• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.935-944
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• 2021

It has been suggested that bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, interferes with the endocrine system, causing reproductive dysfunction. Recently, BPA has been found in waste water due to incomplete sewage purification, possibly threatening health through its ingestion via tap water. In this study, young male mice (6 - 7 weeks old) were administered water containing BPA (50 mg·kg^-1) for four weeks, while control mice consumed water without BPA. Serum, epididymal spermatozoa and testicular sections were assessed after sacrificing the mice on day 28. No significant differences were obtained between the groups in the body, testis and seminal vesicle weights. However, the epididymal sperm motility and count levels were significantly reduced in BPA-fed mice. Significantly higher hepatotoxicity levels were also observed in mice ingesting BPA as compared to the control mice. The level of serum testosterone was reduced, and testicular sections revealed incomplete and irregular spermatogenesis in BPA-ingested mice. The sperm proteasomal-proteolytic activity level has been implicated in sperm function and is measured in motile spermatozoa using fluorometric substrates. High ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase activity levels were observed in the control mice without BPA. During a mating trial, a low pregnancy rate (71.4%) was observed in females mated with males who had consumed BPA (100% in the control mice). Overall, BPA adversely affected spermatogenesis and quality, as indicated by decreased sperm motility, concentration and serum testosterone levels, resulting in reduced fertility competence.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1333-1344
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• 2024

Objective: Litter size and piglet loss at birth significantly impact piglet production and are closely associated with sow parity. Understanding how these traits vary across different parities is crucial for effective herd management. This study investigates the patterns of the number of born alive piglets (NBA), number of piglet losses (NPL), and the proportion of piglet losses (PPL) at birth in Landrace sows under tropical conditions. Additionally, it aims to identify the most suitable model for describing these patterns. Methods: A dataset comprising 2,322 consecutive reproductive records from 258 Landrace sows, spanning parities from 1 to 9, was analyzed. Modeling approaches including 2nd and 3rd degree polynomial models, the Wood gamma function, and a longitudinal model were applied at the individual level to predict NBA, NPL, and PPL. The choice of the best-fitting model was determined based on the lowest mean and standard deviation of the difference between predicted and actual values, Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC). Results: Sow parity significantly influenced NBA, NPL, and PPL (p<0.0001). NBA increased until the 4th parity and then declined. In contrast, NPL and PPL decreased until the 2nd parity and then steadily increased until the 8th parity. The 2nd and 3rd degree polynomials, and longitudinal models showed no significant differences in predicting NBA, NPL, and PPL (p>0.05). The 3rd degree polynomial model had the lowest prediction standard deviation and yielded the smallest AIC and BIC. Conclusion: The 3rd degree polynomial model offers the most suitable description of NBA, NPL, and PPL patterns. It holds promise for applications in genetic evaluations to enhance litter size and reduce piglet loss at birth in sows. These findings highlight the importance of accounting for sow parity effects in swine breeding programs, particularly in tropical conditions, to optimize piglet production and sow performance.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.461-467
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• 2013

Nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is associated with the control of appetite and energy metabolism, was reported for the first time to be expressed in the hypothalamus. However, recent studies have shown that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed not only in the hypothalamus, but also in various tissues including digestive and reproductive organs. We also demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the reproductive organs, pituitary gland, heart, lung, and gastrointestinal tract of the adult mouse. However, little is known about nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression in fetal and neonatal mice. Therefore, we examined here the distribution of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in various organs of fetal and neonatal mice and compared them with the distribution in adult mice. As a result of immunohistochemical staining, nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was expressed relatively higher in the lung, kidney, heart, and liver compared to other organs in the fetus. Western blot results also showed that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 protein was detected in the lung, kidney, heart, and stomach. Next, we compared the expression levels of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the fetus and neonate with the expression levels in both male and female adult mice. The expression levels in heart, lung, stomach, and kidney were higher compared with other organs in fetal and neonatal mice and in both male and female adult mice. Interestingly, the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA in the kidney was dramatically increased in male and female adult mice compared to fetal and neonatal mice. These results indicate that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 may regulate the development and physiological function of mouse organs. In the future, we need more study on the function of nesfatin-1/NUCB2, which is highly expressed in the heart, lung, and kidney during mouse development.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2016

Objective: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and the usage of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for ED treatment in infertile couples. Methods: A total of 260 male partners in couples reporting infertility lasting at least 1 year were included in this study. In addition to an evaluation of infertility, all participants completed the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire to evaluate their sexual function. The participants were asked about their use of PDE5 inhibitors while trying to conceive during their partner's ovulatory period and about their concerns regarding the risks of PDE5 inhibitor use to any eventual pregnancy and/or the fetus. Results: Based on the IIEF-5 questionnaire, 41.5% of the participants (108/260) were classified as having mild ED (an IIEF-5 score of 17-21), while 10.4% of the participants (27/260) had greater than mild ED (an IIEF-5 score of 16 or less). The majority (74.2%, 193/260) of male partners of infertile couples had a negative perception of the safety of using a PDE5 inhibitor while trying to conceive. Only 11.1% of men (15/135) with ED in infertile couples had used a PDE5 inhibitor when attempting conception. Conclusion: ED was found to be common in the male partners of infertile couples, but the use of PDE5 inhibitors among these men was found to be very low. The majority of male partners were concerned about the risks of using PDE5 inhibitors when attempting to conceive. Appropriate counseling about this topic and treatment when necessary would likely be beneficial to infertile couples in which the male partner has ED.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2011

The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has clearly become a public health issue. To date many $in$ $vivo$ and $in$ $vitro$ studies revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular metabolism, endocrine function, immune activity, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal system. The major parameters found to be altered in cells or individuals following EMF exposure include an increase of free radicals, DNA damage, cancer risk, developmental defect, and reproductive dysfunctions. Epidemiological studies reported EMF can increase life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, clinical depression, suicide, and Alzheimer's disease has been identified. These effects of EMF exposure differ according to duration of exposure, frequency of waves, and strength (energy) of EMF. In the present review, we briefly introduced the physical properties of EMF and summarized the effect of EMF on human and wildlife animals according to types of EMF, duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Objective: Tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disrupting chemical, has been reported to decrease ovarian function by causing apoptosis in the ovary, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Therefore, we examined whether TBT increases the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the ovary and the increased expression of these genes is associated with apoptosis induction. Methods: Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered TBT (1 or 10 mg/kg body weight) or sesame oil as a control for 7 days. The ovaries were obtained and weighed on day 8, and then they were fixed for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) or frozen for RNA extraction. Using the total RNA of the ovaries, adipogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The ovarian weight was significantly decreased in rats administered 10 mg/kg TBT compared to that in control rats. As determined by the TUNEL assay, the number of apoptotic follicles in ovary was significantly increased in rats administered 10 mg/kg TBT. The real-time PCR results showed that the expression of adipogenesis-related genes such as $PPAR{\gamma}$, ${\alpha}P2$, CD36, and PEPCK was increased after TBT administration. In addition, apoptosis-related genes such as $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 were expressed more in the TBT-administered rats compared with the control rats. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that TBT induces the expression of adipogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes in the ovary leading to apoptosis in the ovarian follicles. These results suggest that the increased expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the ovary by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis resulting in a loss of ovarian function.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.217-227
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• 2015

Reproductive biology and population dynamics of Luciogobius guttatus were investigated. Higher gonadosomatic index (GSI) was observed from March~May. The fecundity ranged form 241 eggs at 3.1~4.0 cm (SL) to 716 eggs at 5.1~5.7 cm (SL). The relationship between length (SL) and fecundity (F) was $F=11.242SL^{2.464}$ ($R^2=0.65$) and fecundity increased with length. We estimated the SL at 50% group maturity as 2.6 cm. The spawning period was March~May. The von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) estimates were: $L_{\infty}=63.00mm$ TL; $K=0.85yr^{-1}$. The structure of recruitment pattern obtained by the FiSAT II program indicated one normally distributed group. The growth performance index (${\phi}$) was calculated with 3.53. Natural mortality rate (M) was $1.00yr^{-1}$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2004

Background: Obesity is associated with menstrual disorder. Especially, upper-body obesity affects on female reproductive function. Objectives: The goals were to investigate relation between fat distribution and menstrual disorder in obese pre-menopausal Korean females. The hypothesis were tested that there is a relation between upper body obesity and menstrual disorder. Design: A cross-sectional evaluation of 66 Females (baseline age $32.15{\pm}7,32)$ with body mass index $31.22{\pm}4.05\;kg/m^2$. Body composition was measured using bioimpedence analysis (BIA) and anthropometry was done by same observer. VAS and Multidimensional verval rating scale(MVRS) were checked for menstrual pain. Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was measured for evaluating body fat distribution. Menstrual disorder and body fat distribution were compared using statistical methods. Results: TLFR and WH ratio was higher in menstrual cyclic disorder group than controls. There was negative relationship between VAS and TLFR. Conclusions: The data shows that disorder of menstrual cycle was associated with upper body obesity. WH ratio could be one of the factor of menstrual disorder. VAS was correlated with lower body obesity. Further studies for role of upper body fat distribution on female reproductive function and relationship between menstrual pain and fat distribution thought to be needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.287-291
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• 1999

Dopamine agonists are commonly used in the medical treatment of prolactinomas. Bromocriptine has been the most widely used ergot derivative for two decades. Its oral administration, at a daily dose of $2.5{\sim}7.5mg$, restored normal gonadal function and normoprolactinemia in about 80% of patients. Nevertheless, a subset of patients could not achieve normal prolactin levels or resume normal gonadal function despite $15{\sim}30mg$/day bromocriptine for at least 6 months. Subsequently, these prolactinomas were consedered to be resistant to bromocriptine. The percentage of bromocriptine - resistant prolactinoma patients reported in the literature varies between 5 and 17% according to the series. Patients with bromocriptine resistance or bromocriptine intolerance have, however, been treated with other dopamine agonists, such as lysuride, pergolide, cabergoline, or quinagolide. Until cabergoline recently gained a product licence in the UK, there was no alternative dopamine agonist with a licence for this purpose. Quinagolide (CV $205{\sim}502$, Norprolac, Sandoz) is a nonergot dopamine agonist with improved selectivity for the D2 receptor, designed to retain the active pharmacophore of bromocriptine without the ergot moiety that might be responsible for side - effects. We have experienced a case of bromocriptine resistant hyperprolactinemia which was reponsive to pergolide. So we report this case with a brief review of literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.113-119
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• 1986

The present study was designed to assess the relationships between the methods to evaluate adequacy of luteal function. We measured mid-luteal serum progesterone levels by radioimmune assay, luteal phase lengths and mean post-ovulatory basal body temperature rise rates by basal body temperature charts in 40 in-phase-cycle infertile patients and 38 out-of-phase-cycle patients who underwent late-luteal endometrial biopsies at the sterility clinic of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital from Jan. 1986 to Aug. 1986. The results were summarized as follows: 1. No significant differences were found in mean age, mean duration of infertility, mean mid-luteal serum progesterone levels, and mean post-ovulatory temperature rise rate between in-phase-cycle patients and out-of-phase-cycle patients, but significant difference in mean luteal phase length between 2 groups was identified. 2. 91% of total patients sho had luteal phase lengths of less than 11 days showed out-of-phase-cycles. 3. In out-of-phase-cycle group with luteal phase lengths of less than 11 days, 50% had an endometrial lag of at least 4 days, but 10.7% had an endometrial lag of 4 or more days in group with luteal phase lengths of more than 11 days. 4. There was no significant correlation between mid-luteal serum progesterone level and endometrial lag of late luteal phase endometrial biopsy.