• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.323-335
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• 2002

Object: The present study was accomplished to obtain a gene expression profile of the luminal epithelium during embryo apposition in comparison of implantation (1M) and interimplantation (INTER) sites. Material and Method: The mouse uterine luminal epithelium from IM and INTER sites were sampled on day 4.5 (Day of vaginal plug = day 0.5) by Laser Captured Microdissection (LCM). RNA was extracted from LCM captured epithelium, amplified, labeled and hybridized to microarrays. Results from microarray hybridization were analyzed by Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) method. Differential expression of some genes was confirmed by LCM followed by RT-PCR. Results: Comparison of IM and INTER sites by SAM identified 73 genes most highly ranked at IM, while 13 genes at the INTER sites, within the estimated false discovery rate (FDR) of 0.163. Among 73 genes at IM, 20 were EST/unknown function, and the remain 53 were categorized to the structural, cell cycle, gene/protein expression, immune reaction, invasion, metabolism, oxidative stress, and signal transduction. Of the 24 structural genes, 14 were related especially to extracellular matrix and tissue remodeling. Meanwhile, among 13 genes up-regulated at INTER, 8 genes were EST/unknown function, and the rest 5 were related to metabolism, signal transduction, and gene/protein expression. Among these 58 (53+5) genes with known functions, 13 genes (22.4%) were related with $Ca^{2+}$ for their function. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that 1) active tissue remodeling is occurring at the IM sites during embryo apposition, 2) the INTER sites are relatively quiescent than IM sites, and 3) the $Ca^{2+}$ may be a crucial for apposition. Search for human homologue of those genes expressed in the mouse luminal epithelium during apposition will help to understand the implantation process and/or implantation failure in humans.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.261-269
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• 2003

목 적:본 연구에서는 생쥐 난소 주기에 따른Dazla 유전자의 발현 조절 양상을 관찰하고자 하였다. 연구재료 및 방법: 생후 27일된 암컷 미성숙 생쥐 (total 33EA; each 3 EA)로 부터 Pregnant Mare Serum Globulin (PMSG) 투여전, PMSG 투여 3시간, 6시간, 12시간, 24시간, 48시간 후 난소 조직과 hCG 투여 3시간, 6시간, 12시간, 24시간, 48시간 후 난소 조직을 획득하였다. 암컷 성숙 생쥐 난소와 (n=3) 수컷 성숙 생쥐 (n=3)로부터 고환 조직을 획득하여 대조군으로 사용하였다. 각각의 획득된 조직에서 Dazla mRNA 의 발현 여부를 RT-PCR과 in situ hybridization (ISH) 방법으로 확인하였다. 호르몬 투여 시기에 따른 Dazla 유전자의 발현 강도를 ISH 방법으로 비교하여 정상 난소주기에서 PMSG와 PMSG+hCG 에 의한 Dazla 유전자의 발현 조절 양상을 관찰하였다. 결 과: 미성숙 생쥐, 성숙 생쥐 난소 내 난자 모두에서Dazla 유전자의 발현이 관찰되었다. 성숙 생쥐 고환 내 정자에서도 Dazla 유전자의 발현이 관찰되었다. 미성숙 및 성숙 생쥐의 난포에서는 난포의 성장에 따라 Dazla 유전자의 발현 강도가 강하게 관찰되었다. 미성숙 생쥐에 투여된 PMSG와 PMSG+hCG에 의한 유전자의 발현 강도는 난포의 크기가 같을 경우 호르몬 투여전과 비교하여 차이가 없었다. 결 론: Dazla 유전자는 난소내 난자에서 특이하게 발현되며, 난포의 크기에 따라 난자에서의 dazla유전자 발현의 강도도 증가한다. 그러나 PMSG와 PMSG+hCG에 의하여 유전자 발현이 조절되지 않은 것으로 보아 난소의 배란주기에 따른 유전자의 발현 양상에 변화가 없는 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2004

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chromium (VI) on the placental function and reproduction in rats. For the study, the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) gene expression, placental trophoblast cell differentiation and reproductive data were analyzed. Methods : The pregnancies of F344 Fisher rats were checked by the presence of a copulatory plug or sperm in the vaginal smear, which was defined as day 0 of the pregnancy. Pregnant rats were divided into the three groups. The control group was given tap water (chromium level < 0.001 ppm) and the remaining groups were given 250 or 750 ppm of chromium (VI) [as potassium dichromate], from day 7 to 19 of the pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed at days 11 and 20 of pregnancy. The mRNA levels of PRL-GH and Pit-1a and b isotype genes were analyzed by Northern blot hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The hormonal concentration was analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and the differentiation of placental trophoblast cells were observed by histochemical studies. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, pregnancy period, and litter size, were surveyed at day 20 of pregnancy and after birth. A statistical analysis was carried out using the SAS program (version 8.1). Results : The mRNA levels of the prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH) family of genes were dose dependently reduced by chromium exposure. The mRNA levels of Pit-1a and b isotype genes that induce the expression of the PRL-GH family of genes were also reduced by chromium exposure. The PRL-GH hormonal concentration in the rat placenta, fetus and maternal blood were decreased by chromium exposure. In the middle stage of pregnancy (day 11), a high dose of chromium suppressed the differentiation of spongiotrophoblast cells that secret the PRLGH hormones. In the last stage of pregnancy (day 20), a high dose of chromium induced apoptosis of placental cells. Reproductive data, such as placental and fetal weights, litter size, were reduced, but the pregnancy period was extended in the group exposed to chromium compared with the controls. Conclusion : Chromium (VI) disrupts the ordered functions of the placenta, which leads to reproductive disorders in rats.