For the application of nano-sized material in various fields, the evaluation of nano-sized material toxicity is important. In the present study, various concentrations of 200 nm-sized silicon dioxide nanoparticle suspension were intraperitonially injected into mice to identify the toxicity of silicon dioxide nanoparticle in vivo. In the hematological analysis of group II treated with silicon dioxide nanoparticle 100 mg/kg body weight, lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly different compared to the control group. In group III treated with silicon dioxide nanoparticle 200 mg/kg body weight, lymphocytes, monocytes and hemoglobin were significantly different compared to the control group. In blood biochemical analysis of group III, the concentration of AST, ALT, BUN, and creatinine were significantly different compared to the control group. Histopathologic examination of the kidney indicated a mild injury only in mice received 200 mg/kg silicon dioxide nanoparticle. According to the results of the present study, the significant differences in the hematological and blood biochemical analyses and abnormal histopathological findings in the mouse kidney may have been related to exposure to silicon dioxide nanoparticle.

We investigated free radical reactions in lung of living mice using an in vivo electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer and nitroxyl radical as a probe. When an aqueous solution of nitroxyl probe was trans-tracheally administered into lung of living mice, a sharp triplet signal was observed at the chest of the mice. The signal showed a gradual decrease with time, obeying first-order kinetics. Signal decay rates of carbamoyl-PROXYL and carboxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-N-oxyl were faster than those of CAT-1 and carboxy-PROXYL. The mechanism of signal decay may be attributed to (i) reaction with reactive oxygen species such as ·OH, (ii) transfer into blood circulation, or (iii) reduction by compounds continuously supplied. However, little is known about the clearance mechanism of the nitroxyl probe in lung. To evaluate the disappearance of the ESR signal of the nitroxyl probe in lung, in vivo ESR spectra in chest of mice was recorded after trans-tracheal administration of an aqueous high concentrate solution of nitroxyl probe. A broad signal from the chest was observed immediately after administration due to Heisenberg spin exchange interaction. A sharp triplet signal was superimposed on the broad signal and the appearance of a triplet signal was followed by disappearance of the broad one. Peak-to-peak line width of the sharp signal was almost the same as that after intravenous administration. A distinct signal was detected in blood collected 10 min after trans-tracheal administration of nitroxyl probe. The observations indicate the transfer from lung to blood circulation and its contribution to clearance of probe in lung. Appearance of a sharp signal in blood after trans-tracheal administration was dependent on the kind of nitroxyl probe, showing a different transfer rate from lung to blood.

Thousands of new chemicals have been introduced to environment during last decades. Many of them and common consumer products have been shown to be the endocrine disrupting chemicals. One such chemical group is the phthalates, used in soft poly vinyl chloride (PVC) material and in a huge number of consumer products. The prevalence of these modem chemicals have a remarkable increase. Approximately 3.5 million tons of the main phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are produced annually worldwide and indeed, DEHP is considered a ubiquitous environmental contaminant. It has been demonstrated that high doses of phthalate can adversely affect adult and developing animals. In this review, we critically discuss the conclusions of recently original research papers and provide an overview of studies on reproductive disrupting effects of phthalates. In addition, we review the reproductive toxicity data of phthalates in some in vitro research and in both male and female reproductive systems in experimental and domestic animals. Finally, we point out some critical issues that should be addressed in order to clarify the implication of phthalates for human reproduction.

In vivo redox reaction is involved in the processes of oxidative diseases. Thus, direct and non-invasive measurement of in vivo free radical reactions in living animals should be essential to understanding the roles of free radicals in pathophysiological phenomena. Electron spin resonance (ESR) technique has been utilized in analysis of free radicals, which are generated through imbalance of in vivo redox status. In vivo ESR/spin probe technique using nitroxide radicals as spin probes was developed for estimation of in vivo free radical reactions in whole living animals. This technique using a probe may become a powerful tool for use in clarifying mechanisms of disease and in monitoring pharmaceutical therapy. The application of ESR was introduced and discussed in this article.

In vivo embryo produced from Hanwoo donor cows were collected and transferred to Hanwoo recipients. Cows, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received Progesterone Releasing Intravaginal Device (CIDR-plus, InterAg, New Zealand) together with injection of 1 mg estradiol benzoate and 50 mg progesterone, and gonadotropin treatment began 4 day later. For superovulation, a total of 28 mg FSH was intramuscularly injected twice a day in the way of decreasing doses 4 day (5, 5, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2 and 2 mg). Twenty one Hanwoo donor cows were flushed on day 7 of estrus cycle with same FSH and artificial insemination by the same technicians. Embryos were recovered 7 days after the second insemination by flushing the uterus with Embryo Collection Medium. The results obtained were as follows: The rates of transferable embryos were 50.3%, and 78 fresh embryos at morulae and blastocysts stage were transferred into Hanwoo recipients on day 7 of estrus cycle. The pregnancy rates were first embryo transfer 55.6%, 2nd 62.9% and 3rd 57.9%, respectively. In conclusion, These results suggest that CIDR-based superovulation protocol may be effectively used for production of superior Hanwoo embryos. Also, since it seems the condition of recipient cows greatly affect pregnancy rate, it is very important to evaluate recipient for effective cattle production.

A fiber fraction (Aloe cellulose), the by-product obtained from Aloe vera gel processing was freeze dried and investigated for in vitro glucose/ bile acid retarding effects of powdered sample (100 mesh) comparing with commercial α-cellulose as a reference sample. We also examined the effectiveness of physiological functionality such as the antiobesity and anti-constipation on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. The Aloe cellulose powders during in vitro dialysis experiment for 2 hours exhibited the glucose and bile acid retarding index of 20.32-35.2% and 53.13-28.30%, respectively. Especially, freeze dried aloe cellulose showed the 2.5 and 1.2-6 times higher effect on in vitro glucose and bile acid retardation than those of α-cellulose. These relatively good retarding effects on glucose and bile acid diffusion suggest a potential of preventing from diabetes and arteriosclerosis of some extent. Also, the results from animal experiments on SD rats fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks suggested that Aloe cellulose might be used as a novel dietary fiber showing an effective anti-obesity and anti-constipation effect.

To enhance the embryo preservation technology and better application of embryo transfer technique to the field (dairy science or animal reproduction. etc.), we examined the viabilities of bovine embryos produced in vitro and in vivo after cryopreservation according to their developmental stage and thawing temperature. Bovine embryos from in vivo/vitro fertilization (Hanwoo) were examined at day 7, 8, and 9. Survival rates and total cell numbers of in vivo fertilized embryos were as follows: morulae 68.8% and ; blastocysts 80.5% and ; expanded blastocysts 77.4% and , respectively. Rates of embryo development for blastocysts and expanded blastocysts after thawing were significantly higher than that of morula stage embryos (p<0.05). While survival rates of in vitro fertilized embryos according to developmental stage showed no significant difference among groups (morula 67.9%; blastocyst 74.3%; and expanded blastocyst 79.4%), total cell numbers were significantly lower than those of other groups (morula ; blastocyst ; and expanded blastocyst ) For the viability according to thawing temperature, survival rate was higher in .

This study was performed to investigate the possibility of repeated superovulation treatment at interval from 27 days to 41 days in Hanwoo cattle and to compare with superovulation effect between doses of FSH 200 mg and FSH 400 mg. Different doses of FSH (200 mg or 400 mg) were injected at Day 8 after controlled internal drug release (CIDR) treatment for superovulation of Hanwoo donors following CIDR treatment (Day 8 after the estrus). Superovulation was repeated four times for one donor and number of corpus luteum (CL), number of embryos, number of transferable embryos and pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET) were investigated. 5 cows were used for each FSH treatment (10 cows in total). Average number of CL were and for the donors treated with FSH 200mg and FSH 400mg, respectively. Average number of embryos collected were and for the donors treated with FSH 200 mg and FSH 400 mg, respectively. Average number of transferable embryos were and for the donors treated with FSH 200 mg and FSH 400 mg, respectively. The pregnancy rate following ET with embryos collected from 200 mg FSH treated donors and 400 mg FSH treated donors were 61.9% and 53.8% respectively. The numbers of embryos tended to be decreased as the numbers of repeat of superovulation were elapsed. These results indicated that superovulation treatment by about a month to Hanwoo donors is usable and 200 mg of FSH is preferable for simple FSH treatment following CIDR treatment.