간행물

한국동물생명공학회지 (구 한국수정란이식학회지) KCI 등재 Journal of Animal Reproduciton and Biotechnology

권호리스트/논문검색
이 간행물 논문 검색

권호

Vol.40 No.2 (2025년 6월) 6

1.
2025.06 구독 인증기관 무료, 개인회원 유료
As space missions extend in duration, the impact of spaceflight on human reproduction poses serious biomedical challenges. The reproductive system is susceptible to microgravity, ionizing radiation, and circadian disruption. This review summarizes current evidence on how space environments affect reproductive function, focusing on gametogenesis, hormonal regulation, pregnancy, and embryonic development. We reviewed data from rodent models, parabolic flight experiments, and space-exposed cellular systems to assess the effect of space-relevant stressors on reproductive health. Findings show that microgravity impairs sperm motility and hormonal balance, while radiation increases DNA fragmentation and induces heritable epigenetic changes. Female reproductive health is similarly affected, with radiation accelerating follicular loss and hormonal disruption impairing ovulation. Early pregnancy stages, including implantation and placental development, are especially vulnerable to space conditions. Rodent studies indicate that while basic fertility may persist, the long-term effect on offspring health and multi-generational outcomes remains unclear. These findings highlight the need for targeted countermeasures and continued research to ensure reproductive success in future space missions.
4,000원
2.
2025.06 구독 인증기관 무료, 개인회원 유료
Sperm storage is a crucial reproductive adaptation that ensures fertilization success by maintaining viable sperm until ovulation. Birds and mammals have evolved anatomically distinct yet functionally analogous structures, sperm storage tubules (SSTs) in the avian female reproductive tract and the epididymis in the mammalian male reproductive tract, that represent a striking example of convergent evolution. These systems prolong sperm lifespan and regulate fertilization timing through shared physiological strategies. While each system has been studied independently, a direct comparison between SSTs and the epididymis has not been thoroughly explored. This review proposes that, although structurally distinct, SSTs and the epididymis exhibit shared physiological strategies such as metabolic suppression, pH and ion regulation, oxidative stress control, and hormonally mediated sperm release. By highlighting these parallels, we present a novel perspective on sperm storage as a case of evolutionary convergence in reproductive physiology. Understanding these shared mechanisms provides new insights into sperm viability regulation and offers practical implications for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), such as improved cryopreservation strategies and biomimetic sperm storage platforms designed to mimic SST or epididymal conditions.
4,000원
3.
2025.06 구독 인증기관 무료, 개인회원 유료
Hallucinations represent a transdiagnostic phenomenon observed in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, substance use disorder and substance-induced psychotic conditions. Despite their clinical prevalence, objective assessment remains challenging due to its subjective nature, underscoring the critical need for validated translational models. The present study explores the biological mechanisms underlying hallucinations, evaluates the animal models developed to date, and discusses methods for analyzing these models along specific pathways. Hallucinations are primarily mediated through glutamatergic and/or serotonergic pathways. Numerous animal models for assessing hallucinations have been extensively reported; however, these models have mainly been designed to investigate specific neurotransmitter mechanisms, rather than encompassing all relevant pathways. Therefore, this study systematically examines currently established animal models based on the aforementioned neurotransmitter mechanisms and proposes future directions for developing universal animal models capable of comprehensively evaluating hallucinatory phenomena. The present study aims to provide deeper insights for future research involving animal models of hallucination.
4,000원
4.
2025.06 구독 인증기관 무료, 개인회원 유료
Background: Dairy cows exposed to heat stress have reduced milk production, milk quality, and conception rates, leading to lower profits. This study was conducted to analyze the effect of heat stress according to Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on the milk production of Korean Holstein cows. Methods: Monthly maximum temperature and average relative humidity data from January 2017 to August 2024 were obtained from 62 observation points used by the Korea Meteorological Administration to calculate the national average. Using this data, the THI, a key indicator for assessing heat stress in Korean Holstein cows, was calculated. Additionally, data from 240,088 Korean Holstein cows, collected through tests conducted by the Dairy Cattle Improvement Center of the NH-Agri Business Group, were analyzed. Results: Comparative analysis of the relationship between THI and milk production revealed that milk yield remained relatively stable until THI reached the “very severe” heat stress threshold (THI ≥ 79). Beyond this level, milk production showed a tendency to decline. Conversely, when THI dropped below this threshold, milk yield tended to recover. Notably, the temperature in September, typically considered part of the autumn season, has been rising in recent years, with THI values now approaching the very severe stress level (THI ≥ 79). Conclusions: These findings suggest that establishing an appropriate farm environment and implementing systematic THI management are essential for mitigating the decline in milk production, as well as the associated economic losses, caused by rising domestic temperatures due to global warming.
4,000원
5.
2025.06 구독 인증기관 무료, 개인회원 유료
Background: Heat stress during summer impairs reproductive performance in sows, causing summer infertility. Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) plays a crucial role in steroid hormone metabolism in the liver and has been shown to be upregulated under stress conditions. However, the effect of seasonal heat stress on CYP1A2 expression in sow ovaries remains poorly understood. Methods: Ovaries were collected from crossbred sows during different seasons in Korea. The control group (CON) was exposed to optimal temperatures for swine rearing (22.0-24.5℃) during spring, while the heat-stressed group (HS) experienced high temperatures (30.5-37.0℃) during summer. Temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated to assess thermal stress severity. CYP1A2 expression was analyzed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and these values were statistically compared with THI by Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The HS exhibited significantly higher THI values compared to the CON (88.11 vs. 66.67). Western blot analysis revealed significant upregulation of CYP1A2 expression in the HS compared to CON (1.89 vs. 1.00). IHC demonstrated that CYP1A2 was specifically localized in granulosa cells of mature follicles, with a significantly higher proportion of CYP1A2-positive follicles in the HS (15.92%) compared to CON (9.08%). When the obtained values were compared with THI values, CYP1A2 expression showed a strong positive correlation with THI (r = 0.41 and 0.74). Conclusions: This study revealed that heat stress can alter the ovarian microenvironment, including the expression of CYP1A2. These findings emphasize the need for effective thermal management strategies to mitigate heat stress-induced reproductive dysfunction in livestock production.
4,000원
6.
2025.06 구독 인증기관 무료, 개인회원 유료
Background: The 75-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP75) plays a crucial role in regulating the formation of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs), facilitating the transfer of Ca2+ ions, and is essential for lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, calcium homeostasis, and apoptosis in mammalian cells. However, the relationship between GRP75 expression and preimplantation embryonic development in pigs remains unknown. Methods: In this study, we investigated whether GRP75 influences ER–mitochondrial junctions and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels in porcine embryos in vitro . We examined the expression of GRP75 at the zygote, cleavage, and blastocyst stages using immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Results: GRP75 fluorescence and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the blastocysts than in the zygotes. Western blot analysis revealed a decline in the expression of mitochondrial fusion factors mitofusin 2, GRP75, and the mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex MICU1 protein at the blastocyst stage. To investigate the effects of GRP75 on blastocyst developmental competence, porcinespecific GRP75-siRNA (25 nM) was microinjected at the zygote stage. The results showed a significant decrease in the development capacity until the blastocyst stage (Control: 31.2 ± 2.0%, N.C. siRNA (25 nM): 29.8 ± 3.1%, vs. GRP75-siRNA (25 nM): 24.1 ± 1.6%; p < 0.05). GRP75 in the mitochondria and ER-localized GRP75 were both significantly reduced in blastocysts of pigs microinjected with GRP75 siRNA. Along with ER–mitochondrial colocalization, the MAM formation ratio was significantly reduced in the GRP75-siRNA group compared with that in the control (Control: 29.3% vs. GRP75- siRNA (25 nM): 15.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the GRP75-derived MAM region is involved in the development of early embryos in porcine blastocysts.
4,000원