• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.25-28
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the general characteristics, such as volume, pH, sperm motility and sperm concentration of the semen collected from Beagle dogs (age $24{\sim}48$ months, weight $10{\sim}15\;kg$) by using the method of digital manipulation of the penis, and the effect of preservation temperature and time on motility of fresh semen. Multiple ejaculates were collected from 4 male Beagles. The average volume, pH, motility and sperm concentration of the second fraction (contained with small volume of the third fraction) per ejaculation were $2.94{\pm}0.24(SD)\;ml$, $6.43{\pm}0.42(SD)$, $97.04{\pm}3.50(SD)%$ and $1.67{\pm}0.23(SD){\times}10^8\;cells/ml$, respectively. Average semen volume per ejaculate, semen pH, sperm motility and sperm concentration of the first fraction from the ejaculate were $1.24{\pm}0.20(SD)\;ml$, $6.03{\pm}0.26(SD)$, $1l.30{\pm}4.02(SD)%$ and $7.25{\pm}1.02(SD){\times}10^5\;cells/ml$. Those of second fraction were $2.52{\pm}0.32(SD)\;ml$, $6.32{\pm}0.31(SD)$, $96.25{\pm}3.52(SD)%$ and $2.35{\pm}0.35(SD){\times}10^8\;cells/ml$. Those of third fraction were $2.71{\pm}0.27\;(SD)\;ml$, $6.52{\pm}0.20(SD)$, $95.65{\pm}2.78(SD)%$ and $5.72{\pm}0.29(SD){\times}10^7\;cells/ml$. Motility of semen was higher at $17^{\circ}C$ preservation temperature than $5^{\circ}C$ or $36^{\circ}C$ during preservation period. When preservation temperature was $17^{\circ}C$, motility was $96.54{\pm}2.05(SD)%$ at 1 h, $90.20{\pm}3.90(SD)%$ at 6 h, $89.05{\pm}2.01(SD)%$ at 12 h, $78.21{\pm}3.50(SD)%$ at 18 h, $45.24{\pm}6.25\;(SD)%$ at 24 h and $30.75{\pm}17.24(SD)%$ at 30 h, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2002

This study were performed to investigate the effect of Bisphenol A(BPA) administration on semen characteristic and body or organ weight in mice. In BPA administration for 15 days or 30 days, sperm concentration and viability were lower in group treated with BPA than in control group. The proportion of sperm abnormality were significantly(P＜0.05) increased in groups administrated with BPA for 15 or 30 days than in control group. The administration of BPA in mice didn't affect the body and reproductive organ weight such as testis, epididymis, vasicular gland and coagulatin gland. The spleen weight were significantly affect, but liver and kidney weight were not affect in BPA administration groups for 15 days or 30 days This studies indicate that the short or long term BPA administration in mice were noxious effects on the semen characteristics and organ weight, but didn't affect body weight and reproductive organs.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

This study were performed to investigate the effect of magnetic field exposure on semen characteristic and the weights of body, reproductive organs and liver, kidney and spleen in mice. In magnetic field exposure for 15 days, sperm concentrations and viability were significantly lower in magnetic field(15.7$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 29.3%) than that in control group(25.1$\times$10$^{6}$ $m\ell$, 34.4%)(P＜0.05). The proportion of sperm abnormality were significantly increased in magnetic field exposure groups for 15 days than that in control group(P＜0.05). The exposure of magnetic field in mice didn't affect the body and reproductive organ weight such as testis, epididymis, vasicular gland and coagulatin gland. The weight in liver and kidney were not affect in magnetic field exposure groups. However, the spleen weight were significantly higher(P＜0.05) in group exposed with than without magnetic field. This studies indicate the short or long term magnetic field exposure in mice were noxious effects on the sperm characteristics and spleen weight, but didn't affect body, reproductive organs, and liver and kidney weight.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1561-1565
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidative effects of taurine on sperm characteristics for in vitro storage of boar semen. Semen was randomly divided into 10 groups in conical tubes and treated with different concentrations of taurine (25-100 mM) with or without $250{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$. The percentage of motile spermatozoa in taurine groups after 6 and 9 h were significantly higher at >94% and 87%, respectively, compared to the control group ($85.1{\pm}0.5$ and $72.4{\pm}0.3$, p<0.05). The sperm motility in taurine with $H_2O_2$ after 6 h incubation was slightly decreased compared to the taurine alone treatment, but after 9 and 12 h incubation % sperm motility dropped sharply in taurine with $H_2O_2$ ($75.3{\pm}0.3$ and $69.6{\pm}2.9$, p<0.05). For 3, 9 and 12 h incubation, sperm viability in the control was lower than in taurine groups, irrespective of taurine concentration. In eosin Y and nigrosin staining (ENS), the sperm survival rates (%) for 6 h incubation were significantly higher in 25 mM ($76.0{\pm}0.6$) and 50 mM taurine groups ($78.0{\pm}0.7$), respectively. Sperm survival rates for 9 and 12 h incubation were higher in taurine groups (${\geq}48%$ in 9 h and ${\geq}42%$ in 12 h) compared to controls ($43.0{\pm}2.1$ and $31.0{\pm}0.6$, respectively). In the hyoosmotic swelling test (HOST), sperm membrane integrity was similar to the results of sperm survival. These experiments indicate that supplementation of taurine to the semen extender can increase the sperm characteristics(motility, viability, survival and membrane integrity).

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.260-264
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• 2007

Gleditsiae Semen (GS) has been used in both Korea and China as herbal medicine for the treatment of cephalalgia, catharsis, and other diseases. However, the apoptosis of GS against human cancer cells has not previously been investigated. The primary objective of this study was to determine the mechanisms inherent in GS-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis, using methanolic extract of GS (GSE) in HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells. We found that GSE induced cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect was verified via a lactate dehydrogenase release assay and a colony formation assay. In particular, HT-29 cells showed extensive cell death when treated with $50\;{\mu}g/mL$ of GSE; the calculated $IC_{50}$ value was $20\;{\mu}g/mL$. It induced characteristic apoptotic signs in HT-29 cells, including chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation, occurring within 6-24 hr when the cells were treated at a concentration of $50\;{\mu}g/mL$. Interestingly, we detected the activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not caspase-8, and apoptotic bodies in GSE-treated HT-29 cells. Collectively, our results indicate that GSE induces apoptosis via a mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, and these findings may be significant with regard to the development of a new drug for the treatment of human colon carcinoma cells.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of nicotinic acid on sperm cryosurvival and fertilization ability in frozen-thawed boar semen. Boar semen was collected by glove-hand method and was frozen using freezing solution treated to 0, 5, 10 and 20 mM of nicotinic acid. The frozen sperm for sperm characteristic analysis was thawed such as viability, acrosome reaction, and mitochondrial integrity. The frozen-thawed sperm was estimated by SYBR14/PI double staining for viability, FITC-PNA/PI double staining for acrosome reaction and Rhodamine123/PI double staining for mitochondrial integrity using a flow cytometry. The embryo was estimated in vitro development and DCFDA staining for reactive oxygen species assessment. As results, frozen-thawed sperm viability was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM ($61.1{\pm}1.5%$,$64.7{\pm}2.0%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $52.1{\pm}2.3%$; 20 mM, $47.8{\pm}5.1%$, P<0.05). The live sperm with acrosome reaction was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM of nicotinic acid ($26.1{\pm}1.8%$, $24.9{\pm}1.5%$) than other groups (0 mM, $35.3{\pm}0.8%$; 20 mM, $36.5{\pm}1.9%$, P<0.05). The live sperm with mitochondrial integrity was significantly higher in 5 and 10 mM ($84.2{\pm}3.6%$, $88.4{\pm}2.3%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $77.3{\pm}4.4%$; 20 mM, $73.3{\pm}3.6%$, P<0.05). Blastocyst rate of in vitro development was significantly higher in 10 mM ($17.0{\pm}1.3%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $9.4{\pm}0.5%$; 5mM, $12.6{\pm}0.8%$; 20 mM, $5.0{\pm}1.0%$, P<0.05). Moreover, total cell number was higher in 5 and 10 mM ($53.6{\pm}2.9%$, $57.9{\pm}2.8%$) of nicotinic acid than other groups (0 mM, $41.0{\pm}1.4%$; 20 mM, $23.2{\pm}2.8%$, P<0.05). Hydrogen peroxide in embryos was lower in 5 mM nicotinic acid ($0.7{\pm}0.1%$) than other groups (0 mM, $1.0{\pm}0.1%$; 10mM, $0.9{\pm}0.0%$; 20 mM, $1.4{\pm}1.0%$, P<0.05). In conclusion, nicotinic acid-treated semen improves cryosurvival and quality of spermatozoa. Also, the fertilized oocytes with nicotinic acid improve quality of embryo and blastocyst formation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.697-704
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• 2000

According to herbalogical bibligraphy and literature, therapeutic effects of Achyranthis Radix on arthritis was as follows, 1. Achyranthis Radix of Amaranthaceae is divided into five species-Achyranthes japonica, A. bidentata, A. longifolia, A. fauriei, Cyathula capitata, C. officialis and the characteristic, taste, channel entry, effects and main treatments were alike. 2. Winefrying stood for repairing treatement method for Achyranthis Radix Before repairing treatment method, Achyranthis Radix had three tastes(bitter, sour, and sweet) and calm and not poisoning characteristic. After repairing treatment method, the bitter taste was disappeared, and calm and not poisoning characteristic was changed into warm characteristic. 3. Effects of Achyranthis Radix were quicking the blood and dispelling stasis, liver-kidney supplement and strengthening musculo-skeletal system. Main treatments were relief of lumbar and knee joint pain, static menstrural block and wind-cold- damp impediment. 4. Contraindication of Achyranthis Radix was sympthom caused by spleen-kidney yang vacuity, upper burner disease and lower burner hemorrhage etc. Being used in pregnant woman, it could incur abortion. 5. Contraindication of Achyranthis Radix was beef, milk and mutton. It's fear was Radix Cynanchi Stauntonii and Semen Plantaginis. It's aversion was the firefly. Herba Taraxaci, Carapax Amydae, Carapax Testudinis and Radix Cynanchi Stauntonii. From above results, I suppose Achyranthis Radix has enough herbalogical foundation and could be used to treat arthritis and it is necessary to make a profound study of it.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.257-263
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• 2011

BPA, a diphenyl compound containing groups, that make it structurally similar to synthetic estrogen and is considered as one of the major endocrine disruptors. Silymarin has extensively been used to prevent and/or alleviate some human disease, especially for the treatment of adverse liver conditions. It has an antioxidative efficacy and cancer preventive efficacy. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that silymarin can inhibit BPA-induced toxicity in boar sperm duing in vitro storage. Sperm characteristics (motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrion activity) in semen exposed to BPA (10~200 uM) were sharply lowered, while it increase in a dose and time dependent manner due to silymarin addition (50~200 uM) into semen extender in the presence of BPA (100 uM). All of the evaluated characteristics were gradually improved in the groups that were treated with silymarin (50~200 uM) in the presence of BPA (100 uM) in comparison to BPA 100 uM alone group, irrespective of incubation periods (3 and 6 h). These results demonstrate that silymarin can ameliorate the toxicity of BPA on boar sperm characteristics during in vitro storage, suggesting that silymarin indirectly act as an antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.187-195
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• 2000

The ejaculates from 67 HanWoo prove bull, bred in Livestock Improvement Main center of NLCF, were used to determine the correlation between the sperm motional characteristics and the pregnancy rate of artificial insemination(AI). The motional characteristics of sperm were analysed by Computer-assisted sperm analyser(CASA), thereafter inseminated equally 1,256 heads of cow regarding to parity, age, and live weight. There were no significant difference(p>0.05) in the pregnancy rate according to year from 1996 to 1998, but the LIN, ALH, STR, BCF, MAD and WOB of sperm in the year 1997, were highest pregnancy rate, were higher than those of sperm in the year 1998, were lowest pregnancy rate(p<0.05). The semen had no significant effect on pregnancy rate according to season(p>0.05). However spring, had a little higher pregnancy rate than that of autumn, were higher than autumn in VSL, VAP, LIN, ALH, BCF, MAD and WOB, but in DNM. The pregnancy rates of spring in the year 1996 and 1997 were higher than that of autumn in the year 1998(p<0.05). The spring in the year 1997, highest in pregnancy rate, were higher than the autumn in the year 1998 in VSL, VAP, LIN, STR, BCF, MAD and WOB, but in DNM(p<0.05). There were no the motion characteristic of sperm that was significant correlate with pregnancy rate of AI as the semen were analysed before artificial insemination and those, had some degree characteristics in motility, viability and abnormality, were used to AI. However there were a tendency that the higher the VSL, VAP, ALH, LIN, STR, BCF, MAD and WOB and the lower the DNM were, the higher the pregnancy rate of AI were.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.385-390
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was undertaken to evaluate of cryopreservation efficiency in ${\alpha}$ 1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out(GalT KO) cloned miniature pig sperm. To compare ability of frozen-thawed sperm characteristics, three different pig strains (GalT KO) cloned miniature pig, PWG miniature pig and Duroc were used. The ejaculated semen from the three pig species was diluted with same volume extender and added to LEY solution for freezing. The diluted semen was placed in 0.5 ml straws, and freezing was initiated by exposing the straws to liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) vapours for 10 min before placing them into $LN_2$ for cryopreservation. After thawing, the sperm ability were assessed for viability (SYBR-14/PI staining), abnormality (Rose Bengal staining), and acrosome status (intactness, intensity and capacitation) (chlorotetracycline, CTC staining). The viability of frozen-thawed GalT KO pig sperm had no significant difference as compared with Duroc and PWG miniature pig sperm. However, The CTC pattern of frozen-thawed GalT KO cloned miniature pig spermatozoa showed significantly lower rates in F pattern and AR pattern (p<0.05) and significantly higher rates in B pattern than Duroc and PWG miniature pig (p<0.05). The abnormality of GalT KO cloned miniature pig sperm was significantly lower as compared to Duroc and PWG miniature pig sperm (p<0.05). In conclusion, GalT KO cloned miniature pig semen can be cryopreserved successfully and used for artificial insemination reasonably.