• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2010

FOXL2 is a winged-helix/forkhead (FH) domain transcription factor, and mutations in FOXL2 gene are responsible for blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES). BPES is an autosomal dominant genetic disease. BPES type I patients exhibit both premature ovarian failure (POF) and eyelid malformation, while only the eyelid defect is observed in BPES type II. FOXL2-null ovaries showed a blockage of granulosa cell differentiation, suggesting that FOXL2 plays an essential role for proper ovarian folliculogenesis. Previously, we screened for FOXL2-interacting proteins and identified steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) which is known to be required for gonad development and transactivates steroidogenic enzymes including CYP19. In the present study, we demonstrated that FOXL2 transactivates CYP19 and stimulated the transcriptional activation of CYP19 induced by SF-1. In contrast, FOXL2 mutants found in BPES type I and II exhibited compromised abilities to enhance CYP19 induction mediated by SF-1. Thus, this study provides a functional difference between wild-type FOXL2 and its mutants which may aid to understand pathophysiology of BPES elicited by FOXL2 mutations.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.336-343
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• 2011

The neurotrophins, required for the survival and differentiation of the nervous system, are known to be important for the development of the reproductive tissues. However, the signals initiating the growth of follicles, gamete development, and transport and the development of zygote in the reproductive system of cows remain ambiguous. The purpose of the present study was to identify the transcripts and proteins of Neurotrophin 4 (NT4) and its receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) in bovine reproductive tissues. The transcripts and immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB proteins were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Using immunohistochemistry, the specific immunoreactivity of NT4 and TrkB were detected in the oocytes of primordial follicles and in the growing primary follicles. The NT4 and TrkB immunoreactivity was predominantly observed in granulosa cells, cumulus granulosa cells, cumulus oocyte complexes, theca cells of mature follicles, as well as in the oviduct epithelial cells, uterine gland cell, and epithelium cells of the uterus during the follicular and luteal phases in cows. Expressions of NT4 and TrkB mRNAs were not significantly different among the ovary, oviduct, and uterus of the follicular phase. For the luteal phase, the expression of NT4 mRNA in the ovary was significantly higher than that in the oviduct and uterus, and the expression of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct was significantly higher than that in the ovary and uterus, as determined by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of NT4 mRNA was significantly higher than that of TrkB mRNA in the ovary and uterus, whereas NT4 mRNA expression was lower than that of TrkB mRNA in the oviduct during the luteal phase. The present study hypothesizes that NT4 participates in the regulation of both gonads and extra-gonadal reproductive tissues in cows.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.307-318
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• 1998

Accuracy of rectal palpation and ultrasonography for differential diagnosis of subestrous dairy trows were investigatedl using the result of pIRsma progesterone assay. The ovaries were examined 2 times of 10 days interval in 520 posearom and postinsemination subestroHs dairy cows, using rectal palpation and B-mode transrectal ultrasonography. The results of rectal palpation, ultrasonographic examination and measurement of plasma progesterone profiles in 520 subestrous dairy cows were silent brat or error of estrus detection 303 (58.3%), persistent corpus luteum 59 (11.3%), follicular cyst 37 (7.1%), luteal cyst 16 (3.1%), inactive ovary 9 (1.7%), granulosa tumor 1 (0.2%), hydmsalphinx 1 (0.2%), endomehris 81 (15.6%), pyometra 12 (2.3%) and mummified fetus 1 (0.2%), respectively. Accuncy of rectal palpation and ultrasonography for diagiosing ovarian disordeir based on plasma progesterone profiles were silent heat or error of estrus detection 80.5% and 96.7%$\boxUl$ persistent corpus luteum 57.6% and 94.9%, follicular cyst 62.5% and 91.9%1 luteal cyst 62.5% and 87.5%, maclive ovary 55.6% and 88.9% and granulosa cell tumor 100% and 100%, respectively. Acnuucy of rectal palpation for diagnosing uterine disorders based on ultrasonography was pyometra 75.0%1 endometritis 51.9% and mummified fetus 100%, respectively. Cbaracteristic ultrasonographic appearances of ovaries in subestrous dairy cows were as follows; Silent heat or error of estrus detection: anechoic follicle or hypoechoic corpus luteum than ovarian stroma was alternately present on Day 0 (first examination) and Day 10. Follicular cyst: uniformly nonechogenic ovarian structure $\geq $ 25 mm in diameter with a wall < 3 mm was present in ipsilateral on Day 0 and Day 10. Luteal cyst: luteal cyst was similar to follicular cysts but thickness of cystic wall was $\geq $ 3 mm. Inactive ovary : structures within ovaries was not present on Day 0 Bnd Day 10. Characteristic uthssonograpsc appearances of uterus in subestrous dairy cows were as follows; Endometritis: characterized by uterine lumen containing fluid in which 'snowy'echogenic particles art suspended. Pyometra: ultrasonographic appearance of pyometra was diffuse echogenic particles distributed in fluid within the distended uterus, and a thickened uterine wall. These results indicated that ultrasonography was practical far diagnosing reproductive disorders. To diagnosing ovarian disorders, ultrasonography should be carried out 2 times of 10 days interval and rndometritis should be differentiated with uterus of luteal phase in normal cycling cows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-274
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was attempted to investigate the a, pp.arences of healthy or artretic follicles in ovaries following repeats of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin(PMSG) treatments for superovulation in nulliparous rats. Thirty two rats(Sprague-Dawely, about 200-250 gm) were randomized into 4 groups. Control group rats were sacrified at estrus phase confirmed by vaginal smear. PMSG-treated group 1 rats, PMSG-treated group 2 rats and PMSG-treated group 3 rats were sacrified at 48 hrs after injection once with PMSG 25 IU, after 2 repeated injection by a week interval, and 3 repeated injection, respectively. The ovaires of rats were removed and then sections by paraffin embedding were stained with H-E or immunohistochemical staining using proliferating cell nuclear antigen monoclonal antibody (PCNA m Ab) and apoptotic kit. The criteria of follicle classification was based as small follicles with preantral follicles with 2~4 layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte, as secondary follicles with more than 5 layers of granulosa cells and early signs of antral cavity or with small clefts on either side of the oocytes, and as tirtiary follicles with a single medium sized antral cavity or large well-formed antral cavity, respectively. The proportions of atretic follicles from small and middle follicles in immunohistochemical staining using PCNA m Ab were 17.9% and 21.3% in control group, 15.5% and 23.5% in PMSG-treated group 1, 24.3% and 26.7% in PMSG-treated group 2, 18.1% and 30.2% in PMSG-treated group 3, respectively. Groups with atretic follicles of higher proportion were ordered as PMSG-treated group 3, PMSG-treated group 2, PMSG-treated group 1 and control group. The proportions of positive cells in small, middle and large follicles were 31.1%, 33.5% and 28.5% respectively. The follicles with positive cells of higher proportion were ordered middle, small and large follicles. In immunohischemical staining using apoptotic kits, small follicles in all 4 groups did not contain positive cells, and proportions of atretic follicles from middle and large follicles were 24.9, 30.7, 33.8 and 40.1% in control, PMSG-treated gruop 1, PMSG-treated group 2 and PMSG-treated group 3, respectively. These results suggested that repeats of PMSG treatment increased proportion of atretic follicles in ovaries, and middle follicles are more quickly developing than small or large follicles.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effects of superovulation on the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments in mature rat by immunohistochemical methods. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, 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 injected intramuscularly with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum(PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) / rat. Half the number of rats were administrated intraperitoneally with bromodeoxyuridine(Brdur, 0.2mg/gm BW once) at 2 hours before exanguination and the remainder of rats were sacrified without Brdur administration. The investigation by immunohistochemical methods using paraffin sections of ovaries was performed by using anti-Brdur antibody and PCNA(proliferating cell nuclear antigen) antibody for labeling proliferating cells in follicles. In immunohistochemical findings, follicles squeezed by peripheral corpus luteum or follicles large follicles with loosly and irregularly distributed granulosa cells and although with compacted granulosa cells, middle follicles with dilated round or oval follicular antrum were confirmed as atretic follicles. The proportions of atretic follicles in control group were 29.8%, 21.7% and 14.2% respectivley at large, middle and small follicles and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 26.7%. The proportions of atretic follicles in FSH-treated group were 35.4%, 24.9% and 10.4% respectively at large, middle and small follicles and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 28.1%. The proportions of atretic follicles in PMS and HCG-treated group were 44.7%, 24.0% and 12.7% respectively at large, middle and small follicles, and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 29.7%. The above findings reveal that the group with higher proportion of atretic follicles were ordered as large, middle and small follicles in size, and these proportions were increased in hormone treated two groups with more number of more growing and mature follicles when compared with control group.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2002

The subacute oral toxicity of 1-(4-methylpiperazinyl)-3-phenylisoquinoline (CWJ- a-5) was investigated in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Five groups of 5 males and 5 females were orally administered at doses of 0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 200 mg/kg with CWJ-a-5 for 2 weeks. In clinical signs, Salivation was observed in the 75, 150 and 500 mg/kg male and female groups. Loss of fur was observed in the 500 mg/kg male and female group. Body weight were significantly decreased in the 150 and 500 mg/kg male groups and in the 500 mg/kg female group. Food consumption was significantly decreased in the 300 mg/kg male group. In serum biochemistry, total cholesterol and phospholipid were significantly increased in 500 mg/kg male and female group. Aspartate aminotransferase was significantly increased in the 500 mg/kg female group. In histopathological examination, vacuolar degeneration of renal tubules in the kidney, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in the liver vacuolar degeneration of myocytes in the heart, vacuolar degeneration of histiocytes in the spleen and thymus, atrophy of seminiferous tubule and degeneration of germinal epithelium in the testis, vacuolar degeneration of corpus luteum, granulosa cell and theca cell in the ovary were observed in the 150 and 500 mg/kg male and female groups. Based on these results, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) with CWJ-a-5 was considered to be 75 mg/kg and the absolute toxic dose was considered to be 150 mg/kg in this study

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 1995

We reviewed 45 cases of ovarian tumors treated at Seoul National University Children's Hospital from 1983 to 1993. Forty-five patients were operated upon for 52 ovarian tumors. The most common pathologic diagnosis was mature teratoma. The next were functional cyst, the tumors of epithelial cell origin, and those of stromal origin in order of frequency. Six patients(13%) had malignant tumor. There were one malignant teratoma, two dysgerminomas, one endodermal sinus tumor, and two granulosa cell tumors. Four cases were diagnosed as torsion of ovarian cyst preoperatively, and emergency exploratory laparotomy were performed. There were three cases of ovarian tumors associated with precocious puberty. The most widely used diagnostic tool was ultrasonography. In the treatment of these 45 patients, unilateral oophorectomy was done in 38 cases, unilateral oophorectomy with wedge resection of contralateral ovary was done in 5 cases, unilateral oophorectomy with contralateral simple cystectomy was done in one case and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy was done in one case. Of the six cases of malignancy, five patients are alive 2 to 6 years after operation and one case was lost to be followed up.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.304-318
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• 1993

1991년 8월부터 그이듬해 7월까지 채취된 무지개 송어(Oncorhvnchus mykiu) 난모세포의발달 단계를 이해하기 위하여 광필 및 전자현미경을 이용하여 본 각구를 실시하였다. 건국 대학교 축산대학 양수.장에서 수온이 14-16$^{\circ}C$이고 용존산소량이 7.6 $\pm$ 0.3ppm. PH 5.8 $\pm$ 0.2인 자연채광 상태인 1개의 10m3 탱크에서 N R.C. 사양표준에 준한 펠렛트 배합사료를 급여하여 연중 사육중인 체중 700-1,2009의 한복새끼인 무지개 송어 암컷 120마리를 공시희.로 이용 하였다. LPO(late perinucleolus oocyte), EMO(early maturing oocyte) 단계에서 과립막 세포와 협막세포와 같은 난포막 세포는 단층구조로 부터 입 방형구조로 변화되었고. 완전한 성장, 성숙 및 과숙기에 방사대(Eons rsdiat3)에 있는 pore canals의 입구가 봉쇄되었다. 방사대는 맨바깥목에 균일하면서 점은 두께의 막과 나선형의 두꺼운 복의 2개의 막으로 구성되어 있으며. 성숙기에 있는 난모세포에는 수초 및 자갈에 붙을 수 있는 온수성 어종 보다 상대적으로 얇은 점액성의 막이 그 주위를 둘러싸고 있다. 난모세포가 성장함에 따라 세포질 주변부 및 임립등 세포내에 막대기 형태의 미토콘드리아와 비대해진 내형질세강의 육가 급증하였다. 전자밀도가 높은 소포는 방사대에 인접한 난세포질 주변부에 많이 존재하며. 이는 성장중인 방사대의 pore Canals을 통해서 간으로 부터 합성된 단백질과 탄수화물을 수송하는 것과 밀접한 관계가 있는 것으로 사료된다. 자연적인 조건하에서 fP포막은 난형성 및 이에 영향을 미치는 성호르몬의 발달에 충분한 대르몬을 계절에 따라 분비시키는 데에 커다란 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Despite of the importance of the primordial follicle (PMF) recruitment, factors and mechanisms for process are poorly understood. To evaluate expression and role of the follicular transition from PMF to PMF/primary follicles (PMIF) in the present study, we evaluated expression of lats1, lats2, cyclin A1, and cyclin A2 mRNA and protein, and elucidated and role of lats1-cyclin A in the follicular transition from PMF to PRIF. To analysis of differential expression in PMF and PMIF, each stage follicles were collected by day1 and day5 of immuno-compromised rats (ICR) and analyzed by real-time PCR for the genes. For localization of mRNAs and proteins of the genes, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed. We confirmed that the lats1, lats2, cyclin A1, and cyclin A2 mRNA were more expressed in PMF than PMIF. Localization of the four genes expression were observed in nuclei of oocytes from the arrested primordial, and in the surrounding granulosa cells of the growing follicles. The mRNA expressions were gradually decreased with follicular development. From immunohistochemistry studies, Cyclin A1 protein expression were observed in oocyte cytoplasmas of early stage follicles, while observed in granulose cells and oocyte nucleoli during growing follicles. This study suggested that the presence of lats gene family might perform negatively regulation of cell proliferation by modulation of the CDC2/Cyclin A complex activity. lats-cyclin A genes in oocytes of the early stage follicles might play a role in the meiotic cell cycle arrest of the primary oocytes at the primordial follicle stage as well as the follicular growth.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 1994

In vitro development of parthenogenetic embryo was examined after ethanol treatment of follicular oocytes matured in vitro for 42, 48, 54 and 60h in the pig. The follicular oocytes were matured in TCM 199 containing 15% FCS and gonadotrophins in an atmosphere of 39 $^{\circ}C$ 5% $CO_2$. The cumulus-free oocytes were activated by 10% ethanol treatment in M2+4mg /ml BSA for 10 min. The ethanol-activated oocytes were washed and further cultured in TCM199+20%FCS containing granulosa cell monolayer. Maturation rates at 42, 48, 54 and 60h of IVM were 75.0, 86.5, 81.6 and 87.9%, respectively. Thus the oocytes maturated in vitro for longer periods did not improve nuclear maturation much. Pronuclear formation rates at 18h post-activation in ethanol-activated oocytes were 21.9, 25.0, 47.4 and 32.6%. The cytoplasmic maturation leading to pronuclear formation upon activation increased when the I VM period was extended from 42 to 54h. When the activated oocytes were cultured for 96~120h to analyse early development of the activated oocytes, the rates of embryonic development upto $\leq$ 5~8 cell were 5.3, 5.8, 12.0 and 11.7% among the cultured embryos. The result indicate that earlier development of activated porcine occyte is dependent on the duration of oocyte maturation, and that better development could be obtained from the oocyte matured for 54h.