Regulation of follicle growth and apoptosis in cultured mouse ovaries by NGF and oxygen

Roh, Jaesook,Pi, Woojin Informa UK Ltd. 2013 Gynecological endocrinology Vol.29 No.6

<P>Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has been proposed for use in preserving female fertility before anticancer chemo-radiotherapy, because ovarian tissue contains a large pool of non-growing, primordial follicles. The mechanisms that regulate the exit of follicles from the pool are poorly understood. To determine optimal conditions for <I>in vitro</I> ovarian culture, we investigated the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and oxygen concentration on follicle growth and apoptosis. Oxygen concentration affected both cell proliferation and apoptosis. Under 20% oxygen, but not 1.5% or 5%, NGF decreased apoptosis in mouse ovaries by down-regulating the pro-apoptotic genes <I>Bax</I> and <I>p53</I>. In conclusion, high oxygen tension during <I>in vitro</I> ovarian culture promotes follicle growth and, in conjunction with NGF, suppresses apoptosis. The efficiency of this method to preserve fertility depends in part on the level of atresia. These results suggest that oxygen and NGF may be used to increase numbers of preantral follicles and mature oocytes in the culture of mammalian ovarian cortical strips.</P>

Effect of high caffeine exposure on the pubertal long bone growth in immature female rats

( Okto Lee ),( Jaesook Roh ) 대한산부인과학회 2021 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.107 No.-

Regulation of FSH receptor expression by the Wilms' tumor 1 gene product (WT1) in immature rat granulosa cells

Yoon, Ok,Roh, Jaesook Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2012 Molecular reproduction and development Vol.79 No.6

Downregulation of KLF4 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

YOON, OK,ROH, JAESOOK Spandidos Publications 2012 Oncology letters Vol.4 No.5

The Effects of Caffeine on the Long Bones and Testes in Immature and Young Adult Rats

Kwak, Yoojin,Choi, Hyeonhae,Roh, Jaesook Korean Society of ToxicologyKorea Environmental Mu 2017 Toxicological Research Vol.33 No.2

This study was to evaluate the age-dependent effects of caffeine exposure on the long bones and reproductive organs using male rats. A total of 15 immature male rats and 15 young adult male rats were allocated randomly to three groups: a control group and two groups fed caffeine with 120 and 180 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Exposure to caffeine at either dose significantly reduced body weight gain; a proportional reduction in muscle and fat mass in immature animals, whereas a selective reduction in fat mass with relatively preserved muscle mass in young adult animals. The long bones of immature rats exposed to caffeine were significantly shorter and lighter than those of control animals along with decreased bone minerals. However, there was no difference in the length or weight of the long bones in young adult rats exposed to caffeine. Exposure to caffeine reduced the size and absolute weight of the testes significantly in immature animals in comparison to control animals, but not in young adult animals exposed to caffeine. In contrast, the adrenal glands were significantly heavier in caffeine-fed young adult rats in comparison to control animals, but not in caffeine-fed immature rats. Our results clearly show that the negative effects of caffeine on the long bones and testes in rats are different according to the age of the rat at the time of exposure, and might therefore be caused by changes to organ sensitivity and metabolic rate at different developmental stages. Although the long bones and testes are more susceptible to caffeine during puberty, caffeine has negative effects on body fat, bone minerals and the adrenal glands when exposure occurs during young adulthood. There is a need, therefore, to educate the public the potential dangers of caffeine consumption during puberty and young adulthood.

The Effects of Caffeine on the Long Bones and Testes in Immature and Young Adult Rats

Yoojin Kwak,Hyeonhae Choi,Jaesook Roh 한국독성학회 2017 Toxicological Research Vol.33 No.2

This study was to evaluate the age-dependent effects of caffeine exposure on the long bones and reproductive organs using male rats. A total of 15 immature male rats and 15 young adult male rats were allocated randomly to three groups: a control group and two groups fed caffeine with 120 and 180 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Exposure to caffeine at either dose significantly reduced body weight gain; a proportional reduction in muscle and fat mass in immature animals, whereas a selective reduction in fat mass with relatively preserved muscle mass in young adult animals. The long bones of immature rats exposed to caffeine were significantly shorter and lighter than those of control animals along with decreased bone minerals. However, there was no difference in the length or weight of the long bones in young adult rats exposed to caffeine. Exposure to caffeine reduced the size and absolute weight of the testes significantly in immature animals in comparison to control animals, but not in young adult animals exposed to caffeine. In contrast, the adrenal glands were significantly heavier in caffeine-fed young adult rats in comparison to control animals, but not in caffeine-fed immature rats. Our results clearly show that the negative effects of caffeine on the long bones and testes in rats are different according to the age of the rat at the time of exposure, and might therefore be caused by changes to organ sensitivity and metabolic rate at different developmental stages. Although the long bones and testes are more susceptible to caffeine during puberty, caffeine has negative effects on body fat, bone minerals and the adrenal glands when exposure occurs during young adulthood. There is a need, therefore, to educate the public the potential dangers of caffeine consumption during puberty and young adulthood.

Lactobacillus acidophilus Contributes to a Healthy Environment for Vaginal Epithelial Cells

Woojin Pi,Jae-Sook Ryu,Jaesook Roh 대한기생충학열대의학회 2011 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.49 No.3

Lactobacillus species in the female genital tract are thought to act as a barrier to infection. Several studies have demonstrated that lactobacilli can adhere to vaginal epithelial cells. However, little is known about how the adherence of lactobacilli to vaginal epithelial cells affects the acidity, cell viability, or proliferation of the lactobacilli themselves or those of vaginal epithelial cells. Lactobacillus acidophilus was co-cultured with immortalized human vaginal epithelial cells (MS74 cell line), and the growth of L. acidophilus and the acidity of the culture medium were measured. MS74 cell density and viability were also assessed by counting cell numbers and observing the cell attachment state. L. acidophilus showed exponential growth for the first 6 hr until 9 hr, and the pH was maintained close to 4.0-5.0 at 24 hr after culture, consistent with previous studies. The growth curve of L. acidophilus or the pH values were relatively unaffected by co-culture with MS74 cells, confirming that L. acidophilus maintains a low pH in the presence of MS74 cells. This co-culture model could therefore potentially be used to mimic vaginal conditions for future in vitro studies. On the other hand, MS74 cells co-cultured with L. acidophilus more firmly attached to the culture plate, and a higher number of cells were present compared to cells cultured in the absence of L. acidophilus. These results indicate that L. acidophilus increases MS74 cell proliferation and viability, suggesting that lactobacilli may contribute to the healthy environment for vaginal epithelial cells.

Dose- and time-related effects of caffeine on the testis in immature male rats

Bae, Jaeman,Choi, Hyeonhae,Choi, Yuri,Roh, Jaesook KINOKUNIYA CO LTD 2017 EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS Vol.66 No.1

<P>We previously showed that prepubertal chronic caffeine exposure adversely affected the development of the testes in male rats. Here we investigated dose- and time-related effects of caffeine consumption on the testis throughout sexual maturation in prepubertal rats. A total of 80 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: controls and rats fed 20, 60, or 120 mg caffeine/kg/day, respectively, via gavage for 10, 20, 30, or 40 days. Preputial separation was monitored daily before the rats were sacrificed. Terminal blood samples were collected for hormone assay, and testes were grossly evaluated and weighed. One testis was processed for histological analysis, and the other was collected to isolate Leydig cells. Caffeine exposure significantly increased the relative weight of the testis in a dose-related manner after 30 days of exposure, whereas the absolute testis weight tended to decrease at the 120 mg dose of caffeine. The mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules and height of the germinal epithelium significantly decreased in the caffeine-fed groups after 40 days of caffeine exposure, which was accompanied by a reduced BrdU incorporation rate in germ cells. In addition, caffeine intake significantly reduced <I>in vivo</I> and <I>ex vivo</I> testosterone production in a dose-related manner. Our results demonstrate that caffeine exposure during sexual maturation alter the testicular microarchitecture and also slow germ cell proliferation even at the 20 mg dose level. Furthermore, caffeine may act directly on Leydig cells and interfere with testosterone production in a dose-related manner, consequently delaying onset of sexual maturation.</P>

Radioactive Iodine-induced hypothyroidism interferes with the maturation of reproductive organs during puberty in immature female rats

Keum Jihyun,Ryu Ki-Young,Roh Jaesook 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.1

Animal and human studies suggest that thyroid hormone may have critical roles in the development of the ovary. For example, thyroid deficiency disrupts the ovarian microarchitecture and menstrual cycle in neonate and adult women, respectively. Therefore, it is conceivable that thyroid deficiency might disrupt sexual maturation during the peri-pubertal period. To investigate the impact of radioactive iodine-induced thyroid deficiency on reproductive organs throughout puberty, immature female rats were given water containing radioactive iodine (0.37 MBq/g body weight) twice, on postnatal days 22 and 29. Radioactive iodine-induced hypothyroidism was revealed by low free thyroxin levels. Thyroid deficiency delayed the onset of vaginal opening, reduced ovarian weight and the number of medium-sized follicles and led to elongated uteri. However, there was no effect on the estrous cycle or absolute uterus weight. We conclude that radioactive iodine-induced thyroid deficiency delays sexual maturation and alters normal ovarian growth in peri-pubertal rats.

High Doses of Caffeine during the Peripubertal Period in the Rat Impair the Growth and Function of the Testis

Park, Minji,Choi, Yuri,Choi, Hyeonhae,Yim, Ju-Yearn,Roh, Jaesook Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2015 International Journal of endocrinology Vol.2015 No.-

<P>Prenatal caffeine exposure adversely affects the development of the reproductive organs of male rat offspring. Thus, it is conceivable that peripubertal caffeine exposure would also influence physiologic gonadal changes and function during this critical period for sexual maturation. This study investigated the impact of high doses of caffeine on the testes of prepubertal male rats. A total of 45 immature male rats were divided randomly into three groups: a control group and 2 groups fed 120 and 180 mg/kg/day of caffeine, respectively, via the stomach for 4 weeks. Caffeine caused a significant decrease in body weight gain, accompanied by proportional decreases in lean body mass and body fat. The caffeine-fed animals had smaller and lighter testes than those of the control that were accompanied by negative influences on the histologic parameters of the testes. In addition, stimulated-testosterone ex vivo production was reduced in Leydig cells retrieved from the caffeine-fed animals. Our results demonstrate that peripubertal caffeine consumption can interfere with the maturation and function of the testis, possibly by interrupting endogenous testosterone secretion and reducing the sensitivity of Leydig cells to gonadotrophic stimulation. In addition, we confirmed that pubertal administration of caffeine reduced testis growth and altered testis histomorphology.</P>