• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2021

Objective: Exercise is a risk factor for infertility in women. However, research on the effects of different intensities of exercise on folliculogenesis has not yielded clear results. This study was conducted to analyze the effects of differences in the intensity of exercise on folliculogenesis in mice. Methods: Nineteen female BALB/c mice (age, 3-4 months; weight, 13-25 g) were randomly divided into four groups: control, mild exercise, moderate exercise, and high-intensity exercise. The mice in the exercise groups engaged in swimming, with additional loads of 3%, 6%, or 9% of body weight, respectively. There were five swimming sessions per week for 4 weeks, with a gradually increasing duration every week. At the end of the treatment, ovarian extraction was carried out and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to identify folliculogenesis. Results: There were significant differences in the number of total follicles between the control and moderate-exercise groups (p=0.036) and between the mild- and moderate-exercise groups (p=0.005). The mean number of primary follicles was higher in the moderate-exercise group than in the mild-exercise group (p=0.006). The mean number of secondary, tertiary, and Graafian follicles did not differ significantly among groups (p≥0.05). However, the number of total follicles and follicles in each phase tended to increase after exercise, especially moderate-intensity exercise. Conclusion: Exercise of different intensities affected the total number of follicles and primary follicles. The number of follicles of each phase tended to increase after exercise. Moderate-intensity exercise had better effects than other intensities of exercise.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.135-144
• /
• 2022

As the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations increases, various side effects are being reported, and menstrual abnormalities have been reported as a side effect in women. However, it is still unclear whether the COVID-19 vaccine has detrimental effects on the female reproductive system. Therefore, we investigated the effect of excessive immune response on reproductive function by administering Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) instead of the COVID-19 vaccine. The immune response in mice was induced by injection of LPS. Mice injected with saline 5 times were used as a control group, and mice injected with LPS 5 times were used as an experimental group. Repeated administration of LPS significantly reduced the number of corpus luteum (CL). On the other hand, the injection of LPS did not affect the development of follicles leading before the CL. The expression of the apoptosis-related genes Fas and Fas-L increased in the experimental group. In addition, the expression of the inflammation-related genes increased in the experimental group. In this study, we confirmed that LPS had detrimental effects on the uterus and ovaries in mice. These results suggest that injection of LPS can cause immune reactions within the uterus and ovaries and cause hormonal changes, which can have adverse effects such as abnormal operation or bleeding of the menstrual cycle. These results are expected to help determine the cause of decreased reproductive function, infertility, or physiological disorders caused by the COVID-19 vaccine.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2009

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\alpha$ and estrogen are believed to be involved in metabolic changes leading to obesity. To test this relationship, we divided female wildtype and PPAR$\alpha$-deficient mice fed on a high fat diet into the following groups: mock-operated, ovariectomized (OVX), and $E_2$-treated. The visceral white adipose tissue and plasma cholesterol levels were increased significantly in wild type OVX and decreased in the $E_2$-treated group, but interestingly not in PPAR$\alpha$-deficient mice. The mRNA levels of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue were also increased in only wild type OVX and decreased significantly in $E_2$-treated mice. These novel results suggest the possibility of signaling crosstalk between PPAR$\alpha$ and $E_2$, causing obesity in vivo.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.81-85
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study is to collect data for toxicity and safety of Mud chrysanthemum indicum. Methods : In this study, we investigated the acute toxicity for buthanol-extracted Mud schrysanthemum indicum, 25 male and 25 female mice were observed for 14days after one day oral administration of Mud chrysanthemum indicum at the respective doses of 0(control group), 1024, 1280, 1600 and 2000mg/kg. Results : We observed survival rates, general toxicity, change of body weight and autopsy. No abnormality was found for all cases. Conclusions : The data confirmed that Mud chrysanthemum indicum is free from, the toxicity and safety problems. Compared with the control group, we could not find any toxic alteration in all treated groups (1024, 1280, 1600 and 2000mg/kg), In conclusion, LD50 of Mud chrysanthemum indicum was over 2000 mg/kg and it is very safe to mice.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.385-391
• /
• 1998

The study was carried out to evaluate the acute toxicity of enrofloxacin-colistin combination via a single oral(p.o.)and intravenous(i.v.) administration in ICR mice. All procedures of the test were performed by the established regulation of Korean National Institute of Safety Research (1994. 4.14). The maximal dose of oral and intravenous routes was 5,000mg/kg and 90mg/kg, consisting with each 6 groups including control of male and female, respectively. As the results, $LD_{50}$m}'s of the combinations showed 3,075mg/kg (f)and 2,564mg/kg(m) after oral administrations, together with 48mg/kg(f) and 40mg/kg(m) after intravenous administration. These facts indicated that acute toxicitiy of enrofloxacin-colistin combination were different depending on the administration routes and sexes in ICR mice. In conclusion, the route of enrofloxacin-colistin combination must not choose as i.v. route administration in terms of acute toxicity based on $LD_{50}$.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.14-18
• /
• 2006

The effect(s) of the volatile oil (VO) of Nigella sativa and its two components, ${\alpha}-pinene$ and ${\rho}-cymene$ on body temperature of male and female conscious mice were studied. Further investigations to delineate the mechanism(s) of action of the observed effect(s) by using various blockers involved in the central regulation of body temperature were made. VO and ${\alpha}-pinene$ caused significant reductions in rectal body temperature at is and 30 minute after treatment. ${\rho}-cymene$ had negligible effect on body temperature of mice. Cyproheptadine inhibited VO and ${\alpha}-pinene-induced$ hypothermia significantly. Nalbuphine inhibited ${\alpha}-pinene-induced$ hypothermia significantly but did not affect VO-induced hypothermia. Droperidol potentiated VO and ${\alpha}-pinene-induced$ hypothermia to a non-significant level; whereas atropine potentiated VO-induced hypothermia non-significantly. The study confirms further the role of serotoninergic receptors in the mechanism(s) of the observed pharmacological effects of the VO of Nigella sativa. It also indicated a possible role of opioid receptors in ${\alpha}-pinene-induced$ hypothermia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.533-538
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of Pycnogenol (Pyc) on survival and immune dysfunction of C57BL/6 mice induced by low micronutrient supplementation. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57/BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 7.5% of the recommended amount of micronutrients for a period of 12 wks (immunological assay) and 18 wks (survival test). For immunological assay, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine regulation, and hepatic oxidative status were determined. RESLUTS: Pyc supplementation with 50 and $100mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}bw{\cdot}d^{-1}$ resulted in partial extension of the median survival time. Pyc supplementation led to increased T and B cell response against mitogens and recovery of an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokine and increased secretion of Th2 cytokine. Hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by micronutrient deficiency, in accordance with increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level. However, Pyc supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of hepatic lipid peroxidation, which may result from restoration of hepatic vitamin E level. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study suggest that Pyc supplementation ameliorates premature death by restoring immune dysfunction, such as increasing lymphocyte proliferation and regulation of cytokine release from helper T cells, which may result from the antioxidative ability of Pyc.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.780-787
• /
• 2009

Purpose : This study was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity and safety of fermented Ssanghwa-tang extract. Methods : To evaluate their acute toxicity and safety, 0(control group), 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg of Ssanghwa-tang and fermented Ssanghwa-tang extracts were orally administered to 20 male and 20 female ICR mice. After a single administration, we observed survival rates. general toxicity. changes of body weight, and autopsy. Results : Compared with the control group, we could not find any toxic alteration in any of the treated groups (1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg). Conclusions : $LD_{50}$ of Ssanghwa-tang and fermented Ssanghwa-tang extracts might be over 5000 mg/kg and it is very safe for ICR mice.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2001.05a
• /
• pp.114-114
• /
• 2001

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is not only a plasticizer and solvent used in industry but also one of endocrine disruptor chemicals, a low level contaminant found in a wide variety of different media ranging from drinking water to infant formulae. To evaluate the cytotoxic function of NK cells in mice after contact with DBP, C57BL/6 female mice were orally dosed with di-n-butyl phthalate (250, 500, or 750 mg/kg body weight) for 14 consecutive days, and the control mice were administered vehicle (corn oil).(omitted)

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2015

Ethanol has long been implicated in triggering apoptotic neurodegeneration. Alcohol also may indirectly harm the fetus by imparing the mother's physiology. We examined the effects of ethanol on immature brain of mice. Three-weeks-old female ICR strain mice daily intraperitoneally injected with ethanol at the concentration of 4 and 20% in saline for 0, 6, and 24 hours and 1 and 4 weeks. The mice were weighted and sacrificed, and the brains were ectomized for the present histological, immunohistochemical and TUNEL assays. Based on the histologic hematoxylin and eosin stain, immunohistochemical expression of glutamate receptor protein and neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) were evaluated. The cerebral cortex of the ethanol-treated group showed few typical symptoms of apoptosis such as chromosome condensation and disintegration of the cell bodies. TUNEL staining revealed DNA fragmentation in the 6 and 24 hours. This results demonstrated that acute ethanol administration causes neuronal cell death. I found that either glutamate receptor inhibition or activation could induce cerebellar degeneration as ethanol effect. Neuronal death also can be induced by excess activity of certain neurotransmitter, including glutamate. Neurons must establish cell-to-cell contact during growth and development in order to survive, migrate to their final destination, and develop appropriate connections with neighboring cell. Purkinje cell in cerebellar are especially vulnerable to the cell death and degeneration. After ethanol treatment in cerebellar, NCAM had decreased by 4 weeks. This result suggest that apoptosis seems to be involved in the slow elimination of neuron and cerebellar degeneration.