• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.31-37
• /
• 2012

Many mammals in temperate zones are affected by the distinctive changes of the four seasons in these zones. Their reproductive status is active in the summer climate and inactive during severe winter weather. The golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is seasonal breeding animal whose sexual activities are regulated by photoperoidism. The reproduction and metabolism are activated by long summer days (LD) and inhibited by short winter days (SD). After several months of SD, animals become refractory to this inhibitory photoperiod and spontaneously revert to LD-like physiology. The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) house the primary circadian oscillator in mammals. Seasonal changes in the photic input to this structure control many annual physiological rhythms via SCN-regulated pineal melatonin secretion, which provides an internal endocrine signal representing photoperiod. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in the morphology of the testis in relation to the natural photoperiod in male golden hamsters. The hamsters were castrated at different weeks (2, 5, 8, and 15). The cell numbers of tubules with spermatogonia (SG), spermatocyte (SC), spermatids (ST), and spermatozoa (SZ) were recorded in each sample. The results showed that testicular regression of golden hamsters occurred in the SD-treated animals. The present investigation determines that the effects of the photoperiod on the reproduction of male golden hamsters. It was also found that the circadian period increases the rate of reproductive inhibition in animals exposed to inhibitory photoperiods.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.485-491
• /
• 2010

With an increase in the number of people suffering from ageing-related diseases in our rapidly aging society, interests in natural products such as maca(Lepidium meyenii), which has properties of enhancing cognition and sexual performance, have increased. This study was conducted to assess the effects of 7 weeks of maca extract supplementation(0.5~2.0 g/kg BW) on scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice and on sperm count in male mice. All doses of maca supplementation significantly protected against scopolamine-induced amnesia as determined by a Morris water maze, but not according to passive avoidance tests. Maca supplementation did not affect acetylcholinesterase activity in the whole brain, nor the testicular sperm count of male mice. This study suggests that maca may have some neuroprotective properties in mice, which will be further examined by future studies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.294-300
• /
• 2011

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a phenolic resorcylic acid lactone compound produced by several species of Fusarium. ZEA has toxic effects in the testes of domestic and laboratory animals. Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has multiple pharmacological effects such as vasorelaxation, anti-thrombosis, anti-hypertension, etc. In this study, we investigated the effects of KRG extract on testicular toxicity induced by ZEA. Rats were treated with 300 mg/kg oral doses of KRG for 4 weeks every other day. The rats were then treated with a single dose of 5 mg/kg ZEA delivered intraperitoneally, whereas control rats received only doses of the vehicle. As a result, germ cell apoptosis induced by ZEA was decreased by KRG pre-treatment. In addition, Fas and Fas-L expression was reduced in rats that received KRG pre-treatment compared to ones treated with ZEA alone. In conclusion, impaired spermatogenesis resulting from ZEA treatment was prevented by KRG through Fas-Fas L modulating.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.11
• /
• pp.612-622
• /
• 2012

Olfactory receptors (ORs) detect volatile chemicals that lead to the initial perception of smell in the brain. The olfactory receptor (OR) is the first protein that recognizes odorants in the olfactory signal pathway and it is present in over 1,000 genes in mice. It is also the largest member of the G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Most ORs are extensively expressed in the nasal olfactory epithelium where they perform the appropriate physiological functions that fit their location. However, recent whole-genome sequencing shows that ORs have been found outside of the olfactory system, suggesting that ORs may play an important role in the ectopic expression of non-chemosensory tissues. The ectopic expressions of ORs and their physiological functions have attracted more attention recently since MOR23 and testicular hOR17-4 have been found to be involved in skeletal muscle development, regeneration, and human sperm chemotaxis, respectively. When identifying additional expression profiles and functions of ORs in non-olfactory tissues, there are limitations posed by the small number of antibodies available for similar OR genes. This review presents the results of a research series that identifies ectopic expressions and functions of ORs in non-chemosensory tissues to provide insight into future research directions.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2018

The spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatozoa are generated in the testes. The spermatozoa travel male reproductive tract during which they meet many substances secreted from reproductive organs. One of the substances is epididymal protease inhibitor (EPPIN) that is involved in the post-testicular maturation including capability of fertilizing the eggs. The expression of EPPIN gene was investigated in various tissues of sexually mature and regressed male Syrian hamsters by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The EPPIN gene was identified in the testis and epididymis of the male Syrian hamsters and compared to the genes reported previously. There was no expression of EPPIN gene in reproductively and completely regressed testes of Syrian hamster. These results suggest that the expressions of the EPPIN gene are associated with the reproductive capability in the Syrian hamsters.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.21-21
• /
• 2003

Male germ cell apoptosis has been extensively explored in rodent. In contrast, very little is known about their susceptibility to apoptosis stimuli of developing germ cell stages at the time when germ cell depletion after busulfan treatment occurs. Furthermore, it is still unanswered how spermatogonial stem cells are resistant to busulfan treatment. We examined the change of gene expression in detail using cDNA microarray analysis of mouse testis treated with busulfan. A subtoxic dose of busulfan (40mg/kg of body weight) transiently increased 228 mRNA levels among of the 8000 genes analyzed. TagMan analysis confirmed that the mRNA levels such as defensive protein, support protein, enzymatic protein, transport protein, and hormonal protein were rapidly increased. These results were re-confirmed by real-time PCR analysis. However, the expression levels of these genes induced by busulfan treatment were significantly reduced in control testis, indicating that both of male germ cells and somatic cells after busulfan treatment induces self-defense mechanism for protection of testicular cell death. Among them, we conclude that defense proteins play a key role in testis injury induced by busulfan.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.17-26
• /
• 2005

The ultrastructure of germ cells during spermatogenesis and the structural changes in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle with testicular development in male Neptunea (Barbitonia) arthritica cumingii were investigated monthly based on electron microscopic and histologic observations. N. arthritica cumingii (Gastropod: Buccinidae) undergoes internal fertilization and possesses a modified type of spermatozoon, which is approximately 20$\mu$m long. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consists of nine peripheral pairs of microtubules and one central pair. Many spermatozoa occur in the acini of the testis in the ripe stage and are transported to the seminal vesicles in the accumulating phase. In males, the monthly gonadosomatic index began to increase in September and reached a maximum in February. Subsequently, it decreased rapidly after April. The testis of this species can be classified into four developmental stages: the active (August to September), ripe (October to July), copulation (April to July), and recovery (July to August) stages. Structural changes in the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicles of this species could be classified into three phases: (1) S-I (resting), (2) S-II (accumulating), and (3) S-III (spent) phases. The morphology and structure of the epithelial cells of the seminal vesicle differed in each phase; the cells were cuboidal, squamous, or columnar in the resting, accumulating, or spent phases, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 1996

Cobitis striata testes were paired, with elongate form and suspended on the dorsal body wall. The testicular structure of immature testes composed of many seminal lobules with regular arrangement, whereas mature testes anastomose neighbouring seminal lobules. The spermatozoa of C. striata were anacrosomal aquasperm type and have spherical nucleus. The mid piece of spermatozoa was $0.8{\mu}m$ in length and contained 5~8 ring-shaped mitochondria. The flagellum of the spermatozoa in the present species was uniflagellate consisting of a typical 9+2 axoneme without fins.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.1180-1186
• /
• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.128-132
• /
• 2004

Reproductive cycle of the brown sole, Limanda herzensteini was investigated by means of histological methods. The testis showed the presence of seminiferous tubule. The tubule consisted of many testicular cysts, each of which contained numerous germ cells - all at the same developmental stage. The ovary consisted of several ovarian lamellae and the oogonia originated from the inner surface of the ovarian lamella. Oocyte development was group-synchronous. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the male and female was the highest in January and March, respectively. Reproductive cycle could be classified into the growing (June-September), maturation (October-December), ripe and spent (January-March), and recovery and resting (April-May).