• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2019

Background: Excessive stress causes varied physiological and psychological disorders including male reproductive problems. Here, we attempted to investigate the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer; KRG) against sub-acute immobilization stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats. Methods: Male rats (age, 4 wk; weight, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups (n = 8 in each group): normal control group, immobilization control group, immobilization group treated with 100 mg/kg of KRG daily, and immobilization group treated with 200 mg/kg of KRG daily. Normal control and immobilization control groups received vehicle only. KRG (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed in the standard diet powder and fed daily for 6 mo. Parameters such as organ weight, blood chemistry, sperm kinematic values, and expression levels of testicular-related molecules were measured using commercially available kits, Western blotting, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Data revealed that KRG restored the altered testis and epididymis weight in immobilization stress-induced rats significantly (p < 0.05). Further, KRG ameliorated the altered blood chemistry and sperm kinematic values when compared with the immobilization control group and attenuated the altered expression levels of spermatogenesis-related proteins (nectin-2, cAMP responsive element binding protein 1, and inhibin-${\alpha}$), sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor), and antioxidant-related enzymes (glutathione S-transferase m5, peroxiredoxin-4, and glutathione peroxidase 4) significantly in the testes of immobilization stress-induced rats. Conclusion: KRG protected immobilization stress-induced testicular damage and fertility factors in rats, thereby indicating its potential in the treatment of stress-related male sterility.

• Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.416-419
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• 2018

We describe a case of a 61-year-old Korean man who was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma that was discovered on abdominopelvic computed tomography obtained after the patient complained of back pain. A radical nephrectomy was performed, and the surgical specimen showed a relatively well-circumscribed and yellowish lobulated hard mass. Microscopically, the tumor showed sheets and nests of hypercellular pleomorphic cells with thick fibrous septation, frequent mitoses, and areas of adrenal cortical-like tissue. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor cells were positive for inhibin-${\alpha}$, vimentin, synaptophysin, and melan A. It also revealed that the tumor cells were negative for pan-cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, paired box 8, ${\alpha}$-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase, CD10, cytokeratin 7, carbonic anhydrase 9, c-Kit, renal cell carcinoma, transcription factor E3, human melanoma black 45, desmin, smooth muscle actin, S-100, chromogranin A, CD34, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, and integrase interactor 1. Based on these histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, we diagnosed the tumor as intrarenal adrenocortical carcinoma arising in an adrenal rest. Several cases of intrarenal adrenocortical carcinoma have been reported, although they are very rare. Due to its poor prognosis and common recurrence or metastasis, clinicians and pathologists must be aware of this entity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2010

A meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the results of studies which have described the profiles of hormones during the oestrous cycle in buffalo using a fixed effect model and a random effect model. Plasma progesterone concentrations were lowest (0.30${\pm}$0.06 ng/ml) during the peri-oestrous phase and increased (p = 0.067) through the early luteal phase to a maximum concentration (1.94${\pm}$0.03 ng/ml) during the mid-luteal phase. Circulating plasma inhibin and estradiol concentrations were lowest (0.31${\pm}$0.01 and 11.04${\pm}$0.13 ng/ml) during the mid-luteal phase, increased through the late luteal phase to maximum concentrations (0.44${\pm}$0.02 and 22.48${\pm}$0.32 ng/ml) during the peri-oestrous phase. Plasma FSH concentrations were lowest during the early luteal phase and increased through the mid-luteal phase to a maximum concentration during the peri-oestrous phase. Peripheral prolactin concentrations were lowest during the late luteal phase and increased to a maximum concentration during the peri-oestrous phase which then declined (p = 0.716) during the early luteal phase. Peripheral plasma cortisol concentrations decreased from 2.68${\pm}$0.14 ng/ml during the early luteal phase to 1.43${\pm}$0.27 ng/ml during the mid-luteal phase (p<0.001) which then increased to 2.06${\pm}$0.17 ng/ml during the late luteal phase. Plasma $T_{5}$ concentrations decreased from the late luteal phase to the peri-oestrous phase (p<0.001) which then increased during the early luteal phase. $T_{4}$ concentrations increased from the late luteal phase to the peri-oestrous phase which then decreased during the early luteal phase.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2002

The major urinary proteins(MUPs) of mice that bind hydrophobic molecules known as pheromones are regulated in part by the actions of growth hormone. The expression of the MUPs was therefore investigated in transgenic mice that express a human growth hormone-releasing factor gene from a metallothionein gene promoter(MT-GRF) and as a result have elevated growth hormone levels. MUPs were severely down-regulated in the urine of these animals compared to normal mice or to control transgenic mice expressing another gene(the inhibin a subunit) from the same metallothionein promoter(MT-Inh) and more MUPs disappeared in male mice than female ones. MUPs were also down-regulated in the urine of the UT-GRF-injected mice. In addition, it was observed that the urine of the MT-GRF mice included a high molecular weight protein that co-migrates with the major serum protein albumin, indicating an impairment in glomerular filtration within the kidney. The urinary loss of serum proteins was more severe in male MT-GRF mice than female ones. Thus the overexpression of human GRF mimics changes observed in MUP protein expression and glomerular function in other models of growth hormone hypersecretion with sex-dependent differential effects.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.282-285
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• 2009

A 10-year-old Paint horse was presented with gradual changes in behavior, characterized as stallion-like including aggressiveness towards people and other horse. The abnormal right ovary was detected via transrectal ultrasonography and rectal palpation. A complete blood count and biochemical panel values were within reference ranges. The hormone analysis revealed increased testosterone 46.00 pg/mL and inhibin 0.856 ng/mL, and progesterone concentration consistent with absence of luteal tissue 1.2 ng/mL more than normal values. The purpose of the study reported was to describe a ovariectomy of enlarged ovary by using the diagonal paramedian approach. This method is useful to minimize surgical exposure and hemorrhage. This ovary was confirmed fibroma by histological examination post operation. Behavior problems and the hormone values were alleviated after surgery, and clinical signs of complication were not showed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to describe a distinct subpopulation of azoospermic patients with isolated elevation of follicle-stimulating hormone (iFSH) and poor outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). Methods: A retrospective analysis of microTESE outcomes was conducted among 565 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testicular pathology was assessed by the dominant histological pattern and Bergmann-Kliesch score (BKS). Descriptive statistics were presented for the iFSH subgroup. Inhibin B levels, the sperm retrieval rate (SRR), and BKS were compared in iFSH patients and other NOA patients. Results: The overall SRR was 33.3% per microTESE attempt. The median BKS was 0.6 (interquartile range, 0-2). Of all NOA patients, 132 had iFSH, and microTESE was successful only in 11 of those cases, with an SRR of 8.3%, while the total SRR in other NOA patients was 38.1% (p<0.001). iFSH had a sensitivity of 32.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.4%-36.8%) and specificity of 94.1% (95% CI, 90.8-97.5%) as a predictor of negative microTESE outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with iFSH may harbor a distinct testicular phenotype with total loss of the germ cell population and poor outcomes of surgical sperm retrieval.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.185-195
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• 2016

Background: To investigate the effect of pectinase-treated Panax ginseng (GINST) in cellular and male subfertility animal models. Methods: Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced mouse spermatocyte GC-2spd cells were used as an in vitro model. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. For the in vivo study, GINST (200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet was administered orally for 4 mo, and the changes in the mRNA and protein expression level of antioxidative and spermatogenic genes in young and aged control rats were compared using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Results: GINST treatment ($50{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, and $200{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the $H_2O_2$-induced ($200{\mu}M$) cytotoxicity in GC-2spd cells. Furthermore, GINST ($50{\mu}g/mL$ and $100{\mu}g/mL$) significantly (p < 0.05) ameliorated the $H_2O_2$-induced decrease in the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (peroxiredoxin 3 and 4, glutathione S-transferase m5, and glutathione peroxidase 4), spermatogenesis-related protein such as inhibin-${\alpha}$, and specific sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) in GC-2spd cells. Similarly, the altered expression level of the above mentioned genes and of spermatogenesis-related nectin-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein in aged rat testes was ameliorated with GINST (200 mg/kg) treatment. Taken together, GINST attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in GC-2 cells and modulated the expression of antioxidant-related genes and of spermatogenic-related proteins and sex hormone receptors in aged rats. Conclusion: GINST may be a potential natural agent for the protection against or treatment of oxidative stress-induced male subfertility and aging-induced male subfertility.