• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.374-385
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• 1998

Phytoestrogens are biologically active compounds derived from plants foods. It had been suggested that phytoestrogens, by inhibiting aromatase in peripheral and/or cancer cells and lowering estrogen levels, may play a protective role as antipromotional compounds during growth of estrogen-dependent cancers. Therefore, simultaneous analysis of estrogens and phytoestrogens is necessary to elucidate the possible involvement of phytoestrogens in estrogen metabolism. In this view, we developed a simple and reproducible procedure to quantitatively determine estrogen and phytoestrogen metabolites. The proposed method consisted of solid phase extraction using preconditioned Serdolit AD-2 resin, enzyme hydrolysis with ${\beta}$-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase from Helix pomatia, liquid-liquid extraction and TMS-ether derivatization. And the final determination was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). The precision and accuracy of this method was evaluated through within-a-day and day-to-day test. Recovery range and detection limit were 71.96~105.66%, 2~4 ng/mL, respectively. Using this method, 17 estrogen and 5 phytoestrogen compositions in urine of normal subjects were analyzed. It was found that amounts and relative distribution of urinary phytoestrigens and estrogens showed different pattern in male and female subjects.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.188-188
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• 2003

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Fisheries Technology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.156-157
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• 2003

In teleost, vitellogenin (Vtg) is synthesised in the liver in response to estrogens and transported by the blood to the growing oocytes where it is incorporated by micropincytosis (Selman and Wallace, 1982). Generally, Vtg is not induced in normal male fish but male fish are capable of synthesis Vtg in reponse to exogenous estrogen and xenoestrogens. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.188-188
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• 2003

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a prototype of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, is a persistent environmental contaminant and one of the most powerful tumor promoters. The molecular mechanism underlying induction of tumor promotion by TCDD has not been elucidated.(omitted)

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.465-470
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• 1997

The human cDNA clone UDPGTh2, encoding a liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT), was isolated from a .gamma.gt 11 cDNA library by hybridization to mouse transferase cDNA clone, UDPGTm1. The two clones had 74% nlicleotide sequence identities in the coding region. UDPGTh2 encoded a 529 amino acid protein with an amino terminus membrane-insertion signal peptide and a carboxyl terminus membrane-spanning region. In order to establish substrate specificity, the clone was inserted into the pSVL vector (pUDPGTh2) and expressed in COS 1 cells. Sixty potential substrates were tested using cells transfected with pUDPGTh2. The order of relative substrate activity was as follows: 4-hydroxyestrone > estriol >2-hydroxyestriol > 4-hydroxyestradiol > $6{\alpha}$-hydroxyestradiol >$5{\alpha}$-androstane-$3{\alpha}$, $11{\beta}$, $17{\beta}$-triol=5${\beta}$-androstane-$3{\alpha}$ ${\beta}$, $17{\beta}$-triol. There were only trace amounts of gulcuronidation of 2-hydroxyestradiol and 2-hydroxyestrone, and in contrast to other cloned transferase, no gulcuronidation of either the primary estrogens and androgens (estrone, $17{\beta}$estradiol/testosterone, androsterone) or any of the exogenous substrates tested was detected. A lineweaver-Burk plot of the effect of 4-hydroxystrone concentration on the velocity of glucuronidation showed an apparent Km of $13{\mu}M$. The unique specificity of this transferase might play an important role in regulating the level and activity of these potent and active estrogen metabolites.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2015

Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB ($0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB ($1.5{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu ($500{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1118-1126
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• 2010

Male reproduction is influenced by a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including environmental endocrine disruptors. Testosterone is a well recognized intrinsic regulator for development and function of the male reproductive tract, and thus male fertility. The testis and semen of many mammalians contain an unusually high concentration of estrogen. Testosterone is converted into estrogen by the enzymatic action of cytochrome P450 aromatase complex (Cyp19a1). Of the male reproductive tract, the efferent ductules (EDs) possess exceptionally elevated levels of estrogen receptors (ERs), ER${\alpha}$ and ER${\beta}$, indicating that estrogen, in addition to testosterone, would have a functional role in regulation of male reproduction. First, this review has focused on description and summary of what is currently known for functions of estrogen in the EDs. The biosynthetic pathway of estrogen occurring in the testis is briefly covered, following by detailed explanation of the morphology and physiology of EDs. In the next section, the sources and targets of estrogen in the male reproductive tract are highlighted, and possible functional roles of estrogen in the EDs are justified from the aspect of physiology, molecular biology, and morphology in adult animal models. Also, this section covers the importance of estrogen and ERs in maintaining normal function and morphology of the EDs during postnatal development. In the last part of this review, the effects of extrinsic factors, especially environmental endocrine-disruptors, on the EDs is summarized. The intent of this review is to emphasize the importance of estrogen for regulation of physiological function of the EDs, and thus male fertility.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2004

It has been reported that osteoporosis induced by the deficiency of estrogens in menopause is associated with the unbalance of Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi levels. Proximal tubule is very important organ to regualte Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi level in the body. However, the effect of estrogens on Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi regulation was not elucidated. Thus, we examined the effect of 17-β estradiol (E₂) on Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi uptake in the primary cultured rabbit renal proxiaml tubule cells. In the present study, E₂(> 10/sup -9/M) decreases Ca/sup 2+/uptake and stimulates Pi uptake over 3 days. E₂-induced decrease of Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulation of Pi uptake were blocked by actinomycin D (a gene transcription inhibitor), cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor). tamoxifen, and progesterone (estrogen receptor antagonists). E₂-induced decrease of Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulation of Pi uptake were blocked by SQ22536 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor), Rp-cAMP (a cAMP antagonist), and PKI (a protein kinase A inhibitor). Indeed, E₂ increased cAMP formation. In addition, E₂-induced decrease of Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulation of Pi uptake were blocked by staurosporine, H-7, and bisindolylmaleimide I (protein kinase C inhibitors) and E₂ translocated PKC from cytoslic fraction to membrane fraction. In conclusion, E₂ decreased Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulated Pi uptake via cAMP and PKC pathway in the PTCs.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.31-43
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• 2005

Isoflavones are naturally occurring plant chemicals belonging to the 'phytoestrogen' class. The isoflavones are strikingly similar in chemical structure to natural estrogens. The phenolic ring is a key structural element of most compounds that bind to estrogen receptors. Dietary components that recently have received attention for their action as phytoestrogens are soy isoflavones. Soy products are the most significant dietary sources of isoflavones. Recently It is concerned clinical nutrition of isoflavone that is driven by reason of alternative sources of exogenous estrogen are constantly being needed. Estrogen therapy after the menopause offers protection from cardiovascular disease, reduces the extent of osteoporosis and relieves menopausal symptoms. Exogenous estrogen treatment is a fear of possible increased risk of developing breast cancer and because of side effects. Daily intake of soybean or soy food can affirmative effect to disease occurrence, that is based on mechanical investigation, experimental results of animals and human. Research into isoflavone is going on various field to relieve hormone - dependent disease such as cancer, menopausal symptom, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Isoflavone is plenty in soybean meal, soy by-product, but only limited information is available on isoflavone efficacy into animal husbandry. Thus we conducted three experiments to investigate the effects of dietary isoflavone on productivities, antioxidative responses and bone metabolism in poultry. Dietary supplementation of isoflavone resulted in preventing the lipid oxidation of plasma and egg yolk. Dietary isoflavone improved bone development in egg-type growing chicks and broilers in terms of tibial strength. It was suggested that the proper use of feed additives such as isoflavone might provide means of improving antioxidative effect, skeletal strength, egg and eggshell quality.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.265-272
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• 1999

A simultaneous profile analysis of 19 environmental estrogens, which act like estrogen and may effect the endocrine system by binding to hormone receptors or influencing cell signaling pathways, was attempted. The present method was based on the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). It involves solid-liquid extraction, enzyme hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction and quantitative conversion into trimethylsilyl (TMS)-ether derivatives. Analytical recovery range was 47.6 ~ 99.5% and the RSD values of within-a-day and day-to-day test were 0.66 ~ 9.33%, 1.66 ~ 16.14%, respectively. The Korean reference values for the evaluation of environmental estrogen effects were established by this method.