• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.16-21
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• 1984

This experiment was carried out to compare with the nonsurgical and surgical recovery of fertilized eggs in super-ovulated rabbits. Sixty-four eggs recovered were transferred to twelve synchronized, pseudopregnant rabbits to test the viability of the eggs by surgical transfer. Each group(I, II, III) received a single subcutaneous injection of 5mg PGF2${\alpha}$/kg B.W. at 24(Group I), 48(Group II) and 72 hours (Group III) after mating, respectivity. After the administration of PGF2${\alpha}$, vaginal washings were conducted at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hrs, and frequency of vaginal washing was 5 times for the each group (I, II, III). In Group (IV, V, Ⅵ), the rabbits were killed to recover the fertilized eggs from the genital tract at 24(Group Ⅵ), 48(Group V) and 72 hours (Group Ⅵ) after mating, respectively. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Of the total eggs, 69.3%, 73.4% and 66.9% were recovered for Group I, II and III, respectively from the vagina within 6 hrs after PGF2${\alpha}$ injection and particularly for Group III. 2. The rates of egg recovery versus the number of corpora lutea were 55 (51.6-60%), 35.8 (24-52.6%), 33.4 (25-47%) and 72 (70.7-73.0)%, 60.3 (50-71.4)%, 449(44.4-45.5)% in Group I, II, III and Group IV, V, Ⅵ, respectively. 3. Most of eggs recovered were one-cell stage in Group Iand Group IV. More than one half of the eggs recovered in Group II and V were over eight-cell stage, and most of the eggs were so in Group III and Ⅵ. 4. When sixty-four eggs recovered between 24 to 72 hours after mating were transferred to pseudopregnant rabbits. Three recipients were pregnant, and the rate of pregnancy was 25%.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.159-164
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• 2004

A dairy farm that has been suffered continuously(more than 2 years) from brucellosis in Korea in spite of repeated legal test-and-slaughter was investigated the main source of infection in the farm. All cattle(22 milking cows, 44 heifers, 60 calves, 8 bull), dogs(3 mixed breed), feces from wild birds(3 samples), drinking water(3 sites), and soil in the paddocks(14 sites) inside the farm were examined with serological and/or bacteriological methods including specific DNA detection with PCR method. Brucella spp in the milk and blood were detected in 12/22 and 5/22 milking cows, respectively, although all of them were negative with conventional tube agglutination test. The number of serologically positive heifer was 15(15/44), but the isolation of Brucella spp was succeeded in the only 11(11/15) of them. Brucella were detected in vagina 1(1/11) and nasal(3/12) excretion in serologically positive heifers. All the three dogs were serologically positive, and Brucella spp were isolated from their blood. However, Brucella spp were not detected in the drinking water, soil in the paddocks, nor the feces of wild birds. The results suggest that milking cow secrete Brucella spp through milk, genital tract and nasal cavity, which are the major source of infection in this farm, The main infection route of Brucella spp is contact to contact with Brucella spp excreting animals rather than environmental contamination. The animals, living together with infected cow such as dogs, are the readily susceptible and are required to be examined for Brucella spp.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.143-148
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• 1995

To present and assess the efficacy of combination of microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration(MESA) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI) for the treatment of infertility due to unreconstructable obstructive azoospermia or congenital bilateral agenesis of vas deferens (CBAVD), MESA was performed in the 45 husbands ( 16 CBAVD, 29 unreconstructable genital tract obstruction), followed by ICSI of oocytes recovered from the wives hyperstimulated by GnRH agonist in combination with hMG and FSH. Cleaving embryos were transfered to the uterine cavity or follopian tube(ZIFT) 18 or 24 hours after ICSI procedure. In 45 cycles of MESA, 492 oocyte complexes were recovered. ICSI was carried out on 355 metaphase II oocytes and 226 oocytes (63.7%) showed normal two pronucleus fertilization. After 198 embryos were transferred in 43 cycles, an average of 5 per cycle, 20 patients presented a positive HCG and intrauterine pregnancy was confirmed by US. So, the clinical ongoing pregnancy rate per transfer was 46.5%. Until now, 8 patients have given birth to 9 babies, 5 male and 4 female, including 1 twin. The babies were all healthy except 1 twin female baby. There was 1 miscarriage at 7 weeks and chromosomal study of abortus revealed as 45X, monosomy. These results suggested that it was possible to achieve high normal fertilization and pregnancy rate by ICSI using epididymal sperm.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제49권3호
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• pp.295-298
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• 2011

Lactobacillus species in the female genital tract are thought to act as a barrier to infection. Several studies have demonstrated that lactobacilli can adhere to vaginal epithelial cells. However, little is known about how the adherence of lactobacilli to vaginal epithelial cells affects the acidity, cell viability, or proliferation of the lactobacilli themselves or those of vaginal epithelial cells. Lactobacillus acidophilus was co-cultured with immortalized human vaginal epithelial cells (MS74 cell line), and the growth of L. acidophilus and the acidity of the culture medium were measured. MS74 cell density and viability were also assessed by counting cell numbers and observing the cell attachment state. L. acidophilus showed exponential growth for the first 6 hr until 9 hr, and the pH was maintained close to 4.0-5.0 at 24 hr after culture, consistent with previous studies. The growth curve of L. acidophilus or the pH values were relatively unaffected by co-culture with MS74 cells, confirming that L. acidophilus maintains a low pH in the presence of MS74 cells. This co-culture model could therefore potentially be used to mimic vaginal conditions for future in vitro studies. On the other hand, MS74 cells co-cultured with L. acidophilus more firmly attached to the culture plate, and a higher number of cells were present compared to cells cultured in the absence of L. acidophilus. These results indicate that L. acidophilus increases MS74 cell proliferation and viability, suggesting that lactobacilli may contribute to the healthy environment for vaginal epithelial cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2) appears to be widely expressed in cells in the testes, predominantly in spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, and its co-expression with transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is essential for the entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). For this reason, the male reproductive system could be considered a potential target for SARS-CoV-2, as well as a possible reservoir of infection. However, to date, there is very little evidence about the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples. The aim of this paper was to review the current evidence regarding the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male fertility and sexual health, with a particular focus on reproductive hormones, the presence of the virus in seminal fluid and testis, and its impact on fertility parameters. We found very limited evidence reporting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in semen and testicular samples, and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on reproductive hormones and fertility parameters is unclear. The quality of the examined studies was poor due to the small sample size and several selection biases, precluding definitive conclusions. Hence, future well-designed prospective studies are needed to assess the real impact of SARS-CoV-2 on male reproductive function.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.33-39
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• 2022

Objective: Male genital tract infections have been associated with infertility, and Escherichia coli has drawn increasing attention as an important bacterium in this context. This investigation aimed to characterize and compare the distributions of O-antigen serogroups of E. coli in the semen samples of fertile and infertile men. Methods: In this case-control study, semen samples were collected from 618 fertile and 1,535 infertile men. The E. coli-positive samples were evaluated in terms of concentration, morphology, viability, and motility parameters according to the World Health Organization 2010 guidelines. Finally, different serogroups of E. coli were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting the O-antigen variations of the bacterium. Results: The prevalence of E. coli among fertile men was significantly higher than among infertile men (p<0.001). The sperm morphology, viability, and motility in the E. coli-positive fertile group were significantly higher than in the E. coli-positive infertile group (p<0.001). E. coli O6 was the most prevalent serogroup found in both groups. However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of different serogroups of E. coil between the two groups (p=0.55). Conclusion: Despite the higher prevalence of E. coli among fertile men, E. coli had more detrimental effects on semen parameters in infertile men. There was no significant difference in E. coli serogroups between the fertile and infertile groups.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제82권3호
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• pp.688-692
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• 2021

자궁경부 및 질에 발생하는 정맥기형은 매우 드문 질환이다. 표피적 정맥기형에 대한 경화요법은 매우 효과적인 것으로 알려져 있으나, 여성 하부 생식기에서의 정맥기형에 대한 효과는 아직 증명되지 않았다. 52세 여자 환자가 간헐적인 질 출혈을 보였다. 3달 동안 질 출혈의 양은 점차 증가했다. 조영 후 골반 컴퓨터단층촬영에서 자궁경부 및 질 주변으로 다수의 정맥돌 및 확장된 정맥들이 보였으나, 골반 혈관조영술에서 조기 유출 정맥, 핵과 영양동맥은 보이지 않았다. 환자는 자궁 보존 치료를 원하여 수술보다는 질 경유 직접 천자 및 에탄올 경화요법을 시행했다. 총 4회 경화요법 후, 환자는 합병증 없이 질 출혈이 상당 부분 감소했다. 저자들은 질 경유 직접 천자 및 에탄올 경화요법을 이용한 자궁경부 및 질의 정맥기형의 성공적 치료를 경험하였기에 문헌 고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.119-128
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• 2024

Glucocorticoids play a physiologic role in the adult male reproductive functions, modulating gonadal steroid synthesis and spermatogenesis, through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). The expression of GR has been described in several key testicular cell types, including somatic cells and early germ cell populations. Nothing is known on GR in human spermatozoa. Herein, we explored the GR expression and its possible role in normal and testicular varicocele semen samples from volunteer donors. After semen parameter evaluation by macro- and microscopic analysis, samples were centrifuged; then spermatozoa and culture media were recovered for further investigations. By western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses we evidenced for the first time in spermatozoa the presence of GR-D3 isoform which was reduced in sperm from varicocele patients. By treating sperm with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEXA), we found that survival, motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction were increased in both healthy and varicocele samples. GR involvement in mediating DEXA effects, was confirmed by using the GR inhibitor mifepristone (M2F). Worthy, we also discovered that sperm secretes different cortisol amounts depending on its physio-pathological status, suggesting a defence mechanism to escape the immune system attach in the female genital tract thus maintaining the immune-privilege as in the testis. Collectively, our data suggests a role for glucocorticoids in determining semen quality and function, as well as in participating on sperm immune defensive mechanisms. The novelty of this study may be beneficial and needs to take into account in artificial insemination/drug discovery aimed to enhancing sperm quality.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.158-164
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• 2007

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common tumor in the female genital tract. Although the tumor is benign, it is a matter of paramount importance since it often causes profuse menstrual bleeding, pressure symptoms and infertility. Nevertheless, the etiology and pathophysiology of this abnormality remain poorly understood. The traditional definitive treatment for uterine leiomyomas is hysterectomy and, even today, symptomatic leiomyomas are the leading cause of hysterectomy in Korea. Clearly, the development of a safe, effective, and nonsurgical method of treatment for leiomyoma would be of great benefit to many women. This study demonstrated growth inhibition of uterine leiomyoma cells using Haeohyultang (HT). When human leiomyoma cells were treated with Haeohyultang, cells showed dose-dependent growth inhibitory effect. Cell growth was inhibited by over 40% as determined by both cell counts and MTS assay. Reduction of cellular viability as a consequence of exposure to Haeohyultang resulted from induction of apoptosis, as assessed by DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, caspase 9 and caspase 3 assay. Flow cytometry analysis with uterine leiomyoma cells demonstrated sub G1 cell cycle arrest after treatment with drug Haeohyultang. But, the expression levels of p27 and p21 were not changed in Haeohyultang treated cells compared with control. However, the expression levels of clAP1 were reduced by Haeohyultang compared with control. This reduction of clAP1 data means activation of the caspase family, and then induction of PARP cleavage and apoptosis. These results suggest that Haeohyultang may be potential therapeutic approach in the clinical management of uterine leiomyoma.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.575-579
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• 2009

베체트병은 전신적 혈관염으로 여러 장기에 걸쳐 나타날 수 있으며, 현재로선 확진을 위한 검사 방법이 없으므로 병의 진단은 임상적 증상에 기초하여 내려진다. 구강 및 외음부의 재발성 궤양, 피부 병소, 안구 병소, 및 이상초과민검사(pathergy test)에 대한 반응을 기초로 진단을 내리며, 이 외에도 위장관과 중추신경계에 증상이 나타날 수 있다. 이 중 재발성 구강 궤양은 대부분의 베체트병 환자에서 나타나며, 많은 경우 베체트병의 첫번째 임상 증상으로 발현되기 때문에 치과 영역은 베체트병의 조기 진단에 있어서 중요한 위치에 있다. 본 증례에서 6세 여환은 반복되어 나타나는 재발성 구강 궤양으로 인한 동통 및 섭식 장애를 주소로 본원 소아치과에 내원하였다. 문진 및 병력 채취, 그리고 임상 검사를 통해 치과 영역에서 베체트병을 조기 진단할 수 있었고, 추후 환자는 소아과, 피부과, 소화기내과, 안과와의 협의 진료 하에 베체트병으로 확진되었다. 치과에선 환자의 동통을 완화시키고 섭식을 돕기 위해 도포마취제를 처방하였으며, 추후 베체트병의 확진 하에 그에 따른 적절한 의과적 치료를 시행할 수 있었기에 보고하는 바이다.