• 농업과학연구
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.103-112
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• 2022

Fipronil is a popular insecticide used in both agricultural and domestic fields. Factors that affect sperm and eggs have a direct influence on reproductive outcomes. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of varying concentrations (10 - 200 μM) of fipronil and incubation times (30 min and 2 hrs) on boar spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were evaluated for motility, motion kinematics, viability, chromatin stability, and for the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the results were compared to those from corresponding controls. The findings revealed a significant, dose-dependent reduction in sperm motility in all fipronil treatment groups at 30 min of incubation (p < 0.05). A similar dose-dependent reduction in sperm motility was observed subsequent to fipronil exposure for 2 hrs of incubation (p < 0.05). Groups treated with fipronil showed a gradual reduction in motion kinematics (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significantly higher percentage of dead sperm was observed at 200 μM fipronil, as compared to the highest live percentage obtained in controls (p < 0.05). Evaluating the sperm chromatin integrity revealed a significantly higher percentage of damaged chromatin in spermatozoa incubated with 200 μM of fipronil. Moreover, ROS production was significantly higher in fipronil-exposed sperm (p < 0.05). In conclusion, boar spermatozoa incubated with fipronil showed decreased levels of sperm motility and viability, weaker chromatin integrity, and increased levels of intracellular ROS generation, all of which indicate that exposure to fipronil potentially impairs the fertilization competence of boar spermatozoa.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.941-952
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• 2023

The metabolites of agrichemicals, such as organophosphorus pesticides, are known to be more hazardous than their parent pesticides. 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) is a major degradation product of chlorpyrifos, one of the organophosphate insecticides widely used in agriculture. In vivo or in vitro exposure to chlorpyrifos has been known to interfere with male reproductive functions, leading to reduced fertility in mammals. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the changes in the fertilization competence of boar spermatozoa exposed to TCP. Sperm samples were subjected to varying concentrations of TCP (10, 50, 100, 200 µM) and different periods of incubation. Sperm motility, motion kinematics, viability, acrosome integrity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and gene expression levels (ODf2, ZPBP2, AKAP3 and AKAP4) were evaluated after exposure of the sperm to TCP. A significant dose-dependent reduction in motility was observed in sperm samples incubated with TCP compared to the controls after both incubation periods. Sperm viability was significantly decreased in samples incubated with 50, 100, and 200 µM TCP in both incubation periods. A significantly lower percentage of normal acrosomes and gene expression levels were observed in sperm samples exposed to 50, 100, and 200 µM TCP after both incubation periods, compared to the controls. There was a significant increase in the ROS production in spermatozoa incubated with 100 - 200 µM TCP after both incubation periods. Consequently, the direct exposure of boar spermatozoa to TCP interferes with sperm functions and leads to decreased fertilization. In order to identify and address the various causes of reproductive decline, the impact of chemical metabolites needs to be discussed in depth.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.420-430
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• 2000

These studies were preformed to investigate the freezing conditions to achieve good post-thaw viability of spend and the practical methods of artificial insemination frozen canine semen. Semen were collected from nine male dogs which had been proved to be fertile in the past and the semen were treated for freezing procedure. Post-thaw motility and viability of canine sperm were evaluated to investigate individual tolerance of freezing, difference among freezing extenders, dif-ference among freezing equipments and freezing conditions, difference between fast and slow cooling rate, difference according to different glycerol concentration, effect of seeding on post-thaw viability, difference according to cutting part of straw, difference according to thawing temperatures, and dif-ference according to media added to thawed semen. Thawed semen for insemination were added with equal volnme of canine capacitation medium (CCM) and the volume of semen and the number per insemination were adjusted as 2-3 ml and $20-30 {\times}10^7,$ respectively. The semen were inseminated in vagina using balloon catheter and en17ryos were cellected from 9 to 11 days after the second Al to d determine fertilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.90-96
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• 2016

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause many systemic complications as well as male infertility. Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a powerful antioxidant that is involved in a variety of biologically active processes, including those with anti-diabetes effects. The present study investigates the effect of ASTX on the spermatozoa function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: We divided 30 adult rats into three groups (10 rats per group), with a control group that received corn oil mixed with chow. DM was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of STZ. Eight weeks after the STZ injection, half of the diabetic animals were used as diabetic controls, and the rest were treated with ASTX for 56 days. Then the parameters and chromatin integrity of the epididymal sperm were analyzed using chromomycin A3, toluidine blue (TB), and acridine orange (AO) staining. Results: The count, viability, and motility of the epididymal sperm were decreased significantly in the STZ group in comparison with the control group (count and viability, p<0.001; motility, p<0.01). ASTX increased normal morphology and viable spermatozoa compared to the STZ group (morphology, p=0.001; viability, p<0.05). The percentage of abnormal chromatins in TB and AO staining was higher in the STZ group compared to the control group (p<0.001). The mean percentage of TB and AO positive spermatozoa in STZ rats was significantly lower in the STZ+ASTX group (TB, p=0.001; AO, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study observed that in vivo ASTX treatment partially attenuates some detrimental effect of diabetes. Conversely, ASTX improved sperm viability, normal morphology, and DNA integrity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권7호
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• pp.586-592
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• 2023

돼지 정액을 저장하는 동안 산화스트레스의 발생은 정자의 질과 생존에 영향을 미치는 중요한 인자이다. 정액의 저장은 온도 변화, 동결보호제 등의 다양한 스트레스 인자에 노출되어 있다. 이러한 정자 내에서의 산화스트레스는 활성산소종의 생성에 의해 발생되며, 이는 지질, 단백질, DNA와 같은 세포를 구성하는 물질에 산화적으로 손상을 일으킨다. 활성산소종과 항산화물질의 균형있는 체계는 정자의 생존과 그 기능을 유지하는 데 중요한 역할을 한다. 정액을 장기간 보존하게 되면 활성산소종의 수준이 증가하여 정자의 운동성, 막 온전성, DNA 온전성에 영향을 미치게 된다. 또한, 활성산소종에 의해 유도된 지질과산화 반응은 정자막의 유동성과 안정성에 영향을 미쳐 정자의 운동성을 감소시킨다. 그리고, DNA의 산화적 손상은 DNA 단편화를 일으켜 정자의 DNA 온전성을 손상시킬 수 있다. 결론적으로, 정액을 보관하는 동안 발생되는 산화스트레스는 정자의 질과 기능을 유지하는 데 중요하다. 따라서, 산화스트레스의 기본적인 메커니즘과 정자의 기능에 미치는 영향을 이해하는 것은 산화스트레스로부터의 손상을 최소화하고, 효율적이고 기능적인 정자의 저장 방법을 개선하기 위한 효과적인 전략과 연구 개발을 위해 중요할 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

The cold shock of spermatozoa is associated with oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of natural antioxidant green tea extract (GTE) in lactose-egg yolk (LEY) extender during boar sperm cooling prior to freezing. Spermatozoa were cooled to $5^{\circ}C$ for 3 h in LEY extender containing 0 (control), 1, 10, 100 or 1,000 mg/l of GTE, re-suspended with LEY-glycerol-Equex extender and cooled at $5^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Sperm progressive motility, viability and phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation were evaluated. PS translocation was assayed by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit. The sperm function including progressive motility, viability and PS translocation was not significantly different regardless of GTE concentrations (P>0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated non-toxicity of GTE supplement in LEY extender during sperm cooling.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권5호
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• pp.612-616
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• 2004

This study was carried out to compare the semen characteristics, frozen-thawed sperm viability and testosterone concentration and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and development of in vitro matured pig oocytes between two Yorkshire boars. Semen and blood samples were collected once per week from October to November 2002 from two adult Yorkshire boars at 18 months of age with 170 kg body weight. Sperm were deep frozen in 5 ml maxi-straws with lactose-egg yolk and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (LEN) diluent and stored in liquid nitrogen. Blood samples were obtained at 10 a.m. by inserting a 21 gauge, hypodermic needle attached to 10 ml syringe into surface veins in the ear. The concentration of testosterone was determined by Competitive Enzyme Immunoassay. Ovaries were collected from prepubertal gilts at a local slaughter house. Cumulus oocyte complexes were aspirated from antral follicles (3 to 6 mm in diameter). The medium used for oocyte maturation was modified TCM 199. After about 22 h of culture, oocytes were cultured without cysteamine and hormones for 22 h at $38.5^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ in air. For IVF, one frozen 5 ml straw was thawed at $52^{\circ}C$in 40 sec and was diluted with 20 ml Beltsville thawing solution at room temperature. Sperm were washed 2 times in mTLP-PVA and inseminated without preincubation after thawing. Oocytes were inseminated with $2{\times}10^7$/ml sperm concentration. Oocytes were coincubated for 6 h in 500 ${\mu}$l mTBM fertilization medium. At 6 h after IVF, oocytes were transferred into 500 ${\mu}$l NCSU-23 culture medium for further culture of 48 and 144 h. There were no significant differences in the semen volume, motility, normal acrosome morphology and sperm concentration of raw semen between A and B of Yorkshire boar. However, motility and normal acrosome of boar A were higher than those of boar B at 0.5, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 h incubations of frozen-thawed sperm. Testosterone concentration (3.75 ng/ml) of boar A was higher than that (2.34 ng/ml) of boar B. The rate of blastocyst formation (15.1%) of boar A was higher than that (10.4%) of boar B. In conclusion, serum testosterone concentration of boar showed very important role for the frozen-thawed sperm viability and the blastocyst formation of pig oocytes matured in vitro.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.257-262
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• 1999

본 연구는 독자 개발한 돼지인공수정용 희석액 KpA를 실용화하기 위하여 온도와 pH 변화가 KpA의 정자보존능력에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 실시하였다. 요크셔 계통의 종웅돈에서 채취한 신선정액을 KpA와 BTS으로 희석한 다음 17$^{\circ}C$에 1주일간 보존하면서 생존율과 pH 변화폭을 조사한 결과 KpA 희석정액은 BTS 희석정액보다 보존기간 동안에 높은 생존성을 나타내었으며, 5일까지 60% 이상의 생존율을 유지하였다. 또한 두 희석액과 희석정액 모두 보존 중 생리적인 pH 범위내에서 안정하였다. 희석액 KpA의 pH를 산성 (pH 6.3~6.8), 중성 (pH 6.8~7.3), 염기성화 (pH 7.8~8.0) 으로 조정한 다음 신선정액과 희석하여 4$^{\circ}C$, 17$^{\circ}C$ 및 37$^{\circ}C$에서 보존한 결과 희석정액의 pH 는 급격한 변화 없이 안정하였으나 중성에서 보다 산성과 염기성의 환경에서 더 완만한 변화를 보였다. 또한 희석액을 산성화 또는 염기성화 하였을 때 정자가 받는 스트레스는 17$^{\circ}C$보다 4$^{\circ}C$와 37$^{\circ}C$에서 더욱 현저히 나타났다. 따라서 KpA 는 17$^{\circ}C$ 보존에 적합한 희석액이며, 보존 중 정자의 생존율을 높게 유지하기 위해서는 희석정액의 pH 와 보존온도의 조화가 중요한 역할을 한다는 사실을 알 수 있었다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.335-340
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• 2006

A large number of toxicological substances and pharmacological and physical agents can cause reproductive intervention at the cellular and molecular level. The present study was designed to assess the effect of mercury ($HgCl_2$) at 50 to $550{\mu}M$ concentration ranges, in vitro, on the sperm membrane and DNA integrity, viability, and acrosomal status of normal bull spermatozoa. The samples were processed for sperm analyses using semen-diluting fluid (PBS, pH 7.2). We recorded a sharp increase in the lipid peroxidation/LPO rate; the highest was at $550{\mu}M$ mercury concentration, indicating a deleterious effect of mercury on the sperm membrane intactness. There was also a strong negative correlation between LPO rate and % viable spermatozoa (R = 0.987, p<0.001). Data obtained from a comet assay technique revealed that mercury is capable of inducing DNA breaks in the sperm nuclei. Interestingly, 92% of DNA breaks were double-stranded. The correlation between LPO rate and % DNA breaks was 0.984. Performing the gelatin test indicates that mercury is able to alter the integrity of acrosomal membranes showing an abnormal acrosome reaction. In this regard, a strong link was found between LPO rate and % halos (R = 0.990, p<0.001). Collectively, mercury proved to be a potent oxidant in the category of environmental factors affecting bull spermatozoa. Hence, considering the wide spread use of mercury and its compounds, these metals should be regarded with more concern.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.71-78
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• 2011

This study was undertaken to find out the effect of cholesterol and serum albumin on sperm ability and lipid peroxidation levels period to the liquid storage of miniature pig sperm. Ejaculated semen from miniature pigs was collected by gloved-hand method into a pre-warmed ($37^{\circ}C$) thermos bottle, and extended with Modena solution {with and without BSA, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (-cholesterol) and cholesterol loaded cyclodextrin (+cholesterol)}. Each semen was assessed for viability (SYBR-14/PI staining) and acrosome intactness, intensity and capacitation status by chlorotetracycline (CTC) staining at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 days of storage. At for the effects of cholesterol and serum albumin on lipid peroxidation, semen were incubated with $H_2O_2$ ($10\;{\mu}M$), and lipid peroxidation level were measured by flow cytometry using the lipid peroxidation reporter probe $C_{11}-BODIPY^{581/591}$. The result, lipid peroxidation level in sperm added with cholesterol were lower in $10\;{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ compared to the added sperm with serum albumin. Also, added cholesterol to sperm had significant (p<0.05) higher viability when storage for 7 and 10 days and lower when 10 days of storage percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm (AR pattern) in acrosome state as say result compared to other treated groups. In conclusion, role of cholesterol during lipid storage in miniature pig spermatozoa was protected boar spermatozoa from lipid peroxidation prior to lipid storage. Addition serum albumin during lipid storage in sperm may be induce sperm membrane damage by lipid peroxidation. Therefore, addition of cholesterol to miniature pig sperm will be lead to extension of liquid storage periods.