• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.519-525
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• 2011

Growth hormone (GH) is obligatory for growth and development. But, there is controversy on the GH effect about reproductive processes of sexual differentiation, pubertal maturation, gonadal steroidogenesis, gametogenesis and ovulation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of GH on estrus, ovulation and embryo implantation. The results obtained were as follows. GH stimulated to increase estrus rate (p<0.05), pregnancy rate (p<0.05), and total fetus number in mice treated for superovulation. Also, the correlation between GH and steroids, E2 and P4, at peri-estrus stage/ peri-ovulation stage/ peri-implantation stage of the superovulation-induced mice was examined. Consequently, GH co-injected with PMSG especially increased P4 level (p<0.05) at peri-estrus stage of superovulationinduced mice. In conclusion, GH co-treatment in superovulation system boosted the rate of estrus, pregnancy and total fetus by increasing progesterone level at peri-estrus stage of superovulation-induced mice.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.177-181
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• 2008

This study was performed to investigate the effects of hCG treatment on pregnancy and delivery rates in the Hanwoo recipients. There were significantly higher pregnancy and delivery rates in the recipients treated with hCG at 7 days after artificial insemination (p<0.05), respectively. The SCNT embryos from bovine fetal fibroblast cells were transferred into the synchronized recipients. The recipients were administered saline (n=89) or hCG (1,500 IU) (n=48) at 7 days after heat, respectively. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the recipients treated with hCG compared to that of saline treated group (p<0.01), however, the delivery rate was not different in both treated groups. The concentration of plasma progesterone (P4) was not different in both groups before hCG treatment, but the P4 level was increased significantly in hCG treated group after hCG injection (p<0.05). Although the pregnancy rate was very high in early stage of pregnancy, it was decreased dramatically after 50 days of pregnancy and maintained basal level. Taken together, the treatment of hCG in the SCNT recipients after day 7 of heat was effective method to increase the P4 concentration and to increase the pregnancy rate. But it did not affect directly to delivery.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.285-296
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• 1994

Follicular oocytes were released from the graafian follicles of ovaries from 3-4 weeks old mice. The spontaenous maturation of these follicular oocyes was inhibited by the treatment of dbcAMP and progesterone and these oocytes were cultured for 2-8hr in the Modified Hank's balanced salt solution(MHBS). Ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid(EDTA) and calmoudulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP) were treated to the culture medium in order to investigate whether these chemical agents inhibit calcium uptake into the oocyte and oocyte maturation. $^{45}Ca^{2+}$, 10-${\mu}$Ci/ml was added to the culture medium during the culture period. $^{45}Ca^{2+}$uptake into the oocytes was examined whether and when various kind of oocyte maturation inhibiting agents inhibit or stimulate the influx of calcium into oocytes. Dibutyryl cAMP and progesterone decrease $^{45}Ca^{2+}$uptake into the oocytes and synergistic inhibiting effect of dbcAMP and progesterone was prominent at much lower dosages. Calcium uptake into oocytes seems to be higher during first 2 hour culture period rather than next 4hr culture. After 8hr culture, calcium uptake level of the oocytes which GVBD already took place gradually approached to the level of those which were maintained at GV by the treatment of dbcAMP and progesterone. However, $^{45}Ca^{2+}$uptake into the GV maintained oocytes did not change at all even after 8hr culture period. In addition, calcium chelating agent, EDTA inhibited calcium uptake into oocytes as well as nuclear maturation of oocytes. Lower dosage used in the present study did not inhibit calcium uptake as well as oocyte maturation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2003

There have been reports that administrated high-dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone-agonist(GnRH-Ag) suppresses endogenous gonadotropin production and inhibits function of ovary. In human IVF-ET program, however, GnRH-Ag is employed in large amounts during superovulation induction resulting to luteal phase defects which must be supported with progesterone. To elucidate the reason of luteal phase defects by GnRH-Ag, the aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis changes in the ovary and the hormonal changes in the serum after GnRH-Ag and PMSG administration in adult mice in a method similar to human superovualtion induction. GnRH-Ag(10 ${\mu}$g) or saline was injected every 12h beginning 48h prior to PMSG injection until 48h at)or PMSG injection when blood sampling and ovary collection was performed. In results, the ovary weight in the GnRH-Ag only injection group was significantly lower when compared with the other two groups, PMSG only or PMSC + GnRH-Ag injection. The ratio of preantral follicles in the ovary are increased in the GnRH-Ag only group, while the ratio of antral follicles are decreased and the corpus luteum ratio is increased in the PMSG + GnRH-Ag group. The proportion of all follicles showing apoptosis in the GnRH-Ag only in.iection group was seen to be more than twice the proportion seen in the PMSC only injection group, and such increased apoptosis is decreased after addition of PMSC. The serum levels of both estradiol and progesterone were significantly lower in the CnRH-hg only group compared to those in the other two groups. When the administration of GnRH-Ag were followed by PMSG in;ection, however, estradiol concentration was completely recovered compared to the serum level of PMSG group, but not progesterone level. In conclusion the use of GnRH-Ag in human IVF-ET program may induce the apoptosis and the suppression of hormone production by ovary leading to luteal phase defects, thus adequate progesterone support seems to be necessary against them.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2003

Gamiguibitang(GMGBT) is used in amenorrhea and female infertility caused by ovulation disorder. An attempt was made to evaluate the influences of GMGBT on the serum concentrations of FSH, LH, estradiol(E2) and progesterone, the histological and optical changes of ovary of rats. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Blood FSH level significantly increased in experimental group controlled by four times quantity as compared with control group. 2. Blood LH level increased in experimental group controlled by four times quantity as compared with control group, which showed no efficacy. 3. Blood E2 level increased in experimental group controlled by four times quantity as compared with control group, which showed no efficacy. 4. Blood progesterone level significantly decreased in experimental group controlled by double quantity as compared with control group. 5. In optically observations of ovary, weight of ovary significantly increased in experimental group controlled by double quantity as compared with control group 6. In histological observations of ovary, ovulation significantly increased in experimental group controlled by both double and four times quantity as compared with control group. According to these results, it can be concluded that GMGBT influences the pituitary gland and ovary to increase the ovulation of rats.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.315-318
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• 2013

This study was conducted to investigate the changes of hormone levels of serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2) in sows of Landrace (L), Yorkshire (Y) and F1 (L ${\times}$ Y) (respectively n=3) with excellent ability, and to provide a baseline data for improving reproductive performance. In this experiment, the sows at the age of 12 months or more were used. The sows were fed by two way methods, one is conventional methods and the other is 3 days-flushing feed before estrus. Each pig's blood was collected in 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 days after the estrus for the analyses of P4 and E2. Serum was separated by centrifugation for 15 min. with 3,000 rpm. Progesterone and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ were measured by immunochemical assay (ELIZA test). In conventional feeding, serum progesterone levels were significantly (p<0.01) higher in F1 than in L and Y. No significant differences in P4 concentrations were seen between the L and Y of sows. Serum E2 levels were similar the serum progesterone levels. In the case of flushing feed, the tendency of hormonal changes were similar to conventional methods. But almost of hormonal levels were a little higher than that of conventional methods. P4 level of L and Y in flushing feed were significantly different (p<0.01). Serum E2 level of Y in flushing feed was significantly different among the breeds (p<0.01). These results were similar to the tendency of hormonal changes in general sows and moreover, flushing feed is known to develop the swine production, these results proved the fact of the methods. And these results suggested that more studies about hormonal changes in sows according to seasonal and nutritional factors should be needed.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2002

Leptin, a product of the obese gene, is associated not only with obesity but also with female reproductive function, but it has not yet been ascertained whether leptin acts directly on the ovary or indirectly via the hypothalamus-pituitary pathway. Therefore, the object of this study was to investigate the expession of leptin and its receptor in the rat ovary by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR during the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemistry results showed that leptin was stained in the theca cells and in part of granulosa cells in atretic follicles, whereas leptin receptor was localized in the interstitial cells and ova in preantral follicies. In particular, leptin and its receptor in atretic follicles displayed more intensive staining compared to those in normal follicles. During the estrous cycle, the mRNA expression of leptin and its receptor in the ovary was detected by RT-PCR and estradiol, progesterone, and leptin levels in the serum was measured by ELISA. The leptin level in the serum on metestrous phase was significantly higher than that on estrous phase. Similar to leptin level, progesterone level increased on metestrous phase. Leptin mRNA was not detected throughout the estrous cycle, whereas leptin receptor mRNA was expressed on all phases of estrous cycle excepting the diestrous phase. These results suggest that leptin might be directly involved in the regulation of ovarian function in rat.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.29-41
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• 1998

The effect of Cervi Cornu Parvum aqua-acupuncture on serum levels of sex hormone was investigated in ovariectomized rats. Water extract of Cervi Cornu Parvum was daily injected for 30 days at points in rats corresponding to bilateral Taixi (Ki. 3) points of human and non-point at root of tail after ovariectomy, respectively. Serum levels of estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, LH and FSH were measured at 2 and 4 weeks after aqua-acupuncture treatment, respectively. Compared with ovariectomized rats, significant increase of estradiol and progesterone and significant decrease of FSH and LH were elicited at 2 and 4 weeks after aqua-acupuncture treatment. Aqua-acupuncture treatment at non-point did not produce any remarkable effect. These findings suggest aqua-acupuncture may restore dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, associated with a significant increase of serum estradiol level in ovariectomized rats.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 1988

These studies were undertaken to examine the interaction of tamoxifen with sex steroid hormones in rat uterine activity. The uterine wet weights of the immature Tat uterus were examined after the administration of estradiol-l7$\beta$(1$\mu$g), tamoxifen(50$\mu$g), progesterone(lmg). The uterotropic activity in immature ovariectomized rats was observed under various treatment conditions following pretreatment with above drugs. The results obtained were as follows:1) Tamoxifen produced significant increase (p <0.01) in uterine wet weight compared with control group, although the increase was not as great as that seen with estradiol-17$\beta$. Administration of estradiol-17$\beta$ together with tamoxifen inhibited significantly the increase of uterine wet weight by estradiol-17$\beta$ (p < 0.01). Coadministration of progresterone with tamoxifen partly blocked the increase of tamoxifen-induced uterine wet weights by progesterone. 2) Estradiol-17$\beta$after the estradiol-17$\beta$ pretreatment discontinued the declining uterine wet weights due to the absence of estrogen support, but uteri continued to increase in weight if daily estradiol-17 $\beta$ was maintained. Administration of tamoxifen on the fourth day of estradiol-17$\beta$ treatment reduced uterine wet weights within 24 hours, and the weights continued to decline with additional tamoxifen. 3) The modest growth of the uterus induced by three daily injections of 5Opg tamoxifen remained stable for five days, with or without additional tamoxifen treatment. Coadministration of tamoxifen with estradiol17$\beta$ increased slightly the increase of uterine wet weight by tamoxifen. Coadministration of tamoxifen with progesterone inhibited the increase of uterine wet weight by tamoxifen. 4) The modest growth of the uterus induced by three daily injections of lmg progesterone reduced uterine wet weight to the control level for five days. Commencement of tamoxifen or estadiol-17 $\beta$ injections on the fourth day of progesterone treatment rapidly elevated uterine wet weight.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.862-867
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• 1999

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of administration of exogenous progesterone early in gestation on uterine levels of IGF-I mRNA and on embryo survival at day 25 of gestation in the pig. Forty-one prepubertal gilts were induced into oestrus with PG600 and artificially inseminated at their subsequent naturally occurring oestrus. Gilts were then randomly assigned to one of three groups. Gilts in the two treatment groups were injected intramuscularly with 50 mg of progesterone either from day 2 to 14 (N=14) or from day 4 to 14 (N=15) after breeding while those in the control group (N=12) were given corn oil (0.5 ml) from day 2 to 14. Between days 25 and 28 of gestation, gilts were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were recovered. Endometrial tissue (1 g) was collected and analysed for IGF-I mRNA levels using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Progesterone treatment, starting either on day 2 or 4 after breeding, neither significantly increased embryo survival rate by day 25 of gestation nor altered IGF-I mRNA levels in uterine tissue. However, across all samples, the IGF-I mRNA level in the uterus was highly correlated with embryo survival rate (r=0.8193, p<0.01), supporting the involvement of IGF-I in the regulation of porcine embryo development.