• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 1999

This study was performed to identify the effect of the hydrosalpinx fluid on sperm motility. It has been reported that the patients with hydrosalpinx show the outstandingly lower success rate than other patients having infertility by different factors. It is unclear that the cause of it is influenced by hydrosalpinx fluid directly or by secondary chronic inflammation of endometrium. We wanted to know if the hydrosalpinx fluid influences sperm motility parameters directly such that it is related to the development of infertility. Therefore, using computer assisted semen analyzer (CASA), we observed, from February to July, 1997, how sperm motility, sperm progressive motility, sperm curvilinear velocity, sperm lateral head displacement, sperm straightness and sperm linearity change after treating normal sperm with hydrosalpinx fluid to evaluate sperm function on infertility. The result was that the study group (n=32) has the tendency to differ from the control group (n=32) on sperm motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, lateral head displacement, straightness and linearity. We concluded that the hydrosalpinx fluid, with varying degree, directly has the harmful effects on sperm motility parameters, that is, curvilinear velocity, lateral head displacement and linearity of sperm which are related to the hyperactivation, hence decreased capacitation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 1988

To increase fertilization rate in vitro, separation of viable spermatozoa from the seminal plasma and its other components may be a useful procedure. Ejaculates from healthy men, whose semen analysis findings were normal in 19, and abnormal in 10, were filtered using the glass-wool filtration technique to yield a concentrated, viable sperm samples for IVF, and the usefulness and safety of this method were evaluated. The recovery rate of motile sperm in abnormal groups was 46.2% and 54.5% in normal group. The % motility was increased significantly compared with original sample after filtration, and the grade motility was improved, too. The sperm population with normal morphology was also increased significantly in both group. Using transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructural integrity of acrosomal segment was examined in order to evaluate the potentially hazardous effect of glass-wool filtration to sperm head, however, sperm population with normal ultrastructure was increased compared with that of original ejaculate after separation. The filtered sperm was then processed for IVF, as the fertilizing capacity is the ultimate parameter of the sperm function. In abnormal group, the fertilization rate(41.5 %) and the ET rate per stimulated cycle were much lower than that of mormal group(69.6%). However, the cleavage rate and the number of embryos transfered per ET cycle were comparable with those of nomal group. The results suggest that the glass-wool filtration of sperm, particularly in oligo-asthenozoospsrmia, may be useful and safe method in the preparation of sperm for IVF.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2004

Objective: To assess the association with autoimmune endocrine diseases and detection rate of autoimmune antibodies and its clinical significance in patients with premature ovarian failure. Methods: Twenty eight patients with primary or secondary amenorrhea manifesting hormonal and clinical features of premature ovarian failure (primary POF: 7, secondary POF: 21) were investigated. We tested them TFT, 75 g OGTT, ACTH and S-cortisol for thyroiditis, IDDM, Addison's disease, and antithyoglobulin antibody, antimicrosomal antibody, antinuclear antibody, rheumatic factor, anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody for non-organ specific autoimmune disorders. Results: Only one patient was diagnosed as IDDM and no patients had abnormal TFT or adrenal function test. More than one kind of autoantibody was detected in 11 patients of all (39.2%): 5 patients (71.4%) of primary POF group and 6 patients (21.4%) of secondary POF group. Eleven patients (39.3%) had antithyroglobulin antibody, 4 (14.3%) had antimicrosomal antibody, 2 (7.1%) had antinuclear antibody, 2 (7.1%) had rheumatic factor, 1 (3.6%) had anti-smooth muscle antibody, 1 (3.6%) had anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. Conclusions: Premature ovarian failure may occur as a component of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, so patients should be measured with free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, fasting glucose and electrolytes. Measurement of thyroid autoantibodies in POF patients may be important in identifying patients at risk of developing overt hypothyoidism, but other autoantibodies may not be suitable for screening test.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1987

The Radionuclide test (RN test) using radioactively labelled human albumin microspheres was developed recently to evaluate the patency and functional capacity of the fallopian tubes. 57 infertile women underwent this procedure as a part of their infertility work up. The results of the radionuclide evaluation were compared with those of the hysterosalpingography (HSG) and further the surgical findings of the laparoscopy and laparotomy. In 64.9%(37/57) of the cases, there was complete agreement between radionuclide test (RN test), hysterosalpingography(HSG) and surgical findings. In comparison with surgical findings, RN test showed a complete agreement rate of 89.4%(51/57), a partial agreement rate of 5.3%(3/57) and no agreement rate of 5.3%(3/57), respectively. Likewise, HSG revealed a complete agreement rate of 80.7%(46/57), a partial agreement rate of 10.5%(6/57) and no agreement 8.8%(5/57), respectively. It would appear that as opposed to the traditional HSG, RN test may give a better understanding of the functional capacity of the tube and may prove a useful method before and after tubal surgery.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 1994

19-norandrostenedione(19-NORA) is known as an intermediate in the metabolic pathway from androstenedione to estrone. Administration of esterified 19-nortestosterone, anabolic steroid, reduces serum gonadotropin and testosterone concentration, and results in reversible azoospermia in men. 19-NORA have been isolated from testis, but its function in testis is not clear yet. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of 19-NORA on steroidogenesis and on spermatogenesis. 19-NORA was administrated by single intratesticular injection to adult male rats weighing 350-400 g in dose of 1 mg/50${\mu}l$. The serum and testis were collected on 1, 3, 7, 12, 48 hr after injection. The histological differences in testis were observed by routine paraffin method. The concentrations of testosterone and estradiol in serum and in left testis were determined by the conventional radioimmunoassays. One hour after 19-NORA treatment, serum concentrations of testosterone and estradiol increased significantly, compared to those of pre-treated(0 hr) group, and reduced gradually to the control level on 7 hour after injection. The concentration of testosterone in left testis increased slightly 1 hour after injection, and estradiol level increased significantly(p<0.05). Also, testosterone and estradiol level of control group revealed no difference with pre-treated (0 hr) group. Gonad index, structure of seminiferous tubules, and the number of step 7 th spermatid were simillar to control group. The present study suggests that the elevation of testosterone level results from increment of estradiol followed by the rapid metabolism of 19-NORA at 7 hour after injection, and then testosterone concentration may be recovered to control level by feedback mechanism of hypothalamus-hypothysis-testis axis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2019

Objective: To investigate serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) and vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) concentrations in women with endometriosis according to the severity of disease. Methods: Women with mild endometriosis (n = 9) and advanced endometriosis (n = 7), as well as healthy controls (n = 16), were enrolled in this observational study. Serum total 25(OH)D concentrations were analyzed using the Elecsys vitamin D total kit with the Cobas e602 module. Concentrations of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using the Human Vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. Variables were tested for normality and homoscedasticity using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Leven F test, respectively. Correlation analysis was used to identify the variables related to total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels. To assess the effects of total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels in the three groups, multivariate generalized additive modeling (GAM) was performed. Results: Gravidity and parity were significantly different across the three groups. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and CA-125 levels increased as a function of endometriosis severity, respectively (p= 0.051, p= 0.004). The correlation analysis showed that total 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with gravidity (r = 0.59, p< 0.001) and parity (r = 0.51, p< 0.003). Multivariate GAM showed no significant relationship of total 25(OH)D levels with EMT severity after adjusting for gravidity and ESR. However, the coefficient of total 25(OH)D levels with gravidity was significant (1.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.12-3.63; p= 0.040). Conclusion: These results indicate that vitamin D and VDBP levels were not associated with the severity of endometriosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2019

Objective: Bilateral uterine artery ligation (UAL) is a fertility-preserving procedure used in women experiencing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). However, the long-term effects of this procedure on ovarian function remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether bilateral UAL compromised ovarian reserve and ovarian blood supply. Methods: This prospective study included 49 women aged between 21 and 36 years who had undergone a cesarean section for obstetric indications. Of these, 25 underwent uterine bilateral UAL to control intractable atonic PPH. The control group consisted of 24 women who had not undergone bilateral UAL. Standard clinical parameters, the results of color Doppler screening, and ovarian reserve markers were assessed in all participants at 6 months after surgery. The clinical parameters included age, parity, cycle history, body mass index, and previous medication and/or surgery. Color Doppler screening findings included the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) for both the uterine and ovarian arteries. The ovarian reserve markers included day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, antral follicle count, and $anti-M\ddot{u}llerian$ hormone (AMH) levels. Results: There were no significant differences in the ovarian reserve markers of day 3 FSH levels, antral follicle count, and AMH levels between the study and control groups (p> 0.05 for all). In addition, no significant differences were observed in the PI and RI indices of the uterine and ovarian arteries (p> 0.05 for all). Conclusion: In this study, we showed that bilateral UAL had no negative effects on ovarian reserve or ovarian blood supply, so this treatment should be used as a fertility preservation technique to avoid hysterectomy in patients experiencing PPH.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.163-170
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• 2021

Bacterial infections in the female reproductive tract negatively affect ovarian function, follicular development, and embryo development, leading to the eventual failure of fertilization. Moreover, bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can interfere with the immune system and reproductive system of the host animal. Therefore, this study examined the effect of LPS on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of pig oocytes. Oocytes were matured in TCM199 medium in the presence of varying concentrations of LPS (0 - 50 ㎍·mL^-1). The maturation rate, cortical granules (CGs) migration, and chromosome alignment were subsequently evaluated during the meiotic development of the oocytes. We observed a dose-dependent and significant decrease in the metaphase II (MII) rate with increasing concentrations of LPS (97.6% control [0 ㎍·mL^-1 LPS] vs. 10.4-74.9% LPS [1 - 50 ㎍·mL^-1], p < 0.05). In addition, compared to the control oocytes without LPS, higher levels of abnormal CGs distribution (18.1 - 50.0% LPS vs. 0% control), chromosome/spindle alignment (20.3 - 56.7% LPS vs. 0% control), and intracellular ROS generation were observed in oocytes matured with LPS (p < 0.05). Nitrite levels were also increased in the maturation medium derived from the oocytes matured with LPS (p < 0.05). These results indicate that LPS induces oxidative stress during IVM and affects oocyte maturation, including CGs migration and chromosome alignment of pig oocytes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

Objective: Approximately 30% of preeclamptic pregnancies exhibit abnormal liver function tests. We assessed liver injury-associated enzyme levels and circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model. Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) received AVP (150 ng/hr) subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 18 days. Blood pressure was measured, urine samples were collected, and all animals were euthanized via isoflurane. Blood was collected to measure circulating levels of TGF-β1-3 isomers and liver injury enzymes in pregnant AVP (PAVP), pregnant saline (PS), non-pregnant AVP (NAVP), and non-pregnant saline (NS) rats. Results: The PAVP group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than both saline-treated groups. The weight per pup was significantly lower in the AVP-treated group than in the saline group (p<0.05). Circulating TGF-β1-3 isomer levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats than in the NS rats. However, similar TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels were noted in the PS and PAVP rats, while TGF-β2 levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats. Circulating liver-type arginase-1 and 5'-nucleotidase levels were higher in the PAVP rats than in the saline group. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate higher levels of TGF-β2, arginase, and 5'-nucleotidase activity in PAVP than in PS rats. AVP may cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral resistance and blood pressure, thereby elevating TGF-β and inducing the preeclampsia-associated inflammatory response. Future studies should explore the mechanisms through which AVP dysregulates liver injury enzymes and TGF-β in pregnant rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2022

Objective: The impact of imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on ovarian follicles and several proteins related to follicular function and apoptosis was investigated in mice. Methods: Saline, cyclophosphamide (Cp; 50 or 75 mg/kg), or imatinib (7.5 or 15 mg/kg) was injected once intraperitoneally into female B6D2F1 mice (18 mice in each group). In multiple ovarian sections, the number of various types of follicles and the proportion of good-quality (G1) follicles were counted. The levels of six proteins (anti-Müllerian hormone [AMH], BCL-xL, BAX, acid sphingomyelinase [A-SMase], caspase-3, and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) within the whole ovaries were quantified using Western blots. Results: Compared to the saline group, a significant reduction of the primordial follicle count was observed in the group treated with imatinib 7.5 and 15 mg/kg, as well as in the group treated with Cp 75 mg/kg. Administration of Cp significantly decreased the proportion of G1 primordial follicles, but administration of imatinib did not. No differences in the AMH, anti-apoptotic BCLX-L, pro-apoptotic BAX, and A-SMase levels in the ovarian tissues were observed among the five groups. However, caspase-3 and α-SMA levels were significantly higher in the imatinib and Cp groups than in the saline group. Conclusion: The administration of imatinib to mice significantly reduced the primordial follicle count and increased the protein levels of caspase-3 and α-SMA. Our findings suggest that imatinib potentially exerts ovarian toxicity via apoptotic processes, similarly to Cp.