• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2012

Epimedii Herba is a traditional medicinal herb used in Korea and China and exerts estrogenic activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of peripubertal administration of Epimedii Herba on pubertal development in female rats using a modified protocol of the rodent 20-day pubertal female assay. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (21 days old after weaning, 10 rats per group) were divided into five groups: saline (Con), ethinyl estradiol (E2), Epimedii Herba ext (Ext), icariin (ICI), and icaritin (ICT), which were administered by oral gavage (E2 by subcutaneous injection) from postnatal day (PND) 21 through PND40. The time to vaginal opening (VO) was shorter for the Epimedii groups, particularly for the ICT group (p<0.05). Treatment with ICI and ICT significantly increased the duration of the estrus cycle (ICI, 2.78 days; ICT, 4.0 days; control, 1.78 days). Ovary weight was reduced by E2 treatment and increased by the Ext, ICI, and ICT treatments while the weight of the uterus and pituitary glands increased significantly only in the E2 and ICT groups. Although Epimedii Herba displayed relatively weak estrogenic activity, its repeated administration could affect pubertal development in female rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.269-273
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• 2012

In the present study, we investigated the expression patterns of ErbB family proteins in the pre-pubertal and pubertal mammary glands of dairy cows in association with gland development. For this study, we performed immunohistochemistry for ErbB-1-4 and Ki-67 cell proliferation marker. We found that the pre-pubertal and pubertal mammary glands had typical structures, including ducts and terminal end buds embedded in the stroma, and no development of lobuloalveolar structures. On immunohistochemistry, ErbB-2 and ErbB-3 were strongly expressed in the cytoplasm and nuclei in the epithelial cells of mammary ducts and terminal end buds, and stromal cells, whereas ErbB-1 and ErbB-4 were weakly expressed only in the cytoplasm of gland epithelium and stromal cells, irrespective of the developmental stage. Cell proliferation was inactive in the mammary gland cell compartments in both phases. Thus, expression of the ErbB family in the developing mammary glands was not associated with their functional effects, such as cell proliferation and lobuloalveolar development. In conclusion, ErbB receptors were differentially expressed in the epithelial and stromal cells of virgin mammary glands of dairy cows. Compared with rodent mammary glands, ErbB-3 and ErbB-4 were found to be highly expressed in bovine mammary glands.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 2021

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of maternal hypothyroidism and puberty onset in female rat pups. To do this, we employed propylthiouracil (PTU) to prepare a hypothyroid rat model. Pregnant rats were treated with PTU (0.025%) in drinking water from gestational day 14 to postnatal day 21 of offspring. Comparison of general indices such as body and tissue weights and puberty indices such as vaginal opening (VO) and tissue histology between control and PTU-treated rats were conducted. There was no significant difference in the date of VO between control and PTU group. The body weights of the PTU group were significantly lower, only 36.8% of the control group (p<0.001). Although the absolute thyroid weight was not changed by PTU treatment, the relative weight increased significantly about 2.8 times (p<0.001), indicating that hypothyroidism was successfully induced. On the other hand, the absolute weights of the ovary and uterus were markedly decreased by PTU administration (p<0.001), and the relative weight was not significantly changed. The ovarian histology of PTU group revealed the advanced state of differentiation (i.e., presence of corpora lutea). Inversely, the uterine histology of PTU group showed underdeveloped structures compared those in control group. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that our maternal hypothyroidism model resulted in minimal effect on pubertal development symbolized by VO despite of huge retardation in somatic growth. More sophisticatedly designed hypothyroidism model will be helpful to achieve a better understanding of pubertal development and related disorders.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.329-339
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the sexual maturation, parenting attitude, maturity fear and emotional and behavioral problems of girls in elementary school, and to examine the relation between these variables and factors that influence emotional and behavioral problems. Methods: Participants were 128 second, third and fourth year students from 3 elementary schools. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: Emotional and behavioral problems were related to eating rate, eating breakfast, frequency of late-night snacks and main communicator on pubertal development. Emotional and behavioral problems showed a positive correlation with maturity fear and father's parenting attitude (strictness) and a negative correlation with parenting attitude and father's parenting attitude (intimacy). Maturity fear, father's parenting attitude, eating breakfast, and main communicator on pubertal development had significant influence on emotional and behavioral problems of girls in elementary school. Conclusion: Findings show that for effective management of emotional and behavioral problems in elementary school girls, programs including coping with maturity fear, supportive parenting of father, diet education, and functional communication with mother on pubertal development should be developed.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Puberty is the developmental period which animals obtain the ability of reproducing sexually for the first time in life. In commercially important aquaculture fish species, the onset of puberty is a matter of major interest due to controlling of sexual maturation to improve broodstock management. To investigate pubertal characteristics of female longtooth grouper (Epinephelus bruneus), specimens were classified into three groups by the bodyweight, including 1, 2, and 3 kg group. Thereafter, we focused on ovarian development and level changes of endocrine regulation factors (GnRH, GTHs, steroid hormone). In the non-breeding season (April), the levels of endocrine regulation factors showed increasing trends in accordance with bodyweight gaining; nevertheless, the oocytes were growth phase belongs to almost peri-nucleous stages in all groups. In the breeding season (June), the levels of endocrine regulation factors were fluctuated that decreases in levels of sbGnRH and $FSH{\beta}$ mRNA expressions along with serum $E_2$ concentrations in 3 kg of group. However, $LH{\beta}$ mRNA expression levels sustained increasing trends by the bodyweight. Moreover, the oocytes developed that 2 kg and 3 kg groups obtained plentiful vitellogenic oocytes while 1 kg group was still composed with greater part of pre-vitellogenic oocytes. Especially, the oocytes of 3 kg group reached over 450 ${\mu}m$ of diameters that indicating possibility to enter the final maturations. These results suggest that the progress of pubertal development in female E. bruneus could be classify into three phases via bodyweight, including pre-puberty (1 kg), early-puberty (2 kg) and puberty (3 kg).

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 1995

Bone mass accretion during puberty appears to be critical in the development of peak bone mass. Although bone density of females in Korea has been studied, only a few studies have related bone mass with anthropometric patterns or puberty in the pubescent girls. This study was conducted as part of a study of major determinants of bone development during puberty. Subjects were aged 14∼16 yr(mean 14.97), and had no history of disorders or dedication use likely to influence bone or calcium metabolism. Bone mineral density and content were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry using a Lunar DPX+Scanner (Lunar Madison, WI). Also, total body fat, and total lean body mass were assessed using a Lunar DPX dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer, Pubertal status was assessed according to the Marshall and Tanner guidelines. Serum levels of osteocalcin was measured by RIA using a commercial kit assay. Skinfold measurements were taken with a skinfold caliper(Lange Caliper, USA). Data were analyzed using the regression and GLM procedure of the statistical package SAS. The results indicated that the observed means for lumbar spine BMD and femoral BMD correspond to approximately 91% and 96% of the means for young adult females, respec tively. All subjects were menarchal, with the majority being in the middle to end stages of pubertal development. Total body BMD was positively related to fat mass(P<0.001), lean body mass and time since menarche, and negatively related to urine pyridinoline, serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. The data indicate that girls who reported lower age for menarche had significantly higher bone densities than girls who reported higher age for menarche. Attaining peak skeletal bone mass during puberty may reduce the incidence of osteoporosis in later life. this finding suggests that early menarche may augment peak bone mass, influencing the extent of bone loss later in adulthood. The results suggest that good nutrition in childhood appears to be needed not for growth and development, but possibly also to assure an optimal peak of bone mass and thus greater latitude for the maintenance or skeletal integrity in the face of bone losses. Troeps skinfold thickness was a better predictor of total BMD and total BMC than was any other skinfold thickness. The study did not find a relationship between total BMD and body fat %, but total fat was significantly positively related to total BMD(r=0.49) and total BMC(r=0.60). It supports earlier report that there was a significant correlation between TBMD and body weight. Conclusively, total fat, lean body mass and pubertal development could influence BMD in pubescent girls. Clearly, longitudinal studies are required to assess the effect of puberty on peak bone mass, and to define further the potential determinants of peak bone mass.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1338-1350
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• 2012

This review focuses on the nutritional effects from birth until age at first calving on growth, mammary developmental changes, and first-lactation milk yield in heifer calves. The advancement in the genetic potential and the nutritional requirements of the animals has hastened the growth rate. Genetic selection for high milk yield has suggested higher growth capacity and hence increasing nutritional inputs are required. Rapid rearing by feeding high energy or high concentrate diets not only reduces the age of sexual maturity but also lowers the time period of attaining the age of first calving. However, high energy diets may cause undesirable fat deposition thereby affecting future milk yield potential. Discrepancies exist whether overfed or overweight heifers at puberty can influence the mammary development and future milk yield potential and performance. The data on post-pubertal nutritional management suggested that body weight at calving and post-pubertal growth rate is important in first lactation milk yield. There is a continuous research need for strategic feeding that accelerates growth of dairy heifers without reduction in subsequent production. Nutritional management from birth, across puberty and during pregnancy is critical for mammary growth and for producing a successful cow. This review will mostly highlight studies carried out on dairy breeds and possible available opportunities to manipulate nutritional status from birth until age at first calving.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.654-670
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• 2022

Spermatogenesis and testis development are highly structured physiological processes responsible for post-pubertal fertility in stallions. Spermatogenesis comprises spermatocytogenesis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. Although germ cell degeneration is a continuous process, its effects are more pronounced during spermatocytogenesis and meiosis. The productivity and efficiency of spermatogenesis are directly linked to pubertal development, degenerated germ cell populations, aging, nutrition, and season of the year in stallions. The multiplex interplay of germ cells with somatic cells, endocrine and paracrine factors, growth factors, and signaling molecules contributes to the regulation of spermatogenesis. A cell-tocell communication within the testes of these factors is a fundamental requirement of normal spermatogenesis. A noteworthy development has been made recently on discovering the effects of different somatic cells including Leydig, Sertoli, and peritubular myoid cells on manipulation the fate of spermatogonial stem cells. In this review, we discuss the self-renewal, differentiation, and apoptotic roles of somatic cells and the relationship between somatic and germ cells during normal spermatogenesis. We also summarize the roles of different growth factors, their paracrine/endocrine/autocrine pathways, and the different cytokines associated with spermatogenesis. Furthermore, we highlight important matters for further studies on the regulation of spermatogenesis. This review presents an insight into the mechanism of spermatogenesis, and helpful in developing better understanding of the functions of somatic cells, particularly in stallions and would offer new research goals for developing curative techniques to address infertility/subfertility in stallions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.147-147
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• 2001

To establish a test protocol for the rodent 20-day thyroid/pubertal assay, we dosed flutamide(fl), a non-steroidal androgen antagonist to intact male SD rats from postnatal day 33 for 20 days, and examined several reproductive endpoints for assessing the sensitivity of a list of parameters for detecting endocrine-related effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1998.10b
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• pp.227.2-227
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• 1998

No Abstract, See Full Text