• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2023

Objective: Men's sexual health plays an important role in male fertility and childbearing, as it is associated with factors such as sexual desire, healthy spermatogenesis, and erectile function. In various cultures, medicinal plants have been utilized to address male sexual issues, including infertility and erectile dysfunction. Despite recent advancements in medical science for treating male impotence, some men opt for herbal supplements as an alternative, given that numerous herbs have the potential to enhance male sexual performance. The Apiaceae family is one of the oldest plant families used for medicinal purposes. Ferula, a genus within this family, comprises approximately 170 different species worldwide. Members of this genus possess numerous therapeutic properties due to the presence of various compounds. This article aims to explore the potential impacts of Ferula plants on the male reproductive system. Methods: This review article was prepared by searching for terms including Ferula and "aphrodisiac," Ferula and "spermatogenesis," and Ferula and "male reproductive system." Relevant information was gathered through electronic databases, including ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results: The findings indicated that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this area, revealing that certain Ferula species have been employed in folk medicine to boost fertility and libido. Recent research has corroborated these effects. Conclusion: It is hoped that new aphrodisiac compounds with fewer side effects can be isolated from Ferula plants in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2024

Objective: While sperm freezing (cryopreservation) is an effective method for preserving fertility, it can potentially harm the structure and function of sperm due to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species. This study aimed to assess the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and selenium oxide nanoparticles (SeONPs) on various sperm functional parameters, including motility, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), acrosome membrane integrity (ACi), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 Albino Wistar rats. These samples were then divided into six groups: fresh, cryopreservation control, and groups supplemented with SeONPs (1, 2, 5 ㎍/mL) and ZnONPs (0.1, 1, 10 ㎍/mL). Results: Statistical analysis revealed that all concentrations of SeONPs increased total motility and progressive reduction of MDA levels compared to the cryopreservation control group (p<0.05). However, supplementation with ZnONPs did not affect these parameters (p>0.05). Conversely, supplements of 1 and 2 ㎍/mL SeONPs and 1 ㎍/mL ZnONPs contributed to the improvement of PMI and ACi (p<0.05). Yet, no significant change was observed in MMP with any concentration of SeONPs and ZnONPs compared to the cryopreservation control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that optimal concentrations of SeONPs may enhance sperm parameters during the freezing process.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2023

Objective: Infertility can result from a diminished ovarian reserve, but a potential remedy exists in the form of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration. This treatment involves both biological factors and tissue trauma mechanisms, which stimulate folliculogenesis, making it a promising and effective strategy. We assessed the impact of direct PRP injections into the ovaries on the fertility outcomes of women classified as poor responders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted from April 2021 to December 2022, focusing on patients classified as POSEIDON grade 3 or 4. PRP injections were administered into both ovaries. After 3 months, data were collected on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and the numbers of oocytes, mature oocytes, and good-quality embryos following ovarian stimulation. We then compared the data from before and after PRP injection. Results: This study included 50 women, with a mean of 39 years (interquartile range [IQR], 35 to 43) and 4 years (IQR, 2 to 6) for age and infertility duration, respectively. FSH levels decreased after treatment, while AMH levels and the numbers of oocytes, metaphase II oocytes, and high-quality embryos increased. However, only the increase in high-quality embryos was significant. The pregnancy and spontaneous pregnancy rates were 20% and 14%, respectively. Notably, women with secondary infertility exhibited a significantly higher pregnancy rate than those with primary infertility. Conclusion: Ample evidence suggests that PRP can enhance ovarian function. However, further studies are needed to identify the appropriate candidates for this procedure, establish the optimal PRP preparation method, and standardize the procedure for its adjuvant use in assisted reproductive technology cycles.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2023

Although increasing evidence of cause-and-effect relationship between BPA exposure and female reproductive disorders have been suggested through many studies, the precise biochemical and molecular mechanism(s) by which BPA interferes with steroidogenesis in the ovarian cells still remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to discover the steroidogenic biomarker(s) associated with BPA treatment in human granulosa cell line, KGN. In this study, our results obtained via the analysis of steroidogenesis-related protein expression in KGN cells using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analyses revealed that the expression levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and aromatase decreased considerably and gradually after BPA treatment in a dose-dependent manner under BPA treatment. Further, remarkable decreases in their expression levels at the cellular levels were also confirmed via immunocytochemistry, and subsequent StAR and aromatase mRNA expression levels showed profiles similar to those observed for their proteins, i.e., both StAR and aromatase mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased under BPA treatment at concentrations ≥0.1 μM. We observed that follicle stimulating hormone upregulated StAR and aromatase protein expression levels; however, this effect was suppressed in the presence of BPA. Regarding the steroidogenic effects of BPA on KGN cells, controversies remain regarding the ultimate outcomes. Nevertheless, we believe that the results here presented imply that KGN cells have a good cellular and steroidogenic machinery for evaluating endocrine disruption. Therefore, StAR and aromatase could be stable and sensitive biomarkers in KGN cells for the cellular screening of the potential risk posed by exogenous and environmental chemicals to female reproductive (endocrine) function.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 1982

1. The cows slaughtered at age of 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 years old were 1.5, 1.5, 15.0, 62.5 and 4.4% respectively. 2. The cows slaughtered at 351-450kg and more than 500kg were 60 and 28% respectively. 3. Best, very good, good and bad cows in nutritional condition were 1.6, 25.8, 62.9, and 9.7% respectively. Among the six cows which were bad nutrition, the two were with severe endometritis, the three were normal in genital function and one was on 70 days of pregnancy. 4. Holstein cows(55.2%) showed higher reproductive failure than the Korean cows(33.3%). 5. The slaughted ratio of the Korean cattle and Holstein cows was 36 and 64% respectively. 6. Pregnant cows were about 16% among the slaughtered one. 7. Reproductive failures were composed of 46% in uterus, 32% in ovaries, 8% in udder, 6% in oviduct, 4% in cervix of uterine, 2% in vagina and 2% inmummified fetus. 8. Forty six percentages of uterine diseases were as follows; horn, 13%, body of uterus, 32% and ovary diseases were 32%, that is, 12% of ovary atrophy, 8% of ovarycyst and 6% of lutealcyst. 9. The cows of reproductive failures were commonly infected with 1.6 kinds of diseases. 10. According to classification, six type of ovaries were as follows; normal, 58%, ovary-cyst, 11%, luteum cyst, 4%, coexistence of follicles and corpus luteum, 16%, weak function of ovaries, 10% and ovarian atrophy, 1%. 11. Major axis, minor axis and thickness of right ovary were larger than those of left one both in Korean cattle and Holstein cows. Holstein cow had generally larger size of ovary than these of the Korean cattle.. 12. The left and right oviducts showed no difference in length, but Holstein had longer oviduct than Korean cow. 13. There was no difference in the length of uterine horn between right and left in the Korean cows, but the right was longer than the left in Holstein cows. 14. Holstein had longer horn and body of uterine than the Korean cows. 15. The weight of right ovary was heavier than that of left in both breeds, but there was no differences in weight of left ovary between two breeds and right ovary of Holstein breed was heavier than that of the Korean cow. 16. The weight of right oviduct and uterine born was heavier than that of the left, and Holstein had heavier oviducts and uterine horns than the Korean cows. 17. Holstein had heavier uterine body and cervix of uterine than the Korean cows. 18. The length of reproductive systems of Korean cow is as follows; Major and minor diameter and thickness ofovary are 3.6${\pm}$0.7, 2.3${\pm}$0.4 and 1.6${\pm}$1.4 cm in left and 3.7${\pm}$0.6, 2.5${\pm}$0.5 and 1.8${\pm}$0.5 cm in right. Oviduct is 28.4${\pm}$3.1 cm in left and 27.8${\pm}$3.3 cm in right. Uterine horn is 27.4${\pm}$4.5 cm in left and 27.7${\pm}$4.9 cm in right. Uterine body and cervix are 3.4${\pm}$1.1 and 6.5${\pm}$1.7 cm. 19. The length of female reproductive systems ofHolstein cow is as follows; Major and minor diameter and thickness of ovary are 3.9${\pm}$1.3, 2.3${\pm}$0.5, and 1.5${\pm}$0.6 cm in left and 4.0${\pm}$0.8, 2.8${\pm}$0.6 and 1.8${\pm}$0.6 cm in right. Oviduct is 29.4${\pm}$4.2 cm in left and 29.3${\pm}$4.1 cm in right. Uterine horn is 30.2${\pm}$7.4 cm in left and 32.6${\pm}$8.4 cm in right. Uterine body and cervix are 4.5${\pm}$2.5 and 7.8${\pm}$2.9 cm. 20. The weight of reproductive systems of Korean cow is as follows; Ovary is 8.4${\pm}$4.1 g in left and 9.3${\pm}$3.6g in right. Oviduct is 1.5${\pm}$0.5 g in left and 1.6${\pm}$0.5 g in right. Uterine horn is 109${\pm}$27 g left and 118${\pm}$32 g in right. Uterine body and cervix are 30.4${\pm}$14.1 and 76.7${\pm}$38.4g. 21. The weight of reproductive systems of Holstein cow is as follows; Ovary is 8.2${\pm}$3.1 g in left and 12.5${\pm}$5.6 g in right. Oviduct is 1.7${\pm}$0.6 g in left and 1.9${\pm}$0.9 g in right. Uterine horn is 199${\pm}$14.2 g in left and 221${\pm}$111.2g in right. Uterine body and cervix are 58.2${\pm}$46.5 and 126.7${\pm}$103.3 g.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.293-297
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• 1998

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, or the lack of function of the testis or ovary secondary to the lack of pituitary and or hypothalamic trophic hormones, is also sometimes generally termed Kallmann's syndrome. Whether such deficiencies arise from an inborn error of hypothalamic organization and pituitary connection or damage to the hypothalamic pituitary system in prepubertal life, the manifestations of a eunuchoid or apubertal individual with potentially competent pituitary and gonadal function will result. Beyond the achievement of puberty, a similar situation can be recreated by the administration of a long-acting GnRH analog or by conditions of secondary hypothalamic dysfunction such as anorexia nervosa where shutdown of GnRH and its resultant effects cause cessation of gonadal function and even a regression of secondary sexual characteristics. Technically, these conditions are not Kallmann's syndrome but one must recognize the similarities. We have experienced a case of isolated gonadotropin deficiency which showed a negative KALIG-1 gene in infertile patient with primary amenorrhea. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.58-67
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• 2012

Objective: Previously, we identified that transketolase (Tkt), an important enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway, is highly expressed at 2 hours of spontaneous maturation in oocytes. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the function of Tkt in meiotic cell cycle regulation, especially at the point of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Methods: We evaluated the loss-of-function of Tkt by microinjecting Tkt double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) into germinal vesicle-stage oocytes, and the oocytes were cultured in vitro to evaluate phenotypic changes during oocyte maturation. In addition to maturation rates, meiotic spindle and chromosome rearrangements, and changes in expression of other enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway were determined after Tkt RNA interference (RNAi). Results: Despite the complete and specific knockdown of Tkt expression, GVBD occurred and meiosis was arrested at the metaphase I (MI) stage. The arrested oocytes exhibited spindle loss, chromosomal aggregation, and declined maturation promoting factor and mitogen-activated protein kinase activities. The modified expression of two enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway, Prps1 and Rbks, after Tkt RNAi and decreased maturation rates were amended when ribose-5-phosphate was supplemented in the culture medium, suggesting that the Tkt and pentose phosphate pathway are important for the maturation process. Conclusion: We concluded that Tkt and its associated pentose phosphate pathway play an important role in the MI-MII transition of the oocytes' meiotic cell cycle, but not in the process of GVBD.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2009

To clarify the reproductive function of vibration signals in Hynobius, which has externally fertilized eggs, we quantitatively analyzed the body and tail undulations of male Korean salamanders (Hynobius leechii) in sixteen mating events. One large and one small male, and one female were used in each mating event. We analyzed behaviors recorded over a total of 3 hrs for each mating event; 2 hrs before and 1 hr after female's oviposition. Males touched females using their snouts or body trunk throughout the entire mating periods, but females touched males increasingly more after approximately 1 hr before oviposition. Males conducted body undulations more than 50 times per 10 minutes at a mean frequency of 0.64 Hz. Large males conducted more body undulations than small males, particularly on the tree twig where females attached their egg sacs. Males responded to other males' body undulation throughout the mating period by orienting their head towards, approaching, and touching the undulating male. Females only responded for about 10-20 min before ovipositing, and most responses were directed to the large male's body undulation. Males conducted tail undulations 3.0 times per 10 min at a mean frequency of 1.7 Hz and most tail undulations occurred after one male bit the other male. These results suggest that body undulations function in both male-female and male-male interactions, while tail undulations mainly functions in male-male competition. Also, male H. leechii appear to actively attract females, while females respond to the males only at times close to oviposition.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 2005

Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) has been used as a food supplement and a traditional herbal medicine. In this study, we prepared various flavonoid fractions (RS, RW1, RW2 and RWE) from a hot water extract of RVS and their influence on male reproductive organs and spermatogenesis were studied in rats which were orally administered 200 mg/kg of them for 8 weeks. All experimental groups did not show any significant changes in body weight and blood clinical chemistry for liver function. Plasma testosterone level was elevated about 3.7, 5.2 and 6.3 folds in RW1, RW2 and RWE groups, respectively. The weights of testes and epididymides tended to increase slightly without the statistical significance in RW2 and RWE. The spermatozoon motility and epididymal sperm concentration were significantly increased (P<0.05) in RWE and RW1, respectively, when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in histology and apparent shape of testes and epididymides among the control and the experimental groups. Collectively, RWE showed effectively the elevation of plasma testosterone level, spermatozoon motility and the epididymal sperm concentration without the significant increase of testis and epidiymides weights. When the component HPLC profile among the flavonoids fractions of RVS was compared, the ratio of components were only different. These findings suggest that the Rhus flavonoid fraction, particularly RWE, can stimulate the androgen-dependent male sexual function and it can be applied to the material of functional food for enhancing the sexual function.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the effects of Shingi-whan(SG) on the male reproductive and sexual function, so we measured the spermatogenesis and the testicular toxicity in mice and the vasorelaxation in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Methods : To evaluate effect on the spermatogenesis in mice, we prepared two groups, control group and SG group that was orally administered SG(1,000mg/kg) for 20 days, and compared. To analyze testicular toxicity in mice, we also prepared two groups, doxo group that was injected with doxorubicin (3mg/kg) on three times and doxo + SG group that was injected with doxorubicin and SG for 20 days, and compared. To investigate sexual function of SG in mice, we prepared three groups, normal group and aging elicited group consisting of 18-month-old mice, SG treated aging group that was orally administered SG for 60 days, and compared using histochemical staining on mice corpus cavernous tissues. In order to define the relaxation effects of SG, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}6mm$ sized strip. Then the dose-dependent relaxation responses of SG at 0.01-3.0 mg/ml in contracted strips induced by phenylephrine were measured. Results : The sperm density in dutus epididymis and the diameter of seminiferous tubules of SG group was significantly increased when compared to control group. The testicular weight and the diameter and height of epithelial layer of seminiferous tubules of doxo + SG group was significantly increased when compared to doxo group. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by SG extract In SG treated aging group, ratio of smooth muscles to collagen fibers and red blood cell count in venous sinus was increased as compared to aging elicited group. Conclusions : Our findings have shown that SG extract have effect on spermatogenesis and mitigating effect on doxo-induced testicular toxicity. Further, it also have the vasorelaxant effect on rabbit corpus cavernosum.