• 대한수의학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.677-681
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• 2000

Since the role of female sexual hormones on pancreatic exocrine secretion was not fully understood, this study was investigated to clarify the difference of spontaneous pancreatic exocrine responses during the estrous cycle and the roles of ovarian hormones on pancreatic exocrine secretion in the anesthetized female rats. Pancreatic juice was collected from the sequential 15-min samples, and then fluid and protein secretion were measured from the collected samples. The stages of estrous cycle were defined by staining the vaginal smear. The spontaneous pancreatic fluid and protein secretion were significantly increased during the diestrus stage compare to the corresponding value during the estrus stage. In the ovariectomized rat, spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion was significantly decreased compare to the value of female rat during the diestrus stage and was restored by subcutaneous injection of progesterone (50 mg/kg). This results suggest that the spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion of female rat is fluctuated according to the estrous cycle and progesterone released from ovary could stimulate the spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion of female rat.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.75-85
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• 1995

The goal of the present study is to investigate the precise variation of tubulin substances in the cytoplasm of oviductal ciliated cells and the morphological changes in cytoplasmic organelles of ciliated cells for ciliogenesis by estrous cycles. The animals used in this study were female rat (Sprague Dawley strain), weighing approximately 200 gm. The ampulla oviducts of these animals (at each of estrous cycle) were rapidly excised. At each stage of estrous cycle, the tissues were used for immunocytochemical study and other were used for electron microscopical study. All specimens were observed by the light and electron microscope. The results obtained are as follows: 1. In the ciliated cells at proestrus, Golgi complex showed $5{\sim}7$ stacked cisternae with numerous saccules and vacuoles. Large amount of fibrous granules were located near the Golgi complex. But at metestrus and diestrus, few fibrous granules were seen. 2. A moderate number of rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes were scattered in the cytoplasm of ciliated cells at proestrus, but were decrease in number at metestrus and diestrus. 3. At proestrus and estrus, there were a large amount of vesicles in the apical cytoplasm of ciliated cells. 4. Numerous mitochondria were located in the apical cytoplasm at proestrus and estrus, but only a few at metestrus and diestrus. 5. At proestrus and estrus, tubulin substances showed strong reactions in the cytoplasm but weak reactions at metestrus and diestrus. It is suggested consequently that the ciliated cells of the rat oviducts showed no morphological changes of cilia but the ultrastructural organelles of the cells were changed in its shape and location during the entire estrous cycle.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2002

비만유전자 산물인 leptin은 비만뿐만 아니라 여성의 생식 생리와 관련이 있는 것으로 보이나, 아직 이러한 leptin이 난소에 직접적으로 작용하는지 정확하게 밝혀지지 않고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 흰쥐 난소에서 leptin과 leptin 수용체의 발현을 면역조직화학방법으로 확인하고 발정주기에 따른 leptin과 leptin 수용체의 발현 양상을 RT-PCR 방법으로 조사하고자 하였다. 면역조직화학적 염색방법 결과 흰쥐 난소내에서 leptin은 협막세포와 폐쇄 난포의 일부 과립세포에 염색되었고, leptin 수용체는 협막세포, 간질세포와 난포강이 형성되지 않은 난포의 난자에 염색되었다. 특히 폐쇄 난포에서는 leptin과 leptin 수용체가 정상 난포에 비해 강하게 염색되었다. 흰쥐의 발정주기 동안 혈청내 estradiol, progesterone leptin의 농도는 ELISA 방법으로 측정하였고, 난소내 leptin과 leptin 수용체의 mRNA 발현 양상은 RT-PCR 방법으로 조사하였다. 혈중 leptin 농도를 측정한 결과 estrous 시기에 비하여 metestrous 시기에 유의하게 증가하였고, 이 시기에 progesterone 농도가 함께 증가하는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. Leptin mRNA는 모든 발정주기에서 발현되지 않았지만 leptin 수용체 mRNA는 diestrous 시기를 제외한 다른 발정주기에 모두 발현되었다. 이러한 결과는 leptin이 흰쥐 난소의 기능을 조절하는데 직접적으로 관여할 수 있다는 것을 제시하고 있다.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 1990

본 연구는 prolactin(PRL)유전자 발현, 분비의 생리적 변화와 성주기 특정 시기의 PRL mRNA수준 및 분비에 미치는 내인성 오피오이드의 영향을 조사하였다. 최소한 두번의 연속적인 성주기를 거친 성숙한 흰쥐에서 성주기의 각 시기(10:00시)에, proestrus시기에는 10:00-20:00 시동안에는 2시간 간격으로 도살하였고, naloxone (2mg/kg b.w.)은 도살 30분전에 피하주사 하였다. PRL mRNA의 수준의 흰쥐의 PRL cDNA를 probe로 하여 RNA-blot hybridization방법에 의해서, 혈중 PRL농도 변화는 방사면역측정법에 의해 측정하였다. 뇌하수체 PRL mRNA의 수준과 혈중 PRL수준은 diestrus I, II and proestrus그리고 estrus시기의 10:00시에는 급격한 변화를 보이이 않았다. 이때 naloxone처리는 영향을 미치지 못했다. proestrus시기를 세분화하여 조사한 결과 PRL mRNA의 수준은 정오에 최고 수준에 도달하였고, 오후 6:00까지 점차적으로 감소하였다. 그후 8:00시에 다시 증가하였다. estrus동안 naloxone은 혈중의 PRL수준을 명백히 억제하였으나 PRL mRNA수준에는 영향이 없었다. proestrus시기 동안 혈중 PRL변화와 뇌하수체 PRL mRNA변화는 서로 상이하게 조절되며,PRL mRNA수준이 흰쥐 성주기 동안 변화하고 있는 사실에서 PRL 유전자 발현이 생리적으로 조절되고 있음을 시사한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.383-387
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• 1999

Objective: There is increasing evidence for the expression of rat in gene in several extrapituitary sites including testis and ovary. We also have demonstrated that the local LH expression in the rat epididymis and uterus, the major accessory sex organs in male and female reproductive system, respectively. Design: The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the gene for LH receptor is expressed in rat uterus and whether the expressions of uterine LH and its receptor are differentially regulated during estrous cycle. Presence of the transcripts for rat LH receptor in the rat uterine tissue were confirmed by touchdown reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In $LH{\beta}$ semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level was shown in estrus stage. The level of ill receptor transcripts was also fluctuated during estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats (OVX + Oil), the expressions of both uterine LH and LH-R were markedly reduced when compared to those from normal rats. Supplement with estradiol $17{\beta}$ to the ovariectomized rats (OVX + $E_2$) restored the expression levels of LH and its receptor to the levels in uteri from normal rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that 1) LH and its receptor gene are expressed in the rat uterus from cycling rats, 2) the expression of uterine LH and its receptor is mainly, if not all, under the control of ovarian sex steroid(s). These results suggested that the uterine LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner, though the posibility that the pituitary LH may act directly on the regulation of uterine functions could not be discarded.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2022

In response to luteinizing hormone (LH), a higher concentration of progesterone (P4) is produced in luteal cells of corpus luteum (CL). Mitochondria are an essential cellular organelle in steroidogenesis. The specific engagement of the concept regarding mitochondrial shaping with early stages of steroidogenesis was suggested in reproductive endocrine cells. Although the specific involvement of GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) with steroidogenesis has been demonstrated in luteal cells of bovine CL in vitro, its actual relationship with ovarian steroidogenesis during the estrous cycle remains unknown. In this study, while Fis1 and Opa1 protein levels did not show significant changes during the estrous cycle, Drp1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 proteins exhibited relatively lower levels at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. 3β-HSD showed higher levels at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. In addition, Drp1 phosphorylation (s637) was higher in proestrus than in estrus or diestrus. Immune-positive cells for Drp1, pDrp1 (s637), and 3β-HSD were all localized in the cytoplasm of luteal cells in the CL. The immune-positive cells for 3β-HSD were more frequently seen in the CL at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. Immunoreactivity for Drp1 in luteal cells at proestrus was weaker than that at estrus or diestrus. However, pDrp1 (s637) immune-positive cells were mostly detected in luteal cells at proestrus. These results imply that steroidogenesis (P4 production) in the CL is closely related to phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 637. Taken together, this study presents evidence that Drp1 phosphorylation at serine 637 is an important step in steroidogenesis in the CL.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.7-13
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• 1980

In the previous experiment, authors have shown that during the latter half of estrous cycle there was an increase in plasma testosterone level in the rats stimulated with hCG. To determine the physiologic significance of elevated plasma testosterone, changes of the plasma concentrations of TeBG and testosterone following hCG stimulation were analyzed in the rats having a regular 5 day cycle. The rats were divided into three groups; the control, the rats stimulated with single hCG on the day of proestrus and stimulated with hCG throughout the entire cycle. Blood samples were obtained once a day for an estrous cycle and analyzed for the binding capacity of TeBG using ammonium sulphate precipitation method and testosterone concentration by means of radioimmunoassay. Followings were the results; 1) There was no significant variation in the binding capacity of TeBG in peripheral blood during the estrous cycle of the control rats. 2) No cyclic variation in the binding capacity of TeBG was observed in the rats stimulated with single hCG on proestrus. although the levels tended to be higher in the rats with stimulation than in the control rats. 3) Continual stimulation of hCG produced a marked increase in the binding capacity of TeBG especially on the day of metaestrus. 4) The changes in the plasma level of testosterone followed the same basic pattern seen in the TeBG binding capacity. 5) From above results, the followings were suggested. a. hCG related increase of the binding capacity of TeBG is probably secondary to a modest increase in estrogen as well. b. hCG related increase of plasma testosterone in female rats is not entirely due to excess production rather in part due to decreased metabolism induced by the rise in TeBG. c. It seems likely that most of elevated testosterone shown in the rat stimulated with hCG is bound to TeBG and only small portion is unbound form which influence cellular activity. It is rather possible that an increase in TeBG could augment estrogen activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.95-103
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• 1999

본 연구는 초산의 Wistar 계 rat를 이용하여 포유기간 중 제한포유시기와 이유시기를 조절하여 혈중 progesterone 수준을 검토하였다. 정상포유군 (NL)은 포유자의 수를 8 마리로 조절하였으며, 제한포유군 (RL)과 완전이유군 (W)은 RL0, RL5, RL10, RL15 및 RL20, 그리고 W0, W5, W10, W15 및 W20으로 각각 5 개 군으로 구분하여, 제한포유군은 각 개시일에 포유자의 수를 8마리에서 4마리로 조절하였으며, 완전이유군은 각 개시일에 포유자의 수를 완전히 이유시켰다. 1. 포유자의 발육상태는 제한포유군에서 정상포유군보다 성장이 유의적 (P＜0.05)으로 증가하였고, 또한 분만직후 (RL0) 와 포유 5(RL5), 10(RL10), 15(RLl5) 일에 제한포유를 실시한 군에서는 시간이 경과함에 따라 정상포유군에 비해 유의적 (P＜0.05) 으로 증가하였으나, 포유 20 일(RL20) 에 제한포유군에서는 정상포유군과 차이가 없었다 . 초산 rat 의 임신기간은 21.53$\pm$0.04일이었고 산자수는 13.75$\pm$0.07 마리였다. 2. 포유기간 중 모체의 성주기 변화는 정상포유군은 발정징후가 관찰되지 않았으나 분만직후 제한포유군은 20 일을 전후하여 불규칙적인 성주기가 관찰되었고, 분만직후 완전이유군은 10일을 전후하여 정상적인 성주기가 관찰되었다. 3. 정상포유군의 progesterone 농도는 포유 0 일에 33.16$\pm$2.64ng/$m\ell$에서 포유 10 일에 122.55$\pm$3.68ng/$m\ell$ 까지 증가하여 포유 20 일까지 높은 수준을 유지하다가 그 후 25 일에 97.30$\pm$3.21ng/$m\ell$ 까지 급속히 감소 (P＜0.05) 하였다. 포유초기 (RL0, RL5)와 포유중기 (RL10)의 제한포유군은 제한포유실시 이후 5일 까지는 정상포유군과 같은 수준을 유지하다가 그 후 급격히 (P＜0.05) 감소하였다. 결론적으로 흰쥐에 있어서 분만 후 포유자의 포유자극이 모체 난소의 기능에 중요하게 작용하는 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.121-130
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• 1994

Expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) has been described in the rat ovary. It remains, however, unkown whether GnRH is synthesized as a prohormone. Therefore, this study was performed to verify the expression of pro-GnRH by in situ hybridization and further to investigate the effect of gonadotropin on GnRH or GnRH mRNA in rat ovary by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. Adult female Sprague-Dawely rats were used and the estrous cycle was synchronized by intraperitoneal injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin(PMSG). Ovaries were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded with G.C.T. compound and cut by cryostat. For immunohistochemistry, avidin-biotin peroxidase complex(ABS) method was employed and for in situ hybridization, $^{35}S$-end labeled oligonucleotide was used and followed by autoradiography. By in situ hybridization using GnRH oligomer and GAP(GnRH associated protein) oligomer, GnRH mRNA and GAP mRNA were co-localized in the fullicular cells, luteal cells, interstitial cells and theca cells. GnRH or GnRH mRNA signals in the ovary increased by human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) injection. At the 3 and 6 hrs after hCG injection, the number of GnRH and GnRH mRNA containing cells increased rapidly and the density of GnRH and GnRH mRHA culminated at 9 hrs after heG injection. With the follicular development, the high expression of GnRH and GnRH mRNA was also observed within the follicles. After ovulation, the density of GnRH or GnRH mRNA decreased in the follicles but increased in the corpus lutea.