• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

Objective: Stress is known to be an inhibitor of the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. However, the neural and molecular connections between stress and reproduction are not yet understood. It is well established that in both humans and rodents, kisspeptin (encoded by the kiss1 gene) is a strong stimulator of the HPG axis. In the present study we hypothesized that endocannabinoids, an important neuromodulatory system in the brain, can act on the HPG axis at the level of kiss1 expression to inhibit reproductive function under stress. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were unilaterally implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula. Afterwards, the animals were exposed to immobilization stress, with or without the presence of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 ${\mu}g/rat$). Blood samples were collected through a retro-orbital plexus puncture before and after stress. Five hours after the stress, brain tissue was collected for reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction measurements of kiss1 mRNA. Results: Immobilization stress (1 hour) resulted in a decrease in the serum luteinizing hormone concentration. Additionally, kiss1 gene expression was decreased in key hypothalamic nuclei that regulate gonadotrophin secretion, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), and to some extent the arcuate nucleus (ARC). A single central administration of AM251 was effective in blocking these inhibitory responses. Conclusion: These findings suggest that endocannabinoids mediate, at least in part, immobilization stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive system. Our data suggest that the connection between immobilization stress and the HPG axis is kiss1 expression in the mPOA rather than the ARC.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.84-88
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• 2023

Because multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET) in cattle includes several benefits such as wide spreading of genetically superior offspring for long distance, this biotechnological method has been widely applied to Hanwoo. When the recipients are not stayed close after embryo recovery from donor, the embryos are moved to other farms via several vehicles (car, train, and airplane). However, air travel induces lesser oxygen level, increased vibration, lower air pressure, higher noise, and increased exposure of cosmic radiation to living things than ground level. It was still unknown that fresh embryos obtained from multiple ovulation of Hanwoo could maintain their fertility after being transported via air plane, the present case report introduced a clinical case of MOET in Hanwoo after shipping fresh embryos via air transportation. The donor was multi-ovulated via follicle-stimulating hormone series of injection, which was followed by a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone injection and artificial insemination twice. The embryos were recovered by the uterine flushing, packed in ministraws, transported to recipients for 6 h including 1 h air flight, and then transferred to the synchronized recipients. During pregnancy diagnosis of early gestation period, 5 of 7 recipients (71.4%) presented no heat signs and showed fetal sacs with fluid under transrectal ultrasonography. After normal gestation period, all recipients naturally delivered healthy calves (male n = 2 and female n = 3) without abortion, stillbirth, and premature birth. The present case report indicated that transportation of fresh embryos for MOET via domestic flight in Korea did not affect to their fertility.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.71-78
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the number of the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments for superovulation in mature rats. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, initially 190~230gm) were randomly alloted into 3 groups. One group was control group, another FSH-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 0.5 units of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) / rat, and third PMS and HCG-treated group was intramuscularly injected with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum (PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) / rat. The uteri and ovaries of rats were collected and then were observed grossly and serial sections of paraffin embedding ovaries were stained with H-E. Number of ovarian follicles by following 3 grades of large, middle and small follicles from secondary and tertiary follicles were investigated by LM photography of preparations. Small follicles were classified as secondary follicles of preantral follicles with more than 2 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte and middle follicles were classified as secondary follicles with early signs of antral cavity or with more than one small cavity on either side of the oocytes and large follicles were classified as tertiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity. In gross findings, the uteri were slightly swelling in FSH-treated group and markedly swelling or filled with fluid in the uterine lumen in PMS and HCG-treated group. In histological findings, the shape and size of the follicles were diverse in middle and large follicles of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group, and proportion of atretic follicles was increased in FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group. The uteri of FSH-treated group and PMS and HCG-treated group were hypertropied or filled with fluid in the lumens and walls of uteri. The wall tissue layers were flattened and their blood and lymph vessels were dilated. The mean number of follicle per ovary in control group were appeared to be $17.1{\pm}5.6$($14.0%{\pm}4.6%$), $37.8{\pm}9.1$($30.9{\pm}7.4%$) and $67.6{\pm}30.1$($55.2{\pm}24.6%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $122.5{\pm}40.0$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in FSH-treated group were appeared to be $22.8{\pm}7.0$($17.4%{\pm}5.3%$), $43.4{\pm}6.6$($33.2{\pm}5.1%$) and $64.5{\pm}13.0$($49.3{\pm}9.9%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $130.7{\pm}16.6$. The mean number of follicle per ovary in PMS and HCG-treated group were appeared to be $29.7{\pm}11.0$($16.3%{\pm}6.0%$), $61.9{\pm}17.2$($33.9{\pm}9.4%$) and $91.1{\pm}28.2$($49.9{\pm}15.4%$) respectively at large, middle and small follicles and total number of these 3 grade follicles were appeared to be $182.6{\pm}32.7$. The above findings reveal that large follicles were increased 29.8% in FSH-treated group and 73.7% in PMS and HCG-treated group than those in control group and in histologic findings, proportion of atretic follicles were more increased in ovaries with more number of more developing follicles.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• 제7권
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• pp.83-97
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• 1989

본 실험은 일정한 발달단계(發達段階)에 있는 생쥐배(胚)를 응집시킬때 세포응집소인 Phytohemagglutinin-P(PHA-P)를 첨가 라화배(裸化胚)의 응집율과 응집된 배(胚)를 in vitro에서 배양하였을때의 배양율 및 적당한 PHA-P의 첨가농도를 조사하여 Chimera배(胚)를 생산하는데 필요한 기초지식을 얻기 위하여 실시(實施)하였다. Albino BALB/C와 CBA계통 및 C57BL 계통의 생쥐에 pregnant mare Serum gonadotropin와 human chorionic gonadotropin를 투여하여 과배란 생쥐에 PMSG와 hCG를 투여하여 과배란을 유기, 회수된 생쥐의 4세포기, 8세포기 및 상실배기 수정란을 1.0% Protease 용액으로 투명대를 제거(除去)하고 PHA-P를 첨가한 배양액에서 미세한 초자봉(硝子棒)으로 계통(系統)이 다른 두 계통(系統)의 생쥐의 배(胚)를 응집시킨 다음 응집된 배를 $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$, 95% Air의 배양기 조건하에서 13~50 시간 배양하면서 Chimera배(胚)의 발달상태를 조사하였다. 본(本) 실험에서 얻어진 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. 1.0% Protease 또는 1.0% Protease 및 $5ug/m{\ell}$ PHA-P가 첨가된 산성 Tyrode액에서 투명대를 제거한 라화배(裸化胚)를 배반포까지 배양했을때 유의차는 없었으나 4세포기배와 8세포기배 보다 상실기배가 더 잘 발달되었으며 또한 PHA-P를 첨가하였을때가 첨가하지 아니한 때 보다 다소 좋은 경향을 보였다. 2. PHA-P $2ug/m{\ell}$첨가시 4세포기, 8세포기 및 상실기배의 응집율은40.0~82.0%, $5ug/m{\ell}$첨가시에는 52.0~94.0%, $10ug/m{\ell}$ 첨가시에는 48.0~96.0%로 배(胚)의 발달단계(發達段階)에 따라서는 4세포기, 8세포기가 상실배기 보다 유의적으로 높았다 (P<.05). PHA-P의 처리수준에 의한 응집율에 있어서는 5 또는 $10ug/m{\ell}$첨가구가 $2ug/m{\ell}$첨가구 보다 조금 높게 나타났으나 유의차는 없었다. 3. 응집배의 상실배까지의 배양율은 PHA-P의 각(各) 수준간 및 각(各) 세포기간에 유의차가 인정되지 않았다. 응집배의 배반포까지의 배양율은 PHA-P 수준사이에는 유의차가 없었으나 4세포기와 8세포기의 배(胚)는 상실기 배(胚)보다 유의적으로 높은 배양율을 보였다 (P<.05). 4. 응집된 배(胚)가 배반포까지 발달하는데 소요되는 평균시간은 4세포기배가 38.5~40시간, 8세포기배가 26~27시간, 상실기배가 19~20시간이었다. 5. 응집율은 34.0~94.0%의 범위로서 PHA-P를 첨가할때 응집율이 더 좋은 경향을 보였으나 유의성은 인정되지 않았다. 4세포기와 8세포기의 배(胚)가 상실기배 보다 유의적으로 높았다(P<.05). 6. 응집배의 상실배까지의 발달율은 4세포기배가 52.7~84.7%, 8세포기배가 73.8~872% 였으며 세포기 사이에는 유의차는 나타나지 않았다. 그러나 PHA-P를 첨가한 것이 발달이 더 좋았다. 7. 응집배의 배반포까지의 발달율은 4세포기의 배(胚)가 41.7~77.7%, 8세포기의 배(胚)는 78.7~83.0% 상실기배가 0~19.2%였으며 4세포기의 PHA-P 처리가 미처리(未處理) 보다 유의적으로 높았다(P<.05). PHA-P를 처리했을 때 4세포기와 8세포기가 상실기의 배(胚) 보다 더 높은 발달율을 보였다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.56-60
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• 2005

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and unconjugated estriol (uE3) were added to AFP to make what is commonly known as the Triple test. The Triple test combines results from these three tests and has been a standard screening procedure for several years. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of adding inhibin-A to Down's syndrome risk assessment. The Quad test adds dimeric Inhibin-A (DIA) to the three other markers and uses the same computer program to calculate risk factors. Testing was performed between 14 and 21 weeks of gestation. Sample size were 648 samples and period of study was from 1, July, 2004 to 30, September, 2004. Used analytical methods for AFP, hCG and uE3 were radioimmunoassay (RIA) and dimeric inhibin A was enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adding dimeric inhibin-A as a fourth marker to the standard triple test increases the detection rate from 62 % to 75 % with a false-positive rate of 5%. The DIA based Quad test has been shown to be the most effective second trimester screening test for Down's syndrome suitable for routine use. Increased DIA values are observed during normal pregnancy where a bimodal pattern response is seen. Values increase during the first trimester, decline after 14 weeks, and re-ascend between 17-25 weeks. Values for DIA may be additionally elevated during a Down's syndrome pregnancy. Dimeric inhibin A is a glycoprotein hormone made by the ovary and placenta. DIA levels are twice as high in Down's syndrome pregnancies. AFP, hCG, and uE3 levels vary with gestational age, and incorrect gestational dating will influence results. DIA levels do not vary substantially with gestational age, resulting in greater screening accuracy. Although the Quad test is an improvement over the Triple test, it is important to underscore the fact that a positive test on both should be done. Most women who initially screen positive will be found to be carrying normal babies when amniocentesis and definitive diagnostic chromosome analysis are done.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.7-13
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• 2007

The present study investigated the effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gona-dotrophin (hCG) on the nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. Oocytes were recovered from mongrel female ovaries in various reproductive states; follicular, luteal or anestrous stage. Oocytes were cultured in sserum-free tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with various concentrations of FSH (Exp. 1: 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 10 IU) or hCG (Exp.2:0, 0.5, 1.0 or 10 IU) or both (Exp. 3:1 IU FSH +1 IU hCG) for 72 hr to determine the effective concentration of these hormones, and to examine their combined effect. After maturation culture, oocytes were denuded in PBS containing 0.1% (w/v) hyaluronidase by gentle pipetting. The denuded oocytes were stained with $1.9\;{\mu}M$. Hoechst 33342 in glycerol and the nuclear state of oocytes was evaluated under UV light. More (p<0.05) oocytes matured to MII stage when follicular stage oocytes were supplemented with 1 IU FSH (6.2%) compared with the control, 0.1 or 10.0 IU FSH (0 to 1.2%). Significantly higher (p<0.05) maturation rate to MII stage was observed in follicular stage oocytes supplemented with 1.0 IU hCG (7.2%) compared with the control or other hCG supplemented groups (0 to 1.5%). However, the combination of FSH and hCG did not improve the nuclear maturation rate of canine oocyte (2.4 %) compared with FSH (6.2%) and hCG alone (7.2%). In conclusion, FSH or hCG alone significantly increased the maturation of canine oocytes to MII stage.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 1987

생쥐 난자-난구 복합체를 인공배양하면서 adenylate cyclase의 촉진제인 forskilin과 phosphodiesterase의 저해제인 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine(IBMX)을 배양액에 첨가하여 이들이 난구세포의 분산과 난자의 성숙(핵붕괴)에 미치는 효과를 관찰한 결과 다음과 같았다. 1. Forskilin은 0.001$\mu$M에서 부터 난구세포의 분산을 유도하기 시작하여 (36%) 0.1-10$\mu$M 구간에서 최대의 분산율을 나타내었고 (80-90%) 100$\mu$M에서는 그 효과가 줄어들었다(60%). 이때 난자의 핵 붕괴는 10$\mu$M까지 정상으로 일어나다 (75-80%) 100$\mu$M에서 부분적으로 억제되기 시작하였다(40%). 2. IMBX는 0.01$\mu$M에서 부터 난구세포의 분산을 유도하기 시작하여 (30%) 1-1,000$\mu$M의 전 구간에서 최대의 분산율(81-89%)을 나타내었다. 난자들은 10$\mu$M의 농도까지 정상적으로 핵 붕괴를 일으키었으나(90% 이상) 100$\mu$M 이상에서 급격히 억제되었다(14%). 3. 난구세포의 분산을 유도하는데 필요한 최소의 자극기간을 조사해 본 결과 HCG는 2분, FSH와 forskilin은 15-30분, IBMX는 2시간이었다. 위 결과로 부터 생쥐 난구세포에서 cAMP의 농도를 높이는데 adenylate cyclase 와 phosphodiesterase의 두 효소가 모두 중요한 기여를 하며 난구세포는 단 기간에 생긴 cAMP의 peak로서 분산이 유도될 수 있으나 난자의 성숙억제 과정에서는 지속적인 cAMP의 존재가 필요하다는 것을 알았다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1573-1582
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• 2015

This study was to investigate the effect of soyabean isoflavones (SIF) on onset of puberty, serum hormone concentration, and gene expression in hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary of female Bama miniature pigs. Fifty five, 35-days old pigs were randomly assigned into 5 treatment groups consisting of 11 pigs per treatment. Results showed that dietary supplementation of varying dosage (0, 250, 500, and 1,250 mg/kg) of SIF induced puberty delay of the pigs with the age of puberty of pigs fed basal diet supplemented with 1,250 mg/kg SIF was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to control. Supplementation of SIF or estradiol valerate (EV) reduced (p<0.05) serum gonadotrophin releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone concentration, but increased follicle-stimulating hormone concentration in pigs at 4 months of age. The expression of KiSS-1 metastasis-suppressor (KISS1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta-5-delta-4 isomerase ($3{\beta}-HSD$) was reduced (p<0.01) in SIF-supplemented groups. Expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in the pituitary of miniature pigs was reduced (p<0.05) compared to the control when exposed to 250, 1,250 mg/kg SIF and EV. Pigs on 250 mg/kg SIF and EV also showed reduced (p<0.05) expression of cytochrome P450 19A1 compared to the control. Our results indicated that dietary supplementation of SIF induced puberty delay, which may be due to down-regulation of key genes that play vital roles in the synthesis of steroid hormones.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• 제8권
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• pp.119-127
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• 1990

임신랫드에 융모성성선자극호르몬을 투여한 후 모체의 황체와 태아에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 임신랫드에 융모성성선자극호르몬제제인 Profasai 1000(Serona, Switzland) 50 또는 100IU를 임신 4, 8, 12 또는 16일에 각각 투여한 후 임신20일에 부검하여 태아와 모체에 대한 조사를 한 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 1. 황체는 모든 대조군과 HCG투여군에서 그 수가 거의 비슷한 수준이었고 임신8일의 경우에 그 수가 비교적 감소되었다. 2. 태아의 흡수는 임신 4, 8및 12일의 HCG투여군과 임신 12일의 대조군에서 나타났지만 임신4일의 경우가 발생빈도가 현저하게 높았고 임신 12일의 경우는 매우 낮았다. 3. 태아의 체중은 임신4일에 50IU의 HCG투여군에서만 감소되었다. 4. 태아의 골격검사에서 기형발생과 골화의 이상은 인정되지 않았지만 변이는 인정되었다. 변이는 14번늑골만 인정되었으며, 임신 4, 8 그리고 12일의 HCG투여군과 임신8일과 16일의 대조군에서 다양하게(5.26~8.33%) 나타났다. 5. 임신랫드에 HCG를 투여하면 태아의 흡수가 나타날 수 있지만 골격형성 과정에서 반드시 변이가 발생된다고 생각하지 않는다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.111-117
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• 2004

Objectives: To investigate the effect of LH receptor in folliculogenesis, we confirm the expression level of LH receptor (LH-R) mRNA in human granulosa cells (GCs) and its expression levels were analyzed by comparison to embryo developmental rate and pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: GCs were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval from the patients undergoing IVF-ET program. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=20) is poor responder (retrieved oocyte(s)$\leq$3ea), Group II (n=80) is normal responder (retrieved oocytes>3ea). After the extraction of total RNA, semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed and the expression level of LH-R mRNA was normalized by $\beta$-actin. Statistical analysis was performed by using $X^2$ test, Student's t-test and Pearson correlation. Results: In Group II, the relative values of LH-R mRNA (0.680 vs. 0.463, p<0.005) and pregnancy rate (54.7% vs. 23.1%, p<0.05) were significantly higher than in Group I. Number of retrieved oocyte(s) was gradually increased when the expression of LH-R mRNA was increased (p<0.05). But the quality of retrieved oocyte and transferred embryo were not related with the expression of LH-R mRNA. When the pregnancy rate was compared with FSH only group and FSH combined with hMG group in the ovarian stimulation protocol, FSH combined with hMG group was significantly higher than FSH only group in Group I (37.5% vs. 0%), and the expression of LH-R mRNA was significantly higher in hMG combined group than FSH only group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Expression level of LH-R mRNA has important role in ovarian function related with the response to gonadotrophin in human folliculogenesis. Furthermore these data might provide the evidence that additional use of hMG is helpful to poor responders.