Conclusion. Taken together, paternal factors carried in ASG secretion affect genomic imprinting of developing embryos. The outcome of research work described here deepens our understanding of the role of ASG in maximizing reproductive performance mediated by regulating the epigenetic marks of the genome and in particular the imprinted genes. / Introduction. Our previous in vivo studies in golden hamster have shown the accessory sex glands (ASG) secretion facilitate the development of embryos to term but the underlying mechanism is still not clear. Since the deleterious effect caused by the lack of sperm exposure to ASG secretion is heritable to developing fetus and even after birth, we hypothesized that the paternal factor carried in ASG secretion may change the epigenetic regulation and in particular the imprinted genes of embryonic genome. / Materials and methods. Golden hamster and ICR mouse were used in this study. Hamster is a well-established animal model to study the effect of individual ASG but the genetic background of hamster is poorly known. To verify the specificity of our molecular probe and antibodies used in hamster, a mouse model was also established. Five groups of male hamsters and two groups of male mice were established by surgical treatment. In hamster, (SH) sham-operated, (VPX) ventral prostate-removed, (TX) all ASG-removed, (VPVX) castrated with ASG-removed except ventral prostate and (VX) castrated with intact ASG were established. In mouse, SH and VPX were established. In single-mating of hamster, male was copulated with female at estrus for 15 min. In double-mating of hamsters, female mated with each male for 10 min each. In single-mating of mouse, male was caged with female for 1 h. Epididymal sperm, uterine sperm, fertilized oocytes, pre-implantation embryos and fetuses at 13 days gestation (E13) were collected. Global DNA methylation of sperm, fertilized oocytes, early embryos and E13 fetuses were investigated by indirect immunofluorescence and DNA dot-blot using antibody against methylated DNA. Using the same technique, histone acetylation at lysine 5 residue was detected in male pronuclei of fertilized oocytes, protamine 1 and 2 content were detected in sperm, DNA methyltransferase 1, 3a and 3b activities were detected in early embryos. The crown-rump length and weight of fetuses were measured. Morphology was also examined under scanning electron microscope. Two sets of co-ordinately regulated but oppositely expressed imprinted genes Igf2/H19 and Dlk1/Gtl2 were investigated. H19 differentially methylated region (DMR) and Gtl2 promoter were examined by bisulfite sequencing in sperm and E13 fetuses. Expression of Igf2 and Dlk1 were examined by in situ hybridization and real-time PCR in pre-implantation embryos and E13 fetuses. / Results. Uterine sperm in VPX and TX groups showed no change of DNA methylation level and protamine 1 and 2 content. Fertilized oocytes in VPX and TX groups showed similar DNA methylation level as SH group in both hamster and mouse. Histone hypoacetylation was observed in male pronuclei of hamster but not in mouse. Early embryos in VPX and TX groups showed abnormal level of DNA methylation and Dnmt3b during embryo development in hamster. Replenishment of ASG secretion to sperm from VPX and TX group by double-mating restored the DNA methylation level to normal in early embryos. E13 fetuses of VPX and TX groups in hamster and VPX group in mouse showed DNA hypomethylation. E13 fetuses of VPX group in hamster showed increase in average crown-rump length and body weight with larger variations between individuals. One E13 fetus of VPX group in mouse showed polydactyly and malformation in the head. Real-time PCR showed abnormal expression of Igf2 and Dlk1 in both pre-implantation embryos and E13 fetuses of VPX and TX groups. Bisulfite sequencing showed hypermethylation of H19 DMR in VPX and TX groups of hamster and hypomethylation of Gtl2 promoter in VPX group of mouse. / "August 2007." / Adviser: Pak Ham Chow. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4739. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 194-224). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

As CFTR plays an important role in HCO3- transport, and HCO3- sensitive soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) has been shown to be largely responsible for the cAMP production in spermatogenetic cells, we hypothesized that CFTR-mediated HCO3- transport was important to spermatogenesis via sAC pathway in spermatogenetic and Sertoli cells. Using intracellular pH measurement, we demonstrated that CFTR is involved in HCO3- transport in Sertoli cells. RT-PCR results showed that increased HCO3- concentrations in the culture medium resulted in upregulation of CFTR expression. The results also showed that the intracellular cAMP level in Sertoli cells increased as the extracellular HCO3- concentration increased. HCO3- also caused phosphorylation of the cAMP response element binding (pCREB) proteins transcription factor on serine 133, a modification known to be required by Sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis. This phosphorylation could be inhibited by CFTR inhibitor, further lending support to the notion that CFTR is important for HCO3- transport in Sertoli cells, leading to HCO3- dependent events that are important for spermatogenesis. / CFTR is known to be widely expressed in epithelial cells of male reproductive tracts, but its expression in spermatogenic cells is less well known. We first confirmed the expression of CFTR in spermatogenic cells and mature sperm in rodents. Our study thus focused on the important role of CFTR in the processes related to male fertility including spermatogenesis and sperm capacitation. / Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is an anion channel, mutations of which cause cystic fibrosis, a disease characterized by defective Cl- and HCO3- transport. While over 95% of CF male patients are infertile because of congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD), the question whether CFTR mutations are involved in other forms of male infertility is under intense debates. / In conclusion, our study has demonstrated the role of CFTR in male reproductive system. We have further elucidated its possible physiological role and the underlying molecular mechanisms. These studies may pave the way for the development of method strategies for diagnosis and treatment of CFTR related infertility in male. / Our study also detected CFTR in both human and mouse sperm. CFTR inhibitor or antibody significantly reduced sperm capacitation, and the associated HCO 3--dependent events including increases in intracellular pH, cAMP production and membrane hyperpolarization. The fertilizing capacity of the sperm obtained from heterozygous CFTR mutant mice is also significantly lower as compared to that of the wild type. These results suggest that CFTR in sperm may be involved in the transport of HCO3- important for sperm capacitation and that CFTR mutations with impaired CFTR function may lead to reduced sperm fertilizing capacity and male infertility other than CBAVD. / We further demonstrated the physiological role of CFTR in spermatogenesis using CFTR knockout mice as an in vivo model. Although TUNNEL staining showed normal percentage of apoptotic cells in seminiferous tubules, Cftr -/- mice had spermatogenetic defects in histology section and fewer number of mature sperm compared with wild type (WT) mice. Consistent with the proposed role of CFTR in spermatogenesis, RT-PCR and Western blot results showed reduced expression of spennatids specific gene, Protamine 1, Protamine 2, and CREM, which have been known to be involved in the process of spermatogenesis, in Cftr-/- mice. / Xu, Wenming. / "January 2008." / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-08, Section: B, page: 4506. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 121-138). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

This research explored trends in male body image amongst South African men aged 18 to 25 years. A questionnaire consisting of a demographic section, the Body Image Test, the Behaviours Checklist and the Eating Disorders Inventory was administered to 50 male students from the University of the Witwatersrand. Trends in body dissatisfaction, body enhancing behaviour and eating disorder symptoms were examined. Correlation analyses were used to infer relationships between these three variables. The results showed that the sample group on average view themselves as overly muscular and have a body image ideal that is less muscular than their perceived body image. This trend is contrary to trends reported in international studies and is thought to represent the cultural effects of using a South African population that is diverse in its composition as compared to an American or European samples that are more homogenous in nature. The results also showed that there were differences in body image trends between different racial groupings, although the results did indicate that across the racial groupings there was a similar societal body image ideal that represents a global trend towards a lean, muscular male body image. The results showed that the sample did not engage in body enhancing behaviours that are considered excessive or indicative of body image dissatisfaction. This was also reflected by the results on the Eating Disorders Inventory that showed considerably lower scores on the symptom scales when compared to a clinical eating disordered population and a non-clinical female comparison group. The results also showed that the sample had lower scores on the behavioural symptom scales yet higher scores on the attitudinal symptom scales. This indicates that the sample did not display any significant eating disorder behaviours yet did display personality traits that are correlated to eating disordered behaviour. There was no correlation between body dissatisfaction and body enhancing behaviour. There was a positive correlation between body dissatisfaction and the symptom scale of interpersonal distrust. A positive correlation also occurred between body enhancing behaviour and the symptom scales for perfection and drive for thinness. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed.

This exploratory study designed to disclose new directions for further research and practice in the field of juvenile delinquency. By exploring through limited depth interview the attitudinal areas of authority, fear, aspirations for the future, obstacles to be overcome, capabilities, societal ideals and therapy the project attempted: (1) to elicit, from adjudged juvenile delinquents, information different from that usually sought by public societal agencies and (2) to evaluate the depth interview as a means of eliciting such material. Specific criteria were established for choosing fifteen interviewees , selected from three methods of dealing, with juvenile delinquency: probation, institutionalization and parole. Depth interviews were conducted in a laboratory setting with which the respondents were familiarized prior to the interview. Open-end questions allowed latitude for pursuing the boys' spontaneous responses. The degree of observer reliability was based on the use of standardized schedules on which each observer evaluated the responses of each interviewee. Conclusions which tended to substantiate prior findings were that generally these delinquents had a low self concept and had the most difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Although they saw their problems as being internal, they projected their troubles onto external factors. Noticeably minimal were identification with parent figures and ability to plan for the future. Further examination of the discrepancies between the delinquents' frames ot reference and those of the elements of society concerned with delinquency, and the current efficacy of social work techniques in treating the problems of delinquency were indicated. Findings of this study suggest that further research into all seven attitudinal areas would help to clarify the problems and treatment of juvenile delinquents.

Family-of-origin aggression (FOOA) is an established risk factor for adult partner aggression. The research presented in this thesis tested a model proposing that (FOOA) is mediated through attachment and attributions to influence male and female partner aggression and withdrawal in early stage couple relationships. Study 1 tested the influence of FOOA, attachment, and attributions on partner aggression in a sample of 73 newlywed couples. FOOA was associated with male-to-female aggression, but not female-to-male aggression. Therefore the hypothesis that the influence of FOOA on partner aggression was mediated through attachment and attributions was tested only for men. Attachment was significantly associated with attributions, but there was no association between FOOA and attachment or between attributions and male partner aggression. Study 2 tested the influence of FOOA, attachment, and attributions on partner aggression and withdrawal in a sample of 101 dating couples. Structural equation model analyses found different results for men and women. For male partner aggression, the influence of FOOA was partially mediated through attachment and attributions. For male withdrawal, the influence of FOOA on withdrawal was fully mediated through attachment and attributions. The association between FOOA and withdrawal was also mediated through attachment independent of attributions, and through attributions independent of attachment. For female partner aggression and female withdrawal, the predicted associations were found for the attachment anxiety models but not for the attachment avoidance models. The current findings suggest that attachment and attributions should be intervention targets for improving relationship outcomes. The gender differences in model fit emphasise the importance of investigating risk factors for partner aggression and withdrawal separately for men and women.

<p>Sammandrag</p><p>Detta examensarbete bygger på en fallstudie av en manlig pedagog i förskolan. En aktuell fråga i dagens debatt är bristen på män i förskolan, vilket medför att en närmare granskning av manliga pedagoger kontra kvinnliga pedagoger är befogad. Frågan är på vilket sätt manliga pedagogers tänkande och beteende skiljer sig från kvinnliga pedagogers motsvarande? Syftet med den här undersökningen är att med hjälp av videoinspelning i detalj analysera en manlig pedagogs arbete tillsammans med barnen på en förskola. Speciellt söker jag vilka uppgifter en manlig pedagog väljer att utföra tillsammans med barnen, hur han väljer att utföra dem och vilket språk han använder. Den empiriska basen är observationer (videofilm) av en manlig pedagogs arbete under två dagar. Observationerna kompletterades även med en intervju för att genom den få en bredare bild och ett sammanhang utifrån respondentens perspektiv.</p><p>Undersökningen visar i sammanfattning att den manlige pedagogen skiljer sig i ganska hög grad från sina kvinnliga pedagoger och deras arbetssätt. När han valde aktiviteter själv prioriterade han att busa med barnen och själv leka barn. Han deltog i leken som en jämlik, medan den kvinnliga pedagogen behöll sin pedagogroll även i leken. Språkmässigt använder han sig av färre ord och även av en mer direkt kommunikation. Han ser sig själv som ett komplement i den kvinnodominerade pedagoggruppen. Genom att vara ett komplement ser han till att bidra med, enligt honom, typiskt manliga saker och aktiviteter.</p><p>Nyckelord: manlig pedagog, könsroller, manligt språk, förskolan.</p> / <p>Abstract</p><p>This written examination is built upon a case study of a male teacher in preschool. One question that is a burning issue right now is the lack of men in preschool, which implies that a closer study of male versus female teachers is justified. The question is in which way the male teachers behave differently from the female teachers? The purpose with this study is to, with the help of a video recording, analyze a male teacher’s work with children in detail. I am especially interested in which kind of tasks he chooses to do with the children, how he chooses to carry them out and what type of language he uses. The empiric contains mainly of an observation (a video recording) of a male teacher during two days of his work. The observations were supplemented with an interview in order to get a wider picture and to put it into context.</p><p>The study shows in context that the male teacher differs in a lot of ways compared to his female co workers. When he chooses the tasks himself he prioritizes to fuss with the children and to play himself. He participated in the games as an equal, while the female teacher never stopped being a teacher. When it comes to his language, he uses fewer words and also a more direct communication. He regards himself as a complement in the group that is dominated by females. By doing so, he makes sure that he contributes with, according to him, typical male activities and tasks.</p><p>Keywords: male teacher, sex role, male language, preschool.</p>

Sammandrag Detta examensarbete bygger på en fallstudie av en manlig pedagog i förskolan. En aktuell fråga i dagens debatt är bristen på män i förskolan, vilket medför att en närmare granskning av manliga pedagoger kontra kvinnliga pedagoger är befogad. Frågan är på vilket sätt manliga pedagogers tänkande och beteende skiljer sig från kvinnliga pedagogers motsvarande? Syftet med den här undersökningen är att med hjälp av videoinspelning i detalj analysera en manlig pedagogs arbete tillsammans med barnen på en förskola. Speciellt söker jag vilka uppgifter en manlig pedagog väljer att utföra tillsammans med barnen, hur han väljer att utföra dem och vilket språk han använder. Den empiriska basen är observationer (videofilm) av en manlig pedagogs arbete under två dagar. Observationerna kompletterades även med en intervju för att genom den få en bredare bild och ett sammanhang utifrån respondentens perspektiv. Undersökningen visar i sammanfattning att den manlige pedagogen skiljer sig i ganska hög grad från sina kvinnliga pedagoger och deras arbetssätt. När han valde aktiviteter själv prioriterade han att busa med barnen och själv leka barn. Han deltog i leken som en jämlik, medan den kvinnliga pedagogen behöll sin pedagogroll även i leken. Språkmässigt använder han sig av färre ord och även av en mer direkt kommunikation. Han ser sig själv som ett komplement i den kvinnodominerade pedagoggruppen. Genom att vara ett komplement ser han till att bidra med, enligt honom, typiskt manliga saker och aktiviteter. Nyckelord: manlig pedagog, könsroller, manligt språk, förskolan. / Abstract This written examination is built upon a case study of a male teacher in preschool. One question that is a burning issue right now is the lack of men in preschool, which implies that a closer study of male versus female teachers is justified. The question is in which way the male teachers behave differently from the female teachers? The purpose with this study is to, with the help of a video recording, analyze a male teacher’s work with children in detail. I am especially interested in which kind of tasks he chooses to do with the children, how he chooses to carry them out and what type of language he uses. The empiric contains mainly of an observation (a video recording) of a male teacher during two days of his work. The observations were supplemented with an interview in order to get a wider picture and to put it into context. The study shows in context that the male teacher differs in a lot of ways compared to his female co workers. When he chooses the tasks himself he prioritizes to fuss with the children and to play himself. He participated in the games as an equal, while the female teacher never stopped being a teacher. When it comes to his language, he uses fewer words and also a more direct communication. He regards himself as a complement in the group that is dominated by females. By doing so, he makes sure that he contributes with, according to him, typical male activities and tasks. Keywords: male teacher, sex role, male language, preschool.

Sexual selection drives the evolution of male morphology, life history, physiology, and behaviour across taxa. Here I examine the mechanisms of sexual selection that arise at various stages in mating interactions to identify congruence or conflict between the traits selected by choice and competition. I first examine plasticity of developing male Australian redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) and show that male metabolic rates vary adaptively to facilitate the scramble to reach virgins. Next, I show that females cease sex pheromone production after mating and re-advertise receptivity later in their reproductive season effectively creating two windows in which males may compete. I show that females discriminate against males that do not meet a threshold courtship duration suggesting that courtship is the trait selected through choice. However, male-male competition leads to reductions in courtship effort provided to females. During the first window paternity is split equally if rival males mate in quick succession with a virgin female. However, if the second mating is delayed, there is a strong bias in the paternity of the second male. A delay in the second mating is beneficial to females as it reduces longevity costs of polyandry. However, delays in the initial mating decrease female longevity, likely because of elevated metabolic rates of virgins. My research shows that the trait favoured by female choice is in opposition to selection via male-male competition. Females’ sex pheromone production yields windows during which mating will optimize female, but not male, fitness. Studies that isolate the mechanisms of sexual selection are valuable in that they can identify the traits under selection. However, my research shows that considering these processes in isolation can lead to incorrect inferences about the net effect of sexual selection.

Sexual selection drives the evolution of male morphology, life history, physiology, and behaviour across taxa. Here I examine the mechanisms of sexual selection that arise at various stages in mating interactions to identify congruence or conflict between the traits selected by choice and competition. I first examine plasticity of developing male Australian redback spiders (Latrodectus hasselti) and show that male metabolic rates vary adaptively to facilitate the scramble to reach virgins. Next, I show that females cease sex pheromone production after mating and re-advertise receptivity later in their reproductive season effectively creating two windows in which males may compete. I show that females discriminate against males that do not meet a threshold courtship duration suggesting that courtship is the trait selected through choice. However, male-male competition leads to reductions in courtship effort provided to females. During the first window paternity is split equally if rival males mate in quick succession with a virgin female. However, if the second mating is delayed, there is a strong bias in the paternity of the second male. A delay in the second mating is beneficial to females as it reduces longevity costs of polyandry. However, delays in the initial mating decrease female longevity, likely because of elevated metabolic rates of virgins. My research shows that the trait favoured by female choice is in opposition to selection via male-male competition. Females’ sex pheromone production yields windows during which mating will optimize female, but not male, fitness. Studies that isolate the mechanisms of sexual selection are valuable in that they can identify the traits under selection. However, my research shows that considering these processes in isolation can lead to incorrect inferences about the net effect of sexual selection.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Appendices in English and Korean. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-75). Also available on the Internet.