• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.189-202
• /
• 1997

The hypothalamic peptide GnRH plays a central role in the regulation of the mammalian reproductive axis. Recent studies suggested that GnRH stimulates or inhibits the ovarian steroidogenesis and gametogenesis directly. Our previous report indicated that GnRH gene is expressed in adult rat ovary as well as in hypothalamus and that the expressed GnRH may induce the follicular atresia and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rat. Therfore, we studied whether GnRH gene is expressed in the mouse fetal ovary, when the germ cells are degenerating by apoptosis during gonad diffeerentiation. Mouse fetal gonads were obtained on the 12, 15,18 and 20th day of gestation from the mother mice superovulated (10 IU PMSG and 10 IU hCG) and mated. The morphological changes of fetal ovaries were examined histochemically by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The fetal sex was confirmed by PCR methods for sexing. RT-PCR methods were used to examine the expression of GnRH gene and the sex steroid hormones were determined by conventional radioimmunoassays. The levels of estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) were increaseduntil 18th day of gestation and then E was decreased just before parturition. The morphological changes of fetal gonadal tissue sections showed the ovarian development and coincided with the result of PCR analysis for sexing using ovary- or testis- specific oligonucleotide primers. Immunoreactive GnRH in placenta was decreased gradually until the end of gestation but fetal brain and ovarian GnRH were increased. The level of GnRH gene expression was increased during fetal ovarian development from 12 till 18th day and decreased suddenly on 20th day just before birth. From these results, it is suggested that ovarian GnRh may play a regulatory role on the germ cell differentiation of fetal ovary.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.374-379
• /
• 2007

Two experiments were designed to examine short-term effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and long-term effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), $17{\alpha}-hydroxyprogesterone$ (17P), and $17{\alpha},20{\beta}-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one\;(17,20{\beta}P)$, alone or in combination, on milt production of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus. In the first experiment, fish were injected with either 200 IU hCG/kg body weight or the same volume of marine fish Ringer's solution (MFRS). In the second experiment, each fish was implanted with a blank cholesterol pellet (control), $200\;{\mu}g$ GnRHa, $500\;{\mu}g$ 17P, or $100\;{\mu}g\;17,20{\beta}P/kg$ body weight alone or in combination. In the first experiment, hCG injection resulted in an increase in the expressible milt volume and a decrease in the spermatocrit (Sct). After pellet implantation in the second experiment, the milt volume was increased in males treated with GnRHa, GnRHa+17P, or $GnRHa+17,20{\beta}P$. On day 7 after hormone pellet implantation, the milt volume began to increase, and on day 14, the milt volume in the $GnRHa+500\;{\mu}g$ 17P group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Compared with the control group, the hormone pellet-treated groups had a significant reduction in the mean Sct and sperm concentration (Sc) at day 7 after pellet implantation, while there were no differences in total sperm number. The results suggest that increases in milt volume are generally associated with decreases in Sct and SC, suggesting that the main mechanism for the increase in milt volume was milt hydration.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.175-182
• /
• 2018

In order to examine the effects of four different light spectra (white, red, green, and blue) on the oocyte maturation, the change of reproductive parameters, via brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis in grass puffer, were investigated. After exposure four different light spectra for 7 weeks, the abundance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) mRNA which is a type of seabream (sbGnRH) and two different subunit of gonadotropin hormones mRNAs, follicle-stimulating hormone ($fsh{\beta}$) mRNA and luteinizing hormone ($lh{\beta}$) mRNA, were analyzed in the brain and pituitary. Histological analysis showed that the mature oocyte ratio in the green spectrum was higher than other light spectra-exposed groups. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) and oocyte developmental stage were also investigated in the gonad based on histological observations. GSI value with the presence of yolk stage oocytes was significantly increased in the green spectrum-exposed group when compared to that of the other light-exposed groups (white, red, and blue) (p<0.05). The abundances of sbGnRH mRNA and $fsh{\beta}$ mRNA in the green spectrum-exposed group were also significant higher than those of the other light spectra-exposed groups (p<0.05). These results indicate that the maturation of oocyte in grass puffer can be accelerated by exposure to the spectrum of green. To better understand the molecular mechanism for the maturation of oocyte in grass puffer, further study examining the relationship between oocyte development and its related genes is required.

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

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2012

Circadian rhythmicity (e.g. secretory pattern of hormones) plays an important role in the control of reproductive function. We hypothesized that the alteration of feeding pattern via meal time shift/restriction might disrupt circadian rhythms in energy balance, and induce changes in reproductive activities. To test this hypothesis, we employed simple animal model that not allowing $ad$ $libitum$ feeding but daytime only feeding. The animals of $ad$ $libitum$ feeding group (Control) have free access to food for 4 weeks. The day feeding (=reverse feeding, RF) animals (RF group) have restricted access to food during daytime (0900-1800) for 4 weeks. After completing the feeding schedules, body weights, testis and epididymis weights of animals from both group were not significantly different. However, the weights of seminal vesicle (control : RF group = $0.233{\pm}0.014g$ : $0.188{\pm}0.009g$, $p$<0.01) and prostate (control : RF group = $0.358{\pm}0.015g$ : $0.259{\pm}0.015g$, $p$<0.001) were significantly lower in RF group animals. The mRNA levels of pituitary common alpha subunit ($C{\alpha}$; control : RF group = $1.0{\pm}0.0699$ AU : $0.1923{\pm}0.0270$ AU, $p$<0.001) and $FSH{\beta}$ (control : RF group = $1.0{\pm}0.1489$ AU : $0.5237{\pm}0.1088$ AU, $p$<0.05) were significantly decreased in RF group. The mRNA levels of ACTH were not significantly different. We were unable to find any prominent difference in the microstructures of epididymis, and there were slight alterations in those of seminal vesicles after 4 weeks of reversed feeding when compared to control samples. The present study demonstrates that the shift and/or restriction of feeding time could alter the pituitary gonadotropin expression and the weights of seminal vesicle and prostate in rats. These data suggest the lowered gonadotropin inputs may decrease androgen secretion form testis, and consequently results in poor response of androgen-dependent tissues such as seminal vesicle and prostate.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.305-311
• /
• 2018

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) centrally plays a role in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis-related hormone secretions in the reproductive neuroendocrine system. In addition, hormone receptors like luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) are important element for hormones to take effect in target organ. However, ageing-dependent changes in terms of the distribution of GnRH neurons in the brain and LHR expression in the acyclic ovary have not been fully understood yet. Therefore, we comparatively investigated those ageing-dependent changes using young (1-5 months), middle (11-14 months) and old (21-27 months) aged female mice. Whereas a number of GnRH positive fibers and neurons with monopolar or bipolar morphology were abundantly observed in the brain of the young and middle aged mice, a few GnRH positive neurons with multiple dendrites were observed in the old aged mice. In addition, acyclic ovary without repeated development and degeneration of the follicles was shown in the old aged mice than others. LHR expression was localized in theca cells, granulosa cell, corpora lutea and atretic follicle in the ovaries from young and middle aged mice, in contrast, old aged mice had few positive LHR expression on the follicles due to acyclic ovary. However, the whole protein level of LHR was higher in the ovary of old aged mice than others. These results are expected to be used as an important basis on the relationship between GnRH and LHR in old aged animals as well as in further research for reproduction failure.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2024

Present study aimed to investigate the temporal changes in expression of some reproductive hormones in testis, originally found in hypothalamus and pituitary. Rats were sacrificed on postnatal day 23 (PND23; immature), pubertal (PND53) and PND 81 (young adult). The testicular RNAs were extracted, and semi-quantitative PCRs for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), kisspeptin 1 (KiSS1), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), LH subunits and LH receptor were performed. Transcript levels of GnRH and KiSS1 at PND23 were significantly higher than levels of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). PACAP mRNA level at PND23 was significantly lower than those of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). The mRNA levels of both testis type and pituitary type luteinizing hormone β subunit (tLHβ and pLHβ, respectively) at PND23 were significantly lower than levels of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). The mRNA level of glycoprotein hormone common alpha subunit (Cgα) at PND23 was significantly lower than those of PND53 and PND81 (p<0.001). Present study revealed the intratesticular expression of KiSS1 and GnRH showed a very similar trend while the expression of PACAP in the testis showed reversed pattern. The expressions of LHβ subunits (tLHβ and pLHβ) were very low during immature stage then increased significantly during puberty and early adulthood. Our attempt to study the local role(s) of intratesticular factors will be helpful to achieve precise understanding on the testis physiology and pathology.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.269-277
• /
• 2021

Effects of water temperature and hormones on ovarian development of conger eel in Korea were investigated. Ovarian development was analyzed by measuring gonadosomatic index (GSI) and oocyte diameter with histological methods. At rearing water temperatures of 12℃, 14℃, and 16℃, GSI value increased from 3.66 at the start of the experiment to 7.44, 8.82, and 7.34 at the end of the experiment, respectively. At rearing water temperatures of 12℃, 14℃, and 16℃, egg diameter increased from 245.11-300.25 ㎛ at the start of the experiment to 377.62-480.27 ㎛, 396.72-498.54 ㎛, and 382.29-475.69 ㎛ at the end of the experiment, respectively. Follicular oocyte development revealed that primary yolk globule stage observed from January to March. It entered to secondary yolk globule stage in April and remained at the same stage until July. As a result of examining effects of three hormones (human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa), and salmon pituitary extraction (SPE) on ovarian development, HCG was found to be the most effective one. The progress from diapause of the secondary yolk globule stage to migratory nucleus stage of oocytes could be induced by treating fish with HCG at 1,000 IU/kg. The effect of hormone treatment on ovarian development of conger eel in Korea was the most effective at water temperature of 14℃.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.1
• /
• pp.15-54
• /
• 1992

The present study was accomplished to investigate the relation between menstrual cycle and ovulation by studying the fluctuation of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone concentration in serum samples of selected senior high school women with normal and delayed menstrual cycles after administration of Jokyungijongoktang which was a widely used herb medicine for controlling abnormal menstrual cycles. The obtained results were summarized as follows : 1. There was a significant increase of FSH concentration in women with delayed menstrual cycles after administration of Jokyungjongoktang during the preovulatory phase. 2. Jokyungiongoktang produced a significant elevation od LH concentration in women with normal and delayed menstrual cycles, respectively, during the critical interval of ovulation. 3. Estrogen concentration was significantly decreased in women with delayed menstrual cycles after administration of Jokyungjongoktang during the critical interval of ovulation. 4. Peogesterone concentration significantly increase in women with delayed menstrual cycles after administration of Jokyungjongoktang, respectively, during the postovulatory phase. According to the above results, it can be considered that Jokyungjongoktang restore menstruation and pregnancy-related hormones to normal serum levels of women with normal menstrual cycles by activating maturation of ovum and action of estrogen during the preovulatory phase, ovulation and progesterone synthesis during the critical interval of ovulation, and nidation and endometrium sufficient for the continued pregnacy during the postovulatory phase in women with delayed menstrual cycles.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the changes of follicular fluid (FF) and serum levels of cerebellin precursor protein 1 (cbln1) and betatrophin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. Methods: Twenty infertile women with PCOS and 20 control women diagnosed as poor responders undergoing ovarian stimulation with a GnRH antagonist were included. Blood samples were obtained during ovum pick-up. Follicular fluid from a dominant follicle was collected from the subjects. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, FF and serum levels of cbln1 and betatrophin were measured in both groups of participants. Metabolic and hormonal parameters were also determined and correlated with each other. Results: Both groups of women had similar serum and FF betatrophin levels ($55.0{\pm}8.9ng/mL$ vs. $53.1{\pm}10.3ng/mL$, p=0.11). The serum and FF betatrophin levels of poor responders were found to be similar ($49.9{\pm}5.9ng/mL$ vs. $48.9{\pm}10.7ng/mL$, p=0.22). Conversely, the FF cbln1 levels of PCOS women were found to be significantly higher than the serum cbln1 levels ($589.1{\pm}147.6ng/L$ vs. $531.7{\pm}74.3ng/L$, p<0.02). The FF cbln1 levels of control participants without PCOS were significantly higher than their serum cbln1 levels ($599.3{\pm}211.5ng/L$ vs. $525.3{\pm}87.0ng/L$, p=0.01). Positive correlations were detected among body mass index, insulin resistance, serum insulin, total testosterone, and betatrophin levels in the PCOS group. Conclusion: Follicular fluid betatrophin and cbln1 concentrations may play a pivotal role on follicular growth in PCOS subjects undergoing IVF/ICSI with an antagonist protocol.