• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.144-154
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• 1995

The fruit color characteristics and persisting period of deciduous woody landscape plants were investigated through the field survey in Suwon region from January 1, 1992 to March 20, 1993. The summary of the study results was as follows; The total fruit color persisting period was about 320 days from May 1, 1992 when Prunus mume was beginning of fruit coloring, to March 20, 1993 when the fruits of Platanus occidentalis and platanus X acerifolia were persisting. And the plants of fruit persisting period over 60 days after leaf falling were Vibumum erosum, Ilex serrata, Ilex verticillata 'Christmas Cheer', Platanus X acerifolia, Platanus occidentalis, Berberis thunbergii 'Atropupurea', Ligustrum obtusifolium. According to the KBS standard color number, 52.6% of of the fruit color were red, 18.9% yellow, 11.6% black, green 9.5%, white 2.1%, violet 1.1%, and red is followed black 4.2%. Evodia daniellii, Ilex verticillata 'Christmas Cheer', Ilex serrata, Ginkgo biloba, Lindera obtusiloba, and Lindera erythrocarpa should be planted male and female species together for fruits. We got the new information on the fruit color characteritics and persisting period of Malus 'Hopa', Malus 'Almey', Malus 'Pioneer X', Acer rubrum, Malus prunifolia, Pyrus serotina, Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea', Vibumum rhytidophyllum, Rosa spp. Vitis vinifera, Vaccinium angustifolium, Ilex verticillata 'Christmas Cheer', Magnolia stellata, Aronia arbutifolia, Sorbus alnifolia, Lonicera japonica var. aueroreticulta, and Ligustrum X vicaryi. And we need to introduce new cultivars of woody landscape plants including Malus spp, Berberis spp, Sorbus alnifolia yellow autumn leaf clone etc. for the better planting design. The fruit persisting period of woody landscape plants studied by fruit name was that sorosis 276 days, samara 155 days, legume 153 days, hip 133 days, pome was 124 days, drupe 92 days, berry 73 days, capsule 67 days, follicle 55 days and nut 52 days respectively.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2017

Objective: To identify differences in the expression of the genes for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR)-{\gamma}$, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ in granulosa cells (GCs) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Methods: Nine patients with PCOS and six controls were enrolled in this study. On the day of oocyte retrieval, GCs were collected from pooled follicular fluid. Total mRNA was extracted from GCs. Reverse transcription was performed and gene expression levels were quantified by realtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, and total gonadotropin dose, except for the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone between the PCOS and control groups. $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and COX-2 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the GCs of PCOS women compared with controls (p= 0.034 and p= 0.018, respectively), but the expression of IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA did not show significant differences. No significant correlation was detected between the expression of these mRNA sequences and clinical characteristics, including the number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturity, cleavage, or the good embryo rate. Positive correlations were found among the $PPAR-{\gamma}$, COX-2, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA levels. Conclusion: Our data may provide novel clues regarding ovarian GC dysfunction in PCOS, and indirectly provide evidence that the effect of $PPAR-{\gamma}$ agonists in PCOS might result from alterations in the ovarian follicular environment. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these proposals.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2021

Objective: In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model. Methods: Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected. Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression. Conclusion: In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.76-86
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to explore the possibility that each oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells might have different genetic expression patterns that could affect human reproduction. Methods: Differential gene expression analysis was performed for 10 clusters of cumulus cells obtained from 10 cumulus-oocyte complexes from 10 patients. Same procedures related to oocyte maturation, microinjection, and microarray analyses were performed for each group of cumulus cells. Two differential gene expression analyses were performed: one for the outcome of clinical pregnancy and one for the outcome of live birth. Results: Significant genes resulting from these analyses were selected and the top 20 affected pathways in each group were analyzed. Circadian entrainment is determined to be the most affected pathway for clinical pregnancy, and proteoglycans in cancer pathway is the most affected pathway for live birth. Circadian entrainment is also amongst the 12 pathways that are found to be in top 20 affected pathways for both outcomes, and has both lowest p-value and highest number of times found count. Conclusion: Although further confirmatory studies are necessary, findings of this study suggest that these pathways, especially circadian entrainment in cumulus cells, may be essential for embryo development and pregnancy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pharmacopuncture and dermal application of Sebalgukhwa-san extracts on hair growth in an alopecia mouse model. Methods: Twenty-one C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups; control group-normal saline injection or vehicle solution application, positive control group-minoxidil (MNXD), experimental group-pharmacopuncture and applied Sebalgukhwa-san (SGS) extract. The effects of the treatment on hair growth, were determined through photographs, and phototrichogram analysis by folliscope. Hair follicle morphometry by hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed, and hair growth-related protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin like growth factor-1, and transforming growth factor-beta 1 were monitored by Western blotting. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were measured for liver function test. Results: Body weight increased consistently in all groups. Hair growth was improved in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control. Hair density and thickness improved statistically significantly in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control p < 0.05. The number of hair follicles improved in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control but the size did not. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin like growth factor-1 increased, and there was a decrease in the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in the MNXD and SGS groups compared with the control, however, there was no significant difference. Sebalgukhwa-san treatment had no toxicity in liver function tests. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture and dermal application of Sebalgukhwa-san extract may be therapeutically beneficial for the treatment of alopecia.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2018

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) centrally plays a role in control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis-related hormone secretions in the reproductive neuroendocrine system. In addition, hormone receptors like luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) are important element for hormones to take effect in target organ. However, ageing-dependent changes in terms of the distribution of GnRH neurons in the brain and LHR expression in the acyclic ovary have not been fully understood yet. Therefore, we comparatively investigated those ageing-dependent changes using young (1-5 months), middle (11-14 months) and old (21-27 months) aged female mice. Whereas a number of GnRH positive fibers and neurons with monopolar or bipolar morphology were abundantly observed in the brain of the young and middle aged mice, a few GnRH positive neurons with multiple dendrites were observed in the old aged mice. In addition, acyclic ovary without repeated development and degeneration of the follicles was shown in the old aged mice than others. LHR expression was localized in theca cells, granulosa cell, corpora lutea and atretic follicle in the ovaries from young and middle aged mice, in contrast, old aged mice had few positive LHR expression on the follicles due to acyclic ovary. However, the whole protein level of LHR was higher in the ovary of old aged mice than others. These results are expected to be used as an important basis on the relationship between GnRH and LHR in old aged animals as well as in further research for reproduction failure.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.48.1-48.18
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• 2020

Background: Mature oocytes at the metaphase II status (MII-stage oocytes) played an important role in assisted reproductive technology in non-human primates. Objectives: In order to improve the proportion of MII-stage oocytes retrieval, three different superovulation protocols were performed on 24 female cynomolgus monkeys. Methods: All the monkeys received once-daily injection of follicle-stimulating hormone (25 international unit [IU]) on day 3 of the menstruation, 3-day intervals, twice daily for 8-12 days until the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (1,500 IU) injection, on the 14-17th day of menstruation collecting oocytes. The difference between protocol I and protocol II was that 0.1 mg the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist was injected on day 1 of the menstruation, while the difference between personalized superovulation protocol and protocol II was that oocytes could be collected on the 14-17th day of menstrual cycle according to the length of each monkey. Results: The total number of oocytes harvested using the personalized superovulation protocol was much higher than that using protocol I (p < 0.05), and the proportion of MII-stage oocytes was significantly greater than that from either superovulation protocol I or II (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively), while the proportion of immature oocytes at the germinal vesicle was less than that from superovulation protocol I (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The personalized superovulation protocol could increase the rate of MII-stage oocytes acquired, and successfully develop into embryos after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and eventually generated fetus.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.48-56
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• 2024

Objective: This study investigated the relationship of anthropometric and metabolic risk factors with seminal and sex steroidal hormone parameters in a screened population of healthy males. Methods: The participants were healthy young men without chronic or congenital diseases. The body composition parameters that we investigated were measured weight, height, and waist circumference (WC), as well as bioelectrical impedance analysis. Semen samples were analyzed for semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and morphology, seminal pH, and liquefaction time. Biochemistry analysis, including glucose and lipid metabolism parameters, was conducted on fasting blood samples. Testicular volume was calculated separately for each testis using ultrasonography. Results: Body mass index exhibited an inverse association with total sperm count. WC showed negative correlations with numerous seminal parameters, including sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm morphology, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels. The basal metabolic rate was associated with seminal pH, liquefaction time, and sperm motility. WC, fat mass percentage, and triglyceride levels exhibited negative correlations with sex hormone binding globulin. The measures of glucose metabolism were associated with a greater number of seminal parameters than the measures of cholesterol metabolism. C-reactive protein levels were inversely associated with sperm concentration and total sperm count. Conclusion: Anthropometric and metabolic risk factors were found to predict semen quality and alterations in sex steroidal hormone levels.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.531-541
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• 2014

This research investigated the reproduction cycle, litter size, and the effects of factors of red-tongue viper snake inhabiting in Jeju Island, to delve into their life strategy. Field survey was conducted in Jeju Island from May 2006 to November 2008. Reproduction cycle was analyzed through measurements of testis and follicle sizes in laboratory from March 2009 to December 2010. According to the research results, the sizes of red-tongue viper snake's testis and follicle clearly changed seasonally. The number of eggs within the oviduct were greater on the right side ($2.6{\pm}1.0$ eggs, n=16) than on the left side ($1.8{\pm}0.5$ eggs, n=16) (t=-2,721, p<0.05). Average (${\pm}SD$) of survival litter size (SLS) was $4.4{\pm}1.7$ (1~9, range), while total litter size (TLS) was $4.7{\pm}1.5$ (3~9, range), which were not statistically significant. However, their litter sizes were similar to the number of eggs within the oviduct (t=0.039, P>0.05). Relative litter mass (RCM) was $0.42{\pm}0.13$ (0.18~0.79, n=33), and tended to increase, as maternal condition of pre-parturition (MCPPI) was getting better. The sexual ratio of delivered litters showed no significant difference between male and female red-tongue viper snakes (♂:♀ = 1.15:1, n=73 ; ${\chi}^2$=0.342, P>0.5). Average neonate mass showed a weak correlation with maternal mass of pre-parturition (MMPP1) (r=0.387, P<0.05, n=33). Average neonate Snout-vent length (SVL) also demonstrated a weak correlations with maternal SVL (r=0.399, P<0.05, n=33) and MMPP1 (r=0.344, P<0.05, n=33). Average neonate mass and maternal SVL approached significant probability (r=0.323, P=0.067, n=33). This indicates that mother snakes can bear bigger litter due to its larger size. In some cases, litter's weight decreases as mother snakes are bearing more litter; however, the red-tongued viper snake did not show such exchange relationship. From this, it can be conjectured that a red-tongued viper snake has peculiarity of its own species. The research results are predicted to be used as the basis to find a life history of red-tongued viper snake.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.173-183
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• 2004

This study was carried out to examine the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine immature oocytes, and on subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and development (IVD). COCs were collected from antral follicles of porcine ovaries collected from abattoir, and were maturated in modified NCSU-23 (mNCSU-23) with 10% pFF, 0.6 mM cysteine, 50 ${\mu}mM{\beta}-mercaptoethanol$, 1 mM dbcAMP, 10 IU/mL PMSG and 10 IU/mL hCG, which was supplemented with or without 10 ng/mL EGF and into which 50 or 15 COCs per droplet was put. Oocytes matured in vitro, were fertilized in vitro in modified Tris-buffered medium (mTBM) with the final motile sperm concentration of 1${\times}$105 sperm/mL, and subsequently putative embryos were developed in vitro in NCSU- 23. The results are as follows. 1.In the result of IVM, 10 ng/mL EGF supplement duplicated the percentage of C4 group of COCs(41% vs 81%). But the rate of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and of nuclear maturation were not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet, and there was not a significant interaction between the two factors, either. 2. In the result of IVF, there was not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet, or was not a significant interaction between the two factors, in the rate of sperm penetration, in the percentage of oocytes with male pronucleus (MPN), and in the rate of polyspermy. 3. In the result of IVD, there was not significantly different between control and EGF supplemented, or between the number of COCs per culture droplet in the percentage of cleaved oocytes. There was not significantly different between the number of COCs per culture droplet, but between control and EGF supplemented (p<0.01) in the percentage of blastocysts, the number of inner cell mass (ICM), trophectoderm (TC) and total cells. There was no significant interaction between the two factors anywhere. These results suggested that 10 ng/mL EGF supplement into mNCSU-23 for IVM was effective in the production of more as well as better blastocysts during IVD through increasing the number of cells in those.