• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 1999

In the studies on the hatching mechanisms in mammals, many investigators focused on the embryonic intrinsic factor(s) in in vitro culture, but the uterine environment as the extrinsic factor(s) is thought to play an important role in hatching mechanism. Therefore, to evaluate the effect of uterine environment on the hatching event in vivo, the immature(GV) and ovulated(MII) oocytes, and the late 2-cell embryos of mouse were transferred to pseudopregnant foster mother's uterus during peri-implantation period. So it was verified whether there would happen hatching by only uterine environment independently on embryonic stage. The ultrastructural changes of the zona surface of transferred group were compared with those 01 in vivo and vitro group by SEM. 36 hrs after transfer, the immature and ovulated oocytes almost degenerated, and the late 2-cell embryos developed to various embryonic stages. However, the embryos which didn't develop to blastula stage did not hatch. The ultrastructural network of ZP in transferred group seemed to be smoothed uniformly, which was different from in vitro group. In conclusion, it is suggested that the uterine environment during peri-implantation period enhances the embryo hatching by provoking the structural change of ZP.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.621-630
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• 2019

Fertilization is the beginning of a new life that occurs in the female uterine. The female reproductive tract is composed ovary, oviduct, uterine, vagina and cervix, their physiological features are regulated by estrous cycle. Of these, uterine is a main point to establish embryo development and implantation, and intercommunication between embryo and uterine environment is necessary for suitable pregnancy. Endometrium is part of the uterine, its morphology is repetitively changed by hormones, and characteristic of uterine fluid from endometrium is also changed. Recently, massive proteins of endometrium and uterine fluid can be detected according to develop proteomics and bioinformatics and have been accelerated the understanding of the reproductive biology fields. Moreover, the massive protein information is actively studying with deeply studied theory such as sex hormone signal pathway and angiogenesis in mammals. In this paper, we review understanding of endometrium remodeling, uterine gland and fluid during estrous cycle, additionally studies on endometrium and uterine fluid based on proteomics techniques. Lastly, we introduced methods of the protein-protein correlation using bioinformatics tool that interaction with hormone receptors, representative angiogenetic factors and detected proteins using proteomics in endometrium and uterine fluid. This review will be useful to understanding the study on search of new cell mechanism in endometrium and uterine fluid.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.121-130
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of breeding conditions on reproductive efficiency of thoroughbred broodmares by ultrasonography. The mean age and breeding career of 120 mares used in this study were 11 years old and 6 years, respectively. The average pregnancy rate and embryonic loss rate were 87.5%, 11.8%. The groups that were 8-10 years old, 4-6 years, maiden and mated on May showed the highest pregnancy rate. While mares mated on 1st estrus post partus had the highest ovulation rate but showed the highest embryonic loss rate and he lowest pregnancy rate. And broodmares that had more intrauterine foreign bodies such as cyst and fluid with age and breeding career had represented lower pregnancy rate and higher embryonic loss rate than those having normal uterine condition. These results suggest that the breeding condition and uterine environment of mares had a significant influence on reproductive efficiency.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.923-929
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to examine various Oriental Medical approaches to uterine myoma treatments which have been previously proposed, and find out an appropriate method with the verification of its clinical acceptance. The treatment with GGT(Gami-gwichulikyeong-tang) and JGD (Jagungdan) has been applied to uterine myoma patients visiting Sangdang Oriental medical clinic. After the treatment, 81 cases showing significant results are selected and analyzed in terms of patients' age, social environment, previous history of treatment, condition of uterine myoma, chief complaint, and the comparison between menstrual phases before the treatment and those after it. As for the size change, no-change is dominant. For the change chief complaint take a favorable turn is better after the treatment. Color of menstruation, pathologic blood drainage, hypermenorrhea or menorrhagia. dysmentorrhea show high percentage of improvement. The results above show GGT and JGD are effective treatments for uterine myoma patients. These two are also similar to the typical prescription of Jingga, which is Gwichulpajing-tang. Thus GGT and JGD are effective to the treatment for Jingga and Jingga is one of the most valid Oriental Medical approaches to uterine myoma.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.170-176
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• 2023

Objective: Autophagy is highly active in ovariectomized mice experiencing hormone deprivation, especially in the uterine mesenchyme. Autophagy is responsible for the turnover of vasoactive factors in the uterus, which was demonstrated in anti-Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 receptor (Amhr2)-Cre-driven autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7) knockout (Amhr-Cre/Atg7^f/f mice). In that study, we uncovered a striking difference in the amount of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) accumulation between virgin mice and breeder mice with the same genotype. Herein, we aimed to determine whether repeated breeding changed the composition of mesenchymal cell populations in the uterine stroma. Methods: All female mice used in this study were of the same genotype. Atg7 was deleted by Amhr2 promoter-driven Cre recombinase in the uterine stroma and myometrium, except for a triangular stromal region on the mesometrial side. Amhr-Cre/Atg7^f/f female mice were divided into two groups: virgin mice with no mating history and aged between 11 and 12 months, and breeder mice with at least 6-month breeding cycles with multiple pregnancies and aged around 12 months. The uteri were used for Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Results: SQSTM1 accumulation, representing Atg7 deletion and halted autophagy, was much higher in virgin mice than in breeders. Breeders showed reduced accumulation of several vasoconstrictive factors, which are potential autophagy targets, in the uterus, suggesting that the uterine stroma was repopulated with autophagy-intact cells during repeated pregnancies. Conclusion: Multiple pregnancies seem to have improved the uterine environment by replacing autophagy-deficient cells with autophagy-intact cells, providing evidence of cell mixing.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.225-229
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• 2018

In humans, hormonal regulation is crucial for the preparation of uterine environment leading to either successful implantation or menstrual cycle. Estrogen is a pivotal female steroid hormone that regulates the uterine dynamics along with progesterone in the estrous and menstrual cycles in humans. Estrogen signals act via nuclear estrogen receptor or membrane-bound receptor. The membrane-bound estrogen receptor plays a crucial role in the rapid response of estrogen in the uterine epithelium. Recently, RASD1 has received attention as a novel signal transducer of estrogen in various systems including female reproductive organs. In this review, we discuss the regulation of estrogen and RASD1 signaling in the uterus and also provide insights into RAS as a novel signaling molecule in repeated implantation failure.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate several types of uterine bacteria in Hanwoo. uterine bacteria from randomly selected 5 uterus was collected by flushing methods into a sterilized 1.5 ml centrifuge tube and was inoculated onto MacConkey agar and blood agar, respectively. After being incubated for 5% $CO_2$, aerobic or anaerobic condition at $37^{\circ}C$ during 48h, bacterial colonies were selected and re-inoculated onto blood agar plates. Re-cultured colonies were identified by Gram staining and finally identified using Vitek system. The identified bacteria were Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus vitulinus, Staphylococcus warneri of Gram (+) and Rhizobium radiobacter, Sphingomonas paucimobilis of Gram (-) bacteria. Although, pathogenicity of identified bacteria was unclear, the bacteria can have an effect on the uterine microenvironment. Therefore, repetitive research will be required to determine the effects of bacteria in cattle exposed to a various environment.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.379-384
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• 1997

Superovulation with exogenous gonadotropins creates a spectrum of pre or periovulatory hormonal changes with subsequent detrimental effects on oocyte quality, fertilization, embryo development, implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Our recent study determined potential roles for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in uterine environment regulation and preimplant tation in the rat. The evidence indicates that IGF-l may play an important role in the main tenance of a receptive uterine environment for embryonic development and the regulation of decidualization. Embryonic loss and failure of implantations following superovulation may be partially attributed to disturbances in uterine IGF-l action as observed in this study. We investigated the effects of superovulatory doses of gonadotropins on frequency of chromosomal a abnormalities of mouse embryos. Chromosome a analysis of mouse zygotes and 8- to 16-cell stage embryos from spontaneously ovulated, 5, 10, and l 15 lU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) superovulated mice was carried out. Aneuploidy, polyploidy and structural chrom- osomal abnormalities were detected among the four groups. However, only polyploidy was correlated with superovulation. In 10 and 15 IV PMSG treated groups, the rate of polypoidy was 2.9% and 10.5%, respectively. Furthermore, there was a dose reponse relationship between the PMSG dose and the incidence of embryonic p polyploidy (P

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 1995

The present investigation has been undertaken to elucidate the differentiation mechanism the uterus which is the environment of the embryo development, by demonstrating the role of ovarian steroids hormone in the decidualization of the pseudopregnant rat uterus. To determine the effect of ovarine steroids and artificial stimulation (trauma) on the differenciation of the uterine endometrium and decidualization for implantation, attempt was made to measure concentrations of serum estradiol($E_2$), progesterone($P_4$) and nuclear $P_4$ receptor in the traumatized and non-traumatized uterine tissue of the pseudopregnant rat. The results obtained are as followings : The concentration of serum $E_2$ on day 9(implantation stage) was similar in both of intact pseudopregnant rat(47.63pg/ml) and normal pregnant rat(40.71pg/ml). And among the treated groups, $E_2$ concentration was highest in the $E_2$ treated group in comparision with intact control group(relative value; 73.27%). The concentration of serum $P_4$ was also highest in the $P_4$ treated group(23.12pg/ml). Relative value of $P_4$ treated group in comparision with intact group(24.88pg/ml) was 92.93%. The nuclear $P_4$ receptor levels in the artificial traumatized groups were higher compared with the non-traumatized control groups. This study, therefore, clearly demonstrates that the methods for inducing pseudopregnant (vagina tapping;120/min) and inducing decidualization(oil injection; 0.1ml/uterine horn) appear to be effective, $P_4$ appears to be effective in the differenciation of the uterine endometrial tissue for the implantation process. Concentration of serum $P_4$ seems to be well correlated with the level of the nuclear $P_4$ receptor during the early embryo development. These results seem to be well correlated with ALPase activities in the normal and pseudopregnant rat uterus shown in the previous study.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.531-542
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• 1992

The present study was performed to identify the factors influencing on early pregnacy and embryo implantation in rabbit. Serum, uterine fluid, and uterine tissue were collected on day 0, 3, 5, 7 and 9 of pregnancy. The intrauterine environment of receptive phase and refractory phase was compared by measuring protein synthetic capacity of endometrium, amino acid composition and concentrations of lipids(phospholipid, cholesterol). The results obstained were as follows : 1. The concentrations of total protein were significantly increased (p<0.01) on day 5 ($7.00{\pm}0.55$), 7($6.29{\pm}0.65$), and 9($6.34{\pm}0.61$), compared to those on day 0($5.50{\pm}0.12g/100m{\ell}$) in serum. The concentration of albumin on day 0 was $0.81{\pm}0.05$ and reached maximum on day 5 ($1.59{\pm}0.07g/100m{\ell}$) in serum. The concentrations of total protein were significantly increased(p<0.01) on day 5($1.56{\pm}0.10$), 7($1.99{\pm}0.22$), compared to those on day 0($0.38{\pm}0.02g/100m{\ell}$) in uterine fluid. The concentration of albumin on day 5($0.78{\pm}0.05g/100m{\ell}$) was higher than those on the other days in uterine fluid. 2. The incorporation rates of [$^3H$]-leucine into protein were significantly increased(p<0.01) on day 5 ($919.6{\pm}97.5$), 7($1445.4{\pm}95.9$) and 9($450.38{\pm}28.71$), compared to those on day 0($328.2{\pm}38.9cpm/mg$ protein) in endometrium. The incorporation rates in colehicine-treated endometrium on day 5 ($1341.9{\pm}73.8$), 7($1729.4{\pm}63.3cpm/mg$ protein) were significantly higher(p<0.01) than those on the other days. 3. The compositions of amino acid were not distinctly changed during early pregnancy in serum. The composition ratios of methione, lysine were distinctly decreased on day 3, compared to those on day 0 in uterine fluid. Those of glycine, alanine were increased on day 9, compared to those on other days but his tidine decreased in uterine fluid. 4. The concentrations of total phospholipid and total cholesterol were significantly decreased(p<0.01) on day 3($77.9{\pm}15.5$, $61.5{\pm}21.2$), compared to those on day 0($164.0{\pm}33.9$, $167.2{\pm}46.2mg/100m{\ell}$)in serum. The concentrations of total phospholipid and total cholesterol on day 9 ($47.3{\pm}13.4$, $37.7{\pm}9.6mg/100m{\ell}$) were significantly higher(p<0.01) than those on the other days in uterine fluid. 5. Total phopholipid/total cholesterol ratios were not significantly changed during early pregnancy in serum. However, total phospholipid/total cholesterol ratios on day 5 ($2.00{\pm}0.42$), 7 ($1.11{\pm}0.77$) and 9 ($1.47{\pm}0.30$) were higher than those on day 3($0.84{\pm}0.41$) in uterine fluid. 6. The concentrations of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine were significantly increased (p<0.01) on the other days, compared to those on day 0 during early pregnancy in serum. The concentrations of phosphatidylcholine were significantly increased(p<0.01),compared to those on day 0 and those of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine were consistently increased but not significant in early pregnancy in uterine fluid.