• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.651-657
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• 2024

This study comparatively analyzed the impact of childcare workforce cost on fertility rates across different countries. In the cases of Nordic countries, comprehensive childcare support policies and subsidies for childcare workforce costs were found to have a positive impact on fertility rates. In contrast, high childcare burden and economic pressures were identified as major factors contributing to declining fertility rates in East Asian countries. In developing countries, the effectiveness of childcare support policies varied depending on the socioeconomic context. This study suggests that the impact of childcare workforce cost on fertility rates manifests in diverse patterns across countries, and effective childcare support policies require tailored approaches that consider each country's specific circumstances. In the future, increased social investment in childcare and the spread of a culture that respects the value of care are necessary.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1996

This study was conducted to know how cold tolerance of rice is inherited. Several crosses were made between cold tolerant and susceptible varieties, and their progenies were evaluated for days to heading, spikelet number per panicle and spikelet fertility under both cold water and natural conditions. In F$_1$ and F$_2$ generations, earlier heading, more number of spikelet per panicle and higher spikelet fertility under the cold condition were dominance, and less delay or reduction in heading days and spikelets per panicle by cold treatment were over dominance or partial dominance, while less reduction in spikelet fertility by cold-water irrigation was complete dominance. Heritability in most characters by cold treatment was high and there was less difference of heritabilities in heading days and spikelets per panicle between cold treatment and natural conditions, while there was much difference of heritability in spikelet fertility between two conditions. Heterosis in spikelet fertility was considerably high, while those in heading days and spikelets per panicle were relatively low. Heterosis in remote crosses was especially larger under the cold-water treatment condition compare with that under natural condition.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 1994

The fertilities of pyloploidy mulberries and the germination abilities and shape of poliploidy mulberry seeds fructified by natural cross were investigated and the results are as follows. Regarding the size of seeds, that of the tetraploid was the biggest and that of hexaploid was the smallest among the investigated polyploids. Those of diploid and triploid ranged between those of tetraploid and hexaploid. The fertilization rates of the varieties of Shinkwangppong and Cheongunppong, which were triploid, were 25.4 and 55.0%, respectively, and Shinkwangppong showed 10.2% of cross rate, but Cheongunppong did not have germination ability. The tetraploid seeds showed 61~68% of fertility and 30~54% of cross rate. The Puksan No. 2, which is hexaploid, had about 43% and 7% in fertility and cross rate, respectively. The germination abilities of floating seeds of diploid and tetraploid were comparatively high, but the floating seeds of triploid and hexaploid did not have germination ability. The seeds of diploid had a high fertility of 81~95% and a comparatively high cross rate of 47~74%.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.153-160
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare vitrification optimization of mouse embryos using electron microscopy (EM) grid, cryotop, and thin plastic strip (TPS) containers by evaluating developmental competence and apoptosis rates. Methods: Mouse embryos were obtained from superovulated mice. Mouse cleavage-stage, expanded, hatching-stage, and hatched-stage embryos were cryopreserved in EM grid, cryotop, and TPS containers by vitrification in 15% ethylene glycol, 15% dimethylsulfoxide, 10 ${\mu}g/mL$ Ficoll, and 0.65 M sucrose, and 20% serum substitute supplement (SSS) with basal medium, respectively. For the three groups in which the embryos were thawed in the EM grid, cryotop, and TPS containers, the thawing solution consisted of 0.25 M sucrose, 0.125 M sucrose, and 20% SSS with basal medium, respectively. Rates of survival, re-expansion, reaching the hatched stage, and apoptosis after thawing were compared among the three groups. Results: Developmental competence after thawing of vitrified expanded and hatching-stage blastocysts using cryotop and TPS methods were significantly higher than survival using the EM grid (p<0.05). Also, apoptosis positive nuclei rates after thawing of vitrified expanded blastocysts using cryotop and TPS were significantly lower than when using the EM grid (p<0.05). Conclusion: The TPS vitrification method has the advantages of achieving a high developmental ability and effective preservation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.126-131
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• 2017

Objective: Oocyte degeneration often occurs after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the risk factor is low-quality oocytes. The follicular fluid (FF) provides a crucial microenvironment for oocyte development. We investigated the relationships between the FF volume aspirated from individual follicles and oocyte retrieval, oocyte maturity, oolemma stretchability, fertilization, and development. Methods: This retrospective study included data obtained from 229 ICSI cycles. Ovarian stimulation was performed according to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. Each follicle was individually aspirated and divided into six groups according to FF volume ( < 1.0, 1.0 to < 2.0, 2.0 to < 3.0, 3.0 to < 4.0, 4.0 to < 5.0, and ${\geq}5.0mL$). Oolemma stretchability during ICSI was evaluated using a mechanical stimulus for oolemma penetration, that is, the stretchability was assessed by oolemma penetration with aspiration (high stretchability) or without aspiration (low stretchability). Results: Oocyte retrieval rates were significantly lower in the < 1.0 mL group than in the ${\geq}1.0mL$ groups (46.0% [86/187] vs. 67.5%-74.3% [172/255 to 124/167], respectively; p< 0.01). Low oolemma stretchability was significantly more common in the < 1.0 mL group than in the ${\geq}1.0mL$ groups during ICSI (22.0% [13/59] vs. 5.8%-9.4% [6/104 to 13/139], respectively; p= 0.018). There was a relationship between FF volume and oolemma stretchability. However, there were no significant differences in the rates of fertilization, cleavage, ${\geq}7$ cells at day 3, and blastocyst development among all groups. Conclusion: FF volume is potentially associated with the stretchability of metaphase II oolemma during ICSI. Regarding oolemma stretchability, ensuring a uniform follicular size during ovarian stimulation is crucial to obtain good-quality oocytes.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1303-1308
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to define a new composite trait for Holstein dairy cows and evaluate the possibility of joint improvement in milk and fertility traits. Methods: A data set consisting 35,882 fertility related records (days open [DO], calving interval [CI], and number of services per conception [NSC], and total milk yield in each lactation [TMY]) was collected from 1998 to 2016 in Polish Holstein-Friesian breed herds. In this study TMY, DO, CI, and lactation length of each cow was used to obtain composite milk and fertility traits (CMF). Results: Moderate heritability (0.15) was estimated for composite trait that was higher than heritability of female fertility related traits: DO 0.047, CI 0.042, and NSC 0.014, and slightly lower than heritability of TMY 0.19. Favourable genetic correlations (-0.87) were estimated between CMF with TMY. Spearman rank correlation coefficients between breeding value of CMF with DO, CI, and TMY were high (>0.94) but with NSC were moderate (0.64). Selection on CMF caused favourable correlated genetic gains for DO, CI, and TMY. Different selection indices with different emphasis on fertility and milk production were constructed. The amount of correlated genetic gains obtained for DO and total milk production according to selection in CMF were higher than of genetic gains obtained for DO and TMY in selection indices with different emphasis on milk and fertility. Conclusion: The animal selection only based on a composite trait - CMF proposed in current study would simultaneously lead to favourable genetic gains for both milk and fertility related traits. In this situation CMF introduced in current study can be used to overcome to limitations of selection index and CMF could be useful for countries that have problems in recording traits, especially functional traits.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1971

A comparative study on Angelica and Cnidium, the two genera of Umbelliferae growing in Korea, was carried about the cytology and fertility of pollen. The somatic chromosome number of Umbelliferae was found almost to be 2N=22. Both species of Kang-whal and Chun-gung were found to be in polyploid with different chromosome numbers each other. The pollen fertility among the species of Angelica was high, but Toh-chun-gung was zero percent. The species of Angelica have been generated with pollen fertility, but species of Cnidium with only root or rootlet.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.41-46
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• 1975

Careful scruting of the data indicate that malnutrition actually limits fertility. Spermatogenesis may likewise be impaired by inadequate diet, particularly one that is very poor in protein. For those who are underweight, increased caloric intake stressing high protein content is recommended. Included are supplementary vitamins, particularly B complex, which stimulate the appetite. Injudicious dieting by the woman to conform to current standards of beauty may also result in malnutrition. This contributes to faulty oogenesis and, in extreme dieting, may produce a long-standing amenorrhea. Obsity may also reduce fertility. Since most cases of obesity are due to over-eating, the full cooperation of the patient must be enlisted. And no device is effective for breaking up fatty deposits. Instead, a program of exercise is recommended. The treatment of both malnutrition and obesity is directed toward general dietary habits either weight gain or weight reduction, with a well balanced high protein diet.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.139-164
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• 2009

The first demographic transition refers to the historical decline in mortality and fertility, as shown from the 18th Century in several European populations, and continuing present in most developing countries. The end point of the first demographic transition(FDT) was supposed to be a stationary and stable population corresponding with replacement fertility and zero population growth. In addition, households in all parts of the world would converge toward the nuclear and conjugal types, composed of married couples and their offspring. The second demographic transition(SDT), on the other hand, sees no such equilibrium as the end-point. Rather, new developments bring sub-replacement fertility, a multitude of living arrangements other than marriage, and the disconnection between marriage and procreation. Populations would face declining sizes if not complemented by new migrants. Over the last decades birth rates have been on the decline in all countries of the world, and it is estimated that already more than half of he world's population has below replacement level fertility. Measured in terms of the Total Fertility Rate (TFR), currently 34 countries have fertility levels of 1.5 or less. Similarly, Korea has been below lowest-low fertility for eight consecutive years since 2001 and below the replacement level for more than twenty years. In explaining the low fertility in Korea, some researchers explain the low fertility as revenge against a male-dominated society and institution, while others focus the impact of the employment instability. These studies share the basic ideas (spread of individualism, delayed marriage and childbearing, high divorce rate etc.) of a second demographic transition in order to explain the low fertility in Korea.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of birth weight on the fertility of Holstein heifers. Growth parameter (body weight) was measured at birth. Calves were analyzed as three subgroups: low (L), average (A) and high (H) birth weight (BW) calves. LBW calves were born 10 kg lighter than HBW calves. Fertility data collected included age at first breeding (AFB), number of services per conception, pregnancy rate to first artificial insemination (AI), and age at first calving (AFC). Primiparous calves in HBW are smaller compared to multiparous cows (18.3% versus 48%). Although not significantly different, LBW offspring appeared to breed faster over the service period compared with the ABW offspring that bred three weeks later on the average. The mean pregnancy rate to first AI for LBW heifers was higher (60%) than ABW (48%) and HBW (45%). HBW cows required more services per conception (2.1) than the LBW (1.7) and ABW (1.9). There were significant differences (p<0.05) in age at first calving among the different calving birth weights. Smaller birth size did not have any subsequent adverse effects on fertility. HBW offspring were more likely or tend to have worse fertility parameters.