• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.276-286
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• 1999

In the present study, to understand how gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) affects ovarian functions in superovulated rats, we examined the effects of GnRH agonist on the ovulatory response, the morphological normality and nuclear maturation of ovulated oocytes, the ovarian weight, the ovarian histology, and the circulating steroid hormone ($17{\beta}$-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) levels in immature rats pretreated with 30IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and supplemented with 10IU human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG). GnRH agonist was intravenously injected via jugular vein catheter every 20min for 4hrs in early follicular phase (from 6hr after PMSG) of superovulated rats. In addition, GnRH antagonist, Antide, was intravenously injected in combination with GnRH agonist to verify the effects of GnRH agonist on ovarian functions. All animals were sacrificed at 72hr after PMSG administration. The administration with GnRH agonist in early follicular phase of superovulated rats caused inhibition of ovulatory response, increased the proportion of abnormal appearing oocytes(especially, in the rats of the group treated with 500ng GnRH agonist), decreased ovarian weight and promote follicular atresia, compared to those from the rats of control regimen that were not treated with GnRH agonist. In addition, the treatment with GnRH agonist in the superovulated rat distinctly decreased serum steroid hormone ($17{\beta}$-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) levels in preovulatory phase. On the other hand, the inhibitory effects of GnRH agonist treatment in superovulation-pretreated rats on ovarian functions were totally reversed by the combination with GnRH antagonist, Antide. The nuclear maturation of oocytes recovered from the oviducts in immature rats treated with GnRH agonist and/or GnRH antagonist was characterized by prematurity and asynchronization in early follicular phase, which was similar to control group. The overall results of this study indicate that GnRH agonist disturbs directly ovarian function in early follicular phase of superovulated immature rats in terms of ovulatory response and morphological normality of ovulated oocytes. This concept has been further evidenced by the findings of a great decrease in ovarian weight, a marked increase in follicular and a distinct decrease circulating steroid hormone ($17{\beta}$-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) levels in GnRH agonist treatment regimen in early follicular phase.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-23
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• 2007

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gone expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In audition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-24
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• 2007

Purpose : These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of adminis tration of JokyungSan on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods : We administered the JokyungSan to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. The female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. We chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results : In case of 4-day administration of JokyungSan, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to a control group. The administration of JokyungSan, were beneficial effect of embryonic development in preimplantation period and play a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion : From our results suggested that the medication of JokyungSan has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.91-110
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• 2007

Purpose : These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of administration of Palmultang on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Materials and Methods : We administered the Palmultang to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. The female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. And then recovered ovaries were minced and extracted mRNA and analyzed cell viability related gene expression. We chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results : In case of administration of Palmultang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to a control group. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. The administration of Palmultang in a concentration with 10 and 100 mg/ml were beneficial effect of embryonic development in preimplantation period. The administration of Palmultang play a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion : From our results suggested that the medication of Palmultang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.20-34
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• 2010

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang on ovarian functions in female mice. Methods: We administered the Palmulgunjatang gamibang to 6-week-old female CF-1 mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. After administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang with different concentration, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice were divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results: In case of 4-day, 8-day, 12-day administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes were increased compared with control group. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In case of 4-day administration of Palmulgunjatang gamibang, the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages were higher than control group. Conclusion: From our results suggested that the medication of Palmulgunjatang gamibang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

This study aims to explore the impact of Rehmannioside D (RD) on ovarian functions of rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and its underlying mechanisms of action. A single injection of cyclophosphamide was performed to establish a DOR rat model, and fourteen days after the injection, the rats were intragastrically administrated with RD for two weeks. Rat estrus cycles were tested using vaginal smears. Ovarian tissues were histologically evaluated, the number of primordial, mature, and atretic follicles was calculated, and the apoptotic rate of granulosa cells. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E₂) levels were determined by ELISA assays. Protein levels of Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1), KLOTHO, Bcl-2, and Bax were investigated in ovarian tissues of DOR rats. The binding between FOXO1 and KLOTHO was verified by ChIP assay. High-dose administration of RD into DOR rats improved their estrus cycles, increased ovarian index, enhanced the number of primordial and mature follicles, reduced the number of atretic follicle number, and ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in addition to inhibiting FSH and LH levels and upregulating E₂ expression. FOXO1 and KLOTHO were significantly suppressed in DOR rats. FOXO1 knockdown partially suppressed the protective effects of RD on DOR rats, and KLOTHO overexpression could restore RD-induced blockade of DOR development despite knocking down FOXO1. FOXO1 antibody enriched KLOTHO promoter, and the binding between them was reduced in DOR group compared to that in sham group. RD improved ovarian functions in DOR rats and diminished granulosa cell apoptosis via the FOXO1/KLOTHO axis.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2024

Background: Although an understanding of the proliferation and differentiation of fish female germline stem cells (GSCs) is very important, an appropriate threedimensional (3D) research model to study them is not well established. As a part of the development of stable 3D culture system for fish female GSCs, we conducted this study to establish a 3D aggregate culture system of ovarian cells in marine medaka, Oryzias dancena. Methods: Ovarian cells were separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation and two different cell populations were cultured in suspension to form ovarian cell aggregates to find suitable cell populations for its formation. Ovarian cell aggregates formed from different cell populations were evaluated by histology and gene expression analyses. To evaluate the media supplements, ovarian cell aggregate culture was performed under different media conditions, and the morphology, viability, size, gene expression, histology, and E2 secretion of ovarian cell aggregates were analyzed. Results: Ovarian cell aggregates were able to be formed well under specific culture conditions that used ultra-low attachment 96 well plate, complete mESM2, and the cell populations from top to 50% layers after separation of ovarian cells. Moreover, they were able to maintain minimal ovarian function such as germ cell maintenance and E2 synthesis for a short period. Conclusions: We established basic conditions for the culture of O. dancena ovarian cell aggregates. Additional efforts will be required to further optimize the culture conditions so that the ovarian cell aggregates can retain the improved ovarian functions for a longer period of time.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Ovarian cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related death in women, but the main biological causes remain open questions. Hormonal factors have been considered to be an important determinant causing ovarian cancer. Recent studies have shown that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-I and its analogs have clinically therapeutic value in the treatment of ovarian cancer. In addition, numerous studies have shown that the potential of GnRH-II in normal reproductive system or reproductive disorder. GnRH-I receptors have been detected in approximately 80% of ovarian cancer biopsy specimens as well as normal ovarian epithelial cells and immortalized ovarian surface epithelium cells. GnRH-II receptors have also been found to be more widely expressed than GnRH-I receptors in mammals, suggesting that GnRH receptors may have additional functions in reproductive system including ovarian cancer. The signal transduction pathway following the binding of GnRH to GnRH receptor has been extensively studied. The activation of protein kinase A/C (PKA/PKC) pathway is involved in the GnRH-I induced anti-proliferative effect in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, GnRH-I induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation plays a role in anti-proliferative effect and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells and the activation of transcriptional factors related to cellular responses. However, the role of GnRH-I and II receptors, there are discrepancies between previous reports. In this review, the role of GnRH in ovarian cancer and the mechanisms to induce anti-proliferation were evaluated.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.257-266
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• 2008

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In addition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusions: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.13-34
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of administration of Guibitang on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Guibitang to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. Then, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results: administration of Guibitang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to control group. And the rates of blastocyst formation from 2-cell stages alsa increased significantly compared to control group. Capase-3 gene expression which is known to maker gene for cell apoptosis were significantly lower than that of control group. And MAPK and MPG gene expressions for cell viability and DNA repair were same that of control group. Conclusion: From our results suggested that the medication of Guibitang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.