• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.301-314
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• 2005

Objective: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that has an action of the inhibition of superoxide production and removal of hydroxyl radical with the sperm incubation and cryopreservation. In the present study, to investigate whether rebamipide is useful to treat male infertility and sterility, the author observed the antioxidative effects in patient with male infertility and also examined its absorption and distribution in rat genital organ. Methods: To measure the distribution of rebamipide in reproductive organ in the rat, carbon indicated rebamipide, $^{14}C-OPC-12759$, was orally administered to 10 Spraque-Dawley rats and its organ concentration in serum, liver, kidney, stomach, duodenum, colon, urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testicle were measured each time after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours by using HPLC fluorescent method. The concentrations in semen were measured by HPLC fluorescent method in a sample of 50 infertile males who took 900 mg of rebamipide daily for 3 months. To measure the antioxidative effect and fertility rate for 3 months, each month before and after the treatment, sperm motility, vitality, the oxygen free radical formation, level of peroxidation, fetilizing capacity of semen sample which were obtained from infertile male patients by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid method and hypo-osmotic swelling test. Simultaneously in a sample that wanted baby, both pregnancy and delivery were researched. Results: The $^{14}C-OPC-12759$ concentration in the body of white rats was highest in gastrointestinal organ like stomach, smal intestine and duodenum and followed by genital organ like seminal vesicle, testis and epididymis. The rebamipide concentration in semen of infertile males was $220.77{\pm}327.84ng/mL$ (SD) which showed a large deviation but it was higher than serum which was $126{\pm}76ng/mL$ (SD). In the infertile males, after the treatment with rebamipide, the level of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation have significantly decreased in duration of the treatment (p<0.05) and sperm vitality and fertilizing capacity except sperm motility significantly improved on post treatment of 2~3 months (p<0.05). Out of the 41 cases who hoped for pregnancy, 15 cases (36.6%) became pregnant and 12 cases had childbrith, 2 cases had miscarriage and one case is ongoing. The side effect was observed in 1 case (2%) which experienced diarrhea but it was lost spontaneously. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that rebamipide showed relatively high tendancy of absorption and excretion in the genital organ. In infertile males who had elevated ROS in semen, by specifically inhibiting the cell damage from the antioxidation, a way to preserve sperm motility, vitality and fertilizing capacity was confirmed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 1994

Purpose of the present study was to find the optimal culture conditions for the maturation and fertilization of immature oocytes by the use human body fluids and gonadotropins (Gn) in the mouse model. Cumulus-enclosed mouse immature oocytes were incubated in the medium containing various human body fluids with or without Gn in vitro, and examined to confirm nuclear maturation (NM) and fertilization. Female ICR mice were stimulated with 7.5 IU pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG). Cumulus-enclosed immature oocytes were isolated at 48-52 hr post PMSG injection and cultured in TCM 199 supplemented with various concentrations (20, 50, and 70%) of human body fluids such as fetal cord serum (hCS), follicular fluid (hFF), peritoneal fluid (hPF) and amniotic fluid (hAF) in the presence or absence of 10 IU/ml PMSG and 10 IU/ml human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for 18 hr. Fetal calf serum (FCS) was used as a control for the supplements. Matured oocytes were fertilized with sperm collected from the epididymis of male mice. Fertilization was conducted in T6 medium containing 15 mgl ml bovine serum albumin, and confirmed at 6 hr post-insemination. Evaluation of nucler maturation and fertilization was carried out by rapid staining using fuchin. There was no significant difference between the effects of human body fluids and FCS supplements on nuclear maturation of cumulus enclosed mouse immature oocytes. When maturation medium was supplemented with 20% hPF or 20% hAF, fertilization rates were significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of 20% FCS, hCS and hFF groups. However, higher concentrations of body fluids during IVM were not more beneficial on fertilizability of oocytes. The addition of Gn significantly increased the fertilization rates in hPF and hAF groups (hPF without Gn; 51.5%, compared with 85.1% for addition of Gn, and hAF without Gn; 30.1% compared with 85.8% for addition of Gn) at 20% concentration. These results suggest that human body fluids at 20% concentration and gonadotropins can be used as supplements for the maturation of mouse immature oocytes in vitro. When gonadotropins supplemented with the human body fluids in the maturation medium, fertilizability of mouse immature oocytes was increased in hPF and hAF groups. These results can be applied to maturation of human immature oocytes in vitro.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.47-52
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• 2006

본 연구는 단위발생유래 생쥐 배아줄기세포(P-mES)지가 체외수정유래 생쥐 배아줄기세포 (mES)와 마찬가지로 기능성 심근세포로 체외 분화되는지를 조사하였다. 각 세포주 P-mES04와 MES03를 4일간 부유 배양하여 배아체 (EB)를 형성한 다음 4일간 DMSO를 추가적으로 처리한 뒤 젤라틴이 코팅된 배양접시에 부착시켰다(4-/4+). P-mES04와 mES03으로부터 수축성 심근세포 생성 여부를 30일간 관찰한 결과, 각각 13일(69.83%)과 22일 (61.3%)에 누적 형성율이 가장 높았다. 면역 세포화학염색 결과, 수축성을 나타내는 P-mES04 세포는 수축성 mES03 세포에서와 같이 근육 특이적인 anti-sarcomeric a-actinin 항체와 심근 특이적인 anti-cardiac troponin I 항체에 염색되는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 RT-PCR 결과, 수축성을 나타내는 P-mES04 세포는 심근특이적인 L-type calcium channel, a1C, cardiac myosin heavy chain a, cardiac muscle heavy polypeptide $7{\beta}$, GATA binding protein 4와 atrial natriuretic factor는 발현하나, 골격근 특이적인 L-type calcium channel, a1S는 발현하지 않아 웅성 성체의 심장세포와 유사한 양상을 보였다. 본 연구의 결과는 단위발생 유래 생쥐 배아 줄기세포를 배아줄기세포의 연구의 대체제로 이용할 수 있음을 보여준다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.189-192
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• 1992

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer was performed in a patient with immunologic infertility. This patient delivered at preterm a normal healthy male infant.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.41-45
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• 2012

Transcription factors govern diverse aspects of cell growth and differentiation as major switches of gene expression. Etv5, a member of the E26 transformation-specific family of transcription factors, has many stories to share when it comes to reproduction. Etv5 deficient mice show complex infertility phenotypes both in males and females. In males, the infertility phenotype exhibited by Etv5 deficiency is sexually dimorphic, and it involves both somatic cells and germ cells. In $Etv5^{-/-}$ female mice, the problem is more complicated by hormonal involvement. This review synthesizes old and new information on this versatile transcription factor-from the inadvertent discovery of its role in the testes to its newly discovered role in maintaining spermatogonial stem cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.165-169
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• 2003

Objective: To evaluate the results of CASA systems and to compare its results. Methods: Fifty semen sampales were analysed. Concentration, motility and forward progression were evaluated simultaneously on the same semen samples using Cell Soft System-3000 (CS system) and Sperm Quality Analyzer-V (SQA system). Results: Mean semen volume was $2.8{\pm}1.2\;ml$. Mean value of sperm concentration, motility, forward progression using CS system were $83.4{\pm}45.7{\times}10^6/ml$, $52.3{\pm}16.4%$ and $48.6{\pm}13.4%$, respectively. And mean value of sperm concentration, motility, forward progression using SQA system were $78.2{\pm}42.9{\times}10^6/ml$, $57.0{\pm}24.0%$ and $50.6{\pm}21.9%$, respectively. There were no statistical significancy of sperm concentration, motility, forward progression between the two devices. Conclusion: SQA system variables well correlated with the CS system. As a screening test for semen quality, CS system and SQA system is considered as useful in the management of male infertility.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

Objectives: We investigated whether oriental medical therapy influences the results of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer. Methods: 19 women with infertility were treated by oriental treatment from August 1999 to June 2000 in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of an oriental medical center. The women were planning in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer after oriental medicine treatment. The data from the women was analyzed, we obtained the following results. Results: The average age of infertile women was $35.42{\pm}4.86$; infertility caused by male factor or tubal factor were the most frequent. The average number of previous failed IVF treatments was $2.21{\pm}1.81$. The number of aspirated oocytes was $9.00{\pm}6.09$ in IVF cycle before oriental therapy, increasing to $9.80{\pm}5.41$ after therapy, but it was not statistically significant. In IVF before oriental therapy, the average number of embryos transfer was $3.20{\pm}1.90$, and it significantly increased to $4.40{\pm}1.45$ after treatment. The quality points of embryos were $10.00{\pm}6.02$ before treatment, but statistically significantly improved to $14.07{\pm}4.98$ after. The characteristics of women being pregnant and non-successful women were compared with age, period of taking herbal medicine and the number of failed IVF treatments, but there was no significant difference. Conclusion: Oriental treatment before IVF could be expected to have good results in treatment of infertility.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2019

Objective: Sperm cryopreservation has been widely used in assisted reproductive technology, as it offers great potential for the treatment of some types of male infertility. However, cryopreservation may result in changes in membrane lipid composition and acrosome status, as well as reductions in sperm motility and viability. This study aimed to evaluate sperm DNA fragmentation damage caused by conventional freezing using the sperm chromatin dispersion test. Methods: In total, 120 fresh human semen samples were frozen by conventional methods, using SpermFreeze Solution as a cryoprotectant. Routine semen analysis and a Halosperm test (using the Halosperm kit) were performed on each sample before freezing and after thawing. Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were compared between these groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in sperm progressive motility, viability, and normal morphology after conventional freezing (32.78%, 79.58%, and 3.87% vs. 16%, 55.99%, and 2.55%, respectively). The sperm head, midpiece, and tail defect rate increased slightly after freezing. Furthermore, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was significantly higher after thawing than before freezing (19.21% prior to freezing vs. 22.23% after thawing). Significant increases in the DFI after cryopreservation were observed in samples with both normal and abnormal motility and morphology, as well as in those with normal viability. Conclusion: Conventional freezing seems to damage some sperm parameters, in particular causing a reduction in sperm DNA integrity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.27-33
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• 2021

Objective: The chief outcome of testicular torsion in clinical and experimental contexts is testicular ischemia. Curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has fascinated researchers and clinicians for its promise in the treatment of fertility diseases. Methods: Thirty-five fully grown male mice were randomly classified into five groups: control, sham, testicular torsion, treatment group 1 (testicular torsion+short-term curcumin), and treatment group 2 (testicular torsion+long-term curcumin). Thirty-five days later, spermatozoa from the right cauda epididymis were analyzed with regard to count and motility. Toluidine blue (TB), aniline blue (AB), and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining assays were used to evaluate the sperm chromatin integrity. In addition, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) test was used to assess apoptosis. Results: Treatment group 1 exhibited a remarkably elevated sperm count compared to the testicular torsion group. Additionally, notably lower sperm motility was found in the testicular torsion group compared to the control, treatment 1, and treatment 2 groups. Staining (CMA3, AB, and TB) and the TUNEL test indicated significantly greater testicular torsion in the torsion group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The data also revealed notably lower results of all sperm chromatin assays and lower apoptosis in both treatment groups relative to the testicular torsion group (p<0.05). Significantly elevated (p<0.05) AB and TB results were noted in treatment group 1 compared to treatment group 2. Conclusion: Curcumin can compensate for the harmful effects of testicular ischemia and improve sperm chromatin quality in mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.281-291
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• 2003

Objectives: In determining to perform non-spousal artificial insemination by donor (AID) to an infertile married couple, infertile couple requires not only the thorough understanding of the medical procedure but also scrutinizing the effect, which it will have on the relationship of the family including the baby to be born itself. Materials and methods: 148 cases with non-curable male infertility were enrolled in this inquiry survey. The donor insemination questionnaire consists of 18-items which are assessing subjects' clinical properties, the background for AID practice, psychological traits, and long term influence. Results: Of the survey, 49 cases were returned (33.1%) and 10 cases (20.4%) of these gave birth after AID practice. The mean age of husbands and wives of the 49 cases were $34.6{\pm}4.2$ and $32.1{\pm}3.0$ yers old, respectively and the duration of marriage was 5 years and 4 months. In about half of the cases, AID was first suggested by husband and the decision was made by only the couple. The major reason for the operation was to form a complete family. In the item of the psychological effects, two-third of the couples felt anxiety related to the procedure which are mostly about the possible congenital or acquired deformity of baby. The AID was positively suggested in overall by all of recipients. After giving birth to a child, most couples felt positive about their decision. As a child grows up, about half of the couples felt the child as their own and expected not to tell of the AID. In overall, about 50% of couples presented satisfaction with the procedure. Conclusions: As the above results, various psychological impacts including anxiety about a child-to-be-born were accompanied to those who were recommended of AID. To overcome these problems, sufficient medical information and consultation about the course of selecting the donor and the whole procedures of AID should be provided beforehand.