• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2008

Supplementation of serum and estrogen in in vitro maturation(IVM) medium was shown to improve embryo development and quality in several species. This study investigates the effect of ovarian estrus stage on canine oocyte quality and supplementation of medium with canine serum or estrogen on IVM of canine oocytes. As results, in experimental 1, IVM oocytes collected from follicular stage ovaries to MII stages($10.2{\pm}1.5%$) was higher (p<0.05) with 10% canine estrus stage serum than control($1.3{\pm}1.6%$), anoestrus stage serum($4.0{\pm}1.6%$), luteal stage serum($2.7{\pm}1.7%$) and 10% FBS($1.3{\pm}1.6$). In experimental 2, 10% canine estrus stage serum supplementation has highest maturation rate to MII stages($10.0{\pm}1.8%$) and there were significant differences(P<0.05) with another treatment in follicular stages group. In order to investigate the synergic effect of estrous serum and estrogen supplementation, different estrous stage groups of oocytes were cultured with 2 ug/ml estrogen plus various concentrations of different reproductive stage serum and FBS(experimental 3). As results, the rate of maturation to metaphase II(MII) stage was significantly higher(p<0.05) in oocytes from the follicular stage supplemented with estrogen and 10% canine estrus stage serum(11.5%) compared to the other groups(6.0 - 8.8%). The present study was demonstrated that canine serum and the estrus cycle of the bitch affect the meiotic competence of oocytes. Hormonal influences within the follicle may be one of the factors responsible for the greater proportion of maturation of oocyte to MII from bitches at the follicular phase.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ovarian estrus stage of oocytes and supplementation of medium with BSA, cysteine and myoinositol on in vitro maturation of canine oocytes. The in vitro maturation(IVM) rate to metaphase II (M II) stage of oocytes recovered from different stage of the reproductive cycle (inactive, follicular and luteal stage) cultured in TCM-199 media were $0.0{\pm}0.0%$, $10.0{\pm}4.1%$ and $5.7{\pm}1.6%$, respectively. The IVM rate of oocytes collected from follicular stage was significantly higher in inactive or luteal stage of oocytes. The IVM rates of oocytes recovered from different stage of the reproductive cycle cultured in TCM-199 media with 5% BSA and 0.1 mM cysteine were$0.0{\pm}0.0%$, $15.8{\pm}4.7%$, $5.6{\pm}1.5%$, respectively. The IVM rates of oocytes recovered from different stage of the reproductive cycle cultured in TCM-199 media with 5% BSA and 10 mM myoinositol were $0.0{\pm}0.0%$, $18.4{\pm}4.6%$ and $5.7{\pm}1.9%$, respectively. The IVM rate of follicular stage oocytes was significantly higher in oocytes collected from follicular stage and with cultured 5% BSA and 0.1 mM cysteine or 5% BSA and 10 mM myoinositol compared to other experimental group.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2001

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of a method for the cryopreservation of mouse blastocyst.. Methods: Mouse embryos were obtained at 2-cell stage and cultured to blastocyst stage in T6 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Morphologically normal blastocysts were collected and randomly divided to one control and four experimental groups. In control group, blastocysts were cultured in vitro continuously for additional two days. In group 2, blastocysts were exposed to vitrification solution (ethylene glycol) only without cryopreservation (exposure only group). In group 3, 4 and 5, blastocysts were cryopreserved by slow-freezing procedure with glycerol (slow-fteezing group) or by vitrification procedure using EM grids (EM grids group) and cryoloop (cryoloop group), respectively. Frozen blastocysts were thawed and cultured for additional two days. Twenty four hours after thawing, some blastocysts were fixed and stained with Hoechst 33342 (bisbenzimide) and the number of nuclei in each blastocysts were counted to confirm the survival of bias to cysts in experimental groups. Results: Survival rate and hatching rate of the blastocysts in slow-freezing group (24 h: 72.4% and 66.0%, 48 h: 63.2% and 64.6%) and EM grids group (24 h: survival rate 77.3%, 48 h: 70.1% and 71.4%) were significantly lower ($X^2$-test p<0.05) than those of control group (24 h: 93.4% and 86.0%, 48 h: 88.5% and 90.7%). In contrast, the survival rate and hatching rate of the blastocysts in cryoloop group (24 h: 84.1% and 84.1%,48 h 79.3% and 87.7%) is well compared with those in the control group. The mean (${\pm}SD$) cell number of blastocyst in the exposure only ($89.2{\pm}11.5$), EM grids ($85.0{\pm}10.3$) and cryoloop ($89.0{\pm}11.0$) groups, except slow-freezing group ($79.0{\pm}10.0$), were not significantly different from that of control group ($93.1{\pm}13.9$) 24 h after thawing (Student's t-test). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that higher survival rate of vitrified-thawed mouse blastocyst can be obtained using cryoloop as the embryo container at freezing rather than slow-freezing or vitrification using EM grids. The results of this study suggest that vitrification using cryoloop (with ethylene glycol) may be a preferable procedure for mouse blastocyst cryopreservation and could be applied to the human blastocyst cryopreservation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7547-7554
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• 2015

Background: The use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) among women is increasing in India, especially among those with limited education and resources. Preventing the initiation of SLT among women is critical since it has known negative consequences for oral and reproductive health. Most research on tobacco initiation in India focuses on adolescents. This paper addresses the unrecognized issues of post marital initiation among women of reproductive age, highlighting the importance of reproductive stages in women's tobacco initiation. The objective is to examine the correlates of SLT initiation among low income women in Mumbai from pre-marriage through early marriage, first pregnancy and beyond, using case examples to illustrate initiation during each of these stages. Materials and Methods: In 2011-2012, cross-sectional community level survey data were collected from a representative sample of 409 daily SLT-using married women aged 18-40 years in a low income community in Mumbai. Information on socio-demographics, initiation by reproductive stage, types of tobacco use, childhood exposure to tobacco, learning to use, and initiation influences and reasons were collected through a researcher-administered survey. Univariate and bivariate analysis assessed factors influencing initiation of SLT use by reproductive stage. In addition 42 narratives of tobacco use were collected from a purposive sample of pregnant and non-pregnant married women addressing the same questions in detail. Narratives were transcribed, translated, and coded for key concepts including initiation of tobacco use. Results: Thirty-two percent of women initiated SLT use before marriage, 44% initiated after marriage but before pregnancy, 18.1% initiated during their first pregnancy and the remainder started after their first pregnancy. Mean age of marriage among women in this study was 16 years. Younger women (i.e. age at time of the interview of less than 30 years) were 0.47 [95% CI (0.32, 0.87)] percent less likely to initiate after marriage than women aged more than 30 years. Women who got married before 18 years of age were 2.34 [95% CI (1.40, 3.93)] times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Childhood exposure was a predictor for initiating SLT use prior to marriage but not after. Women reporting tooth and gum pain were 1.85 times more likely to initiate after marriage than their counterparts. Husband and neighbours were the most significant influences on post-marital initiation. Narratives highlighted differences in processes of initiation pre and post marriage and during pregnancy. Conclusions: Most tobacco prevention interventions are directed to adolescents in school. This study suggests that especially for low literate or illiterate women, school based interventions are ineffective. To be effective strategies to prevent SLT initiation must reach women in urban areas at or immediately after marriage and during their first pregnancy. Messages must negate culturally rooted beliefs about the health benefits of SLT in order to prevent initiation and onset of daily use.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.366-375
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• 1984

In order to confirm the effect of climatic consumption index (C C I) on the number of spikelets and yield of rice, 3 levels of shading rates such as 0, 25, 50% of full light were treated during the tillering stage, reproductive growth stage and ripening period, respectively, in a phytotron controlled with day/ night temperature of 20/10$^{\circ}C$ and 30/20$^{\circ}C$, and field at Crop Experiment Station, Suwon, Korea. The results are as follows: 1. As solar radiation decreased during the reproductive growth stage in 30/20$^{\circ}C$ or field condition, the number of spikelets per panicle was decreased due to the decrease of the number of differentiated secondary rachis branches and spikelets as well as the increase of the number of degenerated secondary rachis branches and spikelets. 2. Our results showed slight negative correlation between C C I of the reproductive growth stage and number of panicles per square meter and number of differentiated secondary rachis branches. On the other hand, there was highly significant positive correlation between C C I of the reproductive growth stage and the number of degenerated secondary rachis branches and spikelets, and negative correlation in number of differentiated spikelets. 3. The shading during the reproductive growth stage did not affect on the percentage of ripened grains and 1000 grains weight of hulled rice, whereas those were decreased with shading during the ripened period. 4. Influence of shading in each growing stage on the yield was severe in the order of ripened period, reproductive growth stage, tillering stage. 5. Respiration rate in Jinheung was higher than that of Tongil at low temperature, but reversed above 30$^{\circ}C$. Respiratory coefficients (Q$\sub$10/) of Tongil and Jinheung were 2.74 and 1.96, respectively. Respiration/ photosynthesis ratio in Jinheung was higher than that of Tongil at low temperature, while higher in Tongil above 32$^{\circ}C$. 6. Transportation of $\^$14/C was restricted at 20/10$^{\circ}C$ in Tongil, however, there was no differences at 30/20$^{\circ}C$ in both Tongil and Jinheung. The influence of shading on the transportation of $\^$14/C did not affect at 20/10$^{\circ}C$, but it was hampered with shading at 30/20$^{\circ}C$ in both varieties.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2007

The gonad index, gonadosomatic index, the condition index, reproductive cycle, first sexual maturity, and sex ratio of the hard shelled mussel, Mytilus coruscus were investigated by using histological analysis and morphometric data. Specimens were collected monthly in Kyeokpo, western Korea from January to December, 2006. The gonad index reached a maximum in February, and minimum in September. Both the monthly variations of the gonad index (GI) and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) reached a maximum in February. After that, their values continually decreased between March and April because of spawning. The monthly variation of the condition index coincides with the GI and the GSI. The spawning period was from February to April, with the main spawning occurring between February and March. The reproductive cycle of this species could be classified into six stages: early active stage (November to January), late active stage (November to February), ripe stage (December to April), partially spawned stage (February to April), degenerative stage (April to October), and resting stage (June to December ). Percentages of sexual maturity was over 50% for the female and male hard shelled mussels that ranges from 40.1 to 50.0 mm in shell length. The percentage was 100% for those that are over 50.1 mm. The sex ratios of females to males over 40.1 mm in shell length were not significantly different from a 1:1 sex ratio $(x^2\;=\;0.63,\;p\;>\;0.05)$. No evidence of hermaphroditism was found in histological sections of any hard shelled mussel examined.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.188-196
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• 2006

Annual reproductive cycle of small yellow croaker, Larimichthys polyactis were histologically investigated based on samples captured nearby the coast around Chujado, Youngkwang and Kanghwa, South Korea from February $2004{\sim}February$,2005. By histological survey, the annual reproductive cycle was classified into the following successive stages: The primary growth stage from September to October, the second growth stage from October to December, the mature stage from January to April, the final mature, ovulation and spawning stage from May to June, the degeneration stage from June to July and the rest stage from August to September. Throughout anatomical observation of the ovary, it is found that the small yellow croaker, L. polyactis belongs to an asynchronous and multiple spawner from late spring to early summer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 1987.06a
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• pp.20-21
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• 1987

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.486-491
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• 2002

Spikelet number and its components of rice plant are closely associated with nitrogen accumulation and biomass production during panicle formation stage. To elucidate this relationship and also compare the differences of the sink formation efficiency among cultivars, spikelet number, its components, nitrogen content, nonstructural carbohydrate content, and plant dry matter were investigated under 5 nitrogen levels with two split application methods and shading treatments by using three rice varieties. The nitrogen amount in shoot at panicle initiation stage and at 15 days after panicle initiation showed significant positive correlation with primary rachis branches per square meter, and that at 15 days after panicle initiation and at heading stage with secondary rachis branches per square meter, Primary and secondary rachis branches per square meter showed positive significant correlation with the shoot dry weight at panicle initiation stage and at 15 days after panicle initiation stage, respectively, The amount of degenerated secondary rachis branches and spikelets per square meter showed significant negative correlation with the dry weight and nonstructural carbohydrate increase of stem during 15days after panicle initiation, and the contents of nonstructural carbohydrate at 15 days after panicle initiation. Spikelets per unit area showed significant positive correlation with nitrogen amount in shoot and shoot dry weight at heading stage. The sink formation efficiency expressed as the spikelet number produced by the unit amount of nitrogen in shoot at heading stage was higher in Nampoongbyeo than Choocheongbyeo and Hwaseongbyeo. Sink formation efficiency was negatively correlated with the dry weight increase of shoot and stem during reproductive stage. but not significantly with that of leaf in all varieties. Sink formation efficiency was not significantly correlated with nonstructural carbohydrate, but was significantly negatively correlated with structural carbohydrate increase during reproductive stage.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.529-535
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• 1984

This study aims at obtaining the basic data for the development of pen shell culture at Yoja Bay, the southwest coast of Korea. The authors dealt with the annual gonadal changes of the pen shell, Atrina pectinata japonica, to find out the gametogenesis, reproductive cycle and spawning season, and to investigate the fluctuation in the larval occurence in Yoja Bay. From July 1983 to June 1984, an average of 20 individuals as specimens were monthly collected by commercial fishing dredge near Manwol island located at the mouth of Yoja Bay. The degree of gonadal development was determined by the histological observations as resting spent stage, early developmental stage, after developmental stage, early spawning stage, after spawning stage and degenerative stage. According to these degrees of gonadal development, annual reproductive cycle of the pen shell population was determined. From July to August, the gonads were changed through degenerative into resting stage and, in September and October, they became entirely empty gonads. From November they showed the first sign of gametogenesis developing very slowly. Nevertheless, the developing gametes did not increase in number probably owing to a phagocytic phenomenon by phagocytes which appeared in the gonad during this stage. Some individuals started spawning in April and in May majarity of individuals were in spawning stage. In June, majority of the individuals showed signs of degenerative stage. Therefore, the authors came to a conclusion that the pen shells in Yoja Bay spawn chiefly in May. And this is also supported by the result of the survey on the planktonic occurrences of the pen shell larvae. Namely, there were no larvae at all in April, only a few in May and many in June by vertical water sampling.