• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.144-152
• /
• 2012

Objective: Concerns are growing about the decrease in male reproductive health. Caffeine is one of the popular nutrients that has been implicated as a risk factor for infertility. In the present study, we examined whether in utero and lactational exposure to caffeine affects the reproductive function of the offspring of rats. Methods: Pregnant rats received caffeine via drinking water during gestation (26 and 45 mg/kg) and lactation (25 and 35 mg/kg). Body and reproductive organ weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, sperm parameters, fertility rate, number of implantations, and testosterone level of the offspring were assessed from birth to adulthood. Results: Significant dose-related decreases were observed in the body and reproductive organ weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, and germinal epithelium height of the offspring. Sperm density had declined significantly in offspring of the low-dose and high-dose groups, by 8.81% and 19.97%, respectively, by postnatal day 150. The number of viable fetuses had decreased significantly in females mated with male offspring of the high-dose group at postnatal days 60, 90, 120, and 150. There were also significant reductions in testosterone levels of high-dose group offspring from birth to postnatal day 150. Conclusion: It is concluded that maternal caffeine consumption impairs gonadal development and has long-term adverse effects on the reproductive efficiency of male offspring rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 1994

DA-125, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was at dose levels of 0, 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/day administered intravenously to Sprague-Dawley male rats from premating to mating period and to females from premating to early gestation period. Effects of test agent on general findings and reproductive performance of parent animals and embryonic development were examined. No treatment-related changes in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption and necropsy findings were observed in all groups of both sexes. At 0.3 mg/kg, a decrease in the weight of spleen was found only in male rats. Mating performance and fertility of parent animals were not adversely affected by all doses tested. Fl fetuses showed no changes related to treatment of DA-125, except that at 0.3 mg/kg, an increase in the resorption rate was seen. The results show that the no effect dose levels (NOELS) for general toxicity of parent animals and fetal development are 0.1 mg/kg/day and NOELS for reproductive capability are over 0.3 mg/kg/day.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 1998

To study the effect of induced hypothyroidism on fertility status of male Black Bengal goats, 10 adult healthy mature males were divided into control and treated groups. Hypothyroidism was induced successfully by injecting thiourea subcutaneously initially for 15 days at the rate of 100 mg/kg body weight, followed by 66.7 mg/kg body weight for the subse quent 15 days. This resulted in a decrease (p < 0.01) in plasma tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine and testosterone levels, with increasing duration of thiourea treatment. It also adversely affected semen quality, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility and viability. Live percentage declined to 75% for treated and control remained at 90%. Artificial insemination fo female goats with semen of thiourea-treated goats, resulted in failure of conception. However, females inseminated with semen of male goats of control group showed 100% conception. These observations indicate that, thyroid hormones play a key role in maintaining the normal reproductive processes of male goats.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
• /
• v.57 no.3
• /
• pp.337-361
• /
• 2005

This study seeks the implications for the Korean family welfare policies after examining the characteristics of fertility rates and family welfare policies of advanced OECD countries, and comparatively analyzing the fertility rates among clusters of countries having similar family welfare policies. The fertility rates of most advanced OECD countries declined below the population replacement level in the 1970s, and continuously declined slowly after that period. But in the 1990s the fertility rate of some countries increased, on the other hand that of other countries declined. Such a difference of fertility rates suggests that there is some correlation between the fertility rate and the family welfare policy of each country. Advanced countries became concerned about the decline of fertility rate, established the government Population Issues Committee in order to deal with population problems, and increased family welfare supports. But the level and pattern(focusing on maternal employment supports or child-rearing supports) of each country's family welfare policies are differently developed according to its political ideology, cultural and historical background, and economic environments. A comparative assessment of the fertility rate among clusters of countries having similar family welfare policies demonstrates that the higher the level of family welfare supports is and the level of maternal employment supports in comparison with that of maternal child-rearing supports is, the higher of fertility rate is. And a comparative assessment of the fertility rate changes among clusters of countries also shows that the higher the level of family welfare supports is and the level of maternal employment supports in comparison with that of maternal child-rearing supports is, the higher the increase of fertility rate is or the lower the decrease of fertility rate is. The implications for the Korean family welfare policies are summarized as follows. First, it is necessary to establish the government Population Issues Committee which can study systematically fertility rates and population problems, and provide comprehensive population measures. Second, family welfare supports should be expanded through the establishment of family allowances, the prolongation of maternity leave and child-care leave and the upward readjustment of child-care leave benefits, and the extension of public child-care facilities. Third, maternal employment supports such as public child-care facilities and maternity leave should be given more weight than maternal child-rearing supports such as family allowance. Fourth, it is required to prepare social environments which can provide the youth with the hope that child-rearing is not difficult and gives them happiness.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.15
• /
• pp.85-97
• /
• 1974

In order to clarify the inducing conditions and cause of sterility in rice plants, 4 varieties were cooled at 3 different levels of temperature combined with 3 different levels of treatment period. And 19 varieties were tested to examine the varietal difference of cold resistance. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. There were significant varietal differences in the effect of cooling treatment at meiotic stage. Suwon 213-1 was induced heavy sterility by 3 day cooling treatment at 17.5$^{\circ}C$ whereas Hayayuki, Nongpaik and Jinheung were induced a little sterility by 3 day cooling treatment at 15$^{\circ}C$ and 5 day treatment at 17.5$^{\circ}C$. The per cent of grain fertility was correlated significantly with the delayed days to heading, the degree of panicle extraction (Suwon 213-1, Nongpaik, Jinheung), culm length (Nongpaik, Suwon 213-1), and Auricle distance (Suwon 213-1). The degree of sterility was able to be estimated from the linear regression equation between the degree of panicle extraction (distance from panicle neck to flag leaf) and fertility percentage. In the case of heavy cold damage by the treatment of low temperature at meiotic stage, the rice plant had somewhat lower pollen density per anther, small and ununiform anther and pollen in size, and more sterile pollen grains. Suwon 213-1 showed anthesis in almost all spikelets, while Nongpaik, Jinheung and Hayayuki indicated considerable number of indehisced anther at 5 days after heading. 2. The fertility were not generally higher in cooling treatment at heading stage than at meiotic stage treatment. And significant correlation was found between the percentage of grain fertility treated at above two stages. Nongpaik and Jinheung were not affected in percentage of fertility by 5 day treatment at 15$^{\circ}C$ when these were treated at heading stage. Indehisced anthers were not found in Suwon 213-1 and Hayayuki, but Nongpaik and Jinheung showed more anthers which did not show anthesis 3. There was different varietal response to low temperature which was indicated by the decrease of grain fertility resulted from cooling treatment at meiotic stage. Jaekeun and Jinheung did not show low fertility but Milseong, Suwon 210, Satominoli and Suwon 213-1 showed outstanding decrease in fertility percentage by the cooling treatment at meiotic stage. The varieties which had low fertility were likely to have low pollen density per anther, abnormal anthers, small size po]]en grains and many sterile pollens. 4. Remarkable varietal difference of cold resistance was found in heading stage cooling treatment. Nongpaik, Jinheung, Jaekeun, Paltal, Akibare, Milseung and Palkeong were not affected in grain fertility by cooling treatments but Nonglimna No. 1, Suseong, Hayayuki, Suwon 213-1 and Suwon 210 showed significantly high sterility as treated by cool temperature. Most of the varieties showed higher fertility by cooling treatment at heading stage than meiotic stage but Hayayuki, Suseong and Nonglimna No.1 showed lower fertility when these were treated at heading stage than meiotic stage. There were two grops of varieties in the response to cooling treatment, one was somewhat non-anthesised and the other showed full anthesis. 5. In cold injury test of young seedlings, the result of observation was not accorded with the degree of growth inhibition. As a general, Palkeum and Suseong were highly torelant to cool temperature but Suwon 213-1, Jaekeun, Paltal, Shirogane, Palkeong, Mankyung were highly susceptible. 6. There is no significant correlation between the degree of young seedling cold damage and or the degree of growth retardation at seedling stage and grain fertility resulted from coding treatment both heading and meiotic stage.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.203-209
• /
• 1974

This study is intended to comparison of the recent ideal number of children and atrial approach for analyzing value system for children that form attitude affecting birth control with earlier study conducted 10 years ago. In general the traditional fertility pattern of Korea may be considered as 'early marriage and high fertility' backed by the confucian value system of a farming-oriented country. A selective attitude favoring sons contributes substantially to fertility. But Korea is now moving toward a late marriage and fertility pattern. This has been due to the repid introduction of western culture and a partial acceptance of western value systems, a relative weakening of traditional value systems, a gradual increase in infant and child servival rates thresh medicines, and a desire to avoid having too many children because of economic poverty. This study showed following results: Ideal number of sons and daughters in urban area was decreased by 0.2 respectively compared to earlier study. In rural area, the number of decrease of sons and daughters was 0.5 and 0.2 respectively. The conception concerning Happiness has changed to wealth from health in previous opinion. Regarding attitude toward having sons, 98 percent of them wanted to have sons positively, moreover 10 percent of them wanted two or more sons. Regarding reasons for the wanting sons, we see that economic and traditional considerations, such as dependance in old age, and inheritance of the family line, are a principle concern of about 56 percent in both areas. The rate of dependence in old age was decreased conspicuously compare to previous study while the rate of helding rituals was increased remarkably in rural area. Among reasons for limiting family size. 'for better living and for better education for their children were main rasons reted 46 percent in urban, 51 percent in rural areas. The rates were not changed compare to previous study. Regarding attitude of those who have no son or children, the rate of re-marriage with second wife was decreased remarkably in rural area and the rate of living without special behaivor for having son was increased compare to previous study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.175-178
• /
• 1995

Semen was collected from Taiwan commercial local chickens, the diluted sperm suspension were placed in the Gene Pulser cuvette for electroporation. The motility, mortality and abnormality of spermatozoa were evaluated. The fertility and hatchability were also investigated. The results showed that smaller motility and greater mortality or abnormality than the control were found when the capacitances were increased either for spermatozoa treated with small capacitances(0.25, 1, 3 and $25{\mu}$ FD) or treated with high capacitances (125, 250, 500 and $960{\mu}$ FD). In general, greater field strengths also resulted in smaller motility and greater mortality or abnormality of spermatozoa. Although the electroporation decrease the fertility there were no effect on the hatchability.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2015

Iron is required for cell viability but is toxic in excess. While the iron-mediated malfunction of testicular cells is well appreciated, the underlying mechanism(s) of this effect and its relationship with fertility are poorly understood. Ferritin is a ubiquitous intracellular protein that controls iron storage, ferroxidase activity, immune response, and stress response in cells. Ferritin light chain protein (FTL) is the light subunit of the Ferritin. Previously, we had identified the FTL in bovine spermatozoa following capacitation. In present study, to investigate the role of Ferritin in sperm function, mice spermatozoa were incubated with multiple doses (1, 10 and $100{\mu}M$) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an iron donor. SNP was increased Ferritin levels in a dose-dependent manner. The Ferritin was detected on the acrosome in spermatozoa by immunocytochemistry. Short-term exposure of spermatozoa to SNP increased tyrosine phosphorylation and the acrosome reaction (AR). Finally, SNP affected a significant decrease in the rate of fertilization as well as blastocyst formation during early embryonic development. On the basis of these results, we propose that the effects of Ferritin on the AR may reduce overall sperm function leads to poor fertility in males and compromised embryonic development.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.63-76
• /
• 2024

Purpose: To analyze trends related to demography and EMS and to provide supporting data for the appropriate deployment of EMS providers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on patients transported by 119 EMS, demographics, and EMS factors were collected using the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the National Fire Agency annual report from 2017 to 2021. Results: During the study period, the total number of patients and those with severe disorders transported via 119 EMS showed an increasing trend. The total fertility rate and population during the same period tended to decrease, and the population density and number of households increased; however, there was a disparity between regions. The main demographic factors affecting the number of patients transported were population density and total fertility rate, while the main EMS factors were the number of ambulances and provision of emergency medical information services(hospital guidance, pharmacy information, and first aid guidance). Conclusion: From the perspective of EMS providers' force deployment, it is necessary to consider population density, population, number of households, total fertility rate, and number of emergency medical institutions and to strengthen the role of diverting the use of 119 EMS by minor patients by providing emergency medical information.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.105-138
• /
• 2009

Although the decline in fertility rate is generally observed along the history of economic development throughout the world, the continuing decline hitting below the replacement level in Korea over the recent years gathered serious social concerns on the ground that it accelerates the process of population aging. The total fertility rate in Koreareached 2.08 in 1983, and gradually fell to the levels of 1.08 in 2005 and 1.26 in 2007. The policy debate over the role of the government has been focused mainly on the level of theoretical discussion without substantial basis on firm empirical evidence and the determinants of fertility. The objective of the paper is to empirically investigate the fertility effect of the female wage, which is understood as one of the most important determinants of fertility in Koreasince 1980 focusing on one aspect of fertility, namely birth spacing. Using the Korean National Fertility Survey conducted in 2006, I estimate a duration model of first and second births taking into account individual heterogeneity, which turned out to be an important factor to control for. Compared with previous studies in the literature on the Korean fertility, the study has an advantage of using the complete pregnancy history of women in a more representative sample. Unlike the previous studies, the analysis also deals with the endogeneity of marriage by treating a certain age, rather than age at marriage, as the time in which a woman becomes exposed to the risk of pregnancy. The study shares the common problem in the literature on birth spacing of lacking relevant wage information for respondents in a retrospective survey. I estimate the wage series as a function of the basic characteristics using the annual Wage Structure Survey from 1980 to 2005, which is considered as a nationally representative sample for wage information of employees. The results suggest that the increase in female wage by 10 percent leads to a decrease in second birth hazard by 0.56~0.92 percentage points and that the increase in spouse's wage by the equal amount is accompanied by the increase in second birth hazard by 0.36~1.13 percentage points. These estimates are more precisely estimated and of smaller magnitude than those presented by the previous studies. The results are robust to the different specifications of the wage equation. The simulation analysis based on the predicted values shows that about 17% of the change in the second birth hazard over the period 1980 to 2005 was due to the change in the female wage. Although there is some limitation in data, the results can be viewed as one estimate of the role of female wage on the recent fertility decline in Korea. The question raised by the paper is not a normative one of whether a government should promote childbearing but a positive one thatexplains fertility decline. Therefore, if there is a wide consensus on promoting childbearing, the finding suggests that the policies designed to reduce the opportunity cost of women in the labor market would be effective. The recent movement of implementing a wide range of family-friendly policies including child care support, maternity leave, parental leave and tax benefit in developed countries should be understood in this context.