• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 1988

It has been suggested that the presence of periovarian adhesions might impair the ovarian response to gonadotropins. Total 136 patients who underwent IVF-ET from February to June 1988(88-1 and 88-2 series) at SNUH were classified into three groups according to total ovarian access score, sum of each ovarian availability, estimated by diagnostic laparoscopy : group I(N=43,0%-50%), group II(N=49, 50%-150%) and group III(N=44, 150%-200%). To evaluate the effects of periovarian adhesions on follicular development in controlled ovarian yperstimulation for IVF-ET, serum E2 levels on the day of hCG dministration (Day 0) and the day after hCG administration (Day+1), the number of ovarian follicles with mean diameter${\geqq}$12mm on Day 0, and the number of oocytes retrieved by transvaginal aspiration were measured and compared among groups. There were no significant differences in age of patients, cancellation rate due to inadequate ovarian response, serum E2 levels, the number of ovarian follicles, the number of oocytes retrieved, and oocytes retrieval rate per follicle. In the same patients(N=31) in group II in whom the difference in ovarian availability between two ovaries is more than 50%, there was also no significant difference in the number of ovarian follicles between them. These data suggest that pelvic adhesions including periovarian adhesions have no adverse effects on the ovarian response to gonadotropins stimulation and the outcome of IVF-ET.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.341-354
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• 2021

Cardamonin (CARD) is a chalconoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is present in several plants. We sought to explore whether CARD exerts any positive effects against hyperglycemia-induced testicular dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify its possible intracellular pathways. Adult male rats were subdivided into six groups: control, CARD, diabetic (DM), DM + glibenclamide (GLIB), DM + CARD and DM + GLIB + CARD. Type 2 DM induced a significant increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance, along with diminished serum insulin, testosterone and gonadotropins levels, which were associated with the impairment of key testicular androgenic enzymes and cellular redox balance. Administration of CARD at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 4 weeks effectively normalized all of these alterations, and the improvement was confirmed by epididymal sperm analysis. After treatment with CARD, the pathological changes in spermatogenic tubules were markedly improved. Significantly, CARD upregulated testicular glucose transporter-8 (GLUT-8) expression and had inhibitory effects on elevated autophagy markers and caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that CARD was able to attenuate damage via activation of Nrf2 through the p62-dependent degradation of testicular anti-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1). In conclusion, this study suggests that CARD provides protection against diabetic stress-mediated testicular damage. The use of CARD with conventional anti-diabetic therapy was associated with improved efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 2009

Objective: MicroRNAs (miR) are known to repress target genes at post-transcriptional level and play important roles in development and maturation of cell. However, the expression profiles of miR during ovarian follicle maturation have not been fully elucidated. Here, we designed this study to investigate the expression profiles of miR in oocytes and granulose cells (G-cells) after in vitro culture according to gonadotropins and adding hCG. Methods: Ovaries from 12-day-old mice (C57BL6) were removed and preantral follicles were isolated and cultured in $20\;{\mu}L$-drop of culture media with supplementation of either rFSH, rLH, or rFSH+rLH. After their full maturation, follicles were incubated with rhCG and rEGF. RNA was isolated from oocytes and G-cells, and real-time PCR were performed with primers of miR known to be expressed in the mouse ovary (mmu-miR-16, -miR-27a, -miR-126, -miR-721). Results: FSH+LH group showed the highest ovulation and MII rates among gonadotropin groups. The profiles of miRs in oocytes and G-cells differed according to gonadotropin groups and adding hCG. The profiles of miRs showed divergent changes between oocytes and G-cells. Conclusion: miR expression profiles are altered by gonadotropins and supplementation of hCG during in vitro maturation of murine follicles. Target gene study must be necessary to validate these findings.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.115-118
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• 1975

1. The daily gain of the artificially induced cryptorchid pigs increased when compared with that of the castrated pigs, but less than that of the non-treated normal pigs. 2. The meat quality was only partially improved as the sex odor was not completely eliminated by inducing cryptorchidism. 3. Exogenous gonadotropins could not induce the normal spermatogenesis in the cryptorchid swine.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 1981

The Purpose of this study was to determine the serum content of LH, FSH and prolactin. Blood samples collected from day 20 prepartum to 20 postrtum in 8 sows. LH, FSH and prolactin were assayed by radioimmunoassay methods. LH levels increased from 2.3 mIU/$m\ell$ day 6 prepartum to 5.8 mIU/$m\ell$ by day +2 and remained quite constant thereafter. The mean serum FSH increased from 7.5mIU/$m\ell$ day 6 prepartum to 10.0 mIU/$m\ell$ at the time of parturition, but the difference in LH and FSH patterns reported here provide further evidence that the controlling mechanisms for the two gonadotropins are independent. Prolactin reached a peak mean level of 68.5ng/$m\ell$ at day 0.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-77
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• 2001

Objective: To report the pregnancy which was made by in vitro fertilization using recombinant follicle stimulating hormone and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist. Material and Method: Case report. Results: Six oocytes were retrieved and all were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Six embryos were transferred and the pregnancy was confirmed. Conclusion: It is envisaged that the availability of recombinant gonadotropins and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists will ultimately lead to shorter, cheaper and safer treatments, using reduced dosages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 1989

Eighteen multiparous and 8 nulliparous cows with cystic ovarian disease (19 having follicular cysts, 7 with luteal cysts) were administered either 3000 I. U. HCG or $300{\mu}g$ LHRH. Ten animals responded satisfactorily leading to normal estrus within a period of 15 to 30 days and subsequent conception. In 8 animals cysts recurred and no effect of treatment was observed in 3 patients. Plasma progesterone concentration was significantly lower in animals having follicular cysts compared to those with luteal cysts.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.6-10
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• 2012

Human puberty is a complex, coordinated biological process with multiple levels of regulations. The timing of puberty varies greatly in children and is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The key genes of pubertal onset, $KISS1$, $GPR54$, $GNRH1$ and $GNRHR$, may be major causal factors underlying gonadotropin-releasing hormone-dependent precocious puberty (GDPP). Two gain-of-function mutations in $KISS1$ and $GPR54$ have been identified recently as genetic causes of GDPP. $GNRH1$ and $GNRHR$ are also gene candidates for GDPP; however no mutations have been identified in these genes. Presently potential genetic causes like $LIN28B$ continues to appear; many areas of research await exploration in this context. In this review, I focus primarily on the genetic causes of GDPP.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.179-191
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• 1996

In-vitro culture has provided new inforrnation on mechanisms of oocytes rnaturation and results obtained in vitro have led to new questions. In porcine, follicular and oocyte size have the crucial importance for the oocytes maturation. The addition of hormones to the culture medium was found to accelerate and facilitate meiotic maturation. The presence of some factors in serum trigger the resumption of meiosis and support the maturation of oocytes in vitro. The maturation rate of porcine oocytes was also increased by supplementation of porcine follicular fluid to the culture medium. The growth factors can stimulate nuclear maturation and enhances cytoplasnic maturation of oocytes by interaction with gonadotropins. The maturation-promoting factor brings about GVBD and the subsequent maturational events in oocytes. However, cAMP can block the spontaneous meiotic maturation of oocytes in culture. The understanding of these influences is a prerequisite to enhancing in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of clomiphene citrate (CC) and letrozole combined with gonadotropins for controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in patients with CC-induced thin endometrium Methods: Fifty-one intrauterine insemination cycles performed in patients who previously had a thin endometrium (<8 mm) to ovulation induction using CC were included in this study. A CC 100 mg/day (CC+gonadotropin group, n=26) or letrozole 2.5 or 5 mg/day (letrozole+gonadotropin group, n=25) was administered on day 3~7 of the menstrual cycle, combined with gonadotropins at dose 75~150 IU every other day starting on day 5~7. We compared total dose of gonadotropin used, endometrial thickness, endometrial pattern, number of follicles ${\geq}14\;mm$ on hCG day, pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the two groups, which were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher's exact test, where appropriate. Results: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics such as age, duration of infertility, number of previous IUI cycles, basal serum hormone levels and cause of infertility between the two groups. In both groups, the endometrium was significantly thicker than that of previous ovulation induction cycles using CC. No significant differences were found in the total dose of gonadotropin used, day of hCG administration, the rate of triple endometrium and pregnancy rate. The number of follicles ${\geq}14\;mm$ was significantly lower ($3.7{\pm}1.7$ vs. $2.8{\pm}1.7$, p=0.03) and the endometrium on hCG day was significantly thicker ($7.7{\pm}1.5$ vs. $9.1{\pm}1.7$, p=0.001) in letrozole+gonadotropin group compared to CC+gonadotropin group. Conclusion: The clomiphene citrate and letrozole combined with gonadotropins appear to avoid the undesirable effects on the endometrium frequently seen with CC for ovulation induction. However, in terms of adequate endometrial development or optimal follicular growth, letrozole may be more beneficial than CC for gonadotropin-combined COS in patients with CC-induced thin endometrium. Further prospective randomized controlled studies in a larger scale will be necessary to confirm our findings.