본 연구는 사춘기전과 사춘기가 시작될 무렵의 흰쥐난소에서 에탄올이 steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR)의 유전자 발현에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 조사하고자 수행되었다. 생후 25일 째부터 매일 흰쥐에 에탄을 또는 생리식염수를 복강주사하고 생후 27일, 32일 째에 실험동물을 희생시켜 혈액과 난소를 적출하였다. 실험결과 에탄올은 혈중의 황체호르몬 함량을 유의하게 감소시켰으며, 자궁의 무게는 27일 째에는 에탄올처리

The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of ethanol on the ovarian steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR) gene expression during prepubertal and onset of puberty. From day 25, each rat began receiving either a control saline or ethanol. Animals were sacrificed on day 27 and 32, and their ovaries and blood were collected. In the present results, ethanol treatment significantly decreased serum luteinizing hormone contents at both time points. Uterine weights of ethanol-treated group were significantly lighter than control group at early time point while there was no noticeable discrepancy at late time point. Vaginal openings, a marker of onset of puberty, also clearly delayed in ethanol-treated group. Using an in situ hybridization histochemistry, we determined the expression of mRNAs encoding StAR. Ovaries from ethanol-treated rats showed a suppresed expression of StAR mRNA. These results demonstrate that ethanol can disturb the prepubertal ovarian function and onset of puberty, at least in part, through the inhibition of ovarian StAR gene expression.

• Kang Sang-Soo
• Cho Gyeong-Jae
• Park Wan-Sung