• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.190-204
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate for its effects on reproductive and developmental toxicity of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were administered rhEGF at doses of 1, 10, 100, and 1000$\mu$g/kg/day, respective1y, by subcutaneous injection from 63 days before and throughout to mating period until the day before sacrifice. Female rats were administered rhEGF at the same doses from 14 days before mating to day 20 of gestation or to day 21 of lactation. We examined the male and female fertility indices and maternal toxicity of F0 parental animals. Also, we examined the external, visceral, or skeletal malformation of fetuses, growth and development, behavior, and/or reproductive performance of F1 animals. At the highest dose (1,000 $\mu$g/kg), the mean body weights of F0 animals were significantly increased in males and females at 3 or 2 weeks after treatment, respective1y. No clinical signs and food intakes were observed at any time during the experimental period by rhEGF treatment. In autopsy examination, the relative and absolute liver weights significantly increased in both sexes of 1,000 $\mu$g/kg. At the highest dose (1,000 $\mu$g/kg), there was a statistically significant increase of pregnancy period and the number of dead fetuses. Moreover, significant increase of mean fetal body weight and decrease of number of live fetuses, which related to the difficult dilivery were observed in highest dose group. In Fl examination, no adverse effects on external, visceral, and skeletal malformation, physical and functional development, behavior or reproductive ability of Fl animals were observed in any group. Also, there was no significant difference between control and treated groups in copulation or fertility indices of Fl animals. These results indicate that rhEGF had no adverse effect on fertility and reproductive ability of Sprague-Dawley rats.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.194-204
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• 2009

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and fertility restoration have been utilized as valuable tools for $F_1$-hybrid seed production in many crops despite laborious breeding processes. Molecular markers for the selection of CMS-related genes help reduce the expenses and breeding times. A previously reported genomic region containing the Ppr-B gene, which is responsible for restoration of fertility and corresponds to the Rfo locus, was used to develop gene-based or so-called "functional" markers for allelic selection of the restorer-of-fertility gene (Rfo) in $F_1$-hybrid breeding of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Polymorphic sequences among Rfo alleles of diverse breeding lines of radish were examined by sequencing the Ppr-B alleles. However, presence of Ppr-B homolog, designated as Ppr-D, interferes on specific PCR amplification of Ppr-B in certain breeding lines. The organization of Ppr-D, resolved by genome walking, revealed extended homology with Ppr-B even in the promoter region. Interestingly, PCR amplification of Ppr-D was repeatedly unsuccessful in certain breeding lines implying the lack of Ppr-D in these radishes. Ppr-B could only be successfully amplified for analysis through designing primers based on the sequences unique to Ppr-B that exclude interference from Ppr-D gene. Four variants of Rfo alleles were identified from 20 breeding lines. A combination of three molecular markers was developed in order to genotype the Rfo locus based on polymorphisms among four different variants. These markers will be useful in facilitating $F_1$-hybrid cultivar development in radish.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2024

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem for human health worldwide. The mechanisms of vitamin D in the male reproductive system are unknown. After coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines were developed, doubts were raised about their possible effects on male fertility. Based on vitamin D's function in the immune system, its potential role as an adjuvant for COVID-19 vaccines is intriguing. The aims of this study were to assess the effects of vitamin D first on sperm parameters and sex hormones, and then as an immune adjuvant on sperm parameters and sex hormones after study participants had received their second doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: Phase 1 (before the COVID-19 pandemic) included 72 men with idiopathic infertility, and phase 2 had 64 participants who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Both groups were instructed to take 50,000 IU of vitamin D twice monthly for 3 months. Sperm parameters and sex hormones were assessed pre-and post-supplementation. Results: Regular vitamin D intake for 3 months significantly increased the participants' vitamin D levels (p=0.0001). Both phases showed a positive correlation between vitamin D intake and sperm parameters. Vaccination had no negative effects on sperm parameters and sex hormones. Vitamin D was associated with follicle-stimulating hormone (p=0.02) and testosterone (p=0.0001) in phase 2 after treatment. Conclusion: Our results support vitamin D supplementation as an immune adjunct to COVID-19 vaccination for improving sperm parameters and hormone levels. COVID-19 vaccination is not harmful for male fertility potential, and vitamin D is an effective factor for male fertility.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 1994

DA-125, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was at dose levels of 0, 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/day administered intravenously to Sprague-Dawley male rats from premating to mating period and to females from premating to early gestation period. Effects of test agent on general findings and reproductive performance of parent animals and embryonic development were examined. No treatment-related changes in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption and necropsy findings were observed in all groups of both sexes. At 0.3 mg/kg, a decrease in the weight of spleen was found only in male rats. Mating performance and fertility of parent animals were not adversely affected by all doses tested. Fl fetuses showed no changes related to treatment of DA-125, except that at 0.3 mg/kg, an increase in the resorption rate was seen. The results show that the no effect dose levels (NOELS) for general toxicity of parent animals and fetal development are 0.1 mg/kg/day and NOELS for reproductive capability are over 0.3 mg/kg/day.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 1996

A new composite antibiotic, SM-101(sulbactam.metampicillin), was at dose levels of 0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day administered intravenously to Sprague-Dawley male rats from predating to mating period and to females from premating to early gestation period. Effects of test agent on general findings and reproductive performance of parent animals and embryonic development were examined. In male parents, two deaths occurred at 1000 mg/kg. The increase in kidney weight of the 1000 mg/kg group were also observed. The decrease in body weight and food consumption were found at 500 and 1000 mg/kg. The decrease in spleen weight were seen at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg. In female parents, three deaths were found at 1000 mg/kg. Mating performance and fertility of parent animals were not adversely affected by all doses tested. F1 fetuses showed no changes related to treatment of SM-101. The results show that the no effect dose level(NOEL) for general toxicity of parent animals is under 250 mg/kg/day and NOELS for reproductive capability and fatal development are over 1000 mg/kg/day.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.135-140
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• 2006

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants, which is due to failure to produce functional pollen, is a maternally inherited trait. Specific nuclear genes that suppress CMS, termed fertility restorer (Rf) genes, have been identified in several plants. In this study, Rfl-inked molecular markers in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) were detected by bulked segregant analysis of eight amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Only AFRF8 was successfully converted to a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker. This was named AFRF8CAPS and genotype determination using it agreed with that obtained with the original AFRF8. A linkage map with a total size of 54.1 cM was constructed with AFRF8CAPS and the seven AFLP markers using the Kosambi function. The AFRF8CAPS marker was shown to be closest to Rf with a genetic distance of 1.8 cM. These markers will be useful for fast and reliable detection of restorer lines during $F_1$ hybrid seed production and breeding programs in pepper.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.269.3-270
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• 2003

CBNU-1 has been used as a folk medicine in India for general physical strengthening, anti-aging, blood sugar stabilization, urinary tract rejuvenation, enhanced brain functioning potency, kidney rejuvenation, immune system strengthening, arthritis, hypertension and many other application for numerous conditions. The present study was conducted to evaluate the possibility of CBNU-1 as fertility agent. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.202-202
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• 2002

DA-8159, a new pyrazolopyrimidinone derivative for erectile dysfunction, was administered by gavage at levels of 0, 17.5, 70, and 280 mg/mg to Sprague-Dawley male rats from 28 days before mating to the end of mating period, and to remales from 14 days before mating to day 6 of gestation.(omitted)

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.368-371
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• 2006

The complex analysis of male reproductive system of vines and fruit-tyees growing in zone of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) is realized. The obtained data demonstrate that the homogeneous pollen with high fertility and optimal morphometric parameters in all variants is formed. The obtained results demonstrate that there is no one-sided effect of ANPP on the development and formation of investigated male generative system of vines and fruit trees. Thus, on the base of obtained results we can't confirm its deleterious effect on the environment.

• Plant Resources
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.136-140
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• 2004

Co-segregation of male fertility with DNA markers selected by RAPD analysis as being potentially linked to the restorer gene (Rf) for Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) was analyzed using segregating F2 population. One RAPD marker directly linked to the Rf locus was identified. Amplification of OPT-02/570 using the STS primers generated a monomorphic band of each fertile plants randomly selected F2 progenies. From these results, this specific marker would be strongly linked to be restoring gene. The use of STS marker is effective in overcoming the reliability of the RAPD phenotype and improving their utility for MAS, co-dominant STS markers are especially very useful.