• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2013

Sperm capacitation refers to polymerization of filamentous (F)-actin from globular (G)-actin. While the role of actin-related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex in actin polymerization is well appreciated, the underlying mechanism(s) and its relationship with capacitation are poorly understood. Therefore, to evaluate the potential role of Arp2/3 complex on capacitation, bovine spermatozoa were incubated with multiple doses (1, 10 and $100{\mu}M$) of CK-636, an inhibitor of Arp2/3 complex with heparin. The cellular localization of the Arp2/3 complex in spermatozoa was identified by immunohistochemistry, whereas western blot was also applied to detect the protein tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins. Additionally, sperm motility and kinematic parameters were evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. CK-636 resulted in significant changes in the ratio of Arp2/3 complex localization between acrosome and equatorial region of the spermatozoa. Short-term exposure of spermatozoa to $100{\mu}M$ of CK-636 significantly decreased sperm motility, however a non-detectable effect on protein tyrosine phosphorylation was observed during capacitation. On the basis of these results, we propose that Arp2/3 complex is associated with morphological changes during capacitation and compromised sperm motility.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.329-335
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• 2004

냉각이 개 정자의 기능(생존력, 활력, 첨체고유성)과 형태(기형율)에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 23마리 개의 정소상체에서 정자를 회수하여 다음과 같은 실험에 사용하였다. 정자를 3% BSA가 첨가된 0.3M glucose(G-BSA)에 희석한 후 실험 1에서 서로 다른 온도, 0, 10, $37^{\circ}C$에 30분동안 냉각하여 $37^{\circ}C$에서 가온한 후 정자의 활력, 생존력, 첨체고유성을 검사하였다. 실험 2에서 $0^{\circ}C$와 4$^{\circ}C$에서 정자를 서로 다른 시간 (5, 10, 15, 30분)동안 노출시켜 $37^{\circ}C$에서 가온한 후 정자의 활력 및 생존력을 검사하였다. 또한 sugars가 개정자의 기능과 형태에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 여러 종류의 sugars (0.3M)를 준비하고 $0^{\circ}C$에서 정자를 sugardyddor에 노출시켜 $37^{\circ}C$에서 가온한 후 정자의 활력, 생존력 및 기형정도를 관찰하였다. 본 실험결과 개 정조상체유래의 정자는 냉각온도가 감소할수록 정자의 기능이 급격하게 감소하여 냉각에 민감하게 나타났다.(P<0.05), 특히 정자의 활력이 다른 정자의 기능, 생존력과 첨체고유성에 비해 냉각에 민감하게 나타났다. 정자를 $0^{\circ}C$와 $4^{\circ}C$에서 서로 다른 시간(5, 10, 15, 30분) 동안 냉각하였을 때 30분 동안 냉각된 정자가 그 외의 시간 동안 냉각된 정자에 비해 생존력이 저하되었다. (P<0.05). 이상의 결과 개 정소상체유래의 정자는 냉각에 비교적 민감하였으며 정자의 냉각에 대한 민감성을 완화시키는 첨가제로 단당류뿐만 아니라 다당류에 대한 연구가 이루어져야 할 것으로 생각된다.선택에 대한 인식이 낮음을 알 수 있었다. 부페식당에서 가장 좋아하는 음식의 국적은 54.4%가 한국음식으로 나타났다. 부페식사에서 '약간' 또는 ‘대단히 과식했다'고 응답한 경우가 64.0%로 많은 대상자들이 과식하는 것으로 나타났는데 이로 인한 건강 및 영양문제에 대한 교육이 필요하고 운영면에서는 이러한 일종의 음식의 낭비를 줄일 수 있는 방안에 대한 연구가 필요하다고 사료되었다. 5) 향후 부페식당의 발전방향에 대한 의견 부페식당의 발전방향에 대해 '가지수를 줄여서라도 가격을 짜게 하자'는 의견이 82.9%로 대부분 조사 대상자들이 현재 부페가격에 대해 부정적인 반응을 보였다. '한국음식을 더 많이 해서 전통음식과 친밀한 장소로 발전시키자', '계절식품을 이용하고 비슷한 종류의 음식은 빼서 가격을 낮추자', '연령에 따라서, 또, 성인에서는 성별에 따라 가격 차이를 두자'는 의견 등이 있었다.이용한 배반포의 체외생산에 있어서 배양액내 항산화제의 첨가는 체외성숙단계에서만 효과적이었다. 이것은 아마도 항산화제가 체외성숙 시 난포란 내에서 일어나는 여러 가지 생화학 반응의 처리시간과 관련하여 활성화시킴으로써 난포란의 생존력을 높인 것이라고 사료되기 때문에 앞으로는 돼지 난포란의 효율적인 체외성숙에 대해서 배양액내 첨가물질은 물론 나아가서 방법론적인 측면에서 더욱 연구되어져야 할 것이다.ed from Nusselt's film condensation theory on tilted plate. Using those two expressions, a correlation was formulated as a function of heat flux and tilt angle, to determine the total thermal resistance of a tilted thermosyphon. The correlation formula showed a good agreement with the experimental

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.283-290
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• 2012

제주흑우의 동결 정액 제조시 동결 보존액에 첨가한 taurine과 hypotaurine은 동결 융해 후 정자의 운동성, 생존성 그리고 정자막 온전성을 개선시키는 것을 알 수 있었다. Taurine과 hypotaurine의 첨가는 유의적으로 높은 운동성, 생존성을 보였으며(p<0.05), 특히 hypotaurine은 다른 실험구에 비하여 유의적으로 높은 정자막 온전성을 나타냈다(p<0.05). 뿐만 아니라, hypotaurine은 유의적으로 높은 F pattern 비율을 유지하였으며(p<0.05), 이들 항산화물질을 첨가한 실험구에서는 대조구에 비하여 유의적으로 낮은 AR pattern을 나타내어(p<0.05) 동결로 기인된 수정능획득 유사 상태 정자의 비율을 유의적으로 감소시켜 조기 첨체반응 비율을 감소시켰다. 정자의 난자내 침투능력에 있어서 모든 처리구에서 대조구보다 높은 웅성전핵 형성율과 SFI를 나타냈으며, hypotaurine의 처리는 가장 높은 침투능력을 나타냈으나 처리구간의 유의적 차이는 나타나지 않았다. 본 연구결과는 멸실위험의 토종가축 생식세포 및 유전자원 보존과 토종가축 육성을 위한 번식 증대를 위한 제주흑우 동결정액 제조에 중요한 이용 방법이 될 것이며, 동결 융해 후 정자의 기능 개선을 위한 다양한 희석제 및 첨가제를 활용한 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물번식학회 2002년도 춘계학술발표대회 발표논문초록집
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• pp.91-91
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• 2002

There are many methods to introduce exogenous DNA into embryo for the purpose of producing transgenic animals. Exogenous gene can be integrated into oocyte as a form of sperm vector. In this study, sperm was used as a vector for transgene that is enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of exogenous gene in bovine embryos after injection of spermatozoa cocultured with EGFP fragment. Spermatozoa were plunged into liquid nitrogen and thawed several times or shaked in 0.2% Triton X-100 to remove sperm membrane which followed by DTT treatment. (omitted)

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.247-252
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• 2019

We observed MMPs expression in all sperm groups, with pro-MMP showing lower expression than active MMPs. According to the results from each freezing extender, the sperm membrane integrity (HOST: Hypoosmotic Swelling Test) analysis in TCGGD (Tris 250 mM, Citric acid 88 mM, Glucose 47 mM, Glycerol 3%, Dimethylsulpoxide 3.5 M) is 59.8 ± 0.7, TCGSD (Tris 250 mM, Citric acid 88 mM, Glucose 47 mM, Sucrose 0.1 M, Dimethylsulpoxide 3.5 M) is 59.3 ± 0.5 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) among the experimental groups. And MMPs analysis result, we observed MMPs expression in all sperm groups, with pro-MMP showing lower expression than active MMPs. The expression of active MMP-2 was the highest in sperms frozen in TCGSD and TCGD (Tris 250 mM, Citric acid 88 mM, Glucose 47 mM, Dimethylsulpoxide 3.5 M), Meanwhile, sperms from the TCGGD and TCGED (Tris 250 mM, Citric acid 88 mM, Glucose 47 mM, Ethylene glycol 3%, Dimethylsulpoxide 3.5 M) group showed lower level of active MMP-2 expression. Together, these results indicate that adding glycerol or sucrose to the sperm freezing buffer would not only suppress MMPs expression but also minimize DNA fragmentation, providing a mean to improve the success rate in the in vitro manipulation of rabbit sperms. Therefore, these results suggest that TCGGD or TCGSD extender method for freezing-thawing of rabbit sperm increased the viability after thawing.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.47-54
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• 2011

Endocrine disruptors bind to hormone receptors on sperm membrane, therefore spermatozoa are potentially a useful model for examining estrogenic activities of endocrine disruptors. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of two xenoestrogenic compounds [genistein (Gen) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP)] to those of two steroids [estrogen ($E_2$) and progesterone ($P_4$)] on boar sperm % motility and motion kinematics of in vitro. Porcine spermatozoa were incubated with various concentrations ($0.001{\sim}100\;{\mu}M$) of each chemical for 15 or 30 min, and then assessed % motility and sperm motion kinematics using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Each chemical decreased sperm % motility, and OP decreased VSL and VAP compared with untreated control(p<0.05). $E_2$ stimulated the motion kinematic changes except VCL. Moreover, Gen had effects on VCL and VAP alterations after 30 min incubation. In summary, since all chemicals studied effectively altered sperm % motility and motion kinematics, it was concluded that porcine spermatozoa could be a useful model for in vitro screening of potential endocrine disruptors.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.791-796
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• 2014

Cryopreservation of epididymal sperm is an effective technique to preserve genetic materials of domestic cats and wild felids when they unexpectedly die. However, this technique inevitably causes detrimental changes of cryopreserved-thawed spermatozoa, for example, by physical damage and excessive oxidative stress. L-carnitine is an antioxidant that has been used to improve sperm motility in humans and domestic animals. This study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on cat epididymal sperm quality following cryopreservation and thawing. After routine castration, cauda epididymides were collected from 60 cat testes. The epididymal spermatozoa from 3 cauda epididymides were pooled as 1 replicate. Spermatozoa samples (16 replicates) were examined for spermatozoa quality and then randomly divided into 4 groups: 0 mM L-carnitine (control), 12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM L-carnitine. The sperm aliquots were then equilibrated and conventionally frozen. After thawing, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity and acrosome integrity were evaluated. The 25 mM L-carnitine significantly improved sperm motility compared with a control group (p<0.05), although this was not significantly different among other concentrations. In conclusion, supplementation of 25 mM L-carnitine in freezing extender improves cauda epididymal spermatozoa motility. The effects of L-carnitine on the levels of oxidative stress during freezing and thawing remains to be examined.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.237-245
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• 2010

Only an optimum number of viable spermatozoa in a frozen-thawed insemination dose can ensure conception at artificial insemination (AI). We report here the percentages of normal, abnormal and viable spermatozoa present in the frozen-thawed semen of 20 Black Bengal bucks used for commercial AI. Bucks in this experiment were of 19.3~46.1 months old and 25~42 kg body weight. Four semen straws (0.25 ml) from each buck were collected for evaluation of their kinetic parameters. Scrotal circumference was measured by using a scrotal tape, sperm motility was estimated on eye estimation and sperm concentration was determined by using a haemocytometer. Sperm morphology was studied in paraformaldehyde fixed spermatozoa under differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope. To determine the proportion of live (plasma membrane intact) spermatozoa, semen was stained with SYBR-14 and propidium iodide and examined under fluorescent microscope. Scrotal circumference, post-thaw sperm motility, sperm concentration per insemination dose and proportion of normal spermatozoa were $21.5{\pm}0.7\;cm$, $43.5 {\pm}5.4%$, $83.5{\pm}6.7$ million and $88.3{\pm}4.1%$, respectively. The percentages of spermatozoa with head shape and acrosome abnormalities were lower ($2.7{\pm}1.1$ and $1.4{\pm}1.3$, respectively), whereas higher percentages of abnormalities ($7.0{\pm}1.8$) were observed in mid piece and tail portion. The proportion of live spermatozoa was $28.5{\pm}5.4$. It is concluded that although a good number of morphologically normal spermatozoa are present in the insemination dose, the proportion of live spermatozoa is low, which warrants further improvements of buck semen freezing procedures to ensure good quality at AI.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.237-247
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• 2013

This study was to examine single or combined in vitro effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on boar sperm characteristics, oxidative stress damage in sperm and development of porcine IVF embryos. Addition of various concentration of NP (10, 20, $30{\mu}M$), DBP (10, 50, $100{\mu}M$) and BPA (1, 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$) on boar sperm characteristics such as percentages of sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity were dose-dependently decreased within 3, 6 or 9 hr incubation period (p<0.05). The overall detrimental effects increased with incubation time increasement. NP, DBP and BPA showed the detrimental effects on sperm membrane and mitochondria of energy production organelles affecting cell viability with the dependancy of dose and incubation time. In combination effects, NP ($10{\mu}M$) + DBP ($10{\mu}M$) significantly decreased boar general sperm characteristics for 3 or 6 hr incubation period compared with control (p<0.05). When both of NP and DBP concentrations (NP; $30{\mu}M$, DBP; $100{\mu}M$) increase, the detrimental effects on sperm characteristics were larger than those of low concentration combination (p<0.05). The inhibitory effects of NP ($30{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) on sperm characteristics were larger than those of NP ($10{\mu}M$) + BPA ($1{\mu}g/ml$) (p<0.05). DBP ($100{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) decreased sperm characteristics compared with the low concentration combination (DBP $10{\mu}M$ + BPA $1{\mu}g/ml$, p<0.05). This result indicates the detrimental effects of both chemicals on sperm characteristics were dose dependent. Addition of NP ($30{\mu}M$) + DBP ($100{\mu}M$), NP ($30{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$), DBP ($10{\mu}M$) + BPA ($1{\mu}g/ml$) or DBP ($100{\mu}M$) + BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) significantly increased lipid peroxidation for 3 or 6 hr incubation period (p<0.05) compared with no addition control. NP (${\geq}20{\mu}M$) decreased the percentages of IVF embryo development from morulae and blastocyst stages (p<0.05) and its detrimental effects were dose-dependant. BPA 0, 1, 5 or $10{\mu}g/ml$ decreased significantly and dose-dependently the percentage of morulae plus and blastocysts (p<0.05). Combinations of DBP ($100{\mu}M$) plus NP ($30{\mu}M$) and DBP ($100{\mu}M$) plus BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) did not affect on morulae and blastocyst development, but NP ($30{\mu}M$) plus BPA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) has significant detrimental effect on embryo development at these stages (p<0.05). These overall results indicate that the partial detrimental effects on boar sperm characteristics and embryo development by NP, DBP, BPA or the combination of these chemicals might be due to the increasement of lipid peroxidation and free radical formation in the cell and there were no specific interaction effects on boar sperm and embryo degeneration among the combined treatments.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2015

One of the key factors of early development is the specification of competence between the oocyte and the sperm, which occurs during gametogenesis. However, the starting point, growth, and maturation for acquiring competence during spermatogenesis and oogenesis in mammals are very different. Spermatogenesis includes spermiogenesis, but such a metamorphosis is not observed during oogenesis. Glycosylation, a ubiquitous modification, is a preliminary requisite for distribution of the structural and functional components of spermatids for metamorphosis. In addition, glycosylation using epididymal or female genital secretory glycans is an important process for the sperm maturation, the acquisition of the potential for fertilization, and the acceleration of early embryo development. However, nonemzymatic unexpected covalent bonding of a carbohydrate and malglycosylation can result in falling fertility rates as shown in the diabetic male. So far, glycosylation during spermatogenesis and the dynamics of the plasma membrane in the process of capacitation and fertilization have been evaluated, and a powerful role of glycosylation in spermatogenesis and early development is also suggested by structural bioinformatics, functional genomics, and functional proteomics. Further understanding of glycosylation is needed to provide a better understanding of fertilization and embryo development and for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for infertility.