• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2019

The growth and maturation pattern of a commercial and endemic red algae Meristotheca papulosa were investigated in Jeju Island. Ecological researches were performed in a natural population of 10 m water depth in Sinheung from march 2014 to November 2015. Maximal blade length and weight of M. papulosa were 8.7 cm and 5.49 g in July 2014 and 10.7 cm and 10.17 g in September 2015, respectively. Growth in blade area of the species reached a maximum of $43.84cm^2$ and $67.41cm^2$ in July 2014 and 2015, respectively. Thalli in the field population were rarely observed from October to December but new recruits were found from January, following year. Carposporophytes were observed from June to September when bottom seawater temperatures were around $20^{\circ}C$. At the study site, seawater temperature was in the range of $14.9-25.7^{\circ}C$. Growth parameters of M. papulosa and relative abundance of carposporophytes showed significant correlation with environmental factors (temperature, salinity, DIN). In this result, we clarified the growth and maturation period of M. palpulosa, and provided effective data on the protection and management of natural populations and basic data for mass culture of the alga.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.189-194
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the rate of maturation, fertilization, and embryo development of in vitro-matured human oocytes derived from pregnant and non-pregnant women. Methods: Immature oocytes were obtained by needle aspiration from 49 pregnant women (group 1) who underwent a cesarean section at term and 77 non-pregnant women (group 2) who underwent a gynecological operation during the same period (8 months). Healthy immature oocytes (530 in group 1 and 539 in group 2) were cultured and assessed for maturation 36 hours later. Mature oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and cultured up to 144 hours. Results: The percentage of degenerated oocytes was significantly higher (12.1% vs. 6.3%; p<0.001) in group 1 than in group 2. There was no significant difference in the maturation rate (66.8% vs. 68.1%; p=0.698), fertilization rate (66.7% vs. 67.6%; p=0.857), or the rate of formation of good-quality blastocysts (46.2% vs. 47.2%; p=0.898) in oocytes obtained from pregnant and non-pregnant women. Conclusion: The developmental competence of immature oocytes did not differ between pregnant and non-pregnant women.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.206-213
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• 2022

Ecological characteristics of a brown alga, Scytosiphon lomentaria, were investigated from January 2021 to December 2021 in its natural habitat off Sodol, Jumunjin, eastern coast of Korea. The S. lomentaria population at the site formed widespread patches on mid shore. During the investigation, environmental conditions including seawater temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were monitored at the site. Growth and maturation of the S. lomentaria population were identified through qualitative and quantitative investigations. An estimation of the effective cumulative temperature for maturation of the alga was obtained based on growth data and a biological zero temperature of 8℃. Sporangia were observed from February to May when seawater temperatures ranged from 7.7℃ to 16.4℃. A maturation peak was detected in April when seawater temperature was 12.1℃. After zoospore release, the alga became bleached and only the crust remained after June. Developmental initiation of the thallus occurred at temperatures above 8℃. Its maturation required approximately 162 degree-days.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2007

The present study demonstrates the changes in body weight (BW) and plasma sex steroid hormone profiles during artificial maturation induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) or salmon pituitary extract (SPE) injections in cultured eel, Anguilla japonica, kept in seawater for 3 months. In the weekly SPE-injected female group, BW was relatively stable during vitellogenesis. Following induction of vitellogenesis, females exhibited a rapid increase of BW, and the oocytes were observed to be in the migratory nucleus stage at the end of the experiment. Plasma testosterone (T) and $estradiol-17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) levels increased slightly during vitellogenesis and peaked at an average of 5.82 ng/mL and 4.76 ng/mL, respectively, at the end of the experiment. In the weekly control and HCG-injected female groups, BW slowly decreased during the experimental period, and the oocytes of the two groups were observed to be at the primary yolk globule stage. In the weekly HCG-injected female group, plasma T and $E_2$ levels increased slightly during vitellogenesis and decreased afterward. In the control female group, however, plasma T and $E_2$ levels were not altered during the experimental period. Furthermore, plasma $17{\alpha},20{\beta}-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one$ (DHP) was not detected in all experimental groups. Fertility and hatching rates of SPE-injected females were significantly higher in those that ovulated 15 h after DHP injection than 18 h. These results indicate that long rearing in seawater increases responsiveness to SPE in ovarian maturation of the Japanese eel, resulting in shortened period from completion of vitellogenesis by sex steroid hormone production.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 1995

First sexual maturity, monthly changes in gonadosomatic index and reproductive cycle of viviparous teleost surfperch, Ditrema temmincki were investigated under photomicroscopy. Samples were collected from May 1992 to August 1993 in the vicinity of Suyoung Bay, Pusan, Korea. Body length at the first sexual maturity in female and male were 12.5cm and 13.5cm, respectively. Gonadosomatic index(GSI) in female reached the maximum in June(just before parturition) and male GSI reached the maximum in October(just before copulation). The testis is composed of a number of seminiferous tubules, and spermatogonia are originated from the germinal epithelium on the seminiferous tubule. The ovary consists of several ovigerous folds, and oogonia are originated from the inner surface of the germinal epithelium within the ovigerous fold. Annual reproductive cycle was classified into the following successive periods : in male, growing period from May to August, maturation period from September to October, copulation period from November to December, and degeneration and resting period from January to April, and in female, growing period from September to October, copulation and maturation period from November to December, gestation period from January to June, and resting period from July to August. Hepatosomatic index(HSI) in male appeared to be negatively correlated with gonadosomatic index, but that in female showed to be positively correlated.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 1995

In order to determine the optimum condition and timing for in vitro maturation of oocytes to metaphase of meiosis II (M II), the immatured follicular oocytes were recovered by puncturing the large(1.0~1.5 mm in diameter) and small(<1.0 mm in diameter) follicles in the ovaries of rabbits treated intramuscularly with a single dose of 100 TU PMSG 68 hours previously. The follicular oocytes were classified into three grades by the attachment of cumulus cells. The Grade I and II follicular oocytes from large follicles were cultured in BO-DM medium with 10% FCS, 35 $\mu$g /nl of FSH, 10 $\mu$g /ml of LH and 1 $\mu$g /ml of estradiol-17$\beta$ at 39t in a 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 11 to 23 hours. In 3 hours interval during the culture period, the oocytes were harvested and their cumulus cells were removed with hyaluronidase. The denuded oocytes were stained with Hoechst 33342 dye and their meiotic status and extrusion of the first polar body (PB) were examined under a fluorescence microscope. Also the fragmentation of the first PB and the distance between the first PB and nucleus were examined. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean recovery rate of follicular oocytes from the large and small follicles was 59. 9 and 31.3%, respectively. The mean number of oocytes recovered per rabbit and the Grade I percentage were 14.6 and 94.4% in large follicles, but 2.1 and 61.1% in small follicles, respectively. All the parameters examined were different significantly (p<0.05) between both the folliclular size. 2. Most of the follicular oocytes(86.8%) were matured in vitro to M II phase in 14 hours in Grade I oocytes, but the significantly(p<0.05) less oocytes(45.5%) were matured in Grade II oocytes. 3. The first PB was extruded in most of the oocytes(94.7%) in 14 hours of culture with the fragmentation rate of 29.6%, but the fragmentation rate of the first PB increased significantly (p<0.05) as the culture period for maturation was longer to 20 hours(63.5%). 4. The distance between the first PB and nucleus was increased linearly (p<0.05) as the maturation time passed from 14(7.1$\mu$rn) to 23 hours(58.4$\mu$m). 5. From the above results it was concluded that the optimum time for in vitro maturation culture might be 14 hours in the follicular oocytes from rabbit primed with PMSG for 68 hours, expecially when these follicular oocytes were used for recipient cytoplasms in embryo cloning.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2016

This study describes results on sexual maturation and characteristics of natural spawned eggs to develop a method for the production of stable, healthy fertilized eggs from captive-reared yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi. A total of 59 yellowtail kingfish were captured off the coast of Jeju Island, after which the broodstock was cultured in indoor culture tank ($100m^3$) until they were 6.1-14.9 kg in body weight. As part of the rearing management for induced sex maturation, the intensity of illumination was maintained at 130 lux. The photoperiod (light/dark; L/D) was set to a 12 L/12 D from October 2013 to January 2014, and 15 L/9 D from February 2014 to June 2014. Feeds comprised mainly EP (Extruded Pellets), with squid cuttlefish added for improvement of egg quality, and was given from April to June 2014. The first spawning of yellowtail kingfish occurred in May 3, 2014, at a water temperature of $17.0^{\circ}C$. Spawning continued until June 12, 2014, with the water temperature set at $20.5^{\circ}C$. Time of spawning was 26 times at this period. The total number of eggs that spawned during the spawning period was $4,449{\times}10^3$. The buoyant rate of spawning eggs and fertilization rate of buoyant eggs during the spawned period were 76.1% and 100%, respectively. The diameters of the egg and oil globule were $1.388{\pm}0.041mm$ and $0.378{\pm}0.029mm$, respectively, which was higher in early eggs than in those from late during the spawned period.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the changes in antioxidant activity and quality characteristics of soy sauce with Gastrodia elata (GK) and oak mushroom (MK) in maturation period to develop a new Kanjang product with improved functional and sensory characteristics. The pH was decreased, and the total acidity was higher in GK at 25-day maturation period. Although the total sugar content increased at 15 days with GK, it was reduced after 20 days. The reducing sugar, however, showed no notable differences after 20 days. The protease activities of GK was rapidly increased after 20 days. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents tended to be similar and dramatically increased after 15 days. On the other hand, the DPPH radical scavenging activity of MK was higher than that of GK. These results showed that the 20-day maturation period of GK greatly enhanced its antioxidant activity and quality characteristics. It is thus expected to be used as functional materials.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate sexual maturation, attitudes toward sexual maturity, and body esteem in the sexual development of Korean elementary-school boys and girls. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 399 fifth and sixth graders (192 boys and 207 girls). The data were analysed with a $x^2$ test, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Among the 207 girls, 70.5% had pubic hair growth, 68.1% had breast development, and 56.0% had a menstrual period. In boys, 59.4% of the 192 subjects experienced the development of external genitalia and 52.6% had pubic hair growth. Sexual maturation was related to grade (boys, t=7.07, p=.008; girls, t=12.76, p<.001), age (t=-2.20, p=.030; t=-4.11, p<.001), height (t=-5.16, p<.001; t=-7.52, p<.001), and weight (t=-2.89, p=.004; t=-5.19, p<.001) in both boys and girls. Girls were more likely to have sexual maturity than boys ($x^2=22.29$, p<.001). Boys showed more positive attitudes toward sexual maturity (t=2.10, p=.036) and higher body esteem (t=2.12, p=.035) than girls. Conclusion: This study shows that sexual maturation, attitude toward sexual maturity, and body esteem in sexual development differ between boys and girls. The findings indicate that it is necessary to develop a tailored sex-education program according to the sex of elementary-school children.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.276-285
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• 2009

Despite great commercial interest, relatively little has been described about molecular mechanism of bivalve reproduction. We investigated genes involved in ovarian maturation of the Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. GSI index and histological analysis revealed that maturation of ovary begin in February and spawning period is from April to June which is similar to the previous study in the East Sea. As result of combination analysis of differential display RTPCR (DDRT-PCR) and histological examination, vitellogenin (Vg), ferritin (Ft) and ADT/ATP carrier protein (ACC) were identified as differently expressed genes in maturating ovary. Endpoint RT-PCR results showed that Vg is ovary-specific genes whereas Ft and ACC are expressed ubiquitously suggesting that Vg can be good molecular markers for ovarian development and sex determination in bivalves. Quantitative PCR results revealed that Vg were expressed highest during growth stage and appears to play a major role in oocyte maturation. On the contrary, expression of Ft was highest after spawning stage, which suggests that up-regulation may be involved in spawning and inactive stages in which the scallops recover from spawning. In addition, high level of the mitochondrial gene, ACC, may play a role in energy metabolism in maturating oocytes. Isolation and molecular studies of these key genes will expand our knowledge of the physiological changes from various exogenous factors including temperature, salinity, pH, even or numerous endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during reproductive cycle. In addition, further study of these genes implicates various industrial applications including the stable seed production, increased food quality, or economic aquaculture system.