• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2000

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causes a variety of adverse effects on the male reproductive system in rats. The effect of green tea extract (GTE) was investigated on the testicular function in Spragure-Dawley rats after a single exposure of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$ TCDD/kg body weight. The exposure of rat to TCDD significantly increased the weights of the epididymis and ventral prostate, yet significantly decresed the weight of the seminal vesicle when compared to the controls (p<0.05). In a combined treatment of TCDD with GTE, the organ weight changes caused by TCDD treatment disappeared. Significant decreases in sperm motility and sperm numbers were observed in the TCDD-treated rats, when compared to the control (p<0.05). GTE treatment reversed the decrease of sperm motility and sperm numbers caused by TCDD. There were no differences in sperm morphology, histological changes of the reproductive organs, and spermatogenesis between all the treated groups. In the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle, TCDD increased the CYP1A1 mRNA level, however, it did not affect the estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER-$\beta$) mRNA level. GTE treatment did not influence the effect of TCDD on the levels of CYP1A1 and Er-$\beta$ mRNA. These results seem to indicate that green tea protects the testicular function against TCDD-induced reproductive toxicity, not because of a receptor-mediated mechanism but rather due to a secondary change of testes or accessory sex organs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.16-22
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• 2003

BBP (Butyl benzyl phthalate), a widely used plasticizer. can enter the food and environment as consequence of its manufacture, use, and disposal. BBP was found to be developmental and teratogenic or endocrine disrupting chemical in rats. The effects of BBP were investigated in female rats (P) and second generation (F1) via lactations. Sprague-Dawley were given BBP by oral administration at 0, 5, 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg on day 0 to 21 of lactation period. The results were as follows : At maternal findings, there were some significant changes (p<0.05) in relative organ weight, especially liver and uterus weight by BBP administration. In estrous cycle, high treated group was inclined to be proestrus or estrus compared to control group. BBP indues estrous cycle earlier than the control group. At fetal findings, there were some significant changes in relative liver and spleen weight, especially 100, 1000 mg/kg administered groups. The relative weight of ventral prostate was decreased, so it was represent to dose-response tendency. Parent rats (P) were detected monobenzyl phthalate (MBeP) 3.21~5.81 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml in 100, 1000 mg/kg dose groups. MBeP of male and female fetuses (F1) were detected at the level of 1.21~2.63 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml of serum. Male serum concentration oi MBeP was higher than the females'. Estrogen receptor $\alpha$ expression by BBP and bisphenol A in uterus and testis of F1 were studied. The ER$\alpha$ expression were increased in F1 male testis and female uterus. F1 male showed distint ER$\alpha$ expression, especially in the combined exposrue. Synergistic ER$\alpha$ expression was found by combined treatment group of BBP and bisphenol A. From the above results, it could be concluded that the effects of dams and F1 by BBP administration during lactation period were estrogenic, and BBP can transfer to F1 via lactation, and make estrogenic at F1 reproductive organs.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.4 s.91
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• pp.342-352
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• 2006

The experiments was undertaken to evaluate the effects of herbal medicine, Dalsaengtang, in pregnant rats and fetuses. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Dalsaengtang at dose of 5 mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation, and observed internal and reproductive organs. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Maternal body weight of dalsaengtang treated group has a tendency to increase compared to that of control group. The relative liver and kidney weights of dalsaengtang treated group were also increased to that of control group. There were no significant changes between two groups in blood chemistry and hematological values. There were no significant changes in number of corpus luteum, implantation, live fetuses and implantation rate, delivery rate, late resorption rate and sex ratio. But Dalsaengtang administered group showed lower early resorption rate than the control group. From the sex ratio, number of females, bigger than number of males in the control group, and more males than females in Dalsaengtang administered group. Neonatal body weight and number of fetus of Dalsaengtang group were increased to that of control group. The fetuses of dams treated with Dalsaengtang didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal variations were observed in Dalsaengtang group but, compared to the control, those variations were insignificant. The number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, and lumber were normal. The number of sacral and caudal vertebrae were increased. Fetuses showed significant difference in the number of caudal vertebra (P<0.01). From these results, it can be concluded that Dalsaengtang showed no toxicity effects on maternal body weight, early resorption rate, and number of live fetuses. There were no significant changes in organ weight, hematological data, reproductive organs. Although skeletal variations were showed in vertebrate and sternum, Dalsaengtang did not shown significant changes in bone malformation.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2008

Samples were collected monthly from coastal water around Tongyeong and Sacheon in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, using traps. A total of 748 Octopus vulgaris were sampled from February 2007 to January 2008. Monthly changes of maturity stages and sex ratio of the common octopus were observed. Mean biomass (total wet weight) of the female specimens ranged from 129.8 to 3,381.4 g and that of the male specimens ranged from 128.6 and 2,378.4 g. The spawning periods were May to June and September. The fecundity ranged from 5,715 eggs at 252.0 g to 240,990 eggs at 3,381.4 g of total wet weight. The relationship between total wet weight (TW) and fecundity (F) was F = 26.539 $TW^{1.1548}$ ($r^2=0.8199$) and fecundity increased with total wet weight. Sex ratio was not significantly different from the 1:1 (p > 0.05).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 1998

Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with Q-35 at the dose levels of 0, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day by oral gavage from gestation day 17 to lactation period. Effects of the test chemical on general findings, reproductive performance of dams and development of Fl generation were examined. There were no treatment related changes in physical signs, body weight, necropsy findings, organ weights, delivery and nursing behavior. In 100 and 300 mg/fg/day treated groups, the food consumption of dams was decreased significantly during gestational day 19~21. The gestation length of 300 mg/tg/day treated group was increased significantly compared to the control group (22.3 $\pm$0.48 vs 22.0$\pm$0.39). Although the gestational length of all groups were in normal range of the rat, potential effect of the drug could not be ruled out. External anomaly of Fl fetus induced by Q-35 was not detected in any groups. There were no treaoent related changes in physical development, reflex functions, sensory functions, locomotor activity and motor coordinating activity. Estrus cycle, fertility and reproductive performance of Fl were not changed in all treated groups. There was no external abnormality related to the drug administration on the examination of F2. These results suggest that Q-35 has no adverse effect on the peri- and postnatal period in rats except the reduction of food consumption at the beginning of drug administration and the potential effect on the elongation of gestation length.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.157-164
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• 2017

This study was to evaluate the age-dependent effects of caffeine exposure on the long bones and reproductive organs using male rats. A total of 15 immature male rats and 15 young adult male rats were allocated randomly to three groups: a control group and two groups fed caffeine with 120 and 180 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Exposure to caffeine at either dose significantly reduced body weight gain; a proportional reduction in muscle and fat mass in immature animals, whereas a selective reduction in fat mass with relatively preserved muscle mass in young adult animals. The long bones of immature rats exposed to caffeine were significantly shorter and lighter than those of control animals along with decreased bone minerals. However, there was no difference in the length or weight of the long bones in young adult rats exposed to caffeine. Exposure to caffeine reduced the size and absolute weight of the testes significantly in immature animals in comparison to control animals, but not in young adult animals exposed to caffeine. In contrast, the adrenal glands were significantly heavier in caffeine-fed young adult rats in comparison to control animals, but not in caffeine-fed immature rats. Our results clearly show that the negative effects of caffeine on the long bones and testes in rats are different according to the age of the rat at the time of exposure, and might therefore be caused by changes to organ sensitivity and metabolic rate at different developmental stages. Although the long bones and testes are more susceptible to caffeine during puberty, caffeine has negative effects on body fat, bone minerals and the adrenal glands when exposure occurs during young adulthood. There is a need, therefore, to educate the public the potential dangers of caffeine consumption during puberty and young adulthood.

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2000

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of several stimulatory trements of flower and seed growth on the reproductive and vegetative growth of Tilia amurensis RUBP. The effects of mounded planting, girdling, root-pruning, bending and foliar fertilizer application on the fifteen to forty yead-old tress growing in the experimental plantation at the Konkuk University and the National forest at the Daegwanryung were measured. The following results were obtained: (1) The number and the longitydinal growth of internode were reduced by the treatments. The xylem growth of the longitudited more greatly than the bark growth by all the treatments. (2)The increasong rate of the brand angle as compared to that of the control was 2.11% in the girdling treatment, 31.61% in the mounded planting treatment, and 22.14% in root-pruning treatment. (3) The foliar application of fertilizer(N, P, K, and B) before flowering increased leaf and stem growth, that one after pollen fertilization increased the fruit growth. (4)The foliar application of fertilizer before flowering increased the xylem growth while that after pollen fertilization increased the bark growth. (5)The stimulatory effects of root pruning and branch bending on the flowering and seed growth were shown relatively less than that of mounded planting. The effect of the moinded planting on the yield of the seeds has remained continuously every year since planting the trees.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.83-88
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• 2015

The present study was devised to determine the effects of vitamin E and selenium (Selevit) on body weight, organ weight, hematological values and biochemical parameters in the orchidectomized (Orch) rats. Intact group (n=15) received no treatment and operation. Orch+Selevit received operation and Selevit. The body weights of each group increased, but that of the Orch＋Selevit group were significantly lower than those of all the other groups. There were significantly different decreased (p<0.001) of body weights between Orch＋Selevit group and all the other groups. Also, organ weights such as heart, liver, spleen, kidney, lung and skeletal muscle were measured. The heart and liver weights in the Orch＋Selevit group were significantly different decreased (p<0.001) in comparison with those in the Intact and Sham groups. The kidney weights in the Orch＋Selevit group were significantly different decreased (p<0.01, p<0.001) in comparison with those in all the other groups. The number of white blood cell (WBC) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the Orch＋Selevit group than in all the other groups. The hematological values of 12 parameters were not significantly different in any of the groups. The concentrations of serum total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase only increased significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) in the Orch＋Selevit group as compared to that in the Orch group. We conclude that Selevit was significantly decreased the body weight in the Orch rats. Our findings suggest that Selevit may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption in the Orch rats.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to assess that the effects of DEHP administration on reproductive characteristics and blood hematological and chemical values in pups born after DEHP administration in pregnant mice. DEHP was administrated to pregnant mice by intraperitoneally injection with 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg/kg B.W, 5 times at 3 days interval from Day 1 to Day 16 in the gestation period. The body weight and reproductive organ weight(testis, epididymis and coagulating gland) in male pups on 45 day after birth was not affected in all experimental groups, but vesicular gland in DEHP groups was significantly lower than that of control group(P<0.05). The semen characteristics of male pups were not affected in DEHP treatment groups. The WBC, HB, HT, MCH and albumin values in male pups were not affected in all experimental groups, but RBC MCV, MCHC, PLT and total protein values were significantly different among the experimental groups(P<0.05). In female pups, the effects of DEHP administration were not affected the body and uterus weight, but the left ovary in 10.0mg DEHP group was significantly heavier than in control and 0.5mg DEHP group(P<0.05). The WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT, albumin, BUN and total protein values in female were not different in all experimental groups. The RBC, HB and HT values were significantly different among the experimental gruop(P<0.05). The historical evaluation of testis in male pups that were grown to 45 days after birth was not different in all experimental groups. The ovary in female pups had many corpus luteum in 10.0mg DEHP group. The endometriosisi of uterus was significantly decreased in DEHP group. There results suggest that low concentration of DEHP administration in pup born after DEHP administration in pregnant mice was not affered on reproductive characteristic, but was affected on blood hematological and chemical values.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2004

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) on reproductive characteristic, blood hematological and chemical values in mice. The male mice were intraperitoneally injected DEHP in negative control(no treatment), positive control(corn oil, 3ml/kg B.W), 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg DEHP/kg B.W and the female mice were injected DEHP in control(corn oil, 3ml/kg B.W), 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg DEHP/kg B.W with 5 times for 15 days on 3 days interval. The administration of DEHP in male mice were not affect on body weight, epididymis, vesicular gland and coagulating gland weight. The testis weight were slightly higher in DEHP treatment groups than in control. The semen characteristics(sperm concentration, viability, motility and abnormality) of male mice were not difference in all experimental groups. The RBC, Hb, HT, MCV, MCH, MCHC< PLT, albumin, BUN and total protein of blood hematological and chemical values were not affect the administration of DEHP in mice. The WBC values in 10.0mg DEHP group was slightly difference in all experimental group(P>0.05). The histological evaluation of testis, ovary and affevt the reproductive characteristic, blood hematological and chemical values.