• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.19 no.7 s.146
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• pp.609-614
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• 1981

Effects of steroid hormones on the collagen biosynthesis in aorta and uterus were studied with ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats. Effects of administration of hormones, such as estrogen, testosterone and prednisolone, to the ovariectomized animals were studied, comparing with the control. Each group was injected with ³H-proline and sacrificed, followed by removals of aorta and uterus. Separations and quantitative analyses of proline and hydroxyproline were performed by means of thin layer chromatography; and radioactivities of the separated amino acids were assayed by liquid scintillation counter. Normally the incorporation of ³H-proline into hydroxyproline was greater in uterus than in aorta, and collagen turnover rate of uterus was observed rapid as well than that of aorta. In the two tissues from ovariectomized rats, the incorporation rate of ³H-proline into hydroxypoline was markedly decreased than that of the former. Changes in the turnover rate of collagen in these tissues were not observed. Decrease in ³H-proline incorporation into collagen in ovariectomized rats was markedly antagonized by estrogen, but not influenced by prednisolone in the tissues tested.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2010

This study attempted to clarify the difference in eggshell pigmentation between blue-shelled ducks (BSD) and whiteshelled ducks (WSD). The eggshell pigmentation deposition process is discussed. Ultraviolet spectro-photometer and HPLC were used to determine the biliverdin concentration in the shell gland, uterus liquid and eggshell at 6, 12, 18, 20, 23.5 h post-oviposition. The biliverdin concentration in the eggshell and uterus fluid showed significant differences between BSD and WSD, but not in the shell gland. The heme oxygenase activity in the shell gland of both kinds of ducks remained mostly constant during the ovulatory cycle with no variation. The assay of exogenous biliverdin injection into the shell gland antrum in the WSD indicated that exogenous biliverdin could be deposited continuously into the eggshell until the source was exhausted. A layer-by-layer dissolution assay was used to examine the eggshell pigment deposition process. The biliverdin concentration in the first to sixth layers of the eggshell in the BSD was significantly higher than that in the white-shelled counterpart. The blue pigment concentration increased persistently from the 6th layer to the $1^{st}$ layer. The BSD eggshells did not accumulate a large quantity of biliverdin in the most external layer. They tended to increase the deposition layer by layer. Our results demonstrated that different BSD and WSD eggshell colors were influenced by the amount of biliverdin in the uterus fluid and not determined by the amount of biliverdin in the shell gland. This implies the existence of a mechanism that controls biliverdin transportation from the shell gland into the uterus fluid, thereby playing a key role in regulating duck eggshell color.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 1988

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C(PI-PLC) is a second messenger of signal transducer on cell membrane. In the previous study, PLC of bovine brain has been purified three isozymes. In this paper, uterus and seminal vesicle have been purified. Two peaks of PI-PLC activity were resolved when bovine uterus and seminal vesicle proteins were chromatographed on a DEAE and phenyl TSK 5PW HPLC column. Each two peak was compared with PI-PLC I, IT and ill from bovine brain and we got the retension time on HPLC. The peak fractions with PLC activity were tested homogeneity with brain PLC monoclonal antibodies(Mab). Mab-labeled affigels were bounded in the range of 73.8%~97.5% with PLC I, IT and III. Homogeneity of fractions were revealed that DEAE F-1 and phenyl F-1-I were highest level of PLC III in uterus and seminal vesicle and DEAE F-2 and phenyl F-2-I were mixed PLC I and II.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.259-263
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• 2009

Salivary lipocalin (SAL1) is a member of the lipocalin protein family that has a property to associate with many lipophilic molecules and was identified as pheromone-binding protein in pigs. Our previous study has shown that SAL1 is expressed in the uterine endometrium in a cell type- and implantation stage-specific manner and secreted into the uterine lumen in pigs. However, function of SAL1 in the uterus during pregnancy in pigs is still not known. To understand physiological function of SAL1 in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy in pigs, it needs to elucidate the ligand(s) for SAL1. Thus, to identify the ligand for SAL1 in the porcine uterus, we collected uterine luminal fluid from pigs on day 12 of pregnancy by flushing with PBS. Proteins from the uterine luminal fluid were separated by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Fractions containing SAL1 protein were pooled and concentrated. Immunoblot analysis confirmed successful purification of SAL1. Then, we extracted lipids from the purified SAL1 protein and analyzed the lipids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and predicted to be steroid hormones and prostaglandins as SAL1 ligands. Results in this study showed that SAL1 protein in the uterine secretions has a small lipophilic molecule as a natural ligand. Further characterization of ligand extracted from purified SAL1 will be useful for understanding physiological function of SAL1 during pregnancy and its application to increase the pregnancy rate in pigs.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.47-51
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• 1991

This study investigated full-term development potential of ultrarap idly frozen and thawed mouse 2-cell embryos. Mouse 2-cell embryos, dehydrated by exposure to freezing medium, were directly immersed into liquid nitrogen and thawed in 37$^{\circ}C$ water. The embryos that were frozen and thawed were cultured in uitro and transferred to foster mothers to examine there developmental potential. As a result, the frozen-thawed 2-cell embryos developed to blastocysts in vitro as a similar rate as control 2-cell embryos did(in vitro 2-cell, 86.4%; in vivo 2-cell, 90.9%; solution control, 89.9%; control, 89.7%). Normal live young were obtained from transfer of frozen-thawed embryos to the oviduct and uterus of pseudopregnant recipients (3l.4~56.7%).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.19-23
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• 1983

Present studies were conducted to investigate the developmental stage and the location of embryos in the reproductive tract at various times after ovulation, the morphologically normal after thawing of embryos preserved in liquid nitrogen, and the survival after transferring frozen-thawed embryos. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Embryo stage and location in the reproductive tract after hCG administration. For the investigation of embryo stage and location in the reproductive tract after ovulation, rabbits were laparotomized at 24, 40, 48, 72 and 120 hrs post hCG injection, simultaneously with mating. the oviducts and uteri were flushed out with PBS medium containing 50% rabbit serum, respectively. 1) Most of embryos was remained in the oviduct within 48 hrs, with the lapse of time, embryos were started to move to uterus and shifted in uterus at 72 hrs after hCG injection. 2) The representatives of embryos stage collected at 24, 40, 48, 72 and 120 hrs were 1-cell(60.4%), 8-cell to early morula (52.3, 39.3%), late blastocyst (95.5%) stages, respectively. 2. Morphological normality and survival of the frozen-thawed embryos. For the evalution of the quality and viability on the frozen-thawed embryos, immediately after thawing, embryos were assessed by morphologically normal under a dissecting microscope, and a further test of frozen-thawed embryos was made by transferring the morphologically normal embryos to the uteri of recipient rabbit induced pseudopregnancy by the injection of hCG at the time of hCG injection in donor rabbits. 1) The propotions of embryos which a, pp.ared morphologically normal was higher when 8-cell (85.7%) and morula(90.5%) were used for freezing than when 4-cell (66.7%) and blastocyst (75.8%) were used. 2) Preganacies were observed at Day 15 after transfer of frozen-thawed 8-cell (7/13), morula (19/42) and blastocyst (3/19) but not after transfer of embryos at 4-cell stage.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2004

Silicone is widely used for medical purposes in breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures. Illegal injections of silicone in human beings might have adverse effects and one of the serious problems is a silicone embolism. We experienced five cases of unusual respiratory difficulties after an injection of liquid silicone in the breast, vagina, uterus, and hip. They were all young adult females, who were previously healthy. One of them died after the injection. The three remaining patients were admitted because of dyspnea, coughing, chest discomfort and bilateral pulmonary infiltration after the silicone injection. A transbronchial lung biopsy and autopsy disclosed many oil like materials filling the alveolar septal capillaries. Three patients underwent a computed tomogram (CT), which revealed multifocal airspace consolidations at the peripheral and nondependent portions of both lungs, which is a different finding from other thromboembolisms. Lung scans of the disclosed abnormalities were compatible with silicone induced pulmonary embolism.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.96-104
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• 2010

In this study, the effects of HP4060, a pomegranate extract, on Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats were investigated. SD rats used in the experiment were divided into 3 groups: a control group, 100 mg HP4060/kg rat powder fed group, and 25 mg HP4060/kg rat liquid fed group. After 20 days of administration, the changes of the brain neurotransmitters were measured. The data showed that the concentration of the serotonin and the norepinephrine were increased, whereas that of the epinephrine was decreased in HP4060 administered groups. In addition, the improving effect of HP4060 on depression symptom of menopause women were shown by increased immobility time of the SD rates in a separate experiment. The uterus weight of HP4060 fed groups were also shown to be increased. In order to monitor toxic effect of HP4060, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels were measured, and the results showed that no significant difference in GOT and GPT levels among experimental groups implying no significant toxic side effects of HP4060. According to these results, it seems clear that HP4060 may improve symptoms of hot flush and depression caused by menopause without significant level of toxic effects.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.234-237
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• 2000

The dornor, 2 years old, 20kg and mixed breed, was bred naturally on day 1 and day 3 of estrus and eight gastrulae were collected by flushing the uterus of the donor after laparatomy on day 13 after the second mating. The embryos were frozen by programmable freezer and preserved for about 3 months in liquid nitrogen. Another bitch in natural estrus, 2 years old, 30kg, mixed breed, was selected as the recipient and the frozen embryos(8 gastrulae) were thawed and each 4 embryos were transferred into upper partr of left and right uterine horn, respectively, on day 13 after the proper mating day determined by vaginal smear. The ecipient delivered 6 offspring 48 days after embryo transfer. Of 6 puppies, one was still birth and two puppies died one month after birth. Parentage test was performed by DNA analysis using microsatellite sequences for 3 puppiers, the recipient, the donor, the male dog bred with the donor, and the male dog raised near to the recipient. The markers selected for the test were CXX 873(133-157 base pair) and CXX 894(141-165 base pair). Using primers manufactured according to the markers, the blood samples were processed for polymerase chain reaction and the PCR products were treated for electrophoresis. The three puppies showed identical band to that of recipient, consequently, it was concluded that the puppies were offspring of the recipient mated naturally by the male dog, not the offspring by embryo transfer.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.367-372
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• 2000

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate whether vitrification method could be used for the cryopreservation of human blastocysts derived from IVF program. Methods: Surplus embryos were obtained from consented IVF patients. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation was done with midluteal GnRH agonist, gonadotropin and hCG. After oocyte retrieval and insemination, fresh embryo transfer was done at $4{\sim}8$ cell stage. The surplus embryos after ET were cultured in blastocyst medium up to 6 days after oocyte retrieval. Obtained blastocysts were cryopreserved with our vitrification method. Blastocysts were exposed to 1.5 Methylene glycol (EG) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 2.5 minutes, followed by 5.5 M EG plus 1 M sucrose for 20 seconds. Then 1 to 3 blastocysts were mounted on electron microscope (EM) grid and the grid was plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. For thawing, blastocyst-containing EM grids were sequentially transferred in 1.0 M, 0.5 M, 0.25 M, 0.125 M and 0 M sucrose solution at the intervals of2.5 minutes. And blastocysts were cultured for about 6 hours and only re-expanded blastocysts were transferred to uterus of the patients on 4 to 5 days after ovulation in natural cycle or on 18 to 19 day of artificial cycle. Results: From Oct. 1998 to Jul. 1999, 34 patients were agreed to participate in this study. The mean age and duration of infertility of the patients were 31.6 years and 4.1 years, respectively. Among 34 cycles. replacements could be done in 20 cycles (58.8%). A total 93 blastocysts were thawed and 48 (51.6%) of them survived. Thirty-eight blastocysts, mean 1.9 embryos per patient, were transferred, resulting in 5 clinical pregnancies which consisted of 1 triplet, 2 sets of twins and 2 singleton pregnancies. The pregnancy rate per transfer was 25% and implantation rate was 23.6%. Five patients delivered 7 healthy babies including 2 sets of twins at term. Conclusion: Successful pregnancies and deliveries were established after transfer of vitrified human blastocysts. Vitrification using ethylene glycol as cryoprotectant and electron microscope grid is a rapid and simple method that can be effectively applied for the cryopreservation of human blastocysts.