• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

The Syrian (golden) hamsters are seasonal breeders whose reproductive functions are active in summer and inactive in winter. In experimental facility mimicking winter climate, short photoperiod (SP) induces gonadal regression. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) of the sexually involuted animals have been reported to be permeable, allowing developing germ cells to be engulfed or sloughed off the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. The expressions of genes related to the tight junction composing of BTB were investigated in the reproductive active and inactive testes. Claudin-11, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) were definitely expressed in the active testes but not discernably detected in the inactive testes. And spermatozoa (sperm) were observed in the whole lengths of epididymides in the active testes. They were witnessed in only cauda region of the epididymides but not in caput and corpus regions in animals with the inactive testes. The results imply that the disorganization of BTB is associated with the testicular regression. The developing germ cells are swallowed into the Sertoli cells or travel into the lumen, as supported by the presence of the sperm delayed in the last region of the epididymis. These outcomes suggest that both apoptosis and desquamation are the processes that eliminate the germ cells during the regressing stage in the Syrian hamsters.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.495-500
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• 2003

Tight junctions (TJ) between adjacent Sertoli cells in testis are important for the formation of the blood testis barrier (BTB). In an effort to verify the reproductive health risk of endocrine-active chemicals (EACs), changes in the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and the expression of TJ genes were examined by co-planar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) treatment in cultured mouse Sertoli cells. Although the increase in TER of Sertoli cells was accelerated by 10 nM co-planar PCB, it was downregulated by 100 nM co-planar PCB. The expression of claudin-1 was downregulated by co-planar PCB in a concentration-dependent manner. On the contrary, the expression of claudin-1 was increased in the Sertoli cells by 10 nM co-planar PCB treatment. These results suggest that the structure and function of TJ may be targeted by co-planar PCB in Sertoli cells. Assessment of the structure and function of TJ in Sertoli cells might be useful for screening the reproductive health risk of EACs.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.153-159
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• 2010

The 34 potently pig pheromonal odorants (1-32, 5755 & 7113) through structure-based virtual screening and ligand-based virtual screening method were selected and their ADMET and pharmacokinetics characters were evaluated and discussed quantitatively. The pheromonal odorants were projected on the following pre-calculated models, Caco-2 cell permeability, blood-brain barrier permeation, hERG inhibition and volume-distribution. From the results of in silico study, it is found that an optimal compound (31) either penetrating or have a little ($P_{caco2}$=-8.143) for Caco-2 cell permeability, moderate penetrating ability ($P_{BBB}$=0.082) for blood-brain barrier permeation, the low QT prolongation ($P_{hERG}$=1.137) for the hERG $K^+$ channel inhibition, and low distribution into tissues ($P_{VD}$=-5.468) for volume-distribution. Therefore, it is predicted that the compound (31) a topical application may be preferable from these based foundings.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 1992

A fluorescence microscopy technique using flurescein diacetateCFDA) as a substract has been tested for the evaluation of the viability of early mouse embryos. Embryos were incubated in T6 containing FDA concentrations of 2.5 to $50{\mu}g/ml$ for 1 to 5min. Embryos were then examined by reflected light fluorescence using a KP 490 and 520 barrier filter in a Nicon Diaphot microscopy. The results were as follow. 1. The rate of fluorescein accumulation increased on the concentration on FDA from $2.5{\times}10^{-6}M$ to $20{\times}10^{-6}M$ 2. The rate at which intracellular fluorescein was lost from embryos was depended on the temperature at which are stored. 3. Embryos with 3 min exposure to FDA have the most intensity of fluorescence. 4. Exposure of 2 cell embryos to FDA ($2.5-5{\mu}g/ml$) for 1 min did not alter their ability to delope normally in vitro.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.145-148
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• 2009

To understand whether experience of cold season in reproductive behaviors in the adults of Amaurobius ferox, the paired adults of a female and a male were exposed under 'cold-treated environment' and 'not cold-treated environment', respectively. I investigated effects of the cold treatment on the brood production of A. ferox. In not cold treatment in which male-female pairs were formed in October at a temperature of $20^{\circ}C$ (${\pm}2^{\circ}C$) and continuously kept under not cold-treated environment, only 3 of 50 pairs successfully reproduced (reproduction was defined as the emergence of spiderlings). In cold treatment where individuals were kept in cold conditions for 3 months prior to pair formation, 57 out of 60 couples succeeded in reproducing. Females which did not experience the low temperature displayed strong aggressiveness toward males. This behavioral inhibition might the primary barrier to copulation of A. ferox that decrease following a period of low temperature. The reproductive inhibition might help the females to allocate the maximum amount of energy in a given environment to reaching the adult stage and to delay reproduction in unfavorable wintering conditions.

• Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.175-184
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• 2007

Two subspecies, japonica and indica, have been reported in rice, which differ in several ecotypic traits. However, reproductive barriers in hybrid progenies between subspecies have been major obstacles in breeding programs using inter-subspecific hybridization. As the first step to elucidate the reproductive barriers, we developed subspecies-specific(SS) STS markers in this study. A total of 765 STS primers were designed through comparing DNA sequences at every $2{\sim}3$cM interval between japonica and indica rices, which are available at Web DBs such as IRGSP, NCBI, TIGR, and GRAMENE, and tested for subspecies-specificity using 15 indica and 15 japonica varieties of diverse origin. Of them, 67 STS markers were identified as SS STS markers and their subspecies-specificity scores were estimated. The SS markers were dispersed throughout the genome along chromosomes. Of them, 64 SS markers were mapped on an RIL population derived from a Dasanbyeo(indica)/TR22183(japonica) cross. Genomic inclination of RILs was evaluated based on the genotyping with different types of markers. Association test between markers and segregation distortion revealed that segregation distortion might not be the cause of generating SS markers. The SS markers will be applicable to estimate the genomic inclination of varieties or lines and to study the differentiation of indica and japonica, and ultimately to breed true hybrid rice varieties in which desirable characters from both subspecies are recombined.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.213-224
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• 2024

Objective: Some age-related testicular changes, such as Sertoli cell vacuolization and blood-testis barrier breakdown, reduce total sperm production and male fertility. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of vitamin E on restoring testicular function in aged mice. Sperm cryo-resistance was also assessed. Methods: Twenty-eight 48-week-old male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into four groups for a daily gavage of vitamin E: the control group received distilled water, while the three treatment groups were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, semen analyses, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and protamine deficiency tests were conducted. Testicular histology, tissue antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression levels were also assessed. Results: The two higher dosages of vitamin E were associated with a higher sperm count, greater progressive motility, and improved sperm morphology (p<0.05). These benefits were also evident after sperm freezing (p<0.05). Although chromatin abnormalities increased following vitrification, the treatment groups showed better outcomes (p<0.05). The tubular diameter, epithelium height, and luminal diameters remained unchanged with age. The tissue antioxidant capacity was greater in the groups receiving the high doses of vitamin E. Additionally, significant increases in inhibitor of DNA binding protein-4 (Id4) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (Gfra1) expression were observed in the higher vitamin E dosage groups, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf) expression was notably present in the 400 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation might enhance reproductive outcomes in aging males. The observed effects included improved sperm cryo-resistance, which is advantageous for future applications such as sperm freezing or fertility preservation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.7.1-7.7
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• 2015

To meet the increasing demands of specific pathogen free (SPF) minipigs in biomedical researches, 8 pregnant Chinese Wuzhishan minipigs (WZSP) sows with clear background were chosen to obtain SPF WZSP by hysterectomy. At $111{\pm}days2$ of the pregnancy, piglets were aseptically taken out from the sows and artificially suckled for 40 to 45 days in the positive isolators. Then, the piglets defined as F0 were transferred to barrier environment and fed with standard feeds. The original SPF colony was formed for breeding by selected piglets from F0 group of 6-8 months old. Biological characteristics of SPF WZSP were collected and further compared to those of conventional (CV) WZSP, including growth performance, reproductive performance, hematology and blood biochemistry, and major pathogens detection. As a result, 61 F0 piglets were obtained from 8 candidate sows, and 55 out of them survived. After strictly selection, 35 F0 piglets were used to form the original SPF colony, which produced 14 litters of SPF piglets defined as F1. Piglet survival rates, growth performance, and reproductive performance of SPF WZSP were similar to CV WZSP. Some hematology and blood biochemistry parameters showed significant differences between SPF and CV WZSP. Eighteen kinds of pathogens were identified to be free in F0 and F1 SPF colony by repeated pathogen detections. In conclusion, we established a satisfied SPF WZSP colony maintaining original characteristics, free of controlled diseases, and being proved to be a suitable laboratory animal.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제57권4호
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• pp.339-346
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• 2024

Objectives: Chronic anaemia is a significant health concern, particularly among women of childbearing age. Factors such as menstrual blood loss, childbirth, inadequate nutrition, closely spaced pregnancies, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding increase the risk of anaemia. This study investigated whether current contraceptive methods are associated with anaemia in Indian women of reproductive age. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, conducted in 2019-2021, were used for this investigation. We included only non-pregnant and non-amenorrhoeic women in our analysis, resulting in a final analytical sample of 673 094 women aged 15-49. Bivariate cross-tabulations and multivariable logistic regression were employed to analyse the data. Results: The prevalence of anaemia was 57%, and the adjusted regression models found no significant association between the use of any contraceptive methods and women's haemoglobin status. Women using traditional contraceptive methods had 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.11) times higher odds of having anaemia. Among the modern methods, other than injectables, all other methods-such as an intrauterine device, barrier use, and sterilisation-were associated with higher odds of anaemia compared to women who used contraceptive pills. Conclusions: This study explored the relationship between modern contraceptives and haemoglobin levels in India, revealing that injectables were associated with a notable reduction in the odds of anaemia, whereas traditional contraceptives and other modern methods exhibited positive associations with anaemia. These findings prompt policymakers to focus on anaemia reduction and safe contraceptives. More research is needed to inform decisions, given the scant literature.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.29-36
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• 2015

Pigs are considered an ideal source of human disease model due to their physiological similarities to humans. However, the low efficiency of in vitro embryo production (IVP) is still a major barrier in the production of pig offspring with gene manipulation. Despite ongoing advances in the associated technologies, the developmental capacity of IVP pig embryos is still lower than that of their in vivo counterparts, as well as IVP embryos of other species (e.g., cattle and mice). The efficiency of IVP can be influenced by many factors that affect various critical steps in the process. The previous relevant reviews have focused on the in vitro maturation system, in vitro culture conditions, in vitro fertilization medium, issues with polyspermy, the utilized technologies, etc. In this review, we concentrate on factors that have not been fully detailed in prior reviews, such as the oocyte morphology, oocyte recovery methods, denuding procedures, first polar body morphology and embryo quality.