• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2002

Embryonic stem cells(ES cells) are derived from the inner cell mass(ICM) of blastocysts, which have the potentials to remain undifferentiated, to proliferate indefinitely in vitro, to differentiate into the derivates of three embryonic germ layers. ES cells are an attractive model system for studying the initial developmental decisions and their molecular mechanisms during embryogenesis. Additionally, ES cells of significant interest to those characterizing the various gene functions utilizing transgenic and gene targeting techniques. We investigated the effects of reproductive hormones, gonadotropins(GTH) and steroids on the induction of differentiation and expressions of their receptor genes using the newly established mouse ES cells. We collected the matured blastocysts of inbred mice C57BL/6J after superovulation and co-cultured with mitotically inactivated STO feeder cells. After 5 passages, we confirmed the expression alkaline phosphatase(Alk P) activity and SSEA-1, 3, 4 expressions. The protocol devised for inducing ES differentiation consisted of an aggregation steps, after 5 days as EBs in hormone treatments(FSH, LH, E$_2$, P$_4$, T) that allows complex signaling to occur between the cells and a dissociation step, induced differentiation through attachment culture during 7 days in hormone treatments. Hormone receptors were not increased in dose-dependent manner. All hormone receptors in ES cells treated reproductive hormones were expressed lower than those of undifferentiated ES cell except for LHR expression in E$_2$-treated ES cells group. After hormone induced differentiation, at least some of the cells are not terminally differentiated, as is evident from the expression of Oct-4, a marker of undifferentiated. To assess their differentiation by gene expression, we analyzed the expression of 7 tissue-specific markers from all three germ layers. Most of hormone-treated group increased in the expression of gata-4 and $\alpha$ -fetoprotein, suggesting reproductive hormone allowed or induced differentiation of endoderm.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.405-415
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• 2000

Objective: The present study was undertaken to synthesize a human Y chromosome specific probe and to confirm the usefulness of the probe for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in various types of human cells. Methods: An approximately 400 bp DNA fragment of the DYZ1 sequences was synthesized by PCR using digoxigenin labeled dUTP (dig-PCR). The fidelity of probe was tested by FISH for cultured and uncultured human lymphocytes, amniocytes, chorionic villus cells, embryos, sperms, and germ cells of seminiferous tubule. Results: The human Y chromosome specific probe hybridized specifically to Y chromosome of the cells that had been tested. This probe assigned to the Yq12 region where the DYZ1 repetitive sequence is concentrated. Conclusion: We have identified a human Y chromosome specific probe that hybridized specifically to the Y chromosome by FISH for various types of uncultured as well as cultured cells. Therefore FISH technique using human Y chromosome specific probe should be useful for clinical application as a diagnostic tool for the detection of human Y chromosome.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

Histochemical patterns of lectin binding during development of the rat vomeronasal organ (VNO) were studied to determine whether glycoconjugates are differently expressed after birth. Three types of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), were studied histochemically in the rat VNO at various stages post-birth: postnatal days 1 and 7, the preweaning period (4 weeks after birth), and at sexual maturity (8 weeks after birth). The free border of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium was positive for both WGA and UEA-I in rats of all ages; whereas, VNO receptor cells and supporting cells were positive only for both WGA and UEA-I from 4 weeks after birth. DBA reactivity was detected in the free border but less so in receptor cells and supporting cells. WGA and UEA-I, but not DBA, showed similar patterns in various ages. In the Jacobson's gland, WGA, UEA-I and DBA were detected in some acini from 4 weeks after birth but not at postnatal days 1 or 7. Collectively, reactivity for three lectins, WGA, UEA-I and DBA, increased in receptor cells and gland acini during postnatal development, possibly contributing to the enhanced chemoreception in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2001

Objective: To know the effects of xenoestrogen on spermatogenesis, we investigated the expression of cytochrome P450s enzymes (CYPscc, $CYP_{17{\alpha}}$, CYP19) and $3{\beta}$-HSD genes involved in steroidogenesis. Methods: Mouse testicular cells were prepared from 15-day-old ICR mice which had only pre-meiotic germ cells by enzyme digestion using collagenase and trypsin. Testicular cells were cultured in DMEM supplemented with FSH (0.1 IU/ml) and 10% FBS or medium with estrogen ($E_2$), bisphenol-A (BPA), octylphenol (OP; $10^{-9},\;10^{-7},\;10^{-6},\;10^{-5},\;10^{-4}M$, respectively) and aroclor 1254 (A1254) known as PCBs for 48 hours. The gene expression of cytochrome P450 enzymes were examined by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. The production of estrogen and testosterone was examined by RIA. Results: As results, expression of CYPscc mRNA was not significantly decreased, but $3{\beta}$-HSD and $CYP_{17{\alpha}}$. mRNA were significantly dose-dependent decreased. And production of testosterone and estrogen were not different except BPA and OP group ($10^{-5}M$). Conclusion: BPA, OP and A1254 might inhibit steroidogenesis by decreasing CYPscc, $3{\beta}$-HSD and $CYP_{17{\alpha}}$. mRNA expression in the mouse testis. These results suggest that BPA, OP and PCBs like as an endocrine disruptors inhibit the productions of steroidogenic enzymes and decrease the production of T and E by negative feedback mechanism. Therefore, these might disrupt steroidogenesis in Leydig cells of testis and would disturb testicular function and subsequently impair spermatogenesis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.1245-1252
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• 2022

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated from somatic cells using Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM). Small molecules can enhance reprogramming. Licochalcone D (LCD), a flavonoid compound present mainly in the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata, acts on known signaling pathways involved in transcriptional activity and signal transduction, including the PGC1-α and MAPK families. In this study, we demonstrated that LCD improved reprogramming efficiency. LCD-treated iPSCs (LCD-iPSCs) expressed pluripotency-related genes Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Prdm14. Moreover, LCD-iPSCs differentiated into all three germ layers in vitro and formed chimeras. The mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) is critical for somatic cell reprogramming. We found that the expression levels of mesenchymal genes (Snail2 and Twist) decreased and those of epithelial genes (DSP, Cldn3, Crb3, and Ocln) dramatically increased in OR-MEF (OG2^+/+/ROSA26^+/+) cells treated with LCD for 3 days, indicating that MET effectively occurred in LCD-treated OR-MEF cells. Thus, LCD enhanced the generation of iPSCs from somatic cells by promoting MET at the early stages of reprogramming.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.199-208
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• 2023

Background: Canine induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are an attractive source for veterinary regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug development. Here we used vitamin C (Vc) to improve the reprogramming efficiency of canine iPSCs, and its functions in the reprogramming process were elucidated. Methods: Retroviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc (OSKM), and GFP was employed to induce reprogramming in canine fetal fibroblasts. Following transduction, the culture medium was subsequently replaced with ESC medium containing Vc to determine the effect on reprogramming activity. Results: The number of AP-positive iPSC colonies dramatically increased in culture conditions supplemented with Vc. Vc enhanced the efficacy of retrovirus transduction, which appears to be correlated with enhanced cell proliferation capacity. To confirm the characteristics of the Vc-treated iPSCs, the cells were cultured to passage 5, and pluripotency markers including Oct4, Sox2, Nanog, and Tra-1-60 were observed by immunocytochemistry. The expression of endogenous pluripotent genes (Oct4, Nanog, Rex1, and telomerase) were also verified by PCR. The complete silencing of exogenously transduced human OSKM factors was observed exclusively in canine iPSCs treated with Vc. Canine iPSCs treated with Vc are capable of forming embryoid bodies in vitro and have spontaneously differentiated into three germ layers. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize a straightforward method for enhancing the efficiency of canine iPSC generation and provide insight into the Vc effect on the reprogramming process.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.261-270
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• 2014

This study was conducted to establish the method for preserving chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) that enables long-term storage in liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) for developmental engineering or preservation of species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of simple freeze-thaw treatment on viability of PGCs in chickens and to the optimal protocol for PGCs freezing. PGCs obtained from the germinal gonade of an early embryos of 5.5~6 day (stage 28) of Isa Brown, Korean Ogye (KO), White Leghorn and Commercial breeds, using the MACS method were suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents (e.g. dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG)). The gonadal cells, including PGCs, were then frozen in 1 of the following cryoprotectant treatments : 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 0% cryoprotectant (DMSO, EG, PG) as a control. Effects of exposure to simple freezing, with different concentrations of the cryoprotectant solution, were examined. After simple freezing, the viability of PGCs after freeze-thawing was significantly higher for Commercial breeds ($88.7{\pm}2.4%$) than KO ($85.1{\pm}0.4%$), Isa Brown ($84.6{\pm}0.2%$) and White Leghorn ($85.9{\pm}0.1%$) (p<0.05) using 10% EG cryoprotectant. Therefore, these systems may contribute in the improvement of cryopreservation for a scarce species in birds preservation. This study established a method for preserving chicken PGCs that enables systematic storage and labeling of cryopreserved PGCs in liquid ($LN_2$) at a germplasm repository and ease of entry into a database.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2013

This study established a method for preserving chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) that enables long-term storage in liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) for preservation of the species. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Ethylene Glycol (EG) and Propylene Glycol (PG) on viability of cryopreserved PGCs with vitrification in Korean Native Chicken (Ogye), and to fine should be find or to the optimal protocol for PGCs freezing. One of the important components of cryopreservation process is cryopreservation medium that plays a vital role in preventing cellular injury during freeze-thawing. Cryoprotective agents have been known to improve cell viability after freeze-thawing. PGCs obtained from the germinal gonade of 5.5~6 day (stage 28) chick embryos, using the MACS method were suspended in a freezing medium containing a freezing and protecting agents. Gonads were harvested from stage 28 chick embryos and pooled in groups of 10E embryos, contributing gonads to the cell suspension. The gonadal cells, including PGCs, were then frozen in 1 of the following cryoprotectant treatments: 2.5% EG, 5% EG, 10% EG, 2.5% PG, 5% PG, 10% PG, and 0% cryoprotectant as a control. Effects of exposure to vitrification solution and vitrification, with different concentrations of the cryoprotectant solution, were examined. After freezing and thawing, survival rates of the frozen-thawed PGCs from the 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% EG plus FBS treatment were 44.24%, 64.51%, 85.63%, 80.51% and 73.52% (p<0.05), respectively. The viability of PGCs after freeze-thawing was significantly higher for 10% EG plus FBS treatment than for 10% PG + FBS treatment (p<0.05)(85.63% vs 66.81%). Therefore, these systems may contribute in the improvement of cryopreservation for a scarce species in birds preservation. This study established a method for preserving chicken PGC that enables systematic storage and labeling of cryopreserved PGCs in liquid N at a germplasm repository and ease of entry into a database. In the future, the importance for this new technology is that poultry lines can be conserved while work is being conducted on improving the production of germline chimeras.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.409-415
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• 2007

The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene is one of the most important genes in cell cycle regulation and tumorigenesis. Homozygosity for a germ-line Rb mutation results in embryonic lethality and evokes developmental defects associated with inappropriate S-phase entry and high levels of apoptosis. Although Rb has been extensively studied, more target genes need to be identified and characterized to unravel the precise mechanism of Rb function. In order to identify Rb-regulated genes, we analyzed the gene expression profile of Rb-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), and identified an unknown gene, RbEST47, that is transcriptionally upregulated in Rb-deficient MEFs. This gene is conserved from fruitfly to human. It is expressed in brain, lung, kidney, and testis, and is located on mouse chromosome 2. This region is syntenic to human chromosome 9q34.3, which frequently exhibits loss of heterozygosity in neoplastic diseases. RbEST47 was considerably down-regulated in immortalized cells, and showed cell cycle-dependent expression, suggesting important roles in S and/or G2.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2016

Cytological changes of the epithelial cells according to the developmenatal phases of the seminal vesicle related to the spermatogenic stages in the testicular lobules during spermagenesis in male Neptunea (Barbitonia) cumingii (Gastropoda: Buccinidae) were investigated monthly by electron microscopical and histological observations. N. (B) cumingii is dioecious, and an internal fertilization species. The male genital organ is located near the tentacles. The spermatozoon is approximatley $50{\mu}m$ in length. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubles at the periphery and one pair at the center. The process of germ cell development during spermatogenesis can be divided into five succesive stages: (1) spermatogonia, (2) primary spermatocytes, (3) secondary spermatocytes, (4) spermatids, and (5) spermatozoa. A considerable amount of spermatozoa make their appearance in the testicular lobules (or acini) and some of them are tranported from the testis towards the seminal vesicles until late July. In this study, the developmental phases of the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of N. (B.) cumingii could be classified into four phases: (1) S-I phase (resting), (2) S-IIphase (early accumulating), (3) S-III phase (accumulating), and (4) S-IV phase (spent). However, in case of N. (B.) arthritica cumingii, the developmental phases of the seminal vesicle were devided into three phases: (1) resting, (2) accumulating and (3) spent. Granular bodies in the inner layer of the seminal vesicles are involved in resorption of digestion of residual spermatozoa.