is widely used as a biomarket for PAHs. Therefore we have studied the effect of PAHs in the human breast cancer cells MCF-7 to evaluate bioactivity of PAHs. Cytochrome P4501B1(CYP1B1) is known to be inducible by xenobiotic compounda such as policyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and dioxins such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD). And these induction of CYP1B1 is also regulated by many categories of chemicals. In order to investigate the effects of several chemicals on CYP1B1 gene expression in luciferase gene, and then transfected into these cells. After treatment of chemicals, the luciferase activity was measured. We examined effects of PAHs on the CYP1B1-lucifrease reporter gene and CYP1B1 mRNA level. Benzo(k)fluoranthene showed strong response to CYP1B1 promoter activity stimulation, and also CYP1B1 mRNAs increase in MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. flvonoids such as genistein decreased B(k)F induced luciferase activity at low concentration. it exhibited stimulatory effect at high concentration.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.330-339
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• 2021

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is a marine bivalve mollusk widely distributed in coastal areas, and have been long widely used in industrial resources. Several studies demonstrated that fermented oyster (FO) extract attribute to bone health, but whether administration of FO play as an endocrine disruptor has not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of FO on the endocrine system in vitro and in vivo. As the results of the competitive estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) binding affinities, FO was not combined with ER-α, ER-β, and AR. However, 17β-estradiol and testosterone, used as positive control, were interacted with ER and AR, respectively. Meanwhile, oral administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of FO doesn't have any harmful effect on the body weight, androgen-dependent sex accessory organs, estrogen-dependent-sex accessory organs, kidney, and liver in immature rats. In addition, FO supplementation has no effect on the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and 17β-estradiol. However, the relative weight of androgen- and estrogen-dependent organs were significantly increased by subcutaneously injection of 4.0 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) and by orally administration of 1.0 ㎍ of 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE) in immature male and female rats, respectively. Furthermore, TP and EE administration markedly decreased the serum LH and FSH levels, which are similar those of mature Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. Furthermore, the testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels were significantly enhanced in TP and EE-treated immature rats. Taken together, our findings showed that FO does not interact with ER and AR, suggesting consequentially FO does not play as a ligand for ER and AR. Furthermore, oral administration of FO did not act as an endocrine disruptor including androgenic activity, estrogenic activity, and abnormal levels of sex hormone, indicating FO may ensure the safety on endocrine system to develop dietary supplement for bone health.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.192-192
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• 2003

Pomegranate, a small tree originating in Orient, belongs to Punicaceae family. The seeds contain an oil of which about 80% is rare trans 18 carbon fatty acid (punicic acid), and have highest botanical concentration of a sex steroid, estrone. Pharmacological properties of pomegranate extract have been studied, with anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, ant-viral, and anti-cancer effects. We have examined the estrogenic activity of the pomegranate extracts using MCP-7-ERE cells. MCF-7-ERE cells, stably transfected with pERE-Luc were treated various amount of pomegranate extract and after overnight treatments, luciferase activity were measured. Estradiol(E2) dose dependently induced luciferase activity in this cell and maximal response is obtained at 100pM E2.