• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the appropriateness of various follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) starting doses in expected normal responders based on the nomogram developed by La Marca et al. Methods: A total of 117 first in vitro fertilization cycles performed from 2011 to 2017 were selected. All women were expected normal responders and used a recombinant FSH and flexible gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. The FSH starting dose was empirically determined (150, 225, or 300 IU). The FSH starting dose indicated by La Marca's nomogram was determined using female age and serum $anti-M{\ddot{u}}llerian$ hormone or basal FSH levels. If the administered dose was exactly the same as the proposed dose, the cycle was assigned to the concordant group (34 cycles). If not, it was assigned to the discordant group (83 cycles). Optimal ovarian response was defined as a total of 8-14 oocytes, hypo-response as < 8 oocytes, and hyper-response as > 14 oocytes. Results: Between the concordant and discordant group, ovarian response (optimal, 32.4% vs. 27.7%; hypo-response, 55.9% vs. 54.2%; and hyper-response, 11.8% vs. 18.1%) and the number of total or mature oocytes were similar. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was rare in both groups (0% vs. 1.2%). The implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate were all similar. Conclusion: The use of the proposed FSH starting dose determined using La Marca's nomogram did not enhance the optimal ovarian response rate or pregnancy rate in expected normal responders. Individualization of the FSH starting dose by La Marca's nomogram appears to have no distinct advantages over empiric choice of the dose in expected normal responders.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2024

Objective: Testicular fat deposition has been reported to affect animal reproduction. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The present study explored whether sperm meiosis and testosterone synthesis contribute to mouse testicular fat deposition-induced reproductive performance. Methods: High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity CD1 mice (DIO) were used as a testicular fat deposition model. The serum hormone test was performed by agent kit. The quality of sperm was assessed using a Sperm Class Analyzer. Testicular tissue morphology was analyzed by histochemical methods. The expression of spermatocyte marker molecules was monitored by an immuno-fluorescence microscope during meiosis. Analysis of the synthesis of testosterone was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and reagent kit. Results: It was found that there was a significant increase in body weight among DIO mice, however, the food intake showed no difference compared to control mice fed a normal diet (CTR). The number of offspring in DIO mice decreased, but there was no significant difference from the CTR group. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were lower in DIO mice and their luteinizing hormone levels were similar. The results showed a remarkable decrease in sperm density and motility among DIO mice. We also found that fat accumulation affected the meiosis process, mainly reflected in the cross-exchange of homologous chromosomes. In addition, overweight increased fat deposition in the testis and reduced the expression of testosterone synthesis-related enzymes, thereby affecting the synthesis and secretion of testosterone by testicular Leydig cells. Conclusion: Fat accumulation in the testes causes testicular cell dysfunction, which affects testosterone hormone synthesis and ultimately affects sperm formation.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.366-378
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• 2024

Application of commercial hormone failed to promote breeding in certain Pangasius species due to the differences of gonadotropin-releasing hormone specific peptide with species-specific bioactivities. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is a hypothalamic decapeptide in the reproductive system that plays a crucial role in the regulation of reproductive processes. This study was performed to determine and analyse the GnRH genes from commercially important Pangasius sp., Pangasianodon hypophthalmus and Pangasius nasutus. The GnRH1 and GnRH2 genes were amplified and cloned into TOPO vector, followed by phylogenetic analysis of a complete open reading frame (ORF) of GnRH genes. The GnRH1 and GnRH2 genes of P. hypophthalmus and P. nasutus were detected at 300 bp and 360 bp, encoded for 81 and 87 amino acids, respectively. Amino acid sequence identities revealed high homology of P. hypophthalmus and P. nasutus GnRH1 and GnRH2 genes in comparison with other fish and vertebrates. Phylogenetic tree showed that fish from various families were aggregated into a group of the same order due to their highest identity similarities. It revealed that the vertebrate formed clusters and are grouped according to their GnRH decapeptide and GnRH-associated peptide (GAP) region, indicating a close relationship among GnRH decapeptide and GAP in different vertebrate species.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 1991

Recently the application of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to superovulation in previous poor responders has resulted in the improved outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. However, poor responders with poor estradiol $(E_2)$ rise or single dominant follicle are a particularly challenging group. Recent reports have also shown that patients with higher basal serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level, result in poorer ovarian response and lower pregnancy rate. Analysis of the differences of superovulation outcomes according to the different protocols of GnRH agonist, long (L, n = 18) and short (S, n = 16) protocols, in patients with high basal FSH levels (>20mIU/ml) were undertaken at Seoul National University Hospital from June to October 1990. The administration of GnRH agonist was begun on day 21 of the cycle in long protocol, and on day 2 in short protocol. Ages of patients and husbands, basal FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and FSH/LH ratio did not differ significantly. Types and causes of infertility were evenly distributed. Whereas the duration of stimulation and the amounts of gonadotropins administered were significantly reduced in short protocol, the numbers of oocytes retrieved and cleaved, the cleavage rate and the number of embryos transferred were higher in long protocol without statistical signifieance. The pregnancy rate per ET was 16.7% (2/12) in short protocol, and 17.6% (3/17) in long protocol. These data suggest that both protocols result in the similar superovulation outcomes in patients with higher basal serum FSH levels.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.474-478
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• 2001

A female mixed miniature pinscher dog, about 5 years old, 4 kg, was referred to veterinary teaching hospital of Chungnam National University with chief complaint of excessive hemorrhagic vaginal discharge for a month, partial alopecia and hyperpigmentation. There are no specific change with CBC, blood chemistry and X-ray findings but we figured out high estrogen concentration with hormone analysis and detected a majority of the superficial epithelial cells with pyknotic nuclei by cytologic examination of vaginal smear preparation and multiple ovarian cysts on both ovaries by ultrasonography. Based on the clinical signs, hormone analysis, vaginal smear preparation and ultrasonography, the authors diagnosed this case as hyperestrogenism with ovarian cysts.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.139-142
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• 2018

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 2020

Background: Levothyroxine is an essential drug for the treatment of hypothyroidism or related diseases. Several studies have reported an association between the effects of levothyroxine treatment and time of administration, which can be inconsistent. Objective: This study was conducted to compare the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone or free thyroxine between morning and nighttime dosing of levothyroxine. Methods: We reviewed previously reported relevant articles and conducted a meta-analysis. Results: In total, five studies were included in this meta-analysis. Results showed that thyroid-stimulating hormone (standard difference in means [SE]=0.321; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.016 to 0.657) and free thyroxine (SE= -1.367; 95% CI, -2.943 to 0.210) levels did not differ significantly between morning (before breakfast) and nighttime (before bedtime) administration. Conclusion: This is the first meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of time of administration on levothyroxine levels in patients with hypothyroidism. Based on our results, we suggest considering patients' lifestyles or daily routines when counselling them on the optimal time of administration for levothyroxine.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.55-63
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• 2016

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptides (GHRPs) and GH secretagogues (GHSs) are listed in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. In the present study, we developed and validated a method for the simultaneous analysis of seven GHRPs (alexamorelin, GHRP-1, -2, -4, -5, -6, and hexarelin) and three GHSs (anamorelin, ibutamoren, and ipamorelin) in human urine. Method validation was performed at minimum required performance levels specified by WADA technical documents (2 ng/mL) for all substances, and the method was validated with regard to selectivity (no interference), linearity (R2 > 0.9986), matrix effects (50.0%-141.2%), recovery (10.4%-100.8%), and intra- (2.8%-16.5%) and inter-day (7.0%-22.6%) precisions. The limits of detection for screening and confirmation were 0.05-0.5 ng/mL and 0.05-1 ng/mL, respectively.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2023

Purpose: The present study was designed to compare the incidence of periodontitis according to menopausal status and to investigate the possible effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on periodontitis in postmenopausal women using a common data model (CDM) at a single institution. Methods: This study involved retrospective cohort data of 950,751 patients from a 20-year database (2001 to 2020) of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital converted to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership CDM. One-way analysis of variance models and the χ² test were used to analyze the statistical differences in patient characteristics among groups. A time-dependent Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals, and P values less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: Of the 29,729 patients, 1,307 patients were diagnosed with periodontitis and 28,422 patients were not. Periodontitis was significantly more common among postmenopausal patients regardless of HRT status than among the non-menopausal group (P<0.05). Time-dependent Cox regression analysis showed that the postmenopausal patients had a significantly higher chance of having periodontitis than non-menopausal patients (P<0.05), but after adjustment for age, body mass index, and smoking status, the difference between the non-menopausal and post-menopausal HRT-treated groups was insignificant (P=0.140). Conclusions: Postmenopausal women had a significantly greater risk of periodontitis than non-menopausal women. Additionally, the use of HRT in postmenopausal women could reduce the incidence of periodontitis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.57-62
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• 2017

The purpose of this paper is to assimilate all data pertaining to the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists in in vitro fertilization cycles after ovulation trigger to reduce the symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify all studies performed on the use of a GnRH antagonist in IVF cycle post-ovulation trigger with patients at high risk for OHSS. Ten studies were identified and reviewed. Descriptions of the studies and their individual results are presented in the following manuscript. Due to significant heterogeneity among the studies, it was not possible to perform a group analysis. The use of GnRH antagonists post-ovulation trigger for treatment of OHSS has been considered for almost 20 years, though research into its use is sparse. Definitive conclusions and recommendations cannot be made at this time, though preliminary data from these trials demonstrate the potential for GnRH antagonists to play a role in the treatment of OHSS in certain patient populations.