Changes In Reproductive Hormones Research Articles

Testicular histopathology and its association with germ cell numbers, serum concentrations of reproductive hormones, and semen quality.

It is well-established that spermatogenesis, semen quality, and reproductive hormones are interlinked. It is, however, less well-described how various specific testicular histopathologies are linked to reproductive hormones and semen quality. To describe the detailed relationship between specific testicular histopathologies and the serum concentrations of reproductive hormones and semen quality. Descriptive histological patterns on testicular biopsies from 4245 patients referred for andrological workup in our clinic between 1990 and 2022 were grouped according to a published histological coding system: (1) complete spermatogenesis (completeSPG, n=3171), (2) reduced spermatogenesis (reducedSPG, n=657), (3) heterogeneous (hetArrest, n=226), and (4) homogeneous (homArrest, n=191) spermatogenic arrest at the spermatocyte or spermatid stage. As a proxy for the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids, immunohistochemical staining for MAGE-A4, PIWIL1, and TNP1 were quantified on a representative set of biopsies (n=100). Serum concentrations of FSH, LH, T, SHBG, and inhibin B (n=1813) and semen parameters (n=833) were available. Compared with the completeSPG group, the number of spermatogonia was only reduced in the hetArrest group, while the number of spermatocytes and spermatids were lower in all groups. All groups had significantly higher FSH and LH and lower T, free T, and inhibin B concentrations when compared with the completeSPG group, except for the homArrest group, where inhibin B was unaffected. The hetArrest group had the lowest number of germ cells, the most pronounced change in reproductive hormones, and the lowest sperm counts. We found a strong correlation between the number of germ cells present and the corresponding serum concentrations of FSH, LH, T, and inhibin B. A histopathological pattern of heterogeneous spermatogenic arrest is associated with a more severe phenotype than a pattern of homogeneous arrest, and the group with reduced spermatogenesis showed the mildest phenotype.

Developing an educational resource for people experiencing eating disorders during the menopause transition: A qualitative co-design study

BackgroundThe pronounced changes in reproductive hormones, such as oestradiol and progesterone, that occur during the menopause transition can contribute to increased risk of eating disorder onset or exacerbate a pre-existing eating disorder. Despite this heightened risk, there is a lack of available education and support that takes into consideration the unique challenges of experiencing an eating disorder during the menopause transition. This research aimed to qualitatively explore the perspectives of people with a lived experience of an eating disorder during the menopause transition, and to co-design a support option that addressed their unmet needs.MethodsA Double Diamond co-design process was followed involving four phases: discover, define, develop, and deliver. Seventeen women in Australia with a lived experience of an eating disorder during the menopause transition participated in online workshops across the four phases to identify their unmet health educational needs in experiencing an eating disorder during this transition, develop potential solutions and ultimately deliver a prototype solution in the final phase. All online workshops were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. The findings from the previous phase informed the next leading to the prototype creation.ResultsQualitative thematic analysis identified six major themes across the four phases; lack of awareness of the intersection of menopause and eating disorders, lack of education, limited and stigmatising services, learning from lived experience, resource impact and resource development.ConclusionsFindings from this study provided preliminary acceptability of a novel online resource to address the unmet educational needs of people experiencing an eating disorder during the menopause transition. Overall positive feedback on the potential for the resource to improve knowledge and empower treatment-seeking was provided by women with lived experience.

BS O02 - Impact of Bariatric surgery on Obesity Indices and Reproductive Hormones: A Prospective Study in Morbidly Obese Women

Abstract Background Obesity, defined by a BMI of 30 kg/m² or higher, is influenced by genetics, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Genetic predispositions affect metabolism and energy regulation, while environmental factors like sedentary lifestyles and poor food environments worsen obesity. Obesity disrupts hormonal balances, impacting sex hormone levels and menstrual cycles, leading to infertility in women. This hormonal imbalance affects oocyte quality and ovulation. Bariatric surgery offers significant weight loss and metabolic improvements, enhancing reproductive hormone profiles and insulin sensitivity. Our study explores how sleeve gastrectomy affects BMI and hormone levels, aiming to understand its impact on obesity management and reproductive health. Method This prospective observational study examines the effects of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on reproductive hormones and ovarian function in 32 morbidly obese women, adhering to Helsinki Declaration ethics. Participants, aged 18-50 with no menopause or chronic illness, consented to the study. Exclusions included those with polycystic ovary syndrome, recent reproductive organ surgery, or recent infertility medications. The study assessed changes in BMI, antral follicles, anti-Müllerian hormone, and reproductive hormones before surgery and at 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Blood samples and transvaginal ultrasounds were conducted preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively to monitor outcomes. Results The study involved participants with an average age of 33 and a mean BMI of 42.12. Significant changes were observed post-sleeve gastrectomy at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.001). At 6 months, BMI decreased by 9.24 units, AMH levels dropped from 3 to 2.5 ng/mL, and antral follicle counts in both ovaries declined. By 12 months, BMI decreased by 16.47 units, AMH levels fell to 2 ng/mL, and antral follicle counts further reduced. Hormonal changes included increases in FSH, LH, and estradiol, while SHBG levels rose, and free testosterone levels decreased significantly. Conclusion Individual hormone responses to weight loss and surgery necessitate personalized obesity treatments. Tailoring surgical approaches and care to hormonal profiles can optimize outcomes and reduce complications. Monitoring AMH levels post-surgery can offer insights into reproductive effects, aiding clinical management and counseling for women with obesity-related infertility. We highlight the significant impact of sleeve gastrectomy on physiological parameters in obese individuals, especially regarding reproductive health and metabolic regulation. The findings enhance understanding of the changes associated with bariatric surgery and its potential benefits for metabolic and reproductive health.

COVID-19 and Reproductive Function: A Detailed Review of Fertility Outcomes, Sperm Alterations, and Vertical Transmission Concerns

Background:The global COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, raises concerns about its effects on reproductive health. Emerging evidence suggests potential impacts on male and female fertility, including hormonal changes, immune responses, and organ damage, though the virus’s direct influence on reproductive tissues and vertical transmission remains unclear. Objective:This review summarizes current evidence on COVID-19’s effects on male and female reproductive health, focusing on sperm count, fertility, and vertical transmission. Methods:A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed studies were included based on their relevance to reproductive outcomes, sperm count, hormonal changes, and vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Results:Most studies found no direct evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in male or female reproductive tissues. However, a temporary decline in sperm count and quality has been reported in men recovering from COVID-19. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly increased luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, were observed in some male patients. In females, the presence of ACE2 receptors in reproductive organs suggests a potential risk, but no conclusive evidence of impaired fertility has been found. Vertical transmission remains uncertain, with isolated cases reporting elevated IgM antibodies in newborns. Conclusion:Although direct evidence of SARS-CoV-2 impacting fertility is limited, temporary reproductive disruptions in males, including reduced sperm count, have been noted. The risk of vertical transmission remains unclear. Further research is essential to determine COVID-19’s long-term reproductive effects.

Quantifying the seasonal reproductive cycle in three species of Malagasy fruit bats with implications for pathogen and population dynamics.

Bats (order Chiroptera) are hosts for highly virulent zoonotic pathogens. Many bats demonstrate seasonally varying antiviral responses, including antibody responses which have been observed to peak during the nutritionally depleted dry-season and female gestation periods, suggesting some impact of resource deficits on bat virus immunity. Given the frequent overlap in these energetically demanding periods, it is likely that endocrinological changes associated with pregnancy might partially explain the aforementioned pattern in antibody dynamics. Regardless, we know little about the seasonality of reproduction in many fruit bat species, despite the importance of reproductive biology to informing conservation management (e.g. population viability) and disease dynamics. Here, we aimed to elucidate the reproductive biology of three species of endemic fruit bat native to the island of Madagascar: Pteropus rufus, Eidolon dupreanum, and Rousettus madagascarensis. To do so, we leveraged plasma samples collected in part with a longitudinal field study, from 2018 to 2020. We adapted three standard reproductive assays previously validated in humans to quantify seasonal changes in reproductive hormones for bats and applied a mixture model approach to determine hormone cutoffs for pregnancy. As expected, we found that pregnant females showed the highest levels of estradiol and progesterone and adult males the highest levels of testosterone. Additionally, female P. rufus and R. madagascariensis showed clear seasonality in reproduction with peaks in estradiol and progesterone in August and October, respectively. Seasonality was less clearly discernible in the female E. dupreanum and male data. In general, we found that the commercially available assays were successful in quantifying endocrinological hormones for bats; when paired with histological embryo sections or field data, these offer a powerful tool to elucidate bat reproductive calendars.

Exploring the relationship between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and male fertility: A meta-analytic and meta-regression perspective on hormonal and seminal factors

Objective: To explore the relationship between Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism (HT) and male fertility, focusing on hormonal and seminal factors. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar, covering studies published from January 2000 to March 2024. Studies investigating the impact of HT on semen quality parameters and reproductive hormones were included. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 8 studies with 8965 participants were included. HT significantly affected semen quality and reproductive hormone levels. Specifically, there was a notable decrease in progressive morphology (SMD= -0.78; 95% CI: -1.40 to -0.17; P=0.01) and sperm motility (SMD= -1.151; 95% CI: -1.876 to -0.425; P=0.002). In addition, there were no significant changes in reproductive hormones, although there were elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (SMD=0.437; 95% CI: 0.000 to 0.874; P=0.050) and follicle-stimulating hormone (SMD=0.293; 95% CI: -0.171 to 0.758; P=0.216), with a slight impact on testosterone levels (SMD= -1.143; 95% CI: -2.487 to 0.200; P=0.095). Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides robust evidence of the detrimental effects of HT on semen quality and reproductive hormones, underscoring the necessity for thorough evaluation and management of thyroid function in male infertility assessments.

The Effects of Saturated and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Reproductive Performance and Reproductive Hormonal Changes in Dairy Cows at the Transition Period

Reproductive success is crucial in dairy farming as it heavily relies on the consumption of a complete mixed ration for the diet. The current study investigated the effects of adding saturated (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to dairy cows' diets on reproductive performance and reproductive hormones during the transition period. A total of 30 Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into three groups (10 animals in each group), based on parity and body condition score. The cows had an initial body weight of 567.5 ± 40.3 kg (mean ± SD), a body condition score of 3.5 ± 0.26 out of 5 (mean ± SD), and a parity of 1.7 ± 0.02 (mean ± SD). The control group received a balanced ration meeting all the nutrient requirements according to the National Research Council (NRC) guidelines. The SFA group received 1.4% of dry matter (DM) as palm oil (RumiFat®), while the omega group had 5% of DM as safflower (a source of n-6 fatty acids) added from 21 days before parturition to 21 days after, and 4% of DM as flaxseed (a source of n-3 fatty acids) added from 21 to 42 days after parturition. In the Omega group, estradiol concentration significantly increased on artificial insemination (AI) day (12.54 pg/mL). Additionally, serum prostaglandin F2-alpha concentration was significantly higher in the omega group (0.732 pg/mL on day 7 and 1.68 pg/mL on day 14) compared to other groups. The control group exhibited the highest progesterone concentrations at 14 and 21 days post-calving compared to the other groups, other groups. whereas the omega group highest concentration five days after AI. The omega group also showed a significantly higher mean number of follicles >10mm and larger ovulatory follicle diameter. Moreover, a higher percentage of pregnant cows at 120 days in milk, fewer open days, and lower service per conception were observed in the omega group compared to the other groups. In conclusion, supplementing dairy cows' diets with PUFAs during the transition period positively influenced ovarian function, hormone levels, and reproductive performance.

Ameliorative potentials of diosmin and hesperidin fractions on chlorpyriphos-induced changes in reproductive hormones, sperm characteristics, and testicular glycogen in male Wistar rats.

Reproductive deficiency is a major outcome of pesticide exposure sequel to cellular oxidative damage to sex organs. Flavonoid possess potent antioxidant capacities to mitigate pesticide related cellular injury. The present investigation examined the mitigative effect of micronized purified fractions of diosmin and hesperidin on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, and testicular glycogen in male Wistar rats after sub-chronic Chlorpyriphos (CPF) exposure. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (120-145g) were randomly allocated five rats per group. Group I (DW) received distilled water (2ml/kg), Group II (S/oil) received soya oil (2ml/kg), Group III (DAF) received Daflon at 1000mg/kg, Group IV (CPF) received Chlorpyriphos (7.74mg/kg), and Group V (DAF + CPF) received Daflon (1000mg/kg) followed by CPF (7.74mg/kg) after 30min of Daflon. This regimen was administered daily for 60days. After cervical venesection under light chloroform anesthesia, blood samples were examined for levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone. Each rat's testicular tissue was quickly cut, collected, and glycogen evaluated. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability were measured in the right caudal epididymis. Results revealed that the untreated CPF group had significantly lower FSH, LH, testosterone, testicular glycogen, and sperm concentration. Additionally, CPF group sperm characteristics were abnormal compared to other groups. These reproductive hormones, testicular glycogen, and sperm parameters improved in the Daflon-treated groups. Hence, pre-treatment with flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin mitigated CPF-induced reproductive toxicity.

Male Reproduction and Health after Recovery from COVID-19 Infection

Objective. To study the reproductive hormones, semen quality, psychology, and sexual function of childbearing age men after recovery from Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. Materials and Methods. We recruited 387 men of childbearing age who recovered from COVID-19 infection and underwent prepregnancy health checks at the Reproductive Center of Shandong Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January to March 2023 as study subjects. Routine semen analysis and reproductive hormones were performed. The clinical symptoms, anxiety, depression, erectile function, and premature ejaculation questionnaire were investigated during the COVID-19 infection period. A control group of 226 men of childbearing age who were not infected with COVID-19 between August 2022 and October 2022 were selected based on questionnaire responses, reproductive hormones, and semen parameters. Results. The main clinical symptoms during COVID-19 infection of the 387 research subjects were fever (342/387, 88.37%), muscle pain (155/387, 40.05%), anosmia (124/387, 32.04%), cough (106/387, 27.39%), throat pain (53/387, 13.70%), nausea and vomiting (16/387, 4.13%), and testicular discomfort (5/387, 1.29%). The rates of anxiety and depression were 11.37% (44/387) and 32.82% (127/387), respectively; erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE) of the research subjects were accounted for 32.30% (125/387) and 6.98% (27/387). The IEF-5 score (P<0.001) decreased significantly compared to the control group, while the PHQ-9 score (P<0.001), the rate of increased ED (P<0.001), and the rate of depression increased (P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in liquefaction time (P<0.05), the progressive sperm motility (P<0.05), total sperm motility (P<0.05), the rates of progressive sperm motility <32% (P<0.05), and total sperm motility <40% (P<0.05) between the 1 month, the 2 months after recovery from COVID-19 and controls. Circular cell counts (P<0.05) at 2 and 3 months were lower than in the controls. No changes in reproductive hormones before and after recovery from infection. Conclusion. COVID-19 infection exacerbates depression and ED. It has a sustained effect on sperm motility and liquefaction time in men. The effects of COVID-19 infection on semen persist for approximately 2 months, with recovery occurring in the third month. Reproductive hormone levels do not appear to be continuously affected after recovery from COVID-19.

Lycopene supplement mitigates polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs)-induced reproductive alteration in rats via modulation of steroidogenic enzymes, inhibition of apoptosis and oxido-inflammatory reaction

Increasing levels of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in the environment poses huge global health threat. Prolonged exposure to PS-MPs results in both male and female infertility, with a deleterious effect on reproductive health. In rats, the disruptive effects of chemotoxicants have been countered by lycopene (LYC). This study examined the protective benefits of lycopene (LYC) against spermatological damage and hormonal alterations brought on by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in male rats. Twenty Wistar rats were split into four groups of five rats, each consisting of: the control group, the PSMPs treatment group, the PS-MPs + LYC co-treatment group, and the LYC supplementation group. Severe testicular histological damage was seen to have resulted from exposure to PS-MPs. The PS-MPs treatment dramatically reduced the antioxidant enzyme activities while raising the levels of ROS and MDA, thus reducing sperm progressive motility. Also, spermatological damage and hormonal alterations brought on by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) were also prevented by the effects of lycopene (LYC). In conclusion, LYC supplementation has the ability to reduce the harmful effects of PS-MPs on the male reproductive system. Accordingly, LYC prevented PS-MPs-induced spermatological damage and reproductive hormonal changes in rats via its anti-oxidant, androgenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory properties.

Changes in Reproductive Hormones Levels Following Administration of Hydroethanolic Extract of Azanza garckeana Fruit in Cadmium Chloride Exposed Female Wistar Rats

There have been many claims of aphrodisiac and other beneficial attributes of Azanza garckeana fruit by both tradomedicinal practitioners and some early scientific investigations; the present study, thus, set out to investigate the changes in reproductive hormones following administration of hydroethanolic extract of azanza garckeana fruit (HEAGF) in cadmium chloride exposed female Wistar rats. Thirty five (35) female Wistar rats weighing 230±10 grams were divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 served as negative control that received 1ml of distilled water; Group 2 served as positive control and received oral dose of 10mg/kg body weight of CdCl2 (or Cd); Group 3 had Clomiphene citrate (0.3mg/ml) + Cd; Group 4 received Vitamin E (0.3mg/ml) + Cd; Group 5 received 250mg/kg HEAGF+ Cd; Group 6 received 500mg/kg HEAGF+ Cd and Group 7received 1000mg/kg HEAGF+ Cd. All treatments were done orally and daily for 28 days. Blood samples were collected, and serum levels of reproductive hormones including estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured using ELISA and spectrophotometric technique. The results showed that CdCl2 exposure significantly (P<0.05) decreased FSH level but non-significantly (P>0.05) decreased LH level while increasing oestrogen and progesterone levels compared to the negative control group. However, administration of HEAGF, especially the 250mg/kg bw dose most appreciably restored the hormonal balance towards normal levels. In conclusion, although, the findings of the present study highlights the potential therapeutic value of HEAGF in improving the adverse effects of an environmental toxin―CdCl2 on female reproductive health indicators, further studies may be necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action prior to its clinical exploration and possible recommendation for supplementation in reproductive disorders associated with a heavy metal toxicity.

Maternal intake of paracetamol during pregnancy and biomarkers of male fecundity in young adult sons

Paracetamol is suggested to have endocrine disrupting properties possibly affecting fetal programming of reproductive health that might lead to impaired semen quality and changes in reproductive hormones. In this longitudinal study, we included 1058 young adult men born 1998–2000 into the Danish National Birth Cohort with follow-up at 18–21 years of age. The exposure, maternal intake of paracetamol, was modelled in three ways: dichotomized, trimester-specific, and as duration of exposure categorized into: short (1–2 weeks), medium (3–9 weeks) or long duration (>9 weeks) vs. no intake. Outcomes included semen characteristics, self-measured testis volume, and reproductive hormone levels. We used negative binominal regression to estimate the percentage difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each outcome. In total, 547 (48%) sons were prenatally exposed to paracetamol due to maternal intake at least once. Maternal intake of paracetamol during pregnancy was not associated with any of the biomarkers in the dichotomized or trimester-specific exposure models. For duration of exposure, sons of mothers with long duration of maternal intake of paracetamol showed tendencies towards lower semen concentration (-14% [95% CI: -31%; 8%]), a higher proportion of nonprogressive and immotile spermatozoa (8% [95% CI: -4%; 21%]) and higher DNA Fragmentation Index (16% [95% CI: -1%; 36%]) compared to son of mothers with no intake. Maternal intake of paracetamol during pregnancy was not clearly associated with biomarkers of male fecundity in adult sons. However, it cannot be ruled out that long duration of maternal intake of paracetamol might be associated with impaired semen characteristics.

Exploring edible bird nest's potential in mitigating Wi-Fi's impact on male reproductive health.

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of edible bird nest (EBN) against the detrimental impact of Wi-Fi on male reproductive health. Specifically, it examines whether EBN can mitigate Wi-Fi-induced changes in male reproductive hormones, estrogen receptors (ER), spermatogenesis, and sperm parameters. Thirty-six adult male rats were divided into six groups (n = 6): Control, Control EBN, Control E2, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi+EBN, and Wi-Fi+E2. Control EBN and Wi-Fi+EBN groups received 250 mg/kg/day EBN, while Control E2 and Wi-Fi+E2 groups received 12 μg/kg/day E2 for 10 days. Wi-Fi exposure and EBN supplementation lasted eight weeks. Assessments included organ weight, hormone levels (FSH, LH, testosterone, and E2), ERα/ERβ mRNA and protein expression, spermatogenic markers (c-KIT and SCF), and sperm quality. Wi-Fi exposure led to decreased FSH, testosterone, ERα mRNA, and sperm quality (concentration, motility, and viability). EBN supplementation restored serum FSH and testosterone levels, increased serum LH levels, and the testosterone/E2 ratio, and normalized mRNA ERα expression. Additionally, EBN increased sperm concentration in Wi-Fi-exposed rats without affecting motility or viability. EBN plays a crucial role in regulating male reproductive hormones and spermatogenesis, leading to improved sperm concentration. This could notably benefit men experiencing oligospermia due to excessive Wi-Fi exposure.

Reproductive endocrine changes in relation to calcium metabolism in layers experimentally infected with Escherichia coli

Aim: This study determined calcium metabolism-related reproductive endocrine changes associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection in layer chickens. Methods: A total of 20 laying chickens (20 weeks old) were acquired and assigned, into two groups (infected and controlled) of 10 layers each. Birds in the infected group were challenged with 0.5 ml of bacterial aliquot containing 109 colony forming units (CFU) of the bacteria, intratracheally. Two (2) ml of blood were collected from each bird in both groups and used for biochemical analyses. Results: Escherichia coli infection in layers caused decrease in mean oestrogen profile from day 6 reaching the lowest value (332.6 ± 5.41 pg/ml) on day 28 post infection (pi) that differed significantly (p < 0.05) from the corresponding value in the control group. The mean plasma progesterone profile and mean plasma calcium concentration in the infected group decreased from day 4 and 6 pi, respectively, and reached the lowest significant (p<0.05) values (94.8 ± 1.98 pg/ml and 1.61 ± 0.11 mmol/L, respectively) on day 28 and 14 pi, respectively, which was significantly different (p < 0.05) from that in their corresponding control group. The mean plasma phosphate concentration and mean parathormone profile increased from day 6 to a significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels (1.64 ± 0.12 mmol/L and 31.04 ± 0.80 pg/ml, respectively) on day 14 and 21, pi respectively. Conclusion: The E. coli-induced reproductive endocrine and clinicopathological changes recorded in present study may be responsible for the reported reproductive disorders in layers infected with E. coli.

Within-person changes in reproductive hormones and cognition in the menopause transition.

Most women complain of cognitive deficits in the menopause transition, though the cause is unclear. The current study investigated the role that within-person changes in reproductive hormones, particularly estradiol, may play in triggering such perimenopausal cognitive difficulties. Participants were 43 women aged 45-55years and currently in the menopause transition. Once a week for 12weeks, participants provided a urine sample for the measurement of estrone glucuronide (E1G), a urinary metabolite of estradiol. Every three weeks across the 12-week period, participants also underwent cognitive testing, including assessments of immediate and delayed memory, attention, and executive function, and completed questionnaires assessing subjective cognitive performance. Potential confounding variables including sleep quality, vasomotor symptoms, and depressive symptoms were also assessed. Within-person E1G was positively associated with objective measures of attention, particularly the ability to passively register auditory information on the first pass, as well as subjective measures of memory, specifically relating to a lower frequency of forgetting things in everyday life. Perimenopausal women with lower estimated levels of intellectual functioning furthermore exhibited a stronger relationship between E1G changes and objective cognitive performance. While depressive mood, poor sleep, and vasomotor symptoms were all negatively associated with at least one aspect of cognitive function, the E1G-cognition relationship was not explained by these factors. This study provides evidence that validates perimenopausal women's cognitive complaints but also suggests that cognitive deficits are generally mild and transient.

The impact of reproductive hormone changes on the immune response of patients with leukemia

Background & Objective: Leukemias have been associated with various immune and endocrine changes. Several studies have established a correlation between an imbalance in pituitary hormones and sex steroids and the initiation of illness in either one or both genders. The hormone changes can affect normal physiological homogeneity of the human body, thus effecting health as well as the course of unrelated diseases. We aimed to investigate the influence of alterations in reproductive hormones on the immune response of individuals diagnosed with leukemia.
 Material and Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 130 subjects, out of which 80 patients were known cases with hematological cancer, were enrolled at the Medical City Department/Hematology Center in Baghdad, Iraq, from February-October 2022. Out of 80 patients diagnosed with leukemia, 45 patients had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and 35 patients had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The study involved 50 healthy controls. Estradiol (E2), triiodothyronine (T3), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and progesterone levels were measured using both ELISA and the immunofluorescence assay method in all participants. C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was also determined.
 Results: The findings of the study demonstrated a significant elevation in the levels of CRP, ferritin (P < 0.001), and NLR (P = 0.01) in the individual’s group when compared to the control group. Serum progesterone was increased in patients diagnosed with AML and ALL in comparison to the control group (P = 0.01). FSH was elevated (P = 0.02) in AML and decreased in ALL. This difference was found to be statistically significant. The levels of T3 and E2 were found to be significantly reduced in both AML and ALL patients when compared to the control group (P = 0.1 and 0.02 respectively).
 Abbreviations: ACTH - Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; ALL - Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia; AML - Acute Myeloid Leukemia; E2 – Estradiol; LH - Luteinizing Hormone NLR - Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio
 Conclusions: The findings of the study offer empirical support for the impact of hormones on the immune response in leukemia pathogenesis.
 Key words: Leukemia; Reproductive Hormones; Immune Response
 Citation: Thabit JA, Almzaiel AJ, Kadhim MI, Alrufaie MA. The impact of reproductive hormone changes on the immune response of patients with leukemia. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2023;27(5):585−591; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v27i5.2317
 Received: August 06, 2023; Reviewed: August 12, 2023; Accepted: August 12, 2023

From menarche to menopause: psychoneuroendocrinology across the female reproductive lifespan

As reproductive hormones rise and begin to fluctuate with puberty and the beginning of the menstrual cycle (i.e., menarche), there is substantially increased risk of affective illness for females compared to males. Additional risk is associated with reproductive transition events characterized by dramatic hormone changes, including the decrease in progesterone and estradiol during the premenstrual phase, the abrupt withdrawal from high pregnancy hormone levels during the postpartum period, and the turbulent hormone flux that occurs during pubertal and menopausal transitions. As such, a differential sensitivity to normal changes in reproductive hormones during specific reproductive transition events may precipitate or exacerbate affective symptoms in susceptible women. Using a model of mood disorder susceptibility in which rapid and abrupt changes in reproductive hormones may trigger the onset of affective illness in vulnerable females, this symposium will present novel findings on psychosocial and biological mechanisms underlying hormone-related, transdiagnostic affective state change spanning the female reproductive lifespan – from menarche to menopause. Following a brief introduction by the Chair, Elizabeth Andersen, the first speaker, Hannah Klusmann, will present methods and recommendations for determining ovulation status in peripubertal females within one year of menarche and how mood sensitivity to hormone flux across the menstrual cycle differs by ovulation status. Katja Schmalenberger will present recent findings on the coupling of heart rate variability suppression and the cyclical increase in mood symptoms during the midluteal menstrual cycle phase. The third speaker, Crystal Schiller, will discuss findings from three studies that used a sex steroid manipulation in women with a history of postpartum depression to determine functional neuroimaging correlates of postpartum irritability symptoms. Danielle Swales’ presentation on the interaction of life stress and estradiol on reward processing during the menopause transition will conclude the symposium.

The Effects of Chronic Asprosin Administration on Sense of Smell and Sexual Behavior in Female Rats

Introduction: Asprosin is an adipokine released from white adipose tissue during fasting and acts through the olfactory receptor. It is known that adipokines play roles in reproductive physiology in mammals. However, there are very few studies conducted on role of asprosin in reproductive functions. There are no studies on its relationship with sexual motivation. It was shown in the literature that administration of asprosin to male mice improves olfaction. It is also known that there is a strong correlation between smell and sexual desire. In view of this, it was hypothesized that chronic administration of asprosin would improve olfactory performance and increase sexual incentive motivation in female rats for male partners. Methods: This hypothesis was tested by applying the hidden cookie test, sexual incentive test, active research test, and sexual behavior test. The changes in serum hormone levels in female rats that chronically received asprosin were also measured and compared. Results: Chronic asprosin exposure increased olfactory performance, male preference ratio, male investigation preference ratio, activity index, and anogenital investigation behavior. Also, serum oxytocin and estradiol levels increased following chronic administration of asprosin in female rats. Conclusion: These data suggest that chronic administration of asprosin can result in increased sexual incentive motivation for opposite sex in female rats over increased olfactory performance and changes in reproductive hormones.

Polycystic Ovary Cyst Segmentation Using Adaptive K-means with Reptile Search Algorith

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder in the female ovary caused because of reproductive age group hormonal changes. PCOS is a different follicle that is formed in the ovary and is termed an endocrine disorder. This disorder’s effects are often linked with clinical symptoms such as arteries, acne, hirsutism, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic infertility. It is mainly associated with type 2 diabetes, obesity with high cholesterol. This must be diagnosed at an earlier stage for avoiding other related diseases. To ensure infertility, various kinds of ovulatory failures must be significantly diagnosed and recognized. The physicians manually determine the PCOS using ultrasound images, but it is inefficient to declare whether it is a simple cyst, PCOS, or cancer cyst. This manual detection is prone to trying errors. In this paper, PCOS detection is performed through a series of processes such as preprocessing, segmentation, feature selection, and classification. The speckle noise is removed in preprocessing, and the images are enhanced for further processing. The proposed improved adaptive K-means with reptile search algorithm (IAKmeans-RSA) has been utilized for cyst segmentation and follicles recognition. The relevant features from the segmented images are extracted using a convolutional neural network (CNN). Finally, the classification is performed using the Deep Neural Network (DNN) approach. The proposed system efficiently diagnosed PCOS through cyst detection from the input images. The algorithm’s efficiency compared with existing methods shows that the proposed model is superior in segmenting and diagnosing PCOS.

IMPACT OF LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF ADOLESCENT REPRODUCTIVE DISORDER WITH PCOS : A LITERATURE REVIEW

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is described as a symptom of disturbances in the aspects of reproduction and metabolism. Reproductive disorders usually manifest as hyperandrogenism, irregular ovulation, and polycystic ovaries, leading to decreased fertility. This was a literature review research that writes briefly, concisely and up to date on a topic from scientific publication articles. The purpose of this research was to solve the problem of reproductive disorders in young women with PCOS from the theory studied. Articles were compiled by conducting a library search through Google Scholar and Scientdirect from 2013-2022 with a total of 7 articles. Therapy for improving the body's metabolism is improved so that the function of reproductive hormones is also expected to function properly and normally, so that lifestyle changes become a support for therapy for women with PCO to reproductive hormonal changes related to successful ovulation in adolescent girls with PCOS.