• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.49-56
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• 2022

Objective: Oxidative stress and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) have been linked to idiopathic male infertility (IMI). Various antioxidants have been tried to improve semen parameters and fertility potential in IMI patients, but with inconsistent results. The study aimed to compare the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Centrum multivitamins on semen parameters, seminal antioxidant capacity, and SDF in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OA). Methods: This prospective controlled clinical study involved 130 patients with idiopathic OA and 58 fertile controls. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: the first group received CoQ10 (200 mg/day orally) and the second group received Centrum multivitamins (1 tablet/day) for 3 months. Semen parameters, CoQ10 levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase, SDF, and serum hormone levels (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and prolactin) were compared at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Both CoQ10 and Centrum improved sperm concentration and motility, but the improvement was greater with Centrum therapy (p<0.05). Similarly, both therapies improved antioxidant capacity, but TAC and catalase improvement was greater (p<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively) with CoQ10, whereas ROS (p<0.01) and SDF (p<0.001) improvements were greater with Centrum administration. Centrum therapy was associated with reduced serum testosterone (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, both CoQ10 and Centrum were effective in improving semen parameters, antioxidant capacity, and SDF, but the improvement was greater with Centrum than with CoQ10. Therefore, Centrum-as a source of combined antioxidants-may provide more effective results than individual antioxidants such as CoQ10 in the treatment of infertile men with idiopathic OA.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.518-525
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• 2023

Septin4 belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Since, Septin4 is expressed specifically in the testis, we aimed to determine the association between Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and stress oxidative level in infertile patients. The present study included 60 semen samples that grouped into three groups: normozoospermia (n=20), asthenozoospermia (n=20), astheno-teratozoospermia (n=20). Initially, semen parameters were analyzed by using the World Health Organization protocol. The mRNA expression of Septin4 in sperm was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde, were determined by ELISA kit. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, it showed significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels. In conclusion, Septin4 gene expression provides clinical useful information for the diagnosis of male infertility. It might be a marker for discrimination between fertile and infertile patients. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm MMP. However, it shows significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.230-243
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• 2023

Objective: High temperatures can trigger cellular oxidative stress and disrupt spermatogenesis, potentially leading to male infertility. We investigated the effects of retinoic acid (RA), chitosan nanoparticles (CHNPs), and retinoic acid loaded with chitosan nanoparticles (RACHNPs) on spermatogenesis in mice induced by scrotal hyperthermia (Hyp). Methods: Thirty mice (weighing 25 to 30 g) were divided into five experimental groups of six mice each. The groups were as follows: control, Hyp induced by a water bath (43 ℃C for 30 minutes/day for 5 weeks), Hyp+RA (2 mg/kg/day), Hyp+CHNPs (2 mg/kg/72 hours), and Hyp+RACHNPs (4 mg/kg/72 hours). The mice were treated for 35 days. After the experimental treatments, the animals were euthanized. Sperm samples were collected for analysis of sperm parameters, and blood serum was isolated for testosterone measurement. Testis samples were also collected for histopathology assessment, reactive oxygen species (ROS) evaluation, and RNA extraction, which was done to compare the expression levels of the bax, bcl2, p53, Fas, and FasL genes among groups. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining was performed. Results: Treatment with RACHNPs significantly increased stereological parameters such as testicular volume, seminiferous tubule length, and testicular cell count. Additionally, it increased testosterone concentration and improved sperm parameters. We observed significant decreases in ROS production and caspase-3 immunostaining in the RACHNP group. Moreover, the expression levels of bax, p53, Fas, and FasL significantly decreased in the groups treated with RACHNPs and RA. Conclusion: RACHNPs can be considered a potent antioxidative and antiapoptotic agent for therapeutic strategies in reproductive and regenerative medicine.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.361-368
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• 2010

목적: 중격자궁은 흔하게 보고되는 선천성 자궁기형 중 하나이며 여성의 생식능력에 미치는 영향에 대해 아직 이견이 많고, 따라서 치료의 필요성에 대해서도 아직 정립되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 중격자궁의 존재 및 치료 여부가 생식수행에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법: 2008년 1월부터 2009년 12월까지 불임 또는 습관성 유산을 주소로 제일병원 산부인과를 방문하여 자궁난관 조영술을 시행한 총 2,838명의 환자들 중 중격자궁이 진단된 44명의 환자들을 대상으로 하였으며, 이 중 27명은 자궁경 하 자궁중격 절제술을 시행 받았으며, 17명은 진단 후 추가적인 치료를 받지 않았다. 대조군은 동일 기간 내에 자궁기형이 진단되지 않은 환자 42명을 나이를 고려 후 무작위 선정하였다. 연구 대상군의 임신율, 자연유산율, 그리고 생존분만율 등에 대한 의무기록을 후향적으로 분석하였으며, 대상군들의 평균 추적 관찰 기간은 진단 후 21.8개월 이었다. 결과: 추적 관찰 기간 중 자궁경 하 질식 자궁중격 절제술을 시행 받은 환자 (n=27)의 55.6% (15/27)가 임신에 성공한 반면 치료를 받지 않은 환자 (n=17)의 약 23.5% (4/17)만이 임신에 성공하여 치료받은 군에서 통계적으로 의미있는 높은 수치를 보였다 (p<0.05). 한편 생존분만율은 치료를 받은 환자군 및 자궁기형이 진단되지 않은 불임 또는 습관성 유산 환자 (대조군, n=42)에서 각각 75%와 84.6%를 보인 반면 치료 받지 않은 군에서는 50% (2/4)를 보여 치료 받지 않은 중격자궁 환자에서 낮은 경향을 보이지만 통계학적 의미는 없었다. 결론: 중격자궁이 생식수행에 미치는 영향은 자연유산 등 산과적 합병증 뿐 아니라 오히려 임신력의 저하에 더 큰 악영항을 미칠 수 있으며 불임 환자에서 중격자궁의 존재 시 적극적인 치료가 임신성공률의 향상에 도움이 될 것으로 생각 되지만 보다 명확한 결론을 위해 규모가 크고 관찰 기간이 긴 대단위 연구가 필요 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.45-55
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• 1981

Clomiphene citrate. antiestrogen, was given to 39 infertile males whose spermatogenesis were disturbed and the efficacy of the drug was evaluated at the Department of Urology in 1980. (Table 1). Patients were divided into 3 clinical observation groups such as group I composed of 19 cases of idiopathic azoospermia, group II consisted of 15 cases of oligospermia following the vasovasostomy, and group III comprised 5 cases of testicular azoospermia. (Table 2). Clinical characteristics of these patients were as follows: Age of the patients ranged from 26 to 43 years old with mean of 34, and that of their wives ranged from 24 to 41 years old with mean of 31. Duration of marital life ranged from 1 to 21 years with mean of 5 years. Sizes of testis ranged from 6 to 25 ml with mean of 16 ml. Coital frequency ranged from 0.5 to 6 per week with mean of 2.4 per week. Levels of plasma FSH ranged from 3.15 to 23.06 lU/1 with mean of 8.15 lU/1, those of LH ranged from 2.98 to 19.89 lU/1 with mean of 8.18 lU/1 and those of testosterone ranged from 3.09 to 9.97 ng/ml with mean of 6.48 ng/ml. (Table 3). Clomiphene citrate was given in dosage of 50 mg per day (in d.) orally to 31 patients for 3 to 9 months and in dosage of 100 mg per day (b.i.d.) orally to 8 patients for 3 to 9 months. (Table 8). Semen samples were analysed monthly on each patient by routine analysis techniques. For the assessment of the efficacy of Clomiphene citrate on faulty spermatogenesis following empirical criteria were used: For semen quality: Improvement (I) represents that semen parameter increased more than 25% from basal level after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that semen parameter increased less than 25% of basal level or not changed after the treatment and Deterioration (D) means that semen parameter decreased from basal level after the treatment. For fertility unit (total counts ${\times}$ motility ${\times}$ morphology ${\div}10^6$): Improvement (I) represents that fertility unit increased more than 10 units after the treatment, Unchange (U) expresses that fertility unit increased less than 10 units or not changed after the treatment, and Deterioration (D) means that fertility unit decreased after the treatment. (Table 4). Results obtained from the Clomiphene therapy were as follows: Changes of spermiograme before and after the Oomiphene therapy shown in the Table 5. Sperm counts increased from 23 to 31 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group I, from 17 to 29 ${\times}10^6$/ml in group II. Other parameters of spermiogramme were not changed significantly after the treatment. Fertility units increased from 14 to 18 units after the treatment in group I, and from 16 to 18 units after the treatment in group II. Effectiveness of Clomiphene citrate on spermatogenesis was summarised in the Tables 6 and 7. After the treatment, sperm count increased in 11 patients, motility increased in 6 patients, morphology increased in 4 patients and fertility units increased in 9 patients. No sperm could be produced by Clomiphene citrate in group III of testicular azoospermia. Dosage of 50 mg of Clomiphene citrate per day for 3 to 6 months was proved to be the most effective in the present series. (Table 8). Pregnancy occurred in 2 patients after the treatment. No particular side effects were noted by the treatment. Pharmacologic compounds used for male infertility were shown in the Table 9. Reported results of Clomiphene citrate were shown in the Table 10.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.201-208
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• 2017

소에 있어서 BVDV는 반추류에서 중대한 감염을 야기하여 번식장애, 설사 및 유량감소를 야기하여 농가에 막대한 피해를 야기하고 있다. 특히 지속감염우의 확인과 도태는 농가 내 감염원을 제거하는 중요한 일이나 아직까지 PI개체의 바이러스의 감염과 전파에 관한 연구는 미진한 것으로 추정된다. 본 연구에서는 도입된 수컷에서 PI를 확인하였으며 전혈 검사를 실시 하면, PI 혈액 성상에서 림프구가 낮게 관찰되며 전체 WBC의 수는 정상범위에 속하나 낮게 나타나는 것을 알 수 있었다. PI 수컷에서 생산된 정액은 정자 수가 매우 낮으며, 신선 정액의 생존성도 불량한 것으로 조사되었다. 정자 기형율 또한 증가되었으며 특히 공포와 중편부의 소적을 가진 기형정자의 비율이 높았다. PI수컷은 나이가 들수록 정액 성상이 불량하여 불임화되었고 이는 BVDV가 정소의 정자 생산능력을 낮추어 사출된 정액내 정자수 감소 현상을 야기한다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 그럼에도 불구하고 확인된 PI 개체에 의한 전체군의 감염 현상은 관찰할 수 없었는데, 이는 적절한 백신 프로그램에 의하여 PI에 의한 간접적인 전파의 위험성이 낮다고 판단된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.219-224
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• 2009

목 적: 저성선자극호르몬 성선저하증은 남성불임의 흔치 않은 원인이다. 저자들은 성선자극호르몬 특히 인간융 모성선자극호르몬 (Human chorioinc gonadotropin: hCG)/인간폐경성선자극호르몬 (Human menopausal gonadotropin: hMG) 치료가 정자형성 및 임신에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보았다. 연구방법: 2001년 11월부터 2007년 3월까지 불임을 주소로 내원하여 저성선자극호르몬 성선저하증으로 진단되어 성선자극호르몬 (hCG/hMG) 치료를 받은 10명의 진료 기록을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 치료 후 임신 여부를 알아보았으며, 치료 전 고환의 용적에 따라 10 cc 미만인 군 (n=4)과 10 cc 이상인 군 (n=6)으로 나누어 치료 전후의 정액지표와 혈중 FSH, LH 및 testosterone 등의 호르몬 검사를 시행하여 비교하였다. 결 과: 10명의 환자 중 7명 (70%)에서 임신에 성공하였으며 치료 후 혈중 FSH, testosterone 수치가 의미있게 증가하였다. 고환 용적이 큰 군에서 치료 후 정액량, 정자수, 운동성 및 testosterone이 유의하게 증가하였다. 결 론: 불임을 주소로 온 환자에게 흔치는 않지만 면밀한 검사를 통해 저성선자극호르몬 성선저하증을 진단할 수 있어야 하며, hCG/hMG 병합요법은 자연임신 뿐만 아니라 최근의 보조생식술과 연계하여 충분히 성공적인 치료에 도달할 수 있다.

• 한국응용곤충학회지
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• 제59권1호
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• pp.25-35
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• 2020

호박꽃과실파리(Zeugodacus scutellata)는 국내 자생종으로 국제적으로는 검역 대상 과실파리 중 하나로 분류되고 있다. 불임충방사기술(sterile insect release technique (SIT))은 검역 대상 과실파리를 박멸하는 데 이용되어 왔다. 본 연구는 호박꽃과실파리를 대상으로 불임충 제조 기술을 개발하여 SIT 기술로 이 해충에 대한 방제 가능성을 분석하였다. 이에 앞서 먼저 형광현미경 기술로 호박꽃과실파리의 생식관련 기관을 관찰하였다. 다영양실형 난소소관을 갖는 1 쌍의 난소는 약 100 개의 난포를 발달시키며, 각 난포는 난모세포와 영양세포를 지니며 난포세포가 둘러싸는 구조를 지닌다. 난소 발육은 우화 후 10 일이 지나 발육을 시작하고 우화 후 20 일이 되면 난각을 가지고 있는 난모세포를 발달시켰다. 수컷의 경우 성숙된 정소가 우화 직후에 관찰되었으며 수정관에는 운동성이 있는 정자로 채워져 있었다. 불임 수컷을 제조하기 위해 다양한 선량(0~1,000 Gy)의 전자빔을 3~5 일 경과된 번데기에 조사하였다. 200 Gy 세기 전자빔으로 번데기에 조사하면 무처리와 차이 없이 성충으로 발육하였고 이후 정상 암컷과 교미행동을 보였다. 비록 이들 처리 수컷의 교미는 무처리 수컷과 비교하여 큰 차이 없는 산란력을 보였지만 산란된 알들은 부화하지 못했다. 다음으로 200 Gy 조사로 형성된 불임 수컷을 정상 암컷과 수컷이 함께 있는 장소에 방사하였다. 이때 불임충 수컷 은 정상 수컷에 비해 9 배 많은 수로 방사하였다. 이러한 불임충 처리는 차세대 부화율을 현격하게 감소시켰다. 이상의 결과는 200 Gy 세기의 전자빔으로 호박꽃과실파리의 불임충을 제조할 수 있고, 이렇게 형성된 불임충은 SIT 방제에 적용할 수 있다는 것을 제시하고 있다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.107-115
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• 1993

Procedures to separate motile. normal & motile and acrosome-reacted sperm with high efficiency have clinical application in Assisted Reproductive Technology in terms of increasing the probability of fertilization by a normal sperm and subsequent normal embryonic development. This study evaluated the effects of 10 sperm preparation techniques [Swim-up from a washed pellet (SU). Swim-up from semen (SO). Continuous Percoll Gradients I (PIC). Discontinuous Percoll Gradients I (PID). Continuous Percoll Gradients II(P II C). Discontinuous Percoll Gradients II(P II D), SpermPrep (SFC). Wang's tube (WT). Albumin Gradients (AG), Low temperature capacitation (LTC)] on motility (%), normal morphology (%), motile sperm recovery rate(%). morphologically normal & motile sperm recovery rate (%), true acrosome reaction (%) and fertilizing ability. A P II D proved to be an effective means of separating morphologically normal & motile sperm. Our results indicated the P II D has advantages as compared with other methods in terms of recovery rate. enhancement of motility and normal morphology. And a LTC seems to be an effective means of enhancing the true acrosome reaction and fertilizing ability. These results suggest that the combined method of LTC and P II D for separation of morphologically normal & motile sperm and acrosome reacted sperm may be a useful procedure for intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization in the management of male factor infertility as well as for isolation of subpopulation of sperm for basic research.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.57-66
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the interrelationship and clinical usefulness of sperm morphology by strict criteria (SM), acrosome reaction following ionophore challenge test (ARIC) and sperm penetration assay (SPA) using zona-free hamster ova as prognostic factors in in vitro fertilization. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were provided by 83 patients undergoing IVF. We first evaluated the differences between normal fertilization group and poor fertilization group on three andrologic tests. Secondly, we analyzed the relationship between the three andrologic tests and in vitro fertilization on IVF settings. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the three andrologic tests as the prognostic indicators for fertilizing ability. Results: The fertilization rate of all men in the poor fertilization group was less than 30%; but there was no evidence that this poor fertilization was due to oocyte defects. The results of three andrologic tests were significatly higher in normal fertilization group. Fertilization rate (%) in vitro was highly correlated (p<0.001) with % normal sperm by SM, ARIC value (%), and SPA result. By using Receiver-Operator-Characteristic curve (ROC), we evaluated the effectiveness of these three tests. The sensitivity and specificity of SM, ARIC test and SPA in predicting fertilization potential in IVF setting were 76% and 75%, 84% and 90%, and 76% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the three andrologic tests can be reliable tools as prognostic factors of sperm fertilizing ability. Among these test, ARIC test and SPA gave more accurate information on fertilizing capacity. ARIC test was shown to have a predictive value for fertilizing ability comparable to that of SPA that appears to be a simple and cost-effective addition to current andrology laboratory. Combined application of these three tests may give more information on predicting sperm fertilizing capacity.