Blood Levels Of FSH Research Articles

P-678 Predictive value of intra-cycle FSH measurements for blastocyst euploid rate: a longitudinal cohort study

Abstract Study question Can intra-cycle FSH levels measured at baseline, mid-cycle, and on trigger day predict blastocyst euploid rate? Summary answer Repeat measurements of FSH were not useful for predicting the euploid rate of blastocysts after accounting for the effects of female age. What is known already During the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation cycles, blood FSH levels are kept at supraphysiologic levels for a longer period compared to naturally occurring ovulation cycles during which FSH levels recede in response to rising estradiol. Some studies suggested maintaining higher than necessary blood FSH concentrations may have a detrimental effect on embryo quality and ploidy and recommended intra-cycle FSH monitoring. Whether intra-cycle measurements of FSH can be used to predict euploid rate is yet to be determined. Study design, size, duration Retrospective study was performed at tertiary IVF refereral center, including 373 cycles between April 2017 and February 2022. All GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing-Hormone) antagonist stimulation cycles using only recombinant FSH were included. Included patients were between 19 and 44 years old and all embryos underwent aneuploidy testing with Next Generation Sequencing using trophectoderm biopsy. Patients with PCOS, surgical sperm extraction, or warmed oocytes were excluded. Participants/materials, setting, methods Patients with primary or secondary infertility and an indication for ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI with PGT-A were included. Ovarian stimulation cycles were monitored according to the clinical routine by ultrasound and repeated measurement of FSH, E2, and progesterone at baseline, mid-cycle, and on trigger day. FSH changes were evaluated as delta differences between basal to mid-cycle levels and from mid-cycle to trigger levels. Main results and the role of chance 1,119 intra-cycle measurements of FSH were obtained from 373 cycles of 344 women. The median age of included women was 31 years (IQR:27-34), with AMH levels of 3.28ng/ml (IQR: 2.13-4.24). The euploid rate per fertilized oocyte was analyzed in categories of low (≤33.3%), normal (33.3 to 66.6%), and high (>66.6%). Delta change in serum FSH values from baseline to mid-cycle was not significantly different between groups (median change: 7.6 IU, 7.4 IU, and 6.2 IU; low, normal, and high euploid rate groups, respectively, P = 0.481). Again, delta change in mid-cycle to trigger day FSH was not significantly different between groups either (median change: -0.2 IU, 0.0 IU, 0.6 IU; low, normal, and high euploid rate groups, respectively, P = 0.151). After adjusting for the effect of age, basal FSH values (OR: 1.11, 95% CI:0.91-1.34, P = 0.248), delta FSH change to mid-cycle (OR: 0.99, 95% CI:0.91-1.07, P = 0.951) or delta change to trigger day (OR: 1.14, 95% CI:0.99-1.31, P = 0.067) was not significantly associated with high euploid rates. Performance of age alone compared to age and delta of FSH measurements combined for predicting high euploid rates, as measured with area under the curve (AUC) values, were AUC: 0.63 (95% CI: 0.54-0.71) and AUC: 0.66 (0.58-0.73), respectively (P = 0.369). Limitations, reasons for caution This was a retrospective study including only recombinant FSH cycles and findings represented here may not be generalizable to larger populations. Sample power may not be adequate to detect some effect sizes. Wider implications of the findings We could not demonstrate a direct relationship between euploid rate and delta change in intra-cycle FSH measurements. More studies using more diverse populations and larger sample sizes may be needed to further investigate this association. Trial registration number Not applicable

Integral effects of xenon: Inhibition of postovariectomy syndrome development in young women with cervical and breast cancers.

e17515 Background: The development of deep postovariectomy disorders in young women with cervical and breast cancers is of extreme concern. They are associated with the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of regulation, estrogen involution, a sharp depression of the psycho-emotional state, and social distancing. In fact, these postovariectomy syndrome (POES) events are associated with low-reactivity stress syndrome. Our purpose included the transition of dominant stress into archetypes of anti-stress adaptive reactions under the influence of programmable exponential dose regimens of xenon-oxygen therapy (XOT) in the early period after the removal of the female reproductive organs. Methods: 123 patients of reproductive age diagnosed with cervical cancer pT1B2N0M0 and 24 patients with hormone-positive breast cancer pT2N1M0 and concomitant gynecological pathology underwent hysterectomy with oophorectomy and developed POES. All patients received a cycle (5 procedures) of low-dose inhalation XOT. The therapy consisted in a gradual increase in the percentage of xenon in the inhaled xenon-oxygen mixture with a reciprocal decrease in exposure time, an exponential regimen in the concentration range from 12–14% to 20–24% and exposure from 25 to 10 minutes. Blood levels of FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were measured by RIA (Immunotech, Czech Republic) before and after XOT. The psycho-emotional status was assessed by the generally accepted quality of life scales for cancer patients MOS-SF-36 and ESAS, the type of adaptive reactions was identified by Garkavi using the analysis of Schilling's leukogram, the severity of POES was determined by the menopausal index (MMI). Results: The POES manifestation and the dominance of acute stress were due to the inversion of hormonal metabolism - a decrease in the level of estradiol 487.3±52.4 and progesterone 1.8±0.1 relative to the initial levels 1017.9±83.4 nmol/L and 11.8±0.7 nmol/L, respectively, with an increase in FSH by 5.8 times, and LH by 2.4 times (p < 0.05). An accompanying XOT resulted in a significant MMI decrease (p < 0.05), training and calm activation reactions prevailed in 80% cases with harmonious changes in the regulation of hormonal processes and a clear regression of the acute estrogen deficiency (elevation of estradiol levels to 751.4±61.4 nmol/L and a decrease in FSH and LH by 1.5 and 2.1 times, respectively (p < 0.05)). MOS-SF-36 and ESAS assessment showed a significant decrease in pathological symptoms. Conclusions: XOT in the early postoperative period in cancer patients of the reproductive age with POES normalized their hormonal status, corrected functional disorders and improved their quality of life.

Long-Term Wi-Fi Exposure From Pre-Pubertal to Adult Age on the Spermatogonia Proliferation and Protective Effects of Edible Bird's Nest Supplementation.

Children are vulnerable to the radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted by Wi-Fi devices. Nevertheless, the severity of the Wi-Fi effect on their reproductive development has been sparsely available. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the Wi-Fi exposure on spermatogonia proliferation in the testis. This study also incorporated an approach to attenuate the effect of Wi-Fi by giving concurrent edible bird’s nest (EBN) supplementation. It was predicted that Wi-Fi exposure reduces spermatogonia proliferation while EBN supplementation protects against it. A total of 30 (N = 30) 3-week-old Sprague Dawley weanlings were divided equally into five groups; Control, Control EBN, Wi-Fi, Sham Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi + EBN. 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi exposure and 250 mg/kg EBN supplementation were conducted for 14 weeks. Findings showed that the Wi-Fi group had decreased in spermatogonia mitosis status. However, the mRNA and protein expression of c-Kit-SCF showed no significant decrease. Instead, the reproductive hormone showed a reduction in FSH and LH serum levels. Of these, LH serum level was decreased significantly in the Wi-Fi group. Otherwise, supplementing the Wi-Fi + EBN group with 250 mg/kg EBN resulted in a significant increase in spermatogonia mitotic status. Even though EBN supplementation improved c-Kit-SCF mRNA and protein expression, the effects were insignificant. The improvement of spermatogonia mitosis appeared to be associated with a significant increase in blood FSH levels following EBN supplementation. In conclusion, the long-term Wi-Fi exposure from pre-pubertal to adult age reduces spermatogonia proliferation in the testis. On the other hand, EBN supplementation protects spermatogonia proliferation against Wi-Fi exposure.

Mole modifications following controlled ovarian stimulation for assisted reproduction technologies

The role of estrogens on moles biology remains undefined although estrogenic receptors have been found on melanocytes. It has been postulated that supraphysiological estrogen levels could promote the progression of moles to melanoma. Women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are exposed to high levels of estrogens, produced by the ovary in response to exogenous gonadotropin administration. The aim of this study is to assess whether COS for ART may have an impact on mole structure and/or characteristics. Women undergoing to ART for various infertility conditions were included in the study. Personal and clinical data were collected. Dermatoscopic features and scores (total dermoscopy score--TDS) were statistically compared before COS and after a 6-month follow-up period. Statistical correlation was performed between estradiol, FSH blood levels and relative variation in moles dimensions. A total of 46 patients were included in the study. One hundred and seventy-five melanocytic lesions from 31 patients were evaluated at both time points. Although statistically significant differences were found in mole dimension and TDS between the two time points, these differences had no relevance in the clinical setting not suggesting the need for mole excision. Moreover, the only statistically significant correlation with estradiol blood concentration on hCG administration day was found with one-axis dimensional variation. To our knowledge this is the first work to evaluate the effect of COS on moles. The obtained results do not support a causal relation between the supraphysiological hormone levels stimulation and worsening of clinical and dermoscopical features of moles. Further study is needed to clarify whether estrogens plays a role in melanoma.

Cadmium delays puberty onset and testis growth in adolescents.

Cadmium (Cd) has been shown to impair pubertal development in experimental animals. However, no data are available for male adolescents with increased urinary cadmium levels. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate pubertal onset and pituitary-gonadal axis hormones in male adolescents with increased urinary levels of Cd. We studied 111 males, aged 12-14 years living in the Milazzo-Valle del Mela area. A control age-matched population (n = 60) living 28-45 km far from the industrial site was also enrolled. Pubertal stages were assessed by clinical examination according to Tanner's score. Mean testicular volume was also investigated by ultrasound examination. Urinary Cd concentration and blood levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and inhibin B were also investigated. Cd levels were significantly higher in adolescents living in the Milazzo-Valle del Mela area, compared to both age-matched subjects living far from the industrial plants and the reference values. Our population showed also a delayed onset of puberty, a smaller testicular volume and lower testosterone levels. An inverse correlation was found between urinary Cd and testicular volume (r = -0·25; P = 0·0008), testosterone levels (Spearman's r = -0·0·37; two-tailed P < 0·0001) and LH levels (Spearman's r = 0·048; P < 0·05). Testosterone levels were positively correlated with testicular volume (Spearman's r = 0·48; P < 0·0001). This study, for the first time, suggests that increased Cd burden is associated with delayed onset of puberty in male adolescents and impaired testicular growth.

Postmenopausal symptoms in a group of rural Xhosa women

AbstractBackground: To describe the incidence and understanding of early postmenopausal symptoms in rural Xhosa women.Methods: After written informed consent, 137 women were interviewed within five years after natural menopause using the Greene Climacteric Scale. Body mass indices were calculated, and blood levels of FSH, LH and oestradiol were determined.Results: The mean age of menopause was 50 years amongst the 118 women who met the study criteria. Ninety-four (80%) patients experienced hot flushes, with 20% describing them as extreme. Sixty-nine percent of patients experienced nocturnal sweating. Most of the women (111; 94%) had never heard of hormonal therapy. Serum oestradiol levels rose with increasing body mass index, but did not achieve significance.Conclusions: These rural South African women experienced the menopause at a comparable age to Caucasian women. Although they had a high incidence of vasomotor symptoms, they were unaware of the potential benefits of hormonal therapy.

Effect of growth hormone and induced IGF-I release on germ cell population and apoptosis in the bovine testis

Bovine growth hormone has been used in dairy cattle to increase milk production,but it also increases the twin parturition rate. This effect is mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), which prevents follicular atresia by hindering apoptosis of granulosa cells. The action of GH and IGF-I on testicular function remains unclear. The goal of this study, therefore, was to verify the effects of short-term administration of GH and induced IGF-I release on the number of testicular germ cells, testicular morphology, and apoptosis in the bovine testis. Twenty Zebu bulls were split into 2 groups. The bulls in Group 1 (n=10) were treated with 2 subcutaneous injections of bovine GH (500 mg/bull) 7 d apart. Group 2 bulls (n=10) received placebos under the same protocol. All of the bulls were slaughtered 14 d after the start of treatment. Fragments of the testis were collected, fixed in Bouin's solution, embedded in paraffin, and the sections stained with hematoxilin and eosin. The paraffin-embedded sections were also used for in situ detection of apoptotic cells. Blood samples were collected at slaughter to measure serum levels of IGF-I, FSH and LH. Neither the number of Stage I seminiferous epithelium germ cells and the morphometric parameters (tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelium height, and volumetric proportions of structural components) nor the blood levels of FSH and LH showed a significant difference between the 2 groups. However, the treated animals showed an increase in serum IGF-I (P<0.01). Apoptotic germ cells were detected in the testis of both groups, showing the same pattern and a stage-specific apoptosis pattern. Most of the labeled cells were spermatocytes. The localization of apoptotic germ cells did not differ between groups. These results suggest that short-term administration of GH does not affect bovine spermatogenesis in adult bulls.

Testicular germ cell populations in the adult rat after continuous in-vivo testicular infusion of inhibin-A and activin-A.

This study investigated the in-vivo effects of inhibin-A and activin-A on germ cell subpopulations in the adult rat testis. Each animal received a total of 2 micrograms (dose 5 ng/0.5 microliter/h) of activin, inhibin or 0.1% bovine serum albumin (vehicle control) delivered intratesticularly into the left testis via a cannula connected to an abdominal minipump implant. To establish whether the hormones exerted any effect on procarbazine-induced germ cell depletion, a single intraperitoneal dose of this agent was given to a group of the rats 24 h after the start of testicular infusion of activin or inhibin. Rats were killed 14 days later. Inhibin treatment caused a reduction in the number of round spermatids without altering serum FSH levels. In procarbazine-treated rats, infusion of inhibin reduced the number of pachytene spermatocytes and reduced blood FSH levels simultaneously. Infusion of activin had no significant effect on the numbers of germ cells, but reduced the number of dead cells in the seminiferous tubules of procarbazine-treated rats. The data would therefore suggest that the effects of inhibin and activin on the seminiferous epithelium are influenced by the testicular microenvironment, and that they are capable of influencing the growth and survival of germ cells by both FSH- and non FSH-mediated mechanisms. Further experiments are needed to identify the physiological role(s) of inhibin and activin in spermatogenesis.

Induction of spermatogenesis by androgens in gonadotropin-deficient (hpg) mice.

Using a new experimental model for studying the hormonal induction of spermatogenesis, the hpg mouse, which has congenital functional gonadotropin deficiency due to a major deletion in the GnRH gene, we investigated the roles of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the initiation of spermatogenesis. Weanling homozygous hpg male mice were implanted subdermally with SILASTIC brand implants of varying lengths (0-2 cm) filled with T or DHT, using phenotypically normal (N/N or N/hpg) and untreated hpg/hpg mice as positive and negative controls. After 8 weeks, both T and DHT equally stimulated (approximately 14-fold) testis size and induced qualitatively complete spermatogenesis despite low intratesticular androgen levels and undetectable circulating FSH. Stereological quantitation of Sertoli and germ cells demonstrated a dose-dependent rise in the absolute numbers of all germ cell types induced by both T and DHT. At maximal androgen doses, germ cell numbers expressed per Sertoli cell and homogenization-resistant elongated spermatids expressed per mg testis were increased to more than 80% of non-hpg control values. An in vitro fertilization assay confirmed that both T and DHT induced quantitatively normal fertilizing capacity of the sperm in hpg males. We conclude that androgens, acting through the androgen receptor without need for aromatization, initiate qualitatively complete spermatogenesis in the mouse, including fertile sperm despite low intratesticular androgen levels and the absence of blood FSH levels. The hpg mouse model is a useful new paradigm to study the molecular basis of the hormonal induction of spermatogenesis.

Induction of spermatogenesis with gonadotrophins in Chinese men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism.

The effects of gonadotrophin administration to 17 Chinese patients with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) on testicular volume and induction of spermatogenesis were studied. Ten subjects had isolated HH and seven had hypopituitarism. Twelve of the subjects had prepubertal onset of HH and five of them had been treated previously with hCG for induction of puberty. None had a history of cryptorchidism. During hCG treatment for induction of spermatogenesis, all subjects had an increase in serum levels of testosterone into the normal adult male range and their testes increased in size from 3 (1-20) ml to 11.6 (5-20) ml [median(range), p < 0.02]. Six subjects required treatment with hCG alone. However, the remaining 11 subjects, after at least 6 months treatment with hCG, required the addition of human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG) to induce spermatogenesis. Two subjects remained azoospermic. One had a history of mumps orchitis and the other had isolated elevation of blood FSH levels, suggestive of primary testicular failure in addition to HH. Excluding one subject with fertile eunuch syndrome, the mean duration for first appearance of spermatozoa was 13 (4-52) months. Twelve subjects became fertile and pregnancy was achieved in their partners after 20 (4-78) months. The weekly doses for hCG and hMG were 4000 (3000-10,000) IU and 225 (225-450) IU, respectively. Patients who responded to hCG alone had a significantly larger pretreatment testicular volume, suggesting that they had only partial gonadotrophin deficiency. Prepubertal onset of hypogonadism was not a determining factor for requirement of hMG treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Increased 17‐OH‐Progesterone levels following hCG stimulation in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia and raised FSH levels

Leydig cell function was investigated in 71 men with idiopathic oligospermia and compared to 14 fertile controls by assessing the steroidogenic response to GnRH and the repetitive administration of hCG (1500 IU x3). The oligospermic men were divided into two groups according to their basal serum FSH values (FSH < 8, n = 35; FSH > 8, n = 36), this level being defined by the mean + 3 SD of the levels in normal men (3.71 + 4.08 mIU/ml). Oversecretion of LH was supported by the findings of: (a) higher basal LH levels (p < 0.0001) in both oligospermic groups, although still within the normal range; (b) higher Dmax LH and area LH (p < 0.0001) levels in the FSH > 8 group; (c) a strong position correlation (p < 0.001) of the above parameters with the respective levels of FSH. No difference in basal testosterone levels was observed between the three groups, whereas basal levels of 17-OHP were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the group with FSH > 8. The testosterone/LH ratio was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower in the FSH > 8 group, and was correlated inversely to the basal blood levels of FSH (p < 0.0001) and to the area LH (p < 0.04). After the hCG test, there was no difference in the testosterone and oestradiol response between the groups, whereas the secretion of 17-OHP and the ratio of 17-OHP/testosterone was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the group with FSH > 8 compared with the other two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The hamster Sertoli cell in early testicular regression and early recrudescence: a stereological and endocrine study.

Utilizing stereological techniques, the hamster Sertoli cell at Stage VII of the spermatogenic cycle was examined for early signs of regressive changes after short-term photoperiod-induced testicular regression and for early signs of stimulation after short-term photoperiod-induced recrudescence. After 4-6 weeks of exposure to short photoperiod, germ cell degeneration was prominent but there were only minimal changes in Sertoli cell structure. These included a decline in volume of multivesicular bodies and in the surface area of mitochondrial membranes and adluminal plasma membrane, while no changes were noted in the other parameters measured. Of the endocrine changes, only plasma FSH levels had declined at this time and there were virtually no significant correlations between plasma FSH levels and the various structural parameters. The general lack of Sertoli cell changes in response to a short exposure to inhibitory photoperiod in the seasonally breeding hamster is similar to the early response to hypophysectomy in the none-seasonal rat. During early photoperiod-related recrudescence, testis weight, tubular lumen volume and interstitial parameters were increased. Significantly more preleptotene spermatocytes (about a 50% increase) were present in stage VII tubules, though adluminal germ cells did not increase in number. At this time some structural features of the Sertoli cells were enhanced in volume (cytoplasm, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum) and surface area (outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum and the basal compartment plasma membrane). Blood levels of FSH and testosterone were increased significantly but correlated only with rough endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that initiation of the synthetic processes was important in reestablishment of spermatogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of induced peripheral anosmia on gonadal maturation in prepubertal male rabbits.

The effect of induced peripheral anosmia on gonadal development and maturation was investigated in sexually immature male rabbits. Furthermore, the effect of agents promoting gonadal maturation (LHRH, hMG or methyl testosterone) on testicular development was examined in anosmic rabbits. Peripheral anosmia was induced by spraying the olfactory mucosa with 5% ZnSO4 solution; its effects were evaluated after a 45-day period, corresponding to the duration of spermatogenesis. Evaluation was based on measurement of body-weight, testicular size, testicular biopsy score count (TBSC) and a standard LHRH test (0 and 30 min) involving measurement of the blood levels of FSH, LH and testosterone before and at the end of the test. Markedly lower final and incremental values were noted in anosmic, compared to intact, animals for body-weight (P less than 0.001), TBSC (P less than 0.001), FSH (P less than 0.01) and LH (P less than 0.05). On the other hand, treatment of the anosmic rabbits with 0.9% saline, resulted in lower FSH, TBSC and testicular size increments than in rabbits treated with LHRH, hMG or testosterone, while testosterone levels and body-weight increments were similar in all groups. These findings indicate that induced peripheral anosmia is probably responsible for the inadequate gonadal maturation in prepubertal anosmic male rabbits. This relationship was confirmed by the observed stimulatory effect of administration of agents activating pituitary gonadotrophin secretion or gonadal function in anosmic animals.

Passive immunization against prostatic 'inhibin' peptide as a male contraceptive.

Passive immunization of adult male hamsters for 12 weeks against peptide (As-PIP), a sperm coating antigen, resulted in selective elevation of the blood levels of FSH, impairment of spermatogenesis, and complete infertility when males were mated with normal cycling females. Passive immunization of male marmosets with As-PIP for 8 weeks was also effective and was reversible, without causing any obvious change in mating behaviour. These preliminary studies in hamsters and marmosets indicate that antibodies to a prostatic 'inhibin' peptide represent a promising new approach to male contraception.

Evidence that Secretion of Immunoactive Inhibin by Seminiferous Tubules from the Adult Rat Testis Is Regulated by Specific Germ Cell Types: Correlation betweenin Vivoandin VitroStudies

This study has assessed whether depletion of specific germ cell types is able to alter the secretion of immunoactive inhibin by adult Sertoli cells in vivo and in vitro. Pachytene and later spermatocytes were depleted (80-100%) by a single administration of methoxy acetic acid (MAA; 650 mg/kg) to adult rats. At intervals between 1 and 42 days posttreatment, rats were killed, and the blood levels of FSH, LH, and testosterone were determined together with the levels of immunoactive inhibin in plasma and testicular interstitial fluid (IF). At the same time intervals, seminiferous tubules (ST; 5 x 2 cm) were isolated from control and MAA-treated rats and cultured for 24-72 h in the presence or absence of rat FSH, (Bu)2cAMP, or MAA under rigorously optimized conditions. The hormonal changes observed were related to the presence/absence of specific germ cell types, as determined by assessment of testicular morphology in perfusion-fixed testes from similarly treated rats. One to 3 days after MAA treatment, coincident with the depletion of pachytene spermatocytes, blood levels of FSH were increased significantly compared with controls; FSH returned to control levels at 7-14 days (when early spermatids were depleted), but were increased again at 21-35 days (when late spermatids were depleted). In contrast, while the plasma levels of immunoactive inhibin were increased 2-fold 3 days posttreatment, they were comparable to controls at 7-14 days, but were decreased substantially at 21-28 days. The levels of immunoactive inhibin in testicular IF were more than doubled 1 and 3 days posttreatment, but were comparable to control levels at all other times. Blood levels of LH showed a similar pattern of change to FSH, although only at 21-28 days after MAA treatment was there a significant increase, while blood levels of testosterone were comparable at all times in control and MAA-treated rats. To confirm that the changes observed in vivo after MAA treatment were indicative of changes in Sertoli rather than Leydig cell secretion of immonoactive inhibin, its secretion by isolated ST was assessed, and a pattern of change similar to that in plasma was observed. Thus, when cultured for 24 h under basal conditions, ST from rats 1-3 days after MAA treatment showed a 2- to 3-fold increase in secretion of immunoactive inhibin, which returned to control levels at 7-14 days before being reduced substantially at 21-28 days and then recovering to control levels; similar changes were observed for FSH- and (Bu)2cAMP-stimulated secretion of immunoactive inhibin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of STS‐557 (17α‐cyanomethyl 17β‐hydroxy‐estra‐4, 9(10)‐dien‐3‐one) on blood hormone levels, the testis, accessory sex organs and fertility of rats

Treatment with STS-557 (17 alpha-cyanomethyl 17 beta-hydroxy-estra-4,9(10)-dien-3-one; 10 mg kg-1 daily s.c.) for 4 weeks induced atrophy of the seminiferous tubules in adult rats with a reduction in tubule diameter and in the number of round spermatids at stage VII. Elongated spermatids were not detected. Leydig cells were atrophied from the second week of treatment with a concomitant decrease in blood levels of testosterone. The blood levels of FSH and LH were reduced from the third week of treatment. The weight of the reproductive organs was reduced after STS-557 treatment. The treatment induced sterility in 50% of rats after 2 weeks of treatment but after 4 weeks none of the treated males mated. Normal fertility and normal levels of testosterone and FSH were restored after 6 weeks and LH after 4 weeks of withdrawal of treatment. All other parameters studied recovered to pretreatment levels 6 weeks after withdrawal of treatment. STS-557 could act on the pituitary-gonadal axis (reducing gonadotrophin secretion) as well as directly affecting the Leydig cells. The consequent reduction in the blood levels of testosterone in combination with reduced gonadotrophins was presumably responsible for the suppression of spermatogenesis.

GONADOTROPIN FUNCTION IN PREPUBERTAL BOYS WITH MONORCHIA AND CONTRALATERAL TESTICULAR HYPERTROPHY

Experimental studies have demonstrated that unilateral testicular castration increases FSH blood levels in infantile animals with contralateral testicular hypertrophy. Prepubertal boys with monorchia show also this contralateral gonadal enlargement being the FSH rol on this mechanism a matter of controversies, in order to clarify this mechanism, 12 prepubertal boys with monorchia were studied. Ages were between 3 and 11 years, all were on Tanner Grade 1 of Puberty, right testis was absent in 8 and left in 4. Scrotal testicular volume was 3 ml in 6 and 4 ml in the other 6. i.v. acute test with 25 ug of Gn-RH was performed and blood was drawn at Basal 20′, 30′ and 60′ post- Gn-RH and serum LH and FSH were measured by RIA. Basal (b) and Maximal increment (Mx) were compared with 9 normal boys, 8 anorchid patients 16 with bilateral cryptorchydism, 4 with unilateral crypt; all were prepubertal, and 21 normal adultmen. Results were as follows (x̄=SD):In summary: On the basis of experimental data which reports increased FSH values followed by testicular hypertrophy after unilateral castration, and that pubertal patients with monorchia have enlarged scrotal testis and they do not increase further until the onset of puberty, it could be assumed that the mechanism of testicular hypertrophy could be induced by pituitary FSH immediately after the atrophy of the crypt, testis with subsequent reduction to normal values.

Effect of high-dose progesterone on the pre-menstrual syndrome; a double-blind cross-over trial

A double-blind cross-over placebo controlled trial was carried out to compare progesterone 200 mg with a placebo, both given in rectal suppositories, in 20 patients with the pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). Each kind of suppository was used twice daily from mid-cycle to the onset of menstruation during two successive cycles. Six patients did not complete the trial. Daily scores for a number of psychological and somatic symptoms were recorded by the participants. Mean symptom scores in the last seven days of the pre-menstruum did not differ significantly between the two treatment periods. The participants did not express a significant preference for the progesterone therapy. Mean blood levels of FSH, oestradiol, prolactin and LH, determined on the first day of menstruation did not differ between the two periods of treatment. Side effects, in the form of electrolyte abnormalities or hepatic or renal function disturbances, were not seen. In this trial, progesterone 200 mg twice daily by the rectal route was not more effective than the placebo.

Asymmetric secretion of principal ovarian venous steroids in the primate luteal phase

We have characterized the degree of asymmetry of ovarian steroid secretion in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in rhesus and cynomolgus monkeys. Femoral blood levels of FSH, LH, progesterone, estradiol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were determined. In addition, laparotomies were performed in the early, mid or late luteal phase to facilitate localization of the corpus luteum and collection of ovarian venous blood. We conclude that: 1) the ovary bearing the active corpus luteum contributes virtually all of the progesterone entering peripheral circulation in the luteal phase; 2) the ipsilateral ovary secretes more 17-hydroxyprogesterone than the contralateral one, although both are active in the luteal phase; and 3) the asymmetrical secretion of estradiol was manifest only in the early and mid-luteal phase, with ovarian symmetry being reestablished in the late luteal phase.

Effect of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) on the release of gonadotrophins in children and adolescents. VI. Relations to age, sex and puberty.

ABSTRACT Plasma gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) were radio-immunoassayed before and after injection of 0.1 mg/m2 of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) in infants 1 to 12 months old, prepubertal children aged more than 12 months, and pubertal subjects of both sexes. The pubertal changes of gonadotrophins include a highly significant increase of LH pituitary mobilizable reserve in both sexes, while the FSH reserve shows a significant decrease in females and no significant variation in males. From the first year of life up to childhood, the basal blood levels of FSH and LH decrease significantly in girls but do not vary in boys, while the FSH reserve decreases significantly in girls and increases significantly in boys, the LH reserve showing a non-significant decrease in both sexes. In the first year of life, girls show a very significantly higher FSH secretion and reserve than boys, while boys have a significantly higher LH reserve than girls. After the end of the first year up to the onset of puberty, the FSH reserve remains significantly higher in girls than in boys. The interpretation of these facts is discussed.