Physiological Profile of Growing Rats: Effects of Cage Type and Cage Density

Yildiz, A.,Hayirli, A.,Okumus, Z.,Kaynar, O.,Kisa, F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.2

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of cage type (CT) and cage density (CD) on physiological variables in growing rats. Sprague Dawley rats (n=108) weighing an average of 46 g were housed in metallic cage with woodchip bedding (MCWB), metallic cage with wire mesh (MCWM), and plastic shoebox with woodchip bedding (PCWB) separately by sex at normal ($160-cm^2/rat$, ND) and high ($80-cm^2/rat$, HD) CD from 3 to 10 wks of age. All cages were in dimension of $24{\times}40{\times}20$ cm ($W{\times}D{\times}H$). At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and 6 rats from each cage were sacrificed. No death was observed among rats at ND, whereas mortality rate at HD was 22.3% for males and 13.9% for females. Heart weight was affected by CT. Doubling CD caused 23, 11.8, 17.9, 8.6, 6.9, and 16.4% decreases in BW and weights of heart, liver, kidney, testis, and ovary, respectively. Except for adrenal gland, other organs for males were heavier than for females. Liver weight of males and females responded differently to CT and CD. Comparing with females, males had 7.3 and 5.2% heavier and 9.9% lighter liver weights in MCWB, MCWM, and PCWB, respectively. As CD doubled, liver weight for males and females decreased by 22.4 and 13.1%, respectively. Mean adrenal gland weight increased by 8.4% and decreased by 9.7% for males and females, respectively, with doubling CD. CT affected glucose, TG, Ca, and ALP levels. However, CD did not alter blood chemistry. Rats housed in metallic cages had greater neutrophil count and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio than rats housed in plastic cages. Doubling CD caused a 24.2% increase in lymphocyte count. There were CT by CD, CT by sex, and CD by sex interaction effects on lymphocyte count. Doubling CD caused 0.1% decrease and 49.8 and 26.7% increases in lymphocyte count for rats housed in MCWB, MCWM, and PCWB, respectively. Comparing with females, lymphocyte count for males housed in MCWB, MCWM, and PCWB had 8.9 and 12.9% greater and 30.3% less lymphocyte counts, respectively. Lymphocyte count decreased by 4.12% for males, whereas it increased by 61.0% for females as CD doubled. Doubling CD resulted in 2.5 and 2.3% increases in erythrocyte count and hematocrit value. These data suggest that animals perform better in metallic cages than in plastic cages and that cage density had pronounceable effects on physiological parameters in a cage type and sex dependent-manner.

Establishment of NOAEL for intracavernous injections of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in rats

김종근,장명진,김보현,최기령,송기현,신하철,서나영,김용만,유달산,안태영,김청수 대한비뇨의학회 2020 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.61 No.1

Purpose: To assess the possible negative health effects of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) on fertility and early embryonic development following intracavernous injections in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 88 Crl:CD(SD) male and female rats were equally divided into 4 groups in a random manner: control group (normal saline), low-dose group (2×105 hBMSCs), moderate-dose group (1×106 hBMSCs), and high-dose group (2×106 hBMSCs). hBMSCs or normal saline was injected into the penis of the rats 3 times at 2-week-intervals prior to mating. We compared each group with respect to parameters of reproduction and histopathology. Results: For male rats, various degrees of flushing and swelling were observed at the penile injection site in all the groups, although the severity increased in a dose-dependent manner in the hBMSC injection groups. There were no statistically significant differences in mean body weights and food consumption among all the groups of both sexes. There were no statistically significant differences in reproductive parameters among all the groups of both sexes. The absolute and relative organ weights did not significantly differ among the groups. At the time of necropsy, no remarkable findings were observed in gross examinations in all groups. On histopathological analysis, minimal mononuclear cell infiltration was observed in the right epididymis of each rat in the moderate- and high-dose groups. Conclusions: The non-toxic amount of hBMSCs for male fertility and early embryogenesis in rats under the test conditions was determined to be 2×106 cells/head.

백서 난소에서 세포고사 유전자 Bok의 발현

이여일 ( Lee Yeo Il ),신현우 ( Sin Hyeon U ),이진 ( Lee Jin ),김미영 ( Kim Mi Yeong ),전상영 ( Jeon Sang Yeong ) 대한산부인과학회 2003 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.46 No.5

Objective : Bok, Bcl-2-related ovarian killer, is a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein identified in the ovary based on its dimerization with the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. The present study examined the hormonal regulation and localization of Bok messenger RNA levels in the rat ovary during the follicle development. Methods : We used the female rats of SD strain. Bok mRNA levels in the ovary were determined by Northern blot analysis. In situ hybridization were performed to determine the specific ovarian cell type expressing Bok mRNA. Results : Northern blot analysis of ovaries obtained from immature rats revealed increasing levels of Bok mRNA during postnatal development. The major cell types expressing Bok mRNA were the granulosa cells of preantral and atretic follicles. Treatment of immature rats with diethylstilbestrol (DEX) for 24-48 h increased ovarian Bok mRNA levels. Bok mRNA was remained the same levels in rats removed DES for 24-48 h to induce apoptosis. High signals of Bok mRNA after DES treatment were detected in granulosa cells of early antral follicles. Treatment of immature rats with pregnant mare`s serum gonadotropin (PMSG) for 12h increased markedly ovarian Bok mRNA expression which was detected mainly in preantral and atretic follicles. Interestingly, low levels of Bok mRNA were also expressed in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Treatment of PMSG-primed rats with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulated strongly ovarian Bok mRNA expression at 6-9 h. At that time, Bok mRNA was expressed in granulosa cells of atretic and small growing follicles. In adult estrus cyclic ovaries, Bok gene expression was higher on proestrus and estrus than metaestrus and diestrus. Moreover, the highly increased expression of Bok mRNA was found in rat ovaries at 48 h after hypophysectomy.

Histochemical study of lectin-binding patterns in the rat vomeronasal organ during postnatal development

Lee, Wonho,Ahn, Meejung,Park, Changnam,Taniguchi, Kazumi,Moon, Changjong,Shin, Taekyun The Korean Society of Veterinary Science 2012 大韓獸醫學會誌 Vol.52 No.1

Histochemical patterns of lectin binding during development of the rat vomeronasal organ (VNO) were studied to determine whether glycoconjugates are differently expressed after birth. Three types of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), were studied histochemically in the rat VNO at various stages post-birth: postnatal days 1 and 7, the preweaning period (4 weeks after birth), and at sexual maturity (8 weeks after birth). The free border of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium was positive for both WGA and UEA-I in rats of all ages; whereas, VNO receptor cells and supporting cells were positive only for both WGA and UEA-I from 4 weeks after birth. DBA reactivity was detected in the free border but less so in receptor cells and supporting cells. WGA and UEA-I, but not DBA, showed similar patterns in various ages. In the Jacobson's gland, WGA, UEA-I and DBA were detected in some acini from 4 weeks after birth but not at postnatal days 1 or 7. Collectively, reactivity for three lectins, WGA, UEA-I and DBA, increased in receptor cells and gland acini during postnatal development, possibly contributing to the enhanced chemoreception in rats.

Effects of Controlled Photoperiod on Body Development in Growing Juvenile Rats

Lee, Seung-Hoon,Lee, Han-Ki,Shin, Jin-Hee,Hong, Yun-Kyung,Lee, Sang-Kil,Lee, Sang-Un,Suzuki, Takao,Kang, Tae-Young,Hong, Yong-Geun The Korean Society of Animal Reproduction 2010 Reproductive & developmental biology Vol.34 No.2

Melatonin is induced by light information through the retina and leads to growth factor activation. Thus, we investigated the effects of melatonin by controlling the photoperiod of growing young rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6; 4 weeks old) were divided into two experimental groups: the L/D group (normal photoperiod; light/dark: 12/12 h; lights on at 9:00 a.m.) and the L/L group (light/light: 24 h). Rat body weight and food consumption were measured daily for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were anesthetized with a mixture of ketamine (50 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) and sacrificed. Tissue was then collected for RNA isolation (from brain, heart, liver, kidney, adrenal gland, testis, tibia, hind limb muscles). Also, serum was isolated from blood using a centrifugal separation. The L/L group had significantly lower body weight than the L/D group from 4 to 6 weeks (p<0.05). The L/D group had increased tissue mass, compared with the L/L group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The L/D group had a significantly higher melatonin concentration than the L/L group between the hours of midnight and 2:00 a.m (p<0.01). These results indicate that photoperiod length may affect the secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland. Also, the reduction of nocturnal melatonin secretion may retard the development of growing young rats. In future studies, we plan to compare exogenous melatonin administration with endogenous melatonin concentration induced by photoperiod control. Moreover, we will confirm whether the effects seen in pathological animal models can be reversed by controlling the photoperiod.

Effects of Concrete and Wood Building Environments on Pregnant Dams and Embryo-Fetal Development in Rats

In-Sik Shin,Sung-Hwan Kim,Jeong-Hyeon Lim,Jong-Chan Lee,Na-Hyeong Park,Dong-Ho Shin,Changjong Moon,Sung-Ho Kim,Jong-Choon Kim 한국독성학회 2009 Toxicological Research Vol.25 No.4

We have recently reported that the continuous exposure of rats to a concrete building environment under cool temperatures had adverse effects on general health parameters and embryo-fetal development. This study examined to compare the potential effects of concrete and wood building environments on pregnant dams and embryo-fetal development in rats. Groups of 10 mated females were exposed to polycarbonate (control), concrete, or wood cages from gestational days (GD) 0 to 20 under cool temperatures (11.9~12.3℃). All the females underwent a caesarean section on GD 20, and their fetuses were examined for any morphological abnormalities. The temperatures in the cages were similar in all groups but the relative humidity in the concrete and wood groups were higher than in the control group. The concentration of volatile organic compounds in the wood group was higher than in the control group. In the concrete group, maternal effects manifested as an increase in the incidence of clinical signs, a lower body weight, and a decrease in the thymus and ovary weights. Developmental effects included increased post-implantation loss and decreased litter size. Infrared thermal analysis showed that the skin temperature of the rats in the concrete group was lower than that in the control group. In contrast, there were no exposure-related adverse effects on the maternal and developmental parameters in the wood group. Overall, the exposure of pregnant rats to a concrete building environment under cool temperatures has adverse effects on the clinical signs, body weight, skin temperature, organ weight, and embryo-fetal development. On the other hand, exposure to a wood building environment does not have any adverse effects in rats.

Effects of Concrete and Wood Building Environments on Pregnant Dams and Embryo-Fetal Development in Rats

Shin, In-Sik,Kim, Sung-Hwan,Lim, Jeong-Hyeon,Lee, Jong-Chan,Park, Na-Hyeong,Shin, Dong-Ho,Moon, Chang-Jong,Kim, Sung-Ho,Kim, Jong-Choon Korean Society of ToxicologyKorea Environmental Mu 2009 Toxicological Research Vol.26 No.4

We have recently reported that the continuous exposure of rats to a concrete building environment under cool temperatures had adverse effects on general health parameters and embryo-fetal development. This study examined to compare the potential effects of concrete and wood building environments on pregnant dams and embryo-fetal development in rats. Groups of 10 mated females were exposed to polycarbonate (control), concrete, or wood cages from gestational days (GD) 0 to 20 under cool temperatures $(11.9\sim12.3^{\circ}C)$. All the females underwent a caesarean section on GD 20, and their fetuses were examined for any morphological abnormalities. The temperatures in the cages were similar in all groups but the relative humidity in the concrete and wood groups were higher than in the control group. The concentration of volatile organic compounds in the wood group was higher than in the control group. In the concrete group, maternal effects manifested as an increase in the incidence of clinical signs, a lower body weight, and a decrease in the thymus and ovary weights. Developmental effects included increased post-implantation loss and decreased litter size. Infrared thermal analysis showed that the skin temperature of the rats in the concrete group was lower than that in the control group. In contrast, there were no exposure-related adverse effects on the maternal and developmental parameters in the wood group. Overall, the exposure of pregnant rats to a concrete building environment under cool temperatures has adverse effects on the clinical signs, body weight, skin temperature, organ weight, and embryo-fetal development. On the other hand, exposure to a wood building environment does not have any adverse effects in rats.

흰쥐 뇌조직의 발달에 따른 Guanine Deaminase의 발현 양상

이경훈,최재선,이화영,신동훈,강태천,김현준,조사선,백상호,5성연선,박주배 대한해부학회 1999 Anatomy & Cell Biology Vol.32 No.2

Retinoic Acid가 흰쥐 태자 혀조직의 분화와 Laminin 합성에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구

김혜주,정호삼,서윤경,백두진,김원규,윤지희,이방헌 대한췌담도연구회 2000 대한췌담도연구회지 Vol.5 No.4

Effects of clomiphene citrate on ovarian function and embryo developmental capacity in the rat

윤영원,권종국,Yun, Young-won,Kwun, Jong-kuk The Korean Society of Veterinary Science 1992 大韓獸醫學會誌 Vol.32 No.1

클로미펜 시트레이트가 배란반응, 난자의 형태, 난소 스테로이드 생성 및 수정란 발육에 미치는 영향을 PMSG 처리한 랫드에서 조사하였다. 먼저 세가지 용량(0.05mg, 0.1mg 및 1.0mg)의 클로미펜 시트레이트 또는 부형제를 미성숙의 Sprague Dawley 암컷에 일령 25일부터 27일까지 3일간 투여하였다. 그후 28일령에 이들 모든 암쥐에게 4IU PMSG를, 30일령에는 1.0mg 클로미펜 시트레이트가 처치된 일부의 암쥐에게 10IU hCG를 추가로 투여하였고, 31일령에 모두 도살하였다. 한편 4IU PMSG와 더불어 0.1mg클로미펜 시트레이트 또는 부형제를 투여한 일부의 암쥐는 숫쥐와 교미시킨 다음 임신 2일부터 5일까지 매일 도살하였다. 클로미펜 시트레이트의 용량을 증가시킴에 따라 배란반응(배란율 및 평균 배란난자의 수)과 난소중량이 대조군에 비하여 현저히 감소하였고 반면 배란난자의 변성율(%)은 그 용량에 비례하여 증가하였다. 클로미펜 시트레이트에 의한 배란반응 및 난소중량의 억제적 반응은 10IU hCG 추가투여에 의하여 완전히 대조군 수준으로 회복되었다. 그리고 클로미펜 시트레이트의 투여용량의 증가는 프로제스테론과 안드로젠의 혈장치 감소와 더불어 에스트라디올의 혈장치를 현저하게 증가시켰다. hCG의 추가투여는 이러한 클로미펜 시트레이트 작용에 의해 증가된 에스트라디올치를 현저하게 감소시키고 감소된 프로제스테론치를 증가시키는데 효과적이었다. 0.1mg의 클로미펜 시트레이트를 투여한 임신 랫드로부터 회수한 수정란은 전기간에 걸쳐 그 변성율(%)의 현저한 증가와 아울러 특히 임신 3일부터 그 수가 유의성있게 감소하였다. 클로미펜 시트레이트 투여에 의한 수정란의 난분할 속도도 임신 3일부터 대조군에 비하여 현저하게 지연되었으며 아울러 회수된 수정란의 난분할율(%)도 전기간에 걸처 대조군보다 지속적으로 저하되었다. 위의 결과는 흰쥐에 있어서의 클로미펜 시트레이트 투여에 의한 배란억제반응과 아울러 그 작용기전에 성선자극호르몬의 분비억제 또는 차단작용이 포함됨을 증명하였고 이 약제의 투여에 의한 난자의 형태적 정상성과 수정란발육에 대한 유해효과는 수정이전 시기에 있어서의 난소스테로이드 생성 특히 에스트라디올의 증가에 기인함을 제시한다. The effects of CC the ovulatory response, oocyte normality, ovarian steroidogenesis and subsequent embryo developmental potential were examined in PMSG-treated rats. On Days of 25~27 of age, immature female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with three different doses(0.05, 0.1 or 1.0mg /day) of clomiphene citrate or vehicle. The females subsequently received 4IU PMSG on Day 28 and/or 10IU hCG on Day 30, and were killed on Day 31. Some females given 0.1mg CC or vehicle with 4IU PMSG were then mated and killed on Days 2, 3, 4 and 5 of pregnancy. Compared to vehicle(control) group, by increasing the doses of CC, there were a significant decrease in the ovulatory response as judged by both the proportion of rats ovulating and the mean number of oocytes per rat and a marked reduction of ovarian weight. The increasing doses of CC substantially promoted the degeneration(%) of oocytes ovulating in a dose-dependent manner. The CC-mediated inhibitions of the ovulatory response and ovarian weight were oompletely overcome by a subsequent treatment of hCG. Increasing doses of CC resulted in a siginificant elevation of serum estradiol with the decreased levels of progesterone and androgens. The additive treatment with hCG was effective to reduce the elevation of estradiol and to increase the reduction of progesterone produced by high dose(1.0mg) of CC. The preimplantation embryos recovered from 0.1mg CC-treated pregnant rats demonstrated a progressive early loss from Day 3 of pregnancy with a significant increase in the percentage of degeneration during all periods examined, compared to controls. The rate of progressive embryo cleavage in the CC-treated rats were slower than that in controls from Day 3 of pregnancy. Additionally, the percentage of the cleaved embryos recovered from the CC-treated rats remained significantly lower consistently from Day 2 of pregnancy, compared to control regimen. These results demonstrate a possible mechanism of CC-mediated inhibition of ovulatory response in the rats which may include the attenuation or blockade of the endogenous secretion of gonadotropins and also suggest that its detrimental effects observed on oocyte normality and embryonic development may be caused by abnormal follicular steroidogenesis( especially elevated estradiol) preceding fertilization.