• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.327-335
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• 2010

We reported previously that the administration of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) protected the guinea pig testis against damage induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (a potent endocrine disruptor). We also found that crude saponin from ginseng was the active ingredient responsible for this protection. Here, we examined the biological role of KRG-WE in an animal model of age-induced dysfunction of spermatogenesis. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (six 2-month-old and eighteen 12-month-old) rats were used. The young and old control groups received only vehicle. The ginseng saponin (GS)- and KRG-WE-treated groups received GS (40 mg/kg body weight/day) and KRG-WE (200 mg/kg body weight/day), respectively, for 4 months. The number of cells, Sertoli cell index, Johnsen's score, and sex hormone levels decreased significantly with age. However, the administration of KRG-WE and GS markedly improved the number of germ cells, seminiferous tubular size, and Johnsen's score in the old rats. Ginseng produced a distinct testicular histological improvement in old rats. KRG-WE and GS elevated testosterone levels, while attenuating the aberrant increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels. Sperm kinematics evaluated by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer demonstrated improvement in the percentage of motile sperm, progressive sperm motility, and curvilinear velocity associated with sperm quality, supporting the beneficial role of red ginseng in senile spermatogenesis. Overall, the total water extract had a more potent effect than the corresponding saponin fraction. In conclusion, Korean red ginseng rejuvenated age-induced testicular dysfunction. Additionally, the total water extract was more potent than the corresponding saponin fraction.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2008

Bisphenol A bis (2,3-dihydroxypropyl) ether ($BADGE.2H_2O$) is a component of commercial liquid epoxy resins commonly used in the food-packing industry and in dental sealants. There is evidence that it has significant estrogenic activity. Nur77 plays a crucial role in the regulation of certain genes involved in LH-mediated steroidogenesis in testicular Leydig cells. It was previously demonstrated that Bisphenol A (BPA) stimulates Nur77 gene induction and steroidogenesis. In this study, we investigated the effects of $BADGE.2H_2O$ on Nur77 gene expression and steroidogenesis. Northern blot analysis showed that it increased the expression of Nur77 mRNA and protein, and transient transfection assays demonstrated that it increased the promoter activity and transactivation of Nur77. It also increased the expression of certain steroidogenic genes, such as StAR and $3{\beta}$-HSD. Finally, over-expression of a dominant negative Nur77 cDNA via adenoviral infection reduced $BADGE.2H_2O$-mediated progesterone biosynthesis. These results indicate that $BADGE.2H_2O$ disrupts testicular steroidogenesis by increasing Nur77 gene expression.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2009

The reproductive cells in testes of Microphysogobio yaluensis were investigated using light and electron microscopes. The testis of Microphysogobio yaluensis consisted of numerous testicular cysts contained synchronized cells. Sperms were full in testicular sacs of mature testes. Leydig cells were located among testicular cysts. The nucleus of primary spermatocytes was round and mitochondria were congregated in cytoplasm. The size of secondary spermatocyte was smaller than that of primary spermatocyte and the nucleus of a secondary spermatocyte was round or oval. In spermatids, the nucleus was round and electron-dense. In spermiogenesis, the nucleus was condensed and a flagellum started to be formed. The mitochondria were rearranged along the flagellum. The sperm had a round head, the acrosome was not found and a motile flagellum consisted of an axoneme with a typical 9+2 pattern of microtubule.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2021

Objective: Studies of the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive system have emphasized the role of these hormones in male fertility. Sesame oil has many phytoestrogenic compounds and may improve male fertility. This study investigated the effects of sesame oil and different concentrations of estrogen on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in male mice. Methods: Twenty old NMRI (The Naval Medical Research Institute) male mice (40 weeks; weight, 30-35 g) were treated with sesame oil or different concentrations of estrogen (estradiol, 1 and 10 μL/kg/day) or received no treatment (controls). After 35 days, sperm parameters and DNA integrity were assessed and analyzed. Results: Sperm count, progressive motility, and morphology were decreased in the group that received 10 μL/kg of estradiol. A remarkably lower percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were detected in the group that received 1 μL/kg of estradiol. In the groups that received sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol, the numbers of spermatogonia and Leydig cells were higher than in controls. The combination of sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol led to improved sperm parameters and chromatin and testicular structure. Conclusion: Based on this study, consumption of sesame oil and a low concentration of estradiol may improve testicular function in older mice.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.11
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• pp.1666-1674
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• 2022

Objective: Letrozole, a potent aromatase inhibitor, is known to have the potential to modify male reproductive function by altering sex hormone levels. This study aimed to evaluate the semen and testicular characteristics and hormonal profile of aged Mrakhoz bucks (Capra hircus) treated with letrozole. Methods: Twelve Markhoz male goats, aged between 4.5 to 5.5 years with an average body weight (BW) of 61.05±4.97 kg were used for the study. Animals were randomly divided into two equal groups and subcutaneously received either 0.25 mg/kg BW of letrozole or a control every week for 2 months. The semen collections were performed every 10 days, and blood samples and testicular biometric records were collected at 20 days intervals. Results: Letrozole causes increased testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, testosterone to estradiol ratio, semen index and reaction time during the period from 20th to 60th days (p<0.05). Furthermore, letrozole-treated bucks had higher semen volume, sperm concentration, and total sperm per ejaculate from 30th to 60th days (p<0.05). However, no differences occurred between the groups in scrotal circumference, relative testicular volume, semen pH, abnormality, acrosome integrity, and membrane integrity of sperm during the study (p>0.05). The serum luteinizing hormone levels, sperm viability, motility, and progressive motility increased, and estradiol levels decreased after 40th to 60th days of letrozole treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Letrozole application to aged Markhoz bucks provokes reproductive hormonal axis which, in turn, induces enhancement of semen production and quality.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to describe a distinct subpopulation of azoospermic patients with isolated elevation of follicle-stimulating hormone (iFSH) and poor outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE). Methods: A retrospective analysis of microTESE outcomes was conducted among 565 patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Testicular pathology was assessed by the dominant histological pattern and Bergmann-Kliesch score (BKS). Descriptive statistics were presented for the iFSH subgroup. Inhibin B levels, the sperm retrieval rate (SRR), and BKS were compared in iFSH patients and other NOA patients. Results: The overall SRR was 33.3% per microTESE attempt. The median BKS was 0.6 (interquartile range, 0-2). Of all NOA patients, 132 had iFSH, and microTESE was successful only in 11 of those cases, with an SRR of 8.3%, while the total SRR in other NOA patients was 38.1% (p<0.001). iFSH had a sensitivity of 32.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.4%-36.8%) and specificity of 94.1% (95% CI, 90.8-97.5%) as a predictor of negative microTESE outcomes. Conclusion: Patients with iFSH may harbor a distinct testicular phenotype with total loss of the germ cell population and poor outcomes of surgical sperm retrieval.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.39-39
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• 2001

Effects of Barodon$^{(R)}$ on body growth, histological changes in seminiferous tubules of testes and serum level of testosterone and FSH were examined in juvenile rats from 5 to 38 wks of age. All rats supplied feed and Barodon-added water(0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.3 and 1.0%) available ad libitum. DNA distribution of testicular cells from control rats obtained by flow cytometry was characterized by 4 peaks representing I : elongated, II round spermatids(1N), III: a variety of 2N cells and IV: 4N cells. Frequencies of 4 testicular cell types were calculated using cumulative DNA frequency distributions. Body growth from 18wk of age was significantly accelerated in rats supplied water with 0.15% Barodon compared to other groups. Testes weights tended to be greater in 0.15% Barodon-treated rats than in control, without significant difference. Diameter of seminiferous tubules advanced in 0.15-0.3% Barodon till 26 wk of age, but there was not significant different. Proportion of spermatids in seminiferous tubules was 48.4% at 6wk of age(round: 81.2% and elongated: 18.8% as proportion of total spermatids) and frequency of spermatids was higher in 0.3% Barodon group(57.1%) than in control(44.0%), but there was no significant difference. Serum testosterone of all groups significantly elevated at 18wk of age and level in 0.15% Barodon group was greatly higher than in others. Serum FSH at 10wks was greatly higher in 0.1-0.3% Barodon groups compared to control, but there were no significant differences. It is concluded that 0.15-0.3% Barodon treatment tended to induce precocious puberty in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.160-169
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• 2023

Objective: Cryptorchidism is one of the main causes of infertility and can result in testicular cancer. This study aimed to present quantitative data on the damage caused by cryptorchidism using stereological analysis. Methods: Thirty newborn rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group underwent surgery to induce unilateral cryptorchidism in the left testis, whereas the control group underwent a sham surgical procedure 18 days after birth. The testes were removed at designated time points (40, 63, and 90 days after birth) for stereological evaluation and sperm analysis. Total testicular volume, interstitial tissue volume, seminiferous tubule volume and length, and seminiferous epithelium volume and surface area were measured. Other parameters, such as sperm count, sperm morphology, and sperm tail length, were also examined. Results: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the experimental and the control groups at different ages regarding the volumes of various parameters, including the surface area of the germinal layer, the length of the seminiferous tubules, sperm count, and sperm morphology. However, no significant differences were observed in the epithelial volume and the sperm tail length of the groups. Conclusion: Given the substantial effect of cryptorchidism on different testicular parameters, as well as the irreversible damage it causes in the testes, it is important to take this abnormality seriously to prevent these consequences.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.27-39
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• 1984

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of experimental cryptorchidism on the levels of testicular FSH, LH receptor. One hundred and thirty two male rats weighing 100${\pm}$10g, 45 days old, were divided into three groups of control, bilateral cryptorchidism and unilateral cryptorchidism which was subdivided into two groups of scrotal testis and abdominal testis. Thirty to forty two heads of rats were allotted to each group. Five to eight rats from each group were randomely sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 weeks after surgical induction of cryptorchidism. Testis was removed for assay of FSH, LH receptors. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The levels of FSH receptors per 10mg testicular tissue in abdominal testis of unilateral cryptorchid group and bilateral cryptorchid group tended to decrease gradually toward 5th week and these levels at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th week were significantly lower than those levels of control group and scrotal testis of unilateral cryptorchid group. On the other hand; the ranges of affinities of FSH receptors of abdominal testis in unilateral and bilateral cryptorchid group were 2.2 - 6.67 ${\times}10^{11}M^{-1}$ and 3.6 - 4.8 ${\times}10^{11}M^{-1}$ respectively, and these values were slightly higher than those of control group (1.43 - 3.98 ${\times}10^{11}M^{-1}$) or those of scrotal testis in unilateral cryptorchid group (1.41 - 3.25 ${\times}10^{11}M^{-1}$). Especially at I and 4 weeks after treatment the affinities of abdominal testis in unilateral and bilateral cryptorchid group were significantly higher than those of other group (P <0.01). 2. The levels of LH receptors in 10mg testicular tissue tended to increase with elapse of time in control and in scrotal testis of unilateral cryptorchid group. But the levels of LH receptors of abdominal testis in unilateral and bilateral cryptorchid group tended to decrease after treatment and were significantly lower than control group at 1 (P <0.01),2,4 and 5 weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). The affinities of LH receptors were not significantly different among treatments except those of bilateral cryptorchid group and abdominal testis of unilateral cryptorchid group being significantly higher than that of the control at 4 weeks after treatment.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2011

Simazine (6-chloro-N,N'-diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) is a triazine herbicide that has been applied worldwide including Korea for agricultural purposes. Simazine is the second most commonly detected pesticide in surfaceand ground-water in the United States, Europe and Australia. It has been shown that simazine is a potent endocrine disruptor in wildlife and laboratory animals. Although many endocrine disruptors can induce apoptosis in various types of cells, the effects of simazine on apoptosis and on the expression of Bcl-2 family genes are not known. Also it is unknown the effect of simazine on the expression of steroidogenesis-regulating genes in testicular cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of simazine on the expression levels of apoptosis- and steroidogenesis-regulating genes in testicular cells. We found that a low concentration of simazine can alter the mRNA expression levels of steroidogenesis-related genes and Bcl-2 family genes in mouse Sertoli cells and rat Leydig cells. Thus, our results suggest that simazine can disturb normal testicular development and reproductive function by altering the expression of genes that are critical for the regulation of apoptosis and steroidogenesis.