• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.229-235
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• 2021

Objective: In this study, the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on testosterone (TES), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), androgen-binding protein (ABP), factor-associated apoptosis (FAS), and total cholesterol (TC), as well as histopathological changes, were investigated in male rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: The study included three groups. The control (C) group was fed standard-diet for 8 weeks. The hypercholesterolemia (HC) group was fed a 2% cholesterol-diet for 8 weeks. The therapeutic group (HCL) was fed a 2% cholesterol-diet for 8 weeks and administered L. acidophilus for the last 4 weeks. FSH, TES, and FAS levels in testicular tissue were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while another sample was examined histopathologically. LH and ABP levels were determined using ELISA, and serum TC levels were assessed via an autoanalyzer. Results: In the HC group, the TC levels were significantly higher and the LH levels were lower (p<0.05) than in the C group. The ABP levels were lower (p>0.05). In the HCL group, the LH and ABP levels were higher (p>0.05) and the TC level significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the HC group. The TES and FSH levels were lower, and the FAS levels were higher, in the HC than in the C group (p<0.05). In the HCL group, levels of all three resembled control levels. Histologically, in the testicular tissue of the HC group, the cells in the tubular wall exhibited atrophy, vacuolization, and reduced wall structure integrity. However, in the HCL group, these deteriorations were largely reversed. Conclusion: Supplementary dietary administration of an L. acidophilus to hypercholesterolemic male rats positively impacted testicular tissue and male fertility hormone levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.149-158
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• 1987

The present investigation has been undertaken to understand the mechanism of implantation process, by demonstrating the role of ovarian steroids in the differentiation of uterine endometrium for implantation. In particular, an attempt was made to examine the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the either luminal, stroma or endometrium tissue sites under the pseudopregnant state induced by ovarian steroid hormones. Attempt was also made to demonstrate the correlate function of ovarian steroids with the cAMP concentration and prolactin level. The higher activity of ALP in the uterine endometrium was observed on day 3. However, the higher activity of ALP in the stroma and epithelium was observed on Day 6. This study, therefore, clearly demonstrates that progesterone is consecutive effect in stroma differ entiation. The cAMP concentrations on Day 3 treated with E or P was lower than those of control. On the other hand concentration on Day 6 treated with hormones was increased than those of control. It is, therefore, concluded that the concentration of cAMP in the uterine tissue undergoing differentiation is decreased. The prolactin level of the treated groups was the lower levels than those of the control groups. It is indicated that there is no effect of ovarian steroid hormone on the prolactin synthesis in this pseudopregnant state.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.47-51
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the reproductive effect of Ginseng radix on male mice. Methods : Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups ; normal group (vehicle-treated, n=8), Ginseng radix treatment group (100, 500, 1000 mg/kg, n=8). Ginseng radix extract was treated for 5 weeks. After treatment each group was examined for assessment of sperm count and CatSper protein expression using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) system and the immunofluorescence. Results : Sperm count of normal and Ginseng radix extract treated group were 287.57 vs. 371.62, 364.83, $343.29{\times}10^6$, respectively. The CatSper3, 4 proteins expression of Ginseng radix treated group were significantly increased than that of normal group. Conclusions : These findings suggest that the Ginseng radix improves male reproductive function by increasing sperm count and CatSper protein expression.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2003년도 Annual Meeting of KSAP : International Symposium on Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences on Obesity
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• pp.15-23
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• 2003

Interest in the regulation of body weight and the pathological physiology of obesity has been rekindled by the cloning of the obese(ob) gene and identification of its product, leptin, in 1994. The first publication appeared in Nature and is a milestone of obesity research. The remarkable metabolic effects of leptin in rodents are: a) inhibition of food intake, b) stimulation of energy expenditure, and c) reversal of obesity. These effects, though mostly desirable, have not been fully demonstrated in humans. The central action of leptin in the regulation of body weight includes two pathways in rodents: a) When the body weight increasing, more leptin is secreted from adipose tissue, which acts on hypothalamus, probably through a POMC or MSH pathway via M4 receptor, initiates a series of response to obesity, i.e. sympathetic tone increased, energy expenditure enhanced and food intake reduced. b) When body weight reduced, leptin concentration decreased with the shrinkage of fat mass, which may also act on the hypothalamus, probably through a NPY-Y5 receptor pathway. Then a cascade of response to hungry was induced, i.e. increase of parasympathetic tone and food intake, decrease of energy expenditure and body temperature, as well as shut-down of the reproductive function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.390-400
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• 2000

The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland whose main function is to secrete progesterone to support pregnancy. On the other hand, the cyclic bovine CL has also been shown to be a site of prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$) production. Although there is general agreement that endometrial $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ is an essential luteolysin in cattle, luteal $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ seems to play a luteotropic role as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor, especially for the development and maintenance of the CL. This supposition is based on evidence that some of the prerequisites for autocrine/paracrine mechanisms are present, including local production of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ and the existence of specific binding sites within the CL. The purpose of this paper is to review the regulation of luteal $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ secretion, its action on CL as an autocrine and/or paracrine factor and the receptivity of bovine CL to. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.331-338
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• 1997

A teratogenic study on Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won was carried out in SpragueDawley rats. Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won suspended in distilled water was administered to pregnant dams by oral gavage during organogenesis period (from 7th to 17th day of gestation) at daily doses of 1/9, 1/3 and I pill/kg. About two-thirds of dams were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation to scrutinize the pregnant performances and fetal development, and the remaining dams were allowed to deliver. The growth, reflex, behaviour and reproductive function of F1 offsprings were examined. There was no treatment-related difference in body weight, food consumption and necropy findings of dams. No gross, skeletal and visceral abnormalities was observed in F1 fetuses from dams treated with Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won. F1 offsprings did not show any treatment-related difference in growth, reflex, behaviour and reproductive peuformance. At caesarean section of F1 dams, no growth retardation and gross abnormality was observed in F2 fetuses. In conclusion, Original Woo-Whang-Chung-Sim-Won did not show any potential teratogenic activity in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.151-157
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• 2000

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of polycystic ovarian follicular fluid on sperm motility in human in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: From May, 1998 to July, 1999, 55 patients who complained of infertility were involved in this study. We obtained ovarian follicular fluids from the patients by ultrasono-guided aspiration. Subjects were divided into two groups. 20 patients who had polycystic ovarian disease were belong to study group, and 25 patients who had normal ovarian follicular fluid were belong to control group. The follicular fluid dilution was done with Ham's fluid as 10%, 20%, 50%, 100%. The sperm motility was analyzed by CASA at 6hr and 12hr after incubation in follicular fluids. Results: The levels of average path velocity (VAP) in all concentration fluid didn't show significant difference between study and control group. The other parameters including curvilinear velocity (VCL), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), and linerity (LIN) were didn't show any significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: PCOD fluid had seemed to have an adverse effect on the sperm biological function. But, this study showed that PCOD fluid had no different effect on sperm motility with normal follicular fluid.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제5권1_2호
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• pp.1-7
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• 1978

In order to estimate the human placental lactogen levels and its value as an indicator of placental function during the first half of normal pregnancy, we defermined HPL levels. in normal snbjects (No=40) from the 6th week to the 20th week of gestation For the determination of human placental lactogen in serum of normal pregnant women during the first half of prognancy, radioimmunoassay have been performed using Phadebas HPL Test kit. The range of 25ng to 800ng HPL/ml. were determined by the procedures using Phadbas HPL Test kit, which correspond to levels recorded throughout the first half of normal pregnancy. HPL was detected in the earliest pregnancy samples collected at 6 weeks but was generally present in minute amount during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the HPL level ranged from 25 ng/ml. to 0.86 ${\mu}g$/ml. The mean concentration of HPL increased gradually from only 0.03 ${\mu}g$/ml, at 6 weeks to 0.25 ${\mu}g$/ml, at 12 weeks of gestation, Subsequently the mean HPL value rose steeply from 0.25 ${\mu}g$/ml, at 12 weeks to 1.65 ${\mu}g$/ml, at 20 weeks of gestation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.97-101
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• 1999

Male genital tract inflammatory conditions may be associated with unexplained infertility. The presence of cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) was reported in the semen of infertile men. However, the effect of these cytokines on human sperm function is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vitro effects of TNF-alpha on human sperm motility with computer assisted sperm analysis. Washed sperm from 16 normal men were incubated without and with TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.1, 10, 1000 ng/ml). The changes of parameters of sperm motility were recorded at different time intervals (0, 5, 24 hour). There was no significant change of parameters of sperm motility in the incubation with TNF-${\alpha}$. It is suggested that TNF-${\alpha}$ alone does not interfere with the sperm motility and more studies are needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.377-381
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• 1999

Objectives: Recent studies, including our own, demonstrated that the novel expression of LH gene in rat gonads and uterus, indicating that the local production and action of the LH-like molecule. In the present study, we investigated whether human uterus also expresses the LH gene. Design: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplified the cDNA fragments coding $LH_{\beta}$ polypeptide from human endometrium but not from myometrium. Presence of the transcripts for the ${\alpha}$-subunit in human endometrium was also confirmed by RT-PCR. Results: Transcripts for $LH_{\beta}$ subunit were detected in endometrial samples from women with endometriosis. The gene for LH/hCG receptor was expressed in both endometrium and myometrium, showing good agreement with previous studies. Increased level of $LH_{\beta}$ transcript was determined in the endometrium from follicular phase compared to that from luteal phase. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings demonstrated that 1) the genes for LH subunits and LH/hCG receptor are expressed in human uterus, 2) the uterine LH expression was changed during menstrual cycle, suggesting that the uterine LH may playa local role in the control of uterine physiology and function(s).