• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.341-354
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• 2021

Cardamonin (CARD) is a chalconoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it is present in several plants. We sought to explore whether CARD exerts any positive effects against hyperglycemia-induced testicular dysfunction caused by type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify its possible intracellular pathways. Adult male rats were subdivided into six groups: control, CARD, diabetic (DM), DM + glibenclamide (GLIB), DM + CARD and DM + GLIB + CARD. Type 2 DM induced a significant increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance, along with diminished serum insulin, testosterone and gonadotropins levels, which were associated with the impairment of key testicular androgenic enzymes and cellular redox balance. Administration of CARD at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 4 weeks effectively normalized all of these alterations, and the improvement was confirmed by epididymal sperm analysis. After treatment with CARD, the pathological changes in spermatogenic tubules were markedly improved. Significantly, CARD upregulated testicular glucose transporter-8 (GLUT-8) expression and had inhibitory effects on elevated autophagy markers and caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that CARD was able to attenuate damage via activation of Nrf2 through the p62-dependent degradation of testicular anti-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1). In conclusion, this study suggests that CARD provides protection against diabetic stress-mediated testicular damage. The use of CARD with conventional anti-diabetic therapy was associated with improved efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.135-142
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer, known as Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), is one of the important age-old traditional herbs used in boosting libido and improving male fertility. In this study, the effects of Rg3-enriched KRG extract (KGC04P) on heat stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats was evaluated. Methods: Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided into four groups (n = 10): normal control (NC), heat-stressed control (HC), heat-stressed plus KGC04P-100 mg/kg (HK100), and heat-stressed plus KGC04P-200 mg/kg (HK200) groups. Starting 1 week prior to heat stress, animals were administered orally with KGC04P (100 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet and continued for 25 weeks. Heat stress was induced to HC, HK100, and HK200 groups by intermittently exposing the animals to high temperatures ($32{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, 2 h/day). After 6 months, animals were euthanized under general anesthesia with carbon dioxide and evaluated for various parameters in serum and testicular tissue by using Western blotting, biochemical kits, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Significant (p < 0.05) alterations in several parameters, such as body/organ weight, sperm kinematics, and lipid metabolism marker levels, in the serum and testis of rats were observed. Further, the expression of testicular antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, sex hormonal receptors, and spermatogenesis-related genes were also affected significantly (p < 0.05) in the heat-stressed group. However, KGC04P prevented the heat stress-induced changes in rats significantly (p < 0.05) at both concentrations. Conclusion: KGC04P attenuated heat stress-induced testicular damage by a multifunctional approach and can be developed as an excellent therapeutic agent for hyperthermia-mediated male infertility.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Many efforts have been made to study the expression of aquaporins (AQP) in the mammalian reproductive system, but there are not enough data available regarding their localized expression to fully understand their specific roles in male reproduction. The present study investigated the expression and localization patterns of different AQP subtypes in the adult mouse testes and testicular spermatozoa using an immunofluorescence assay. All the studied AQPs were expressed in the testes and revealed subtype-specific patterns in the intensity and localization depending on the cell types of the testes. AQP7 was the most abundant and intensive AQP subtype in the seminiferous tubules, expressing in Leydig cells and Sertoli cells as well as all stages of germ cells, especially the spermatids and testicular spermatozoa. The expression pattern of AQP3 was similar to that of AQP7, but with higher expression in the basal and lower adluminal compartments rather than the upper adluminalcompartment. AQP8 expression was limited to the spermatogonia and Leydig cells whereas AQP9 expression was exclusive to tails of the testicular spermatozoa and elongated spermatids. Taken together, the abundance and distribution of the AQPs across the different cell types in the testes indicating to their relavance in spermatogenesis, as well as in sperm maturation, transition, and function.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.181-191
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• 1998

The spermatogenesis of pale chub (Zacco platypus) was investigated morphologically. The testis of pale chub contained numerous testicular sacs. These testicular sacs were bounded on neighboring sacs by single layer of squamous cells. Also, differentiated sperms were filled in the sacs. In the stage of spermatogonium, the germ cells had a large nucleus and a distinct nucleolus, and mitochondrial development was prominent. In the primary and secondary spermatogonia, these cells had a round electron-dense nucleus, reduced cytoplasm, and mitochondria were congregated in the side of cytoplasm. The highly condensed chromatin of sperms was electron-dense, the acrosome was not found in the head of the sperm and a motile flagellum consisted of an axoneme with a typical 9+2 pattern of microtubules.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2023

Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli) is a type of cabbage that contains vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Consequently, it is used as a potential nutraceutical source for improving human health by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Here, the effects of broccoli sprout extract (BSE) on the inflammatory response were investigated through lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory mouse models. First, we found that the BSE obviously reduce NO production in RAW 264.7 cells in response to LPS stimulation in in vitro study. Pretreatment with BSE administration improved sperm motility and testicular cell survivability in LPS-induced endotoxemic mice. Additionally, BSE treatment decreased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-1β, and IL-6, and COX-2 in testis of LPS-induced endotoxemic mice models. In conclusion, BSE could be a potential nutraceutical for preventing the excessive immune related infertility.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.193-199
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• 2005

인간의 불임을 극복하기 위한 번식공학 기술의 효율성을 증가시키기 위해 성세포의 동결이 널리 수행되고 있으나 동결 기술의 효율성에 있어서 논란의 여지가 있다. 본 연구에서는 체외수정란을 생산하기 위한 난자세포질내 정자미세주입(ICSI) 시술에 사용되는 정자와 이들 기술을 이용 생산한 체외수정란의 동결이 배 발생 및 임신에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. ICSI방법으로 체외수정란을 생산하는 경우 정자의 동결이 체외수정, 발생 및 임신에 영향을 미치지 않았으며, 특히 동결융해한 사출 및 정소정자에 의한 체외수정율과 발생율 및 임신율도 차이가 없었다. 한편 체외수정란을 동결하는 경우 완만동결과 초자화동결에 의한 체외수정란의 생존율과 임신율은 차이가 없었으나, 동결수정란은 신선수정란에 비하여 임신율이 유의하게 낮았다(p<0.05). 결론적으로 ICSI에 사용되는 정자와 달리 ICSI에 의해 생산된 수정란을 동결하는 경우 임신율을 저하시킬 수 있다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.701-705
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• 2007

Seven rc mutant and seven normal male birds (Rhode Island Red suie, RIR) were used in this study to determine the effects of rc mutation on semen characteristics, testosterone profile and spermatogenic tissues. All birds were randomly selected at week 12 of age and housed in individual cages and were fed and watered ad libitum. The birds were exposed to a 14L:10D light cycle during experiment. Semen were collected at weeks 22 to 23 from each bird twice a week and evaluated for semen volume (SV), sperm concentration (SC), total sperm count (TSC), percent of sperm motility (%SM), dead sperm (%DS), and sperm metabolic activity (SMA). To determine the testosterone concentration (TC) in plasma, blood was collected at weeks 12, 16 and 18. Testicular tissue were collected, processed and evaluated for semineferous tubule diameter (STD), round spermatid number (RSN), percent elongated sperm (%ES) and semineferous tubules length (STL). Body weight (BW), comb weight (CW) and testes weight (TW) were weighted at the end of experiment (week 23). The SV, TSC and %SM were significantly higher in normal birds but the %DS was higher in blind birds (p<0.05). The SC did not differ significantly between the two groups but its value was higher in normal birds. The sperm metabolic activity in the first h of collection did not differ significantly between the two groups but after 24 h, the level of SMA in normal group was significantly higher (p<0.05). The level of TC did not differ significantly between the two genotype groups but normal birds had higher TC in all collections except the last one. The STD, RSN, %ES and STL in normal birds were higher when compared to blind birds but the differences were insignificant except for ES percent. The BW, CW and TW between the two groups did not differ significantly but the weights were higher in normal group compared to blind birds. Statistical analysis of semen characteristics, testosterone profile and histological factors were indicated detrimental effects of rc mutation in prepubertal RIR blind male birds due to lack of light.

• 디지털융복합연구
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.433-438
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• 2014

본 연구는 흰쥐의 정소에 방사선을 조사하였을 때 시간이 경과함에 따라 나타나는 정소세포 및 정자의 변화를 현미경학적으로 얻은 영상을 기초로 영상처리에 의한 정량분석을 통하여 정자의 변화에 대한 결과를 정량화함으로써 더 정확하고 객관적인 결과를 얻고자 하는데 그 목적을 두고 있다. 연구에는 8주 수령의 흰쥐를 대상으로 하였으며, 6 MV의 X선을 1회 2 Gy를 전신 조사하였다. 총 30 마리의 흰쥐를 대상으로 방사선을 조사하지 않은 정상대조군과 실험군을 조사 즉시, 조사 2시간, 4시간, 8시간, 24시간 후에 각 실험군 마다 5마리의 정소를 각각 적출하였다. 적출 후 Periodic acid Schiff 염색을 시행하여 정상대조군과 실험군에서의 정소세포와 정자의 상태를 관찰하였다. 방사선조사 후 24시간까지, 정소세포수와 정자수가 점차 감소하는 것을 정성적 및 정량적으로 유의함을 확인하였다.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국동물번식학회 2004년도 춘계학술발표대회
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• pp.213-213
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• 2004

Exogeneous DNA can reproducibly be delivered by co-injected spermatozoa and this transgenesis method is very efficient protocol. But, mosaic patterns of transgenic embryos and offspring were shown frequently. Whole blastomere integration is important in transgenic animal economics. (omitted)

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.125-134
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• 2019

Background: Excessive stress causes varied physiological and psychological disorders including male reproductive problems. Here, we attempted to investigate the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer; KRG) against sub-acute immobilization stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats. Methods: Male rats (age, 4 wk; weight, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups (n = 8 in each group): normal control group, immobilization control group, immobilization group treated with 100 mg/kg of KRG daily, and immobilization group treated with 200 mg/kg of KRG daily. Normal control and immobilization control groups received vehicle only. KRG (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed in the standard diet powder and fed daily for 6 mo. Parameters such as organ weight, blood chemistry, sperm kinematic values, and expression levels of testicular-related molecules were measured using commercially available kits, Western blotting, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Data revealed that KRG restored the altered testis and epididymis weight in immobilization stress-induced rats significantly (p < 0.05). Further, KRG ameliorated the altered blood chemistry and sperm kinematic values when compared with the immobilization control group and attenuated the altered expression levels of spermatogenesis-related proteins (nectin-2, cAMP responsive element binding protein 1, and inhibin-${\alpha}$), sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor), and antioxidant-related enzymes (glutathione S-transferase m5, peroxiredoxin-4, and glutathione peroxidase 4) significantly in the testes of immobilization stress-induced rats. Conclusion: KRG protected immobilization stress-induced testicular damage and fertility factors in rats, thereby indicating its potential in the treatment of stress-related male sterility.