• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1253-1270
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• 2021

Assessment of male fertility is based on the evaluation of sperm. Semen evaluation measures various sperm quality parameters as fertility indicators. However, semen evaluation has limitations, and it requires the advancement and application of strict quality control methods to interpret the results. This article reviews the recent advances in evaluating various sperm-specific quality characteristics and methodologies, with the help of different assays to assess sperm-fertility status. Sperm evaluation methods that include conventional microscopic methods, computer-assisted sperm analyzers (CASA), and flow cytometric analysis, provide precise information related to sperm morphology and function. Moreover, profiling fertility-related biomarkers in sperm or seminal plasma can be helpful in predicting fertility. Identification of different sperm proteins and diagnosis of DNA damage has positively contributed to the existing pool of knowledge about sperm physiology and molecular anomalies associated with different infertility issues in males. Advances in methods and sperm-specific evaluation has subsequently resulted in a better understanding of sperm biology that has improved the diagnosis and clinical management of male factor infertility. Accurate sperm evaluation is of paramount importance in the application of artificial insemination and assisted reproductive technology. However, no single test can precisely determine fertility; the selection of an appropriate test or a set of tests and parameters is required to accurately determine the fertility of specific animal species. Therefore, a need to further calibrate the CASA and advance the gene expression tests is recommended for faster and field-level applications.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.319-327
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• 2022

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a diet consisting of different onion juice processing by-product (OJPB) levels on juvenile black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii growth, feed utilization, and, lysozyme and antioxidant enzymes activities. Juvenile rockfish (2.2 g) were randomly distributed into 15 flow-through tanks (30 fish/tank). Five experimental diets were prepared in triplicate. The experimental diets were supplemented with OJPB at different levels of 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1% (designated as OJPB0, OJPB0.25, OJPB0.5, OJPB0.75 and OJPB1, respectively). At the end of the feeding trial, the results revealed that the fish that were fed the OJPB0.75 and OJPB1 diets showed enhancement in growth (weight gain and specific growth rate) and feed utilization (feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio) compared with the fish that were fed other diets. Plasma lysozyme, glutathione concentration, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities significantly increased in the fish that were fed the OJPB0.75 and OJPB1 diets. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.75-1% OJPB in juvenile rockfish diet improved the growth performance and antioxidant status.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.22-27
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• 2022

Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a facility that deposits an atomic layer on a wafer by causing a chemical reaction after decomposition using heat or plasma by inputting two or more gases during the semiconductor process. The main gas used at this time is NH₃ (Ammonia). NH₃ has a relatively narrow explosive range with an upper limit (UFL) of 33.6% and a lower limit (LEL) of 15%, but it can explode if a large amount suddenly gathers in one place. It is Velocity and fatal if inhaled or in contact with the skin. NH₃ (Ammonia) of ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) facility is supplied to the chamber through the gas inlet and discharged after the reaction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.706-713
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• 2023

Background and objective: The ability to inhibit aggregation has been demonstrated with synthetically derived ginsenoside compounds G-Rp (1, 3, and 4) and ginsenosides naturally found in Panax ginseng 20(S)-Rg3, Rg6, F4, and Ro. Among these compounds, Rk3 (G-Rk3) from Panax ginseng needs to be further explored in order to reveal the mechanisms of action during inhibition. Methodology: Our study focused to investigate the action of G-Rk3 on agonist-stimulated human platelet aggregation, inhibition of platelet signaling molecules such as fibrinogen binding with integrin α_IIbβ₃ using flow cytometry, intracellular calcium mobilization, dense granule secretion, and thromboxane B₂ secretion. In addition, we checked the regulation of phosphorylation on PI3K/MAPK pathway, and thrombin-induced clot retraction was also observed in platelets rich plasma. Key Results: G-Rk3 significantly increased amounts of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and led to significant phosphorylation of cAMP-dependent kinase substrates vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R). In the presence of G-Rk3, dense tubular system Ca²⁺ was inhibited, and platelet activity was lowered by inactivating the integrin αIIb/β₃ and reducing the binding of fibrinogen. Furthermore, the effect of G-Rk3 extended to the inhibition of MAPK and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation resulting in the reduced secretion of intracellular granules and reduced production of TXA₂. Lastly, G-Rk3 inhibited platelet aggregation and thrombus formation via fibrin clot. Conclusions and implications: These results suggest that when dealing with cardiovascular diseases brought upon by faulty aggregation among platelets or through the formation of a thrombus, the G-Rk3 compound can play a role as an effective prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.428-434
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• 2024

Background: Platelet-leukocyte aggregates (PLAs) play important roles in cardiovascular disease and sepsis. Red ginseng extract (RGE) has been well-studied for its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the potential inhibitory effects of RGE on PLA have not been investigated. Methods: Six-week-old ICR mice were given oral gavage of RGE for 7 days, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide. Mice were euthanized 24 h later, and blood samples were collected for further analysis. Flow cytometry was utilized to sort populations of PLAs and platelet-neutrophil aggregates (PNAs). By using confocal microscopy, PNAs were validated. Morphological changes in platelets and leukocytes were visualized with scanning electron microscopy. Expressions of tissue factor (TF) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Populations of activated platelets, PLAs and PNAs, were significantly increased with LPS-induction. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg of RGE decreased platelet activation. Moreover, the populations of PLAs and PNAs were reduced. PNAs were visible in the blood of septic mice, and this was attenuated by treatment with 400 mg/kg of RGE. Morphologically, sepsisinduced platelet activation and fibrin formation in the blood. This was reduced with RGE treatment. Sepsis-induced increase in the plasma levels of TF and PF4 was also reduced with RGE treatment. Conclusion: This study shows that RGE is a potential therapeutic that reduces the activation of platelets and targets PLA and PNA formation. Detailed inhibitory mechanisms of RGE should be studied.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.189-200
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• 1991

During the past few years it has been proposed that lithium clearance can be used as a reliable measure for the outflow of tubular fluid from the proximal tubule. This study was aimed to characterize the inflow dependent reabsorption of Na in renal tubule beyond the proximal tubule. For this purpose, lithium clearance was used as a measure for the inflow from the proximal tubule and the changes in reabsorption fraction of Na and water were determined in rabbits. Rabbits were pretreated with hypotonic saline solutions for an hour (50 mM/L NaCl, 20 ml/hr/kg). And then a hypertonic solution of 500 mM/L NaCl (20 ml/kg) was administered intraperitoneally in conjunction with a bolus of LiCl solution (2 mM/kg, i.v.) for conditioning the $C_{Li}$ and urine flow rate. To rule out the effect of $Li^+$ on tubular functions, a bolus of NaCl solution (2 mM/kg, i.v.) was administered. Fifteen, thirty, and sixty minutes after injection of hypertonic saline arterial blood and urine samples were taken. Urinary and plasma concentrations as well as urinary output of $Li^+,\;Na^+\;and\;K^+$ were measured. From these $C_{Li},\;C_{Na}$ and the reabsorption fraction of Na and water $(Fr_{Na}\;&\;FrH_2O)$ were calculated. These results were compared with those from control groups in which the same amount of isotonic saline (145 mM/L NaCl) and of 15% dextran solution were administered in the same way as that in experimental group. Followings are the results obtained. 1) The plasma concentration of $Na^+$ in rabbits injected with hypertonic saline reached the peak value after 15 min and thereafter no significant change was observed. Hematocrit values did not show any change, while urinary excretion of $Na^+$ increased markedly during the first 15 min and decreased thereafter. These results were not affected by an injection of a small amount of LiCl. 2) The clearances of $Li^+,\;Na^+\;and\;K^+$ in rabbits injected with hypertonic saline and LiCl solution decreased. 3) In spite of the variation in $C_{Li},\;Fr_{Na}$ did not show any significant change while $FrH_2O$ increased gradually. 4) $C_{Li}$ decreased also in rabbits received isotonic saline. $Fr_{Na}$ tended to be higher than that in hypertonic saline group, while $FrH_2O\;and\;Fr_{Na}$ did not associated with the decrease in $C_{Li}$. 5) $C_{Li}$ of the rabbits received dextran solution fluctuated persistently and $Fr_{Na}\;and\;FrH_2O$ did not change in along with $C_{Li}$ although $Fr_{Na}$ had a tendency to be higher than that in hypertonic saline group. 6) From the above results it was concluded that: (a) In rabbits with normal body store of $Na^+$, the $Fr_{Na}$ of renal tubule beyond proximal tubule. calculated from $C_{Li}$ as a measure of inflow from proximal tubule is constant in spite of variations in $C_{Li}$. (b) The $FrH_2O$ calculated from $C_{Li}$ is dependent largely upon ADH rather than inflow from proximal tubule. (c) When there is a decrease in plasma $Na^+$ concentration or ineffective body fluid. $Li^+$ reabsorption may occur in the thick segnent of Henle's loop and hence the determination of $Fr_{Na}$ and $FrH_2O$ will not be easy one, but $Fr_{Na}$ is constant under the same experimental conditions.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.97-113
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• 1998

The sympathoadrenal system plays an important role in homeostasis in widely varing external environments. Conflicting findings, however, have been reported on its response to hypoxia. We investigated the effect of hypoxia on the sympathoadrenal system in dogs under halothane anesthesia by measuring levels of circulating catecholamines in response to graded hypoxia. Ten healthy mongreal dogs were mechanically ventilated with different hypoxic gas mixtures. Graded hypoxia and reoxygenation were induced by progressively decreasing the oxygen fraction in the inhalation gas mixture from 21%(control) to 15%, 10% and 5% at every 5 minutes, and then reoxygenated with 60% oxygen. Mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were measured directly using pressure transducers. Cardiac output was measured by the thermodilutional method. For analysis of blood gas, saturation and content, arterial and mixed venous blood were sampled via the femoral and pulmonary artery at the end of each hypoxic condition. The concentration of plasma catecholamines was determined by radioenzymatic assay. According to the exposure of graded hypoxia, not only did arterial and mixed venous oxygen tension decreased markedly at 10% and 5% oxygen, but also arterial and mixed venous oxygen saturation decreased significantly. An increased trend of the oxygen extraction ratio was seen during graded hypoxia. Cardiac output, mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance were unchanged or increased slightly. Pulmonary arterial pressure(PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR) were increased by 55%, 76% in 10% oxygen and by 82%, 95% in 5% oxygen, respectively(p<0.01). The concentrations of plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine increased by 75%, 29%, 24% in 15% oxygen and by 382%, 350%, 49% in 5% oxygen. These data suggest that the sympathetic nervous system was activated to maintain homeostasis by modifying blood flow distribution to improve oxygen delivery to tissues by hypoxia, but hemodynamic changes might be blunted by high concentration of nitrous oxide except PAP and PVR. It would be suggested that hemodynamic changes might not be sensitive index during hypoxia induced by high concentration of nitrous oxide exposure.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.319-329
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• 1990

Effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on blood pressure, plasma lenin activity, aldosterone and renal excretion were compared in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats fed low, medium or high sodium diet (2, 10, 25 mmol NaCl/100g diet) for 6 weeks. ANP infusion (380 ng/kg/min for 20 min) produced reductions in blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone level, but marked increases in hematocrit, urine flow, and excretions of sodium and potassium. The low sodium group showed a significantly enhanced aldosterone lowering effect of ANP than the high sodium group. However, three salt groups showed no difference in effects of ANP on blood pressure, plasma renin activity, hematocrit and diuresis. Natriuretic response to ANP was significantly greater in the high salt-than in the low sait-SHR, but was not different between the Wistar salt groups. There were strain differences in effects of ANP: SHR showed greater responses of blood pressure and natriuresis than Wistar rats. Above results indicate that aldosterone-lowering and natriuretic effects of ANP were modifed by different dietary sodium intakes. However, blood pressure- and renin-lowering, or diuretic effects of ANP were not affected by dietary sodium intakes. The mechanisms whereby dietary sodium intakes alter the effects of ANP in the pathogenesis of hypertension are not clear.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2003

Purpose : Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor(G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF) are principal cytokines in granulopoiesis and their physiologic effects are mediated through binding to specific cell surface receptors. Although it is known that the level of serum G-CSF and GM-CSF, and presentation of the receptors are increased in infectious diseases, there have been no studies to find the correlation between the granulopoiesis and leukocytosis. This study was designed to measure G-CSF and GM-CSF in leukocytosis and in control and to demonstrate the possible pathogenesis of granulopoiesis in leukocytosis using quantitative analysis of G-CSF, GM-CSF and their CSFr. Methods : The plasma levels of G-CSF, GM-CSF of 13 children without leukocytosis and 14 children with leukocytosis were measured. Counts of cell surface G-CSFr and GM-CSFr were measured by combining anti G-CSFr and anti GM-CSFr monoclonal antibodies to their respective receptors by using quantitative flow cytometric assay. Results : There was no significant difference betweeen the plasma concentration of G-CSF and GM-CSF in acute leukocytosis and in the control group. However, levels of G-CSFr in acute leukocytosis decreased significantly compared to the control(P=0.012) and the levels of GM-CSFr in both groups revealed no significant difference. Conclusion : Increase in the number of leukocyte in leukocytosis was mediated by increasing the number of neutrophil, and increased plasma concentration of G-CSF may be the cause of neutrophilia. But GM-CSF did not have any influence on leukocytosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 1985

The renal function is under regulatory influence of the central nervous system, mainly through activation of sympathetic nerve to the kidney, and it was recently reported that clonidine, an agonist to ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors, induces diuresis and natriuresis when injected directly into a lateral ventricle of the rabbit brain (i.c.v.). This study was undertaken, therefore, to obtain further information as to the role of the central ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptors in regulating renal function, by observing the effects of i.c.v. yohimbine, a specific antagonist of adrenoceptors of ${\alpha}_2$-type, on the rabbit renal function, and to elucidate the mechanism involved in it. With 10 ${\mu}g/kg$ i.c.v. of yohimbine sodium excretion transiently increased along with increasing tendency of urine flow, renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. These responses decreased with increasing doses. With 100 and 300 ${\mu}g/kg$ i.c.v. marked antidiuresis and antinatriuresis as well as profound decreases of renal perfusion and glomerular filtration were noted. Systemic blood pressure transiently increased. In reserpinized rabbits, 100 ${\mu}g/kg$ yohimbine i.c.v. did not produce any significant changes in urine flow, sodium excretion as well as in renal hemodynamics. The pressor response was also abolished. In preparations in which one kidney was denervated and the other left intact as control, i.c.v. yohimbine elicited typical antidiuretic antinatriuretic response in the innervated control kidney, whereas the denervated experimental kidney responded with marked diuresis and increases in excretory rates of sodium and potassium and in osmolar clearance in spite of absence of increased filtration and perfusion . Systemic blood pressure responded as in the normal rabbits. These observations indicate that i.c.v. yohimbine affects renal function in dual ways in opposite directions, the first being the antidiuretic antinatriuretic effects which results from decreased renal perfusion and glomerular filtration due to sympathetic activation and which is predominantly expressed in the normal rabbits, and the second less apparent effect being the diuretic and natriuretic action which is not mediated by nerve pathway but brought about by some humoral mechanism and which is effected by decreased sodium reabsorption in the tubules, possibly of the proximal portion.