• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2017

Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble secosteroid responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium, iron, and other materials. Vitamin D3 deficiency, therefore, can cause health problems such as metabolic diseases, and bone disorder. Female sex hormones including estrogen and progesterone are biosynthesized mainly in the granulosa cells of ovary. In this study, we isolated granulosa cells from porcine ovary and cultured for the experiments. In order to examine the effect of vitamin D3 on the ovarian granulosa cells, the mRNA and protein levels of genes were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot assay. The production of estrogen from the granulosa cells was also measured by the ELISA assay. Genes associated with follicle growth were not significantly altered by vitamin D3. However, it increases expression of genes involved in the estrogen-biosynthesis. Further, estrogen concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media increased in response to vitamin D3. These results showed that vitamin D3 is a powerful regulator of sex steroid hormone production in porcine granulosa cells, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may result in inappropriate sexual development of industrial animals and eventually economic loss.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.491-502
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• 2020

Sex/gender disparity has been shown in the incidence and prognosis of many types of diseases, probably due to differences in genes, physiological conditions such as hormones, and lifestyle between the sexes. The mortality and survival rates of many cancers, especially liver cancer, differ between men and women. Due to the pronounced sex/gender disparity, considering sex/gender may be necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer. By analyzing research articles through a PubMed literature search, the present review identified 12 genes which showed practical relevance to cancer and sex disparities. Among the 12 sex-specific genes, 7 genes (BAP1, CTNNB1, FOXA1, GSTO1, GSTP1, IL6, and SRPK1) showed sex-biased function in liver cancer. Here we summarized previous findings of cancer molecular signature including our own analysis, and showed that sex-biased molecular signature CTNNB1^High, IL6^High, RHOA^High and GLIPR1^Low may serve as a female-specific index for prediction and evaluation of OS in liver cancer patients. This review suggests a potential implication of sex-biased molecular signature in liver cancer, providing a useful information on diagnosis and prediction of disease progression based on gender.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.260-267
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between high school students' observation ability quotient and changes in their stress hormones while observing fruits. This experimental study was performed with 29 first-year female high school students in a metropolitan city. In order to measure the observation ability quotient, an appropriate scientific observation program was developed. In observation program, the subjects carried out observations in an open and autonomous environment and recorded their observations. Their saliva samples were extracted before and after the task so as to analyze the amount of the secreted hormone. Also, their observation ability was measured using the quotient equation of observation ability. And then, in order to investigate the relationship between the observation ability and the cortisol hormone, a correlation analysis was performed. The main results are as follows: First, the amount of learner's hormone secreted during the experiment decreased in overall after the free observation. And the observation ability quotient turned out to be significantly correlated to the cortisol hormone.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2005

Estrogens are known as the steroid hormones and essential regulators of developments, differentiations, and fertility in animals including humans. Recently, classic focus on estrogens which are considered as female hormone is changing in the whole field of reproductive endocrinology. Especially, interest in estrogen functions in male reproduction is increasing more and more, as numerous studies about the endocrine disruptors, interrupting the endocrine system, are being carried out. To understand exactly the function of estrogen in a male reproductive system, a summary for estrogen receptors upon developmental distributions in testis will be useful. In addition to the regulatory roles of estrogen in male, unexpected exposure to exogenous estrogens causes defects of differentiation of male reproductive system and an injury of spermatogenesis. Also, this review highlights the indicator of exogenous estrogens to perturb male fertility. These approaches would give tile practical information about estrogen roles in male development and reproduction.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.154-159
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• 2007

Manchurian trout (Brachymystax lenok) is an endangered fish species in East Asia including the Korean peninsula. To establish a method for artificial propagation and to improve our understanding of the reproduction in the species, we have produced recombinant gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (r-mtFSH) and luteinizing hormone (r-mtLH), which may play central roles in reproductive activities. In the present study, the biological activities of the recombinant hormones were analyzed by gonadosomatic index (GSI), ovarian follicle diameter, and sex steroid levels in mature rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the 6th day post-injection, FSH-injected fish were slightly decreased in the GSI value, although there were no significant differences among those of control, r-mtFSH, and r-mtLH treatments. Injection of the r-mtFSH increased follicle diameters significantly as compared with those of control- and r-mtLH-injected fish. The plasma steroid levels showed wide differences in the groups at 1, 3, or 6th day post-injection. Despite the variable steroid levels, three individuals receiving either r-mtFSH or r-mtLH showed a great increase in a maturation-inducing steroid, $17{\alpha},20{beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, at 3 and 6 days. Taken together, these results suggest that biological efficacies of the recombinant FSH and LH should be further studied in the Manchurian trout.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2014

Purpose: Gender differences in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently reported as a secondary outcome and the results are divergent. To assess gender differences by analysing data collected within the Swiss IBD cohort study database since 2008, related to children with IBD, using the Montreal classification for a systematic approach. Methods: Data on gender, age, anthropometrics, disease location at diagnosis, disease behaviour, and therapy of 196 patients, 105 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 91 with ulcerative or indeterminate colitis (UC/IC) were retrieved and analysed. Results: The crude gender ratio (male : female) of patients with CD diagnosed at <10 years of age was 2.57, the adjusted ratio was 2.42, and in patients with UC/IC it was 0.68 and 0.64 respectively. The non-adjusted gender ratio of patients diagnosed at ${\geq}10$ years was 1.58 for CD and 0.88 for UC/IC. Boys with UC/IC diagnosed <10 years of age had a longer diagnostic delay, and in girls diagnosed with UC/IC >10 years a more important use of azathioprine was observed. No other gender difference was found after analysis of age, disease location and behaviour at diagnosis, duration of disease, familial occurrence of IBD, prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations, complications, and requirement for surgery. Conclusion: CD in children <10 years affects predominantly boys with a sex ratio of 2.57; the impact of sex-hormones on the development of CD in pre-pubertal male patients should be investigated.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 1989

The effects of an antiprogesterone (RU 486) and an antiestrogen (tamoxifen) on ovulatory response and oocyte morphology were examined in pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)-primed immatare female rats (28 days of age): a comparison has been made on two different regirnens primed with a "control" dose (4 IU) and a "superovulatory" dose (40 IU) of PMSG. Females for control control regimen received three consecutive injections of lmg RU486, lmg tamoxifen, or vehicle at 24, 36 and 48hr, and were killed at 72l'r after PMSG. Animals for superovalatory regimen received lmg RU486, 2.5mg tamoxifen, or vehicle fouowlag the injection schedule comparable to control regimen, and were killed at 60 and 72hr after PMSG. Compared to vehicle group, there was a significant reduction in ovulatory response as judged by the proportion of rats ovulating andi or by the mean number of oocytes per rat for each treatment of RU486 and tamoxifen in both regimens. The activity of tamoxifen in inhibiting the ovulatory response was greater in control, but less in superovulatory regimen than that of RU486 based on the dose employed for each antisteroid. In both regimens, RU 486 did not have any effect 6n the changes in the proportion of degenerate oocytes as well as ovarian weight, well tamoxifen treatment resulted in a marked promotion of oocyte degeneration as well as a great reduction in ovarian weight, compared to each parameter of vehicle group. RU486 treatment in each regimen did not alter the serum levels of any steroid hormones observed. Howerver, tamoxifen treatment was associated with significant increases in serum 17$\beta$-estradiol and decreases in progesterone in both regimens; also significant increases in androgens in superovulatory regimen. The results illustrate the relative inhibitory activity of RU486 and tamoxifen indicating major steroid hormone involved in PMSG-induced ovulation: 17$\beta$-estradiol for control and progesterone for superovulatory regimen. It also appears that tamoxifen-associated elevation of circulating 17$\beta$-estradiol andi or androgens could be in part, a contributing factor to the promotion of oocyte degeneration presumably by producing a hostile oviductal environment after ovulation.ent after ovulation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2017

To date, no clear threshold that has been established for defining an adequate store of vitamin D for bone health. Therefore, this study aims to determine the required level of vitamin D to maintain a healthy skeleton based on bone remodelling process among healthy adult population. This was a cross sectional study, involving a healthy adult population in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, aged 18~50 years. We measured serum 25(OH)D (vitamin D), serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), and Procollagen 1 Intact N-Terminal (P1NP) in 120 healthy adults selected via multi stage sampling (64 males, 56 females) from 6 subdistricts in Kota Bharu. The mean level of 25(OH)D was 23.50 (${\pm}8.74$) nmol/L. There was a significant difference of the vitamin D level between genders ($26.81{\pm}8.3nmol/L$ vs $19.72{\pm}7.68nmol/L$ in males and females respectively) (p value<0.001). More than 50% of female subjects had 25(OH)D less than 20 nmol/L, while only 20.3% of male subjects had 25(OH)D below 20 nmol/L. Based on the LOESS plot, the bone turnover markers showed a plateauing result, at the 25(OH)D level of 35 nmol/L for CTX and 20 nmol/L for P1NP. Contrastingly, PTH showed a step rise in the 25(OH)D level of 20 nmol/L. Based on the LOESS plot for CTX, P1NP and PTH versus 25(OH)D, level of vitamin D between 20 to 35 nmol/L is recommended to maintain healthy skeleton.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.17-31
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• 2002

Objective : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the hormones and cytokines associated with bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. Method : Twenty-four Female-Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham operated(normal) group, ovariectomized(control)group, ovariectomized and treated with extract Caraganae Sinicae Radix(treated) group. Each group was investigated the changes of body weight at 3,5,7weeks after treatment, and femur weight, femur/body weight, thickness of compact bone of body of femur, area of cancellous bone of distal epiphysis of femur, serum estrogen, serum calcitonin, serum parathormone, serum Tumor Necrosis $Factor-{\alpha}$, serum $lnterleukin-1{\beta}$ at 7weeks after treatment. The results were summerized as follows; 1. The treated group showed significant change in body weight compared with the control group at 5,7weeks after treatment. 2. The treated group revealed significant increases in femur/body weight compared with the control group. 3. The treated group showed a little thicker compact bone of body of femur than the control group. 4. The area of cancellous bone of distal epiphysis of femur in treated group was increased significantly compared with control group. 5. The level of serum estrogen showed no change compared with control group. 6. The level of serum calcitonin showed no change compared with control group. 7. The level of serum parathormone was decreased in treated group significantly compared with control group. 8. The level of serum $TNF-{\alpha}$ was decreased in treated group significantly compared with control group. 9. The level of serum $interleukin-1{\beta}$ showed no change compared with control group. The results indicate that Caraganae Sinicae Radix inhibits bones resorption in ovariectomized rats by it's lowering effects on serum parathormone and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.211-227
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• 1998

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia(BPH) is the most common benign tumor seen in the western male, and it is found in 50% of men over 50 years of age. It is characterized by the formation of large discrete lesions in the periurethral region. As they enlarge, these nodules tend to compress the urethra and cause partial or almost complete obstruction of .urine flow. The etiology of BPH is uncertain, but the increasing incidence with advancing age suggests the possibility of an imbalance between male and female sex hormones. In the past, most patients have had multiple indications to support the decision to initiate therapy. But both the urologic surgeon and the patient must be clearly aware of the results that can be expected and the risks involved in achieving them. The aims of this study are to investigate and summarize the current trends of treatment for BPH so as to suggest the effective and available way to treat the disease. In Oriental medicine, the BPH is recognized as uroschesis and ischuria, and the etiology is mainly in stagnated blood and insufficiency of the kidneys. The point of treatment of BPH is recovery of urination, and the treatment can be approached in two ways through herb drugs and acupuncture. Some of the herb drugs have substances which reduce BPB. Acupuncture therapy stimulates the pelvic plexus and is reported to be effective for voiding. Suppository, massotherapy, rectal injection, locus injection and attachment of herb drugs to the navel or the acupoint are announced as the effective treatments. So, this study of the approach and application of these treatments on BPH would be necessary.