어류의 번식은 뇌에서 분비되는 다양한 신경호르몬과 뇌하수체에서 분비되는 생식소 자극 호 르몬에 의해 조절된다. 극동산 뱀장어(Anguilla japonica)의 번식도 이 호르몬들의 작용에 의해 조절되지만 성 성숙 시 신경호르몬이 뇌하수체 호르몬을 조절하는 방법은 완전히 밝혀지지 않 았다. 이전 연구에 의하면 progesterone (P4), melatonin 및 serotonin (5-HT) 등과 같은 신경호 르몬이 일부 어류의 번식 과정 조절에 관여하는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 본 연구에서는 뱀장어의 뇌 하수체를 초대 배양하였고, 안정화된 뇌하수체 세포에 P4, 17β-estradiol (E2), melatonin 및 5- HT를 처리하였다. 이후 처리된 호르몬의 작용이 뇌하수체 세포에서 번식 관련 호르몬인 FSHβ, LHβ, GH 및 SL mRNA 발현에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 조사하였다. 본 연구를 수행한 결과, P4는 뇌하수체 세포에서 FSHβ와 LHβ 발현을 증가시켰고, melatonin은 FSHβ와 LHβ 뿐만 아니라 GH 와 SL의 발현을 증가시켰다. 하지만 5-HT는 이 유전자의 mRNA 발현에 유의한 영향을 미치지 않았다. 이상의 결과는 P4 또는 melatonin이 뱀장어의 초기 성 성숙에 중요한 역할을 할 수 있음을 의미한다.

17β-estradiol (E2)는 난소로부터 방출되는 호르몬으로 가정 및 축산 오폐수에 포함되어 환경으 로 지속적으로 유출된다. E2는 높은 에스트로겐 활성을 가지고 있어 갑각류의 발달과 생식에 영향을 미치는 내분비계교란물질로 알려져 있다. 갑각류의 발달은 탈피호르몬(ecdysteroid)의 신호 전달 과정에 의해 이루어지지만 E2가 소형 갑각류의 탈피호르몬 경로 유전자를 어떻게 조 절하는지에 대한 연구는 매우 미흡하다. 본 연구에서는 기수산 물벼룩 Diaphanosoma celebensis 에서 E2에 대한 급성 독성 시험을 통해 24-h LCx 값을 도출하였고, E2 노출에 따른 탈피호르몬 경로에 관여하는 7개의 유전자(CYP314a1, EcRA, EcRB, USP, ERR, Vtg, VtgR)의 시간별 발현 변 화를 quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)을 이용하여 분석하였다. D. celebensis의 24-h LC50 값은 9.581 mg/l (95% C.I.: 7.697~11.927 mg/l), 24 h-LC10 값은 4.842 mg/l (95% C.I.: 3.683~6.366 mg/l)로 나타났다. CYP314a1, EcRA, USP, VtgR 유전자의 발현이 12시간 또는 24시간에 유의하게 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 E2가 D. celebensis의 탈피호 르몬 경로에 관련하는 유전자의 발현을 조절함으로써 탈피와 생식에 영향을 미칠 수 있을 것 임을 시사한다. 본 연구는 소형 갑각류에서 내분비계교란물질이 탈피 경로에 미치는 영향에 대한 분자 기전을 이해하는데 도움이 될 것이다.

본 연구는 저지방식이를 섭취한 난소절제 암컷 쥐에서 피노피브레이트(fenofibrate) 단독처리 및 피노피브레이트와 17베타-에스트라다이올(17β-estradiol)과의 동시처리가 혈청 속 지질대사를 조절하는지를 조사하였고, 피노피브레이트와 17베타-에스트라다이올의 동시처리에 의해 혈청 속 지질대사에 대한 피노피브레이트 단독처리의 효과가 어떻게 조절되는지를 연구하였다. 저지방식이만을 섭취한 대조군에 비해 피노피브레이트가 단독처리된 쥐와 피노피브레이트와 17베타-에스트라다이올이 동시처리된 쥐의 8주째 몸무게는 감소되지 않았다. 피노피브레이트 단독처리와 피노피브레이트와 17베타-에스트라다이올 동시처리는 혈청 속 총 콜레스테롤과 HDL-콜레스테롤을 감소시키지 않았다. 피노피브레이트는 대조군에 비해 혈청 속 LDL-콜레스테롤과 중성지방을 감소시켰다. 피노피브레이트 단독처리에 비해 피노피브레이트와 17베타-에 스트라다이올 동시처리는 혈청 속 중성지방에 대해 유익한 변화를 나타내었다. 따라서 본 연구는 저지방식이를 섭취한 난소절제 암컷 쥐에서 fenofibtae 단독처리에 의해 감소된 혈청 속 중성지방은 피노피브레이트와 17베타-에스트라다이올의 동시처리에 의해 개선될 수 있음을 발견하였다.

The estrogen-mediated effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a highly critical factor for the clinical application of MSCs. However, the present study is conducted on MSCs derived from adult donors, which have different physiological status with steroid hormonal changes. Therefore, we explores the important role of 17β-estradiol (E2) in MSCs derived from female and male newborn piglets (NF- and NM-pBMSCs), which are non-sexually matured donors with steroid hormones. The results revealed that in vitro treatment of MSCs with E2 improved cell proliferation, but the rates varied according to the gender of the newborn donors. Following in vitro treatment of newborn MSCs with E2, mRNA levels of Oct3/4 and Sox2 increased in both genders of MSCs and they may be correlated with both estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ in NF-pBMSCs, but NM-pBMSCs were only correlated with ERα. Moreover, E2-treated NF-pBMSCs decreased in β-galactosidase activity but no influence on NM-pBMSCs. In E2-mediated differentiation capacity, E2 induced an increase in the osteogenic and chondrogenic abilities of both pBMSCs, but adipogenic ability may increased only in NF-pBMSCs. These results demonstrate that E2 could affect both genders of newborn donor-derived MSCs, but the regulatory role of E2 varies depending on gender-dependent characteristics even though the original newborn donors had not been affected by functional steroid hormones.

Canine cloning have been succeeded for a decade. To obtain in vivo matured dog oocytes, Serum progesterone (P4) level were employed for ovulate determination. However, accuracy of P4 methods is not satisfied. The aim of this study was to compare both methods of serum estradiol (E2) and P4 on the accuracy of canine ovulation determination. Canine serum P4 and E2 concentration during both proestrus and estrus were detected. Correlation between accuracy of each method and environment temperature were analyzed. Following ovulation, oocytes were collected by surgery. As a result, higher percentage of mature oocytes was obtained when using E2 (56.43%) as compared to P4 (39.60%). Accuracy of P4 increased from spring (30.76%) to summer (47.92%) and decreased in autumn (37.50%) and winter (29.16%) gradually. Especially, E2 maintained about 50% to 65% whatever the season and temperature. Correlation analyze showed that dynamic of P4 accuracy highly correlated with environment temperate (Rp4=0.862) but E2 could not be affected by the temperature (RE2=0.199). To determine whether obtained oocytes by E2 method could be used for canine cloning, twenty canines were selected as oocyte donors, and two puppies were produced after somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) and embryo transfer(ET) with the oocytes by E2 method. In conclusion, comparing to the P4 method, the E2 is an accuracy and reliable method for canine cloning.

This study was conducted to investigate the changes of hormone levels of serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17 β (E2) in sows of Landrace (L), Yorkshire (Y) and F1 (L × Y) (respectively n=3) with excellent ability, and to provide a baseline data for improving reproductive performance. In this experiment, the sows at the age of 12 months or more were used. The sows were fed by two way methods, one is conventional methods and the other is 3 days-flushing feed before estrus. Each pig’s blood was collected in 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 days after the estrus for the analyses of P4 and E2. Serum was separated by centrifugation for 15 min. with 3,000 rpm. Progesterone and estradiol-17β were measured by immunochemical assay (ELIZA test). In conventional feeding, serum progesterone levels were significantly (p<0.01) higher in F1 than in L and Y. No significant differences in P4 concentrations were seen between the L and Y of sows. Serum E2 levels were similar the serum progesterone levels. In the case of flushing feed, the tendency of hormonal changes were similar to conventional methods. But almost of hormonal levels were a little higher than that of conventional methods. P4 level of L and Y in flushing feed were significantly different (p<0.01). Serum E2 level of Y in flushing feed was significantly different among the breeds (p<0.01). These results were similar to the tendency of hormonal changes in general sows and moreover, flushing feed is known to develop the swine production, these results proved the fact of the methods. And these results suggested that more studies about hormonal changes in sows according to seasonal and nutritional factors should be needed.

Despite of the presence of estradiol-17β (E2) in ovarian follicles, its role(s) in in vitro maturation (IVM) is still largely unknown, especially in pigs. Thus, the current study was conducted to investigate the effect of E2 on in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes and subsequent preimplantation development using in vitro fertilization (IVF)- or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived embryos. To define the effects of E2 on IVM and early embryogenesis, porcine oocytes were matured in the presence or absence of E2, fertilized in vitro and cultivated to blastocyst stage. Compared to control group, the production of MII oocytes was significantly increased by treatment with E2, accompanying with the increase in MPF content and ERK phosphorylation, and monospermic fertilization and blastocyst development rates were also greatly elevated in the E2-treated oocytes. In addition, the advantageous role of E2 was also found in blastomere survival, which was further evidenced by both elevation of anti-apoptotic transcript Bcl-XL and decrease of pro-apoptotic transcript Bax. Furthremore, these positive effects of E2 were highly reproducible in early development of SCNT embryos. Collectively, the current study strongly suggests that E2 can be used as a efficient IVM supplement leading to successful nuclear/cytoplasmic maturatioin in pigs.

Acyl-CoA synthetase 4(ACSL4) is an arachidonate-preferring enzyme abundant in steroidogenic tissues and postulated to modulate eicosanoid production. The human and mouse ACSL4 gene are mapped on chromosome X. The female mice heterozygous for ACSL4 deficiency became pregnant less frequently and produced small litters, with 40% of embryos surviving gestation. In this study, we examined the regulation of ACS4 by estradiol-17β and progesterone (P4) in the human endometrial cancer cell line HTB-1B. ACSL4 mRNA was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Also, expression of ACSL4 gene was up-regulated in a time-dependent manner in HTB-1B cells. However, combined treatment with progesterone and estradiol-17β modestly decreased the levels of ACS4L mRNA as compared with the estradiol-17β and progesterone respectively. Overall, these results suggest that the ACSL4 gene is regulated by progesterone and estradiol-17β in the HTB-1B cells.

E ffe ct of aluminum (al) on the plasma vite llogenin (VTG) , alkaline-labile phosphorus (ALP P ) , Calcium (Ca) , glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GP T) and hepatosomatic index (H SI ) we re examined in the e stradiol-17β (E 2)-administe red immature rockfish, Sebaste s schlege li. F ish we re intrape r itone ally inje cted with E 2 (5 ㎎/㎏ body we ight (B .W.) ) and/ or Al (0, 0.1, 1, 5 and 10 ㎎/㎏ B .W.) and then plasma we re extracted at 7 days. Thick VTG band was de te cted at a mole cularwe ight position of about 170 kD a in SD S-P AGE using the plasma of E 2-administe red rockfish. This band was reduced by the administration of Al to rockfish. Al reduced the concentrations of ALP P and Ca in a concentration-dependent way and a significant reduction occur red at Al concentrations gre ate r than 5 ㎎/㎏ and 10 ㎎/㎏, re spe ctive ly. The concentration of GP T was incre ased in concentration-dependent way at all the group of Al-administe red rockfish. H SI was reduced in a concentration-dependent way. The se re sults sugge st that Al inte r fe re with E 2-induced vite llogene sis by be ing toxic to hepatocyte .

Most captive canids and felids at Zoos in advanced countries have been examined enough to apply artificial reproductive techniques to them. We investigated reproductive hormones and vaginal epithelial cells of a 6-year-old, female coyote, hoping these data could eventually be extended to artificial insemination with frozen-thawed conspecific semen at Seoul Zoo. As a relative of pet dogs, coyote exhibited a similar appearance with only minor differences. In vaginal smear, an increase in the number of superficial cells suggests that the bitch has reached a state close to estrus. A sudden decrease of estradiol and increase of progesterone is considered as a preovulatory event. Vaginal epithelial cells and hormones might be useful for determining the optimal time of artificial insemination in coyotes' breeding.

본 연구는 한우 체세포를 이용하여 생산된 복제란을 한우 대리모에 이식하여 임신이 확인된 개체에서 임신 기간 중 주요 호르몬의 발현 특성을 인공수정으로 임신된 대리모와 비교 분석하고자 실시하였다. 한우 섬유아세포를 이용하여 생산된 체세포 복제란을 자연발정으로 동기화된 한우 대리모에 이식하여 임신이 확인된 개체를 공시하였으며(n=8), 대조군으로는 인공수정으로 임신된 대리모을 사용하였다(n=5). 발정 관찰 후 60일경에 직장검사로 임신을 확인하였다. 주요 스테로이드 호르몬인 progesterone(P4)와 estradiol-l7 (E2) 농도는 방사선동위원소 면역분석시험(RIA) 방법을 이용하였으며, 혈중 cortisol 농도는 ELISA 방법으로 측정하였다. 인공수정한 대리모의 경우 E2 농도가 분만 시기에 급격하게 증가하였으나, P4 농도는 분만 시기에 급격하게 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 이에 반해 복제란 이식우의 혈장 P4 농도는 분만 50일 전부터 분만 10일전까지는 대조군과 유사하게 유지되었으나, 분만예정일에는 전혀 떨어지지 않고 높은 수준으로 유지되었다. 한편, 복제란 이식우에서 분만 때까지 정상적으로 임신이 유지된 대리모들의 경우는 임신 기간 동안 cortisol 농도는 임신 후반기까지 낮게 유지되며 별다른 변화를 나타내지 않았다. 반면에 유산이 일어난 개체의 경우에는 임신 100일경에 cortisol의 농도가 급격하게 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 보면, 복제란 이식우의 경우 분만예정일 전 후에 일어나는 급격한 호르몬의 변화가 일어나지 않음을 확인할 수 있었으며, 이러한 현상은 복제란 이식우의 분만 지연과 밀접한 관계가 있는 것으로 사료된다.

This study compared the pregnancy rates of Korean native donor cattle after either a timed artificial insemination (TAI) or embryo transfer (TET) following the synchronization of ovulation using a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device together with estradiol benzoate (EB) and prostaglandin (). Fifty five cows and 8 heifers which had been previously used for embryo production were assigned to two treatments: (1) Thirty-two cattle received a CIDR device and 2 mg EB (Day 0), 25 mg injection at the time of CIDR removal on Day 7, and 1 mg EB injection on Day 8. All of the cattle received a TAI 30 h (Day 9) after the second EB injection (TAI group). (2) Thirty-one cattle received the same hormonal treatments as in the TAI group. The cattle with corpus luteum (CL) received a TET on Day 16 using frozen-thawed embryos (TET group). Ultrasonographic observations demonstrated that the proportion of cattle with synchronized ovulation on Day 10 and the concomitant formation of new CL on Day 13 did not differ between groups (p>0.05); the overall mean rates were 65.1 and 73.0%, respectively. The conception and pregnancy rates did not differ (p>0.05) between the TAI (12.5% and 12.5%) and TET groups (13.0% and 9.7%), respectively. We conclude that the pregnancy rate following TAI or TET in Korean native donor cattle was poor, which might be due in part to a poor synchrony of ovulation and concomitant CL formation.

본 연구는 젖소에 있어서 인공수정 후 외인성 progesterone과 estradiol을 병용 투여하거나 progesterone을 단독 투여하는 경우에 처리기간별 젖소의 번식 성적에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 대조군, CIDR에 estradiol 캡슐을 부착시킨 progesterone과 estradiol 병용 투여군(PE군) 및 CIDR에서 estradiol 캡슐을 제거한 progesterone 단독 투여군(P군)로 구분하여, 인공수정 후 14일째에

본 연구는 젖소에 있어서 인공수정 후 외인성 progesterone과 estradiol을 병용 투여하거나 progesterone을 단독 투여하는 경우에 젖소의 번식 성적에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 대조군, CIDR에서 estradiol 캡슐을 부착시킨 progesterone과 estradiol 병용 투여군(P4+E2군) 및 CIDR에서 estradiol 캡슐을 제거한 progesterone 단독 투여군(P4군)로 구분하여, 인공수정 후 14일째에