• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.307-322
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• 1996

The corpus luteum (CL) is formed by the action of a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) on the pre-ovulatory follicle. Luteal cells derived from granulosa and theca interna cells continue to secrete progesterone for about two weeks. LH in domestic animals is essential for the normal secretion of progesterone at all stages of the luteal phase. For this process in the rodents, 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20$\alpha$-HSD) is indispensable. 20$\alpha$-HSD is an enzyme to be a biologically inactive steroid. This enzyme plays a critical role in the regulation of the rat luteal function and reported to be present in steroid-producing tissues such as the testis and adrenal gland. We have purified 20$\alpha$-HSD and found two distinct 20$\alpha$-HSD molecules (HSD-1 and HSD-2). Their molecular weights are both estimated to be 33kd.The amino acid compositions of HSD-1 and HSD-2 are mostly similar, but there is a slight difference in the content of lysine. We demonstrated that 1) CL of previous generations contribute more to whole ovarian 20$\alpha$-HSD activity, 2) newly formed corpora lutea contain only 20$\alpha$-HSD-1 activity, and 3) old CL express activities of each HSD isozyme as shown in the luteal tissue of cycling rats on the day of diestrus where only degenerating old CL exist. The increase in 20$\alpha$-HSD activity identified seems to be related to the increase in the numbers of 20$\alpha$-HSD-positive cells. Interestingly, 20$\alpha$-HSD-1 activities were strongly found in the follicle fluids and theca interna cells by immunohistochemical study. Thus, the activity of 20$\alpha$-HSD may be related to a survival mechanism of those luteal cells and follicles remaining in the ovaries. Luteal cells arise from two sources. The small luteal cells are all of theca cell origin, while the large luteal cells are mainly of granulosa cell origin. CL of Korean Native Cattle, as those of other animal species, contains two morphologycally and functionally distinct luteal cell populations, such as small and large luteal cells as well as nonluteal cells. In all reproductive states except in the late luteal phase, the bovine CL also contained more small luteal cells than large luteal cells. Luteal tissue secretes a variety of growth factors (proteins) and the pattern of secretion changes during all stages of the luteal phase. These growth factors could be important in regulating the function of the bovine corpus luteum and may act in a potential endocrine autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Therefore, further work has to be done to elucidate the role of growth factors in the ovary, especially in the corpus luterum. Interest should be focussed on interaction of these growth factors in the regulation of luteal cell and the localization of cytokine synthesis in differnet luteal cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 1994

The effects of gonadoropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and ovarian steroid hormones on the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and its subunit mRNA levels were investigated in anterior pituitary cells in culture. LH concentration was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay and mRNA levels of u and $LH{\beta}$ subunits by RNA slot blot hybridization assay. GnRH stimulated LH release in a dose-dependent manner from cultured pituitary cells. However, the basal LH release in the absence of GnRH was not changed during the course of 24h culture, strongly suggesting that release of LH is directly controlled by GnRH. The treatment of the pituitary cells with GnRH increased $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner, reaching the maximum with $2\;{\times}\;10^{-10}M$ GnRH while no significant increase in ${\alpha}$ subunit mRNA levels was observed after GnRH treatment. Estradiol did not augment GnRH-induced LH release while progesterone augmented GnRH-induced LH release in a dose-dependent manner at the level of pituitary. However, estradiol and progesterone increased basal and GnRH-induced $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of estrogen antagonist, LYI17018 blocked the effect of estradiol on GnRH-induced $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner while progesterone antagonist, Ru486 tended to block the effect of progesterone on GnRH-induced $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA levels. It is therefore suggested that GnRH Playa a major role in LH release and subunit biosynthesis by influencing the steady state $LH{\beta}$ subunit mRNA loves and ovarian steroid hormones modulate subunit biosynthesis via directly acting on pituitary gonadotropes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 1982

The structure of gonads, gametogenesis and reproductive cycle of the cockle, Fulvia mutice, were studied mainly by histological observation. The materials were monthly sampled in the southern area of Yeosu from October 1980 to September 1981. F. mutica was monoecious. The gonads were situated between the liver tissues and the outer fibronuscular layers compacted by the connective tissue fibers and muscle fibers beneath the outermost layer of simple cuboidal epithelium. The gonad was composed of a number of the ovarian sacs and the testicular tubules which form the tubular structure. Testicular tubules in the mature stage sometimes contained 'testis-ova' The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and the eosinophilic cells were abundantly distributed on the germinal epithelium in the early development stage. With the further development of the ovary and testis, these tissues and cells gradually disapprared. The undifferentiated mesenchymal tissues and the eosinophilic cells are related to the growing of the oocytes and spermatocytes . Early multiplicating oogonium was about $10{\mu}m$ in diameter. As the oocytes grow to $27-34\times50-58{\mu}m$ by increasing cytoplasm, the oocytes connected to the basement membrane by their egg-stalks. The ripe eggs were about $60{\mu}m$ in diameter and they were surrounded by gelatinous membrane. Most male germ cells in mature stage were transformed into the spermatozoa and they formed the sperm bundles. After spawning, undischarged ripe eggs and spermatozoa remained in the ovarian sac and the testicular tubule respectively for some time, then they finally degenerated. Especially the early spent ovarian sacs in May did not contract significantly and then they took part in the secondary maturation within two or three months during the summer season. The monthly changes of the fatness well agreed with the reproductive cycle. The reproductive cycle of F. mutica could be classified into six successive stages : multiplicative, growing, mature, spent, degenerative and recovery stage. It seems that the spawning season is closely rotated to the water temperature, and the spawning occurs from May to October at about $20^{\circ}C$ in water temperature. The peak spawning seasons appeared twice a year between June and July and in September. Acknowledgement The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Kim, In Bae, Dr. Chun, Seh Kyu and Dr. Yoo, Sung Kyoo of National Fisheries University of Busan and Mr. Min, Byoung Seo of National fisheries Research and Development Agency for their critical reading of the manu script.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.401-406
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• 2008

Early gonadal development and sexual differentiation of dark-banded rockfish (Sebastes inermis Cuvier) were followed from parturition to 400 days post parturition (dpp). During this period, average total length (TL) increased from 0.57 to 13.18 cm. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) were first detected at 0.68 cm TL (10 dpp). When fish reached 1.52 cm TL (50 dpp), initial stages of ovarian differentiation were identified by the presence of PGCs containing condensed chromatin and their transformation into meiotic oocytes. At 10.23 cm TL (300 dpp), the ovaries gradually developed into oocytes in the primary yolk stages. Ovary growth was rapid after sex differentiation, but testis tissue continued to multiply without growing until fish reached 6.97 cm TL (200 dpp), after which the production of spermatocytes, spermatogonia, and cyst cells was apparent. Histological analysis of gonadal structure suggested a gonochoristic sexual development pathway. Our analysis of the sex ratio at 400 dpp showed a significantly higher proportion of males.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.185-189
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• 1997

A sex cord tumor with annnular tubules is a relatively rare ovarian neoplasm. The cytologic findings from a fine needle aspiration biopsy of neck metastasis of a sex cord tumor with annnular tubules are described. The origin of the neck metastasis was the right ovary, and the tumor was diagnosed six years ago. The cytologic findings were characterized by tumor cells arranged in solid or follicular patterns. The tumor cells formed rosette-like or complex tubular structures with central rounded or coalesced hyaline materials. It was difficult to distinguish this tumor cytologically from granulosa cell tumor, thyroid follicular neoplasm, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, and Brenner tumor, but complex tubular structures were helpful in discriminating between these tumors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1176-1181
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• 2004

The cytotoxic activities of Cinnamomum cassia (Blume) bark-derived materials toward six human HeLa epithelioid cervix, A549 lung, SK-OV-3 ovarian, SK-MEL-2 melanoma, XF-498 central nerve system, and HCT-15 colon tumor cell lines were evaluated by using sulforhodamine B assay and compared to those of the anticancer agents, cisplatin and mitomycin C. The biologically active constituent of the Cinnamomum bark was characterized as trans­cinnamaldehyde by spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxic activity of cinnamaldehyde against HeLa, SK-MEL-2, and HCT -15 cell lines was comparable to that of cisplatin and mitomycin C. The compound showed lower activity against A549, SK-OV-3, and XF-498 cell lines than the anticancer agents. Eugenol exhibited moderate activity against SK-OV­3, XF-498, and HCT-15 tumor cells, and trans-cinnamic acid, cinnamyl alcohol, $\alpha-pinene,\;and\;\beta-pinene$ showed little or no activity against model tumor cells. Cinnamaldehyde was not mutagenic against four strains (TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, and TA 1537) of Salmonella typhimurium (Castel and Chalm). These results indicate at least one pharmacological action of C. cassia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.517-521
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• 2003

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex whose function is to add telomeric repeats to chromosomal ends. Telomerase consists of two essential components, telomerase RNA template (hTR) and catalytic subunit (hTERT). hTERT is expressed only in cells and tissues positive for telomerase activity, i.e., tumor and fetal cells. In this report, the possibility of utilization of the hTERT promoter in targeted cancer gene therapy was tested. The hTERT promoter was cloned in the replacement of the CMV promoter, and the HSV-TK gene was subcloned to be controlled by the hTERT gene promoter in the adenovirus shuttle plasmid. Then, the recombinant adenovirus Ad-hT-TK was constructed and was infected into normal and human gynecological cancer cell lines. The selective tumor specific cell death by Ad-hT-TK was identified through these experiments, showing that Ad-hT-TK could be used for targeted cancer gene therapy.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2014

Plasminogen activators (PAs) are serine proteases that convert plasminogen to plasmin. Two type of PAs are urokinase-type PA (uPA) and tissue-type PA (tPA). Plasminogen is present in most extracellular fluids. PAs play in various reproductive processes including implantation, ovulation and fertilization. In the spermatozoa, PAs and PAIs play a role in sperm motility and fertilization. PAs in the sertoli cell are stimulated spermatozoa maturation and sperm activation through the phospholipase A2. The oocyte maturation is the process for fertilization and implantation. PAs in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) are related to oocyte maturation by protein kinase A and C. In the ovulatory process, PAs activity are changed and it are related to reducing the tensile strength of ovarian follicle wall. The uterine environment is important for reproduction and the uterus undergo tissue remodeling. In the uterus and oviduct of mammals, expression and activity of PAs are changed during estrous cycle. Thus, expression and activity of PAs are concerned to many reproductive functions. Therefore, PAs seem to important factor of regulator in reproductive events.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1989

In order to study the follicular atretic mechanism in mammalian ovary, the relationship between pyknotic index (PI) of granulosa cells and the steroid concentrations in the follicular fluid of atretic follicle was investigated. Follicles were isolated from porcine ovary according to their sizes and the reproductive phases. Steroid concentrations were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. As PI increased, the concentration of progesterone was significantly increased(p<0.05), whereas testosterone and estradiol showed no significant changes in their concentration. As follicular size was increased, PI of follicular GC in the luteal phase was increased significantly(p<0.05) and the molar ratio of progesterone to testosterone was increased in the follicles of follicular phase. It can be concluded that progesterone accumulated in the follicular fluid as atresia of the follicles was progressed, and that PI of granulosa cells could be used as one of convenient and pratical criteria for the identification of follicular atresia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.85-92
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• 2003

목적 : 허혈시 발생되는 저산소중 상태에서는 세포독성을 유발한다고 알려져 있으나 정확한 기전은 아직 규명되지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 뇌허혈로 인한 세포독성의 기전을 유전자 발현을 통하여 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 본 실험에서는 BV-2 microglia 세포주에 12시간 동안의 저산소 상태에서의 유전자 발현을 분석하기 위하여 마이크로에레이를 시행하였다. 결과 : 저산소 상태에서는 정상에 비하여 cathepsin F, growth factor independent 1, calcitonin/calcitonin-related poly, leucine-rich repeat LGI family membrane, dublecortin, cyclohydrolase 1, Ia-associated invariant chain, carbohydrate kinase-like과 erythrocyte protein band 4.1-like 3 등의 유전자 발현이 3배 이상 증가하였다. 한편 neuronal guanine nucleotide exchange factor, Bcl-2-related ovarian killer protein, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5, RNA binding motif protein 3, interleukin 2 receptor, alpha chain, crystallin zeta, cytochrome P450 subfamily IV B, asparagine synthetase과 moesin 등의 유전자 발현은 0.2배 이하로 감소하였다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 저산소중에 관여하는 유전자 및 저산소중과 관련된 뇌경색 등의 질환의 기전을 밝히는데 기초적 자료로 이용될 수 있을 것이다.