Steroid Concentrations Research Articles

Impact of Physiological Fluctuations of Sex Hormones During the Menstrual Cycle on Glucose Metabolism and the Gut Microbiota.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. Previous studies have shown differences in glucose metabolism between males and females. Moreover, difficulties in medication adherence have been reported in females with type 2 diabetes. These observations are believed to be caused by fluctuations in sex hormone concentrations during the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, gut microbiota is linked to female host metabolism and sex hormone production. Understanding the interactions between fluctuating hormone concentrations during the menstrual cycle, gut microbiota, and glucose metabolism in humans is significant because of the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the consequent need to expand preventive efforts. A literature search was performed to determine and summarize the existing evidence, deduce future research needs to maintain female health, and investigate the relationship between the physiological menstrual cycle and glucose metabolism. Studies from 1967 to 2020 have already examined the relationship between variations during the menstrual cycle and glucose metabolism in healthy female subjects using an oral-glucose tolerance test or intravenous glucose tolerance test. However, the overall number of studies is rather small and the results are contradictory, as some studies detected differences in glucose concentrations depending on the different cycle phases, whereas others did not. Some studies reported lower glucose levels in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase, whereas another study detected the opposite. Data on gut microbiota in relation to the menstrual cycle are limited. Conflicting results exist when examining the effect of hormonal contraceptives on the gut microbiota and changes in the course of the menstrual cycle. The results indicate that the menstrual cycle, especially fluctuating sex hormones, might impact the gut microbiota composition.The menstrual cycle may affect the gut microbiota composition and glucose metabolism. These results indicate that glucose tolerance may be the greatest in the follicular phase; however, further well-conducted studies are needed to support this assumption.

Effect of Glycyrrhizic Acid on the Viability of Hela Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cell Line at Different Concentrations of Sex Steroid Hormones

Effect of Glycyrrhizic Acid on the Viability of Hela Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cell Line at Different Concentrations of Sex Steroid Hormones

Association between secondhand smoke exposure and serum sex hormone concentrations among US female adults: a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016

ObjectiveTo estimate the association between secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and serum sex hormone concentrations in female adults (never smokers and former smokers).DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingUS National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016.Outcome...

Chronic exposure to gestodene impairs reproductive system in adult female zebrafish (Daniarerio)

Gestodene (GES) is widely used in human therapy and animal husbandry and is frequently detected in aquatic environments. Although GES adversely affects aquatic organisms at trace levels, its effects on the reproductive biology of fish remain inconclusive. In this study, female zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to environmentally relevant levels of GES for the evaluation of the effects of GES on the reproductive system by using endpoints including gene expression, plasma steroid concentrations, histological and morphological analyses, copulatory behavior, and reproductive output. Adult female zebrafish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of GES (4.0, 40.2, and 372.7 ng/L) for 60 d demonstrated stagnant ovarian oocyte development, evidenced by an increase in the percentage of perinuclear and atretic oocytes and a decrease in the percentage of late vitellogenic oocytes. GES-exposed females were less attractive to males and had lower copulatory intimacy than females in control. Consequently, spawning (44.3–49.2 %) and egg fertilization rates (27.9–32.0 %) were decreased. The decreased survival of fertilized eggs and hatching rates were accompanied by increased malformations. These negative effects were associated with abnormal transcriptional levels of gonadal steroid hormones, which were regulated by genes (Hsd17β3, Hsd11β2, Hsd20β, Cyp19a1a, and Cyp11b). Overall, our findings suggest that GES impairs the reproductive system of zebrafish, which may threaten population stability.

Potential of Sea Cucumbers as Fuctional Foods

Sea cucumbers have great potential for managing water resources because they have filter feeder properties that can clean water from harmful substances. Apart from that, sea cucumbers also contain active compounds which have properties as functional foods and can help prevent cancer. Samples of sea cucumbers were collected from Karimunjawa, Central Java, and Surabaya. The research included tests for bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals on dried sea cucumbers, as well as amino acid analysis. Two species of sea cucumbers were identified: Holothuria atra and Stichopus variegates. H. atra had a higher amino acid content and the highest collagen content among all the amino acids (14,600mg.100g-1). Both types of sea cucumber samples contain amino acids that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. This is due to their content of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids, which are beneficial for health. Additionally, S. variegates has been found to have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. The amino acid analysis of S. variegates shows the presence of sulfate and alanine compounds, which are not found in H. atra. Research has shown that sea cucumbers can be consumed as supplements or additional food to support health and prevent various diseases, including cancer. The use of sea cucumbers as functional food ingredients also has the potential to manage water resources sustainably. In conclusion, H. atra and S. varigatus sea cucumbers have great potential for managing water resources for functional food and cancer prevention efforts. Their high content of amino acids and other phytochemical compounds makes them a good choice for development as functional food ingredients.

Phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacities of Abelmoschus manihot leaf extracts using different solvents

Abstract. Winata GM, Hardinsyah H, Marliyati SA, Rimbawan R, Andrianto D. 2024. Phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacities of Abelmoschus manihot leaf extracts using different solvents. Biodiversitas 25: 942-949. Gedi (Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik) leaves are popularly consumed as a green vegetable by Eastern Indonesians. This work aimed to carry out the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacities of five extracts, i.e., water, 70% ethanol, absolute ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane of Abelmoschus manihot leaf. Qualitative analysis was done as a preliminary screening for flavonoid, tannin, saponin, alkaloid, triterpenoid, steroid, and quinone. Quantitative analysis determined the flavonoid, phenolic, tannin, quercetin, and steroid content. In-vitro antioxidant analysis was conducted to determine free radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. The results showed that flavonoid was only found in 70% ethanol extract; steroid was obtained in all extracts, while alkaloid, saponin, tannin, quinone, and triterpenoid were absent in all extracts. The results of the quantitative analysis showed that the highest flavonoid was in 70% ethanol extract (39.2 mg GAE/g), phenolic in ethyl acetate extract (34.792 mg QE/g), tannin in 70% ethanol (1.395 mg/g), quercetin in absolute ethanol extract (0.246 mg/g), and steroid content in hexane extract (201.948 mg/g). Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of each extract to inhibit malondialdehyde (MDA) formation was lower than free radical scavenging activity. The IC50 values of MDA formation in absolute ethanol and hexane extracts were 6.77 ppm and 7.67 ppm, respectively. The IC50 of vitamin E was 3.67 ppm. Further study is needed to determine the mechanism of Abelmoschus manihot leaf extracts as antioxidants used as a functional food.

Influence of sex hormones on the aggressive behavior during peck order establishment and stabilization in meat and egg type chickens

In the poultry industry, broiler and layer strains are genetically selected for different purposes (e.g., high meat-yield and high egg-production). Genetic selection for productivity can have unintended consequences on the behavioral repertoire of the birds, including aggression. Alongside the increasing societal concern regarding the welfare of animal in agriculture, the number of countries that are advocating the prohibition of using battery cages for laying hens has resulted in the transition and adoption of cage-free or free-range systems. Thus, both broiler and layer chickens are housed in large flocks rather than housed individually in cages. Housing birds in groups increases the opportunity for birds to engage in social behaviors, including aggression, that are used to establish social status. Aggressive interactions are associated with the risk of injury and the potential for a subordinate animal to have unmet needs (e.g., access to feed). The aim of this study was to characterize the relationships among aggressive behavior, neurobiology, and hormones during peck order establishment and social hierarchy stabilization of 2 divergently selected strains (meat- and egg-type chicken). Meat-type strains performed more male on male (P < 0.001), male on female (P < 0.0001), and female on female (P < 0.0001) non-reciprocal aggression behavior (NRA) than egg-type strains. Greater serum testosterone and estradiol concentrations in the weeks after the peck order establishment were observed in meat-type birds compared those in egg-type birds for both males and females (all P < 0.05). Greater (P < 0.05) cellular densities of androgen receptors, but not estrogen receptors, were observed in the hypothalamus of meat-type birds compared to egg-type birds. These findings suggest that greater sex hormone concentrations in the meat-type birds may be a consequence of genetic selection for rapid growth resulting in more sex hormones-induced aggressive behavior.

Comparison of side effects of different steroids used in intratympanic injections

ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare the side effects of different steroids used in the intratympanic injections (IT). MethodsOne hundred and sixty patients diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and undergoing IT were assigned to four groups based on the type or concentration of steroids administered (Group DM5: 5 mg/ml Dexamethasone sodium phosphate; Group DM10: 10 mg/ml Dexamethasone sodium phosphate; Group MP: 40 mg/ml Methylprednisolone sodium succinate; Group BM: 4 mg/ml Betamethasone sodium phosphate). Each group comprised 40 patients, and all participants received IT six times. The study assessed and compared the degrees and duration of pain, dizziness, and tympanic membrane damage following IT. Patients were asked to report the pain they felt using the numeric rating scale (NRS). ResultsNRS scores for pain after IT showed significant differences among the four groups (p < 0.001). The average NRS scores for pain in each group were as follows: Group DM5: 1.53 ± 1.04; Group DM10: 1.45 ± 1.30; Group MP: 4.33 ± 2.22; Group BM: 6.03 ± 1.46. The durations of pain after IT also exhibited significant differences among the four groups (p < 0.001), with the longest duration observed in Group MP at 31.93 ± 15.20 min. ConclusionDifferent types of steroids could lead to varying degrees of pain when used in IT. Betamethasone could cause the most severe pain, and methylprednisolone could result in the longest duration of pain.

Prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns: Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study.

Newborn anogenital distance (AGD) has been associated with prenatal exposure of phthalates. The association between prenatal phthalate exposure and sex steroid hormones in newborns is unclear. This study aimed to examine whether cord-blood sex hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposure and newborn anogenital distance (AGD). In the Taiwan Maternal and Infant Cohort Study, we recruited 1,676 pregnant women in their third trimester in 2012-2015 in Taiwan. We determined 11 urinary phthalate metabolites in pregnant women, three maternal and five cord-blood steroid sex-hormone concentrations. Five hundred and sixty-five mother-infant pairs with sufficient data were included. Trained neonatologists measured 263 newborns' AGD. We examined the associations of prenatal phthalate metabolite levels with AGD and hormones using linear regression models and evaluated correlations between maternal and cord-blood sex hormone levels and AGD. Compared with the male newborns exposed to maternal phthalate metabolites at the first tertile, AGD was -3.75, -3.43, and -3.53 mm shorter among those exposed at the median tertile of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites, monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and monomethyl phthalate (MMP), respectively. Compared with those who had exposed at the first tertile, cord-blood follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased among male newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), MBzP and DEHP, and among female newborns exposed at higher levels of MMP, MBzP and mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate. However, we did not observe significant correlations of maternal or cord-blood sex steroid hormones with newborns' AGDs. Alterations in cord-blood sex steroid hormone levels were associated with prenatal phthalate exposures, particularly in male newborns. Women aspiring to be pregnant should be alerted of the need of reducing phthalate exposure.

Coeffects of temperature and photoperiod on the age-related timing of spring migration of Whooper swans via satellite tracking

Extrinsic and endocrine factors are important mechanisms influencing the timing of spring bird migration. Whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus), including 122 adults and subadults over one year old and 98 juveniles under one year old, were satellite tracked to obtain detailed locational data at a wintering ground from 2015 to 2020. We assessed the effects of temperature, wind, photoperiod, available food resources, and sex hormones on age-related timing of spring migration. Our results suggested that both photoperiod and temperature had the greatest impacts on the timing of spring migration of adults, subadults and juveniles when food resources and wind conditions were favourable. With increasing photoperiod and temperature, the peak sex hormone concentrations of adults and subadults occurred one month earlier than that of juveniles, which corresponded to the peak of their departure time. Our study showed the synergistic impact of photoperiod and temperature and their variation among adults, subadults and juveniles on the initiation of spring migration. Compared with juveniles, adults and subadults with spring migration experience and reproductive needs could adjust their behaviours more quickly before departure based on changes in environmental conditions.

Epilepsy and pregnancy

Regarding treatment of women of childbearing potential with epilepsy, several aspects of family planning and desire to have children have to be taken into account. Overview of current data on mutual implications of epileptic seizures, antiseizure medication (ASM), pregnancy and child development. Review of the current literature, discussion and presentation of resulting treatment recommendations. Many ASMs bear the potential for clinically relevant interactions with both contraceptives and altered concentrations of sexual hormones and modified pharmacokinetics during pregnancy. All ASMs show an increased risk for congenital malformations; however, due to seizure-related risks for the mother and child effective ASM treatment during pregnancy is crucial. When considering the special aspects of consultation and treatment of women of childbearing potential with epilepsy most pregnancies are uncomplicated.

Estradiol mediates greater germinal center responses to influenza vaccination in female than male mice.

Adult females of reproductive age develop greater antibody responses to inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) than males. How sex, age, and sex steroid concentrations impact B cells and durability of IIV-induced immunity and protection over 4 months post-vaccination (mpv) was analyzed. Vaccinated adult females had greater germinal center B cell and plasmablast frequencies in lymphoid tissues, higher neutralizing antibody responses 1-4 mpv, and better protection against live H1N1 challenge than adult males. Aged mice, regardless of sex, had reduced B cell frequencies, less durable antibody responses, and inferior protection after challenge than adult mice, which correlated with diminished estradiol among aged females. To confirm that greater IIV-induced immunity was caused by sex hormones, four core genotype (FCG) mice were used, in which the testes-determining gene, Sry, was deleted from chromosome Y (ChrY) and transferred to Chr3 to separate gonadal sex (i.e., ovaries or testes) from sex chromosome complement (i.e., XX or XY complement). Vaccinated, gonadal female FCG mice (XXF and XYF) had greater numbers of B cells, higher antiviral antibody titers, and reduced pulmonary virus titers following live H1N1 challenge than gonadal FCG males (XYM and XXM). To establish that lower estradiol concentrations cause diminished immunity, adult and aged females received either a placebo or estradiol replacement therapy prior to IIV. Estradiol replacement significantly increased IIV-induced antibody responses and reduced morbidity after the H1N1 challenge among aged females. These data highlight that estradiol is a targetable mechanism mediating greater humoral immunity following vaccination among adult females.IMPORTANCEFemales of reproductive ages develop greater antibody responses to influenza vaccines than males. We hypothesized that female-biased immunity and protection against influenza were mediated by estradiol signaling in B cells. Using diverse mouse models ranging from advanced-age mice to transgenic mice that separate sex steroids from sex chromosome complement, those mice with greater concentrations of estradiol consistently had greater numbers of antibody-producing B cells in lymphoid tissue, higher antiviral antibody titers, and greater protection against live influenza virus challenge. Treatment of aged female mice with estradiol enhanced vaccine-induced immunity and protection against disease, suggesting that estradiol signaling in B cells is critical for improved vaccine outcomes in females.

Body odours as putative chemosignals in the father-child relationship: New insights on paternal olfactory kin recognition and preference from infancy to adolescence

Children's body odours are effective chemical cues in the parent-child relationship. Mothers can recognize the odour of their child and prefer this odour over that of unfamiliar children. This effect is mediated by genetic similarity and developmental stage and is therefore suited to promote parental care at pre-pubertal stage, while facilitating incest avoidance at (post-)pubertal stage. The present study tested whether similar mechanisms apply to fathers. Therefore n = 56 fathers evaluated body odour samples of their own and of unfamiliar children in varying genetic and developmental stages. Genetic status was determined by human leucocyte antigen (HLA) profiling, developmental status by standardized assessment of pubertal status and steroid hormone concentration (estradiol, testosterone). Similar to mothers, fathers identified their own child's body odour above chance and preferred that odour. The paternal preference did not relate to HLA similarity but decreased with increasing age of the child. The decline was associated with higher pubertal stages in daughters only, which supports the hypothesis of odour-mediated incest prevention in opposite-sex parent-child dyads.

Assessment of occurrence, partitioning and ecological risk for 144 steroid hormones in Taihu Lake using UPLC-MS/MS with machine learning model

Steroid hormones (SHs) have attracted mounting attention due to their endocrine-disrupting effects on humans and aquatic organisms. However, the lack of analytical methods and toxicity data for a large number of SHs has limited the effective management of SH contamination in the water-sediment systems. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of 144 SHs to investigate their occurrence, spatial distribution and partitioning in the water and sediment in Taihu Lake. The results showed that the total concentrations of SHs in water and sediment were 366.88–998.23 ng/L (mean: 612.84 ng/L) and 17.46–150.20 ng/g (mean: 63.41 ng/g), respectively. The spatial distribution of SHs in Taihu Lake might be simultaneously influenced by the pollution sources, lake hydrodynamics, and sediment properties. The sediment-water partitioning result implied that 28 SHs were in dynamic equilibrium at the water-water interface. In addition, 22 and 12 SHs tended to spread to water and settle into sediment, respectively. To assess the ecological risk of all SHs, a robust random forest model (R2 = 0.801) was developed to predict the acute toxicity of SHs for which toxicity data were not available from publications. Risk assessment showed that SHs posed a high ecological risk throughout Taihu Lake, with the highest risk in the northwestern areas. Estrone, 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol were the dominant risk contributors and were therefore recommended as the priority SHs in Taihu Lake. This work provided a valuable dataset for Taihu Lake, which would help to provide guidance and suggestions for future studies and be useful for the government to develop the mitigation and management measures.

Hormone Concentration Measurement in Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) represent a subset of cerebral vascular malformations associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In Japan, DAVF exhibits sex-based differences in anatomical distribution, with female predominance in the cavernous sinus (CS) and male predominance in the transverse sinus (TS). Nevertheless, the pathophysiology of DAVF is not fully understood, and hormonal influences are hypothesized to play a role in its development. This study aimed to investigate changes in the concentrations of sex steroid hormones between intracranial and peripheral sampling sites in patients with CS- and TS-DAVF. We recruited 19 patients with CS-DAVF (n= 12) and TS-DAVF (n= 7) in this study. Blood hormone measurements were obtained from peripheral and jugular bulb samples during endovascular intervention. Hormone concentrations were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, and statistical analyses were performed. Our study revealed a higher prevalence of CS-DAVF in females and TS-DAVF in males, which is consistent with previous studies. Estradiol concentration was significantly lower in the jugular bulb compared with in the periphery in both patients with CS- and TS-DAVF. This decrease in estradiol was observed irrespective of the patient's sex and independent of follicle-stimulating hormone levels. These findings indicate a local decrease in estradiol levels within the intracranial vasculature of patients with DAVF. This suggests a potential multifactorial role of estradiol in the pathomechanism of DAVFs, warranting further investigation to understand its influence on DAVF formation and potential targeted therapies, thereby enhancing patient outcomes.

Sex steroid and cognitive function among community-dwelling older men with or without vascular risk factors: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe relationship of testosterone and estradiol concentrations with cognitive function among community-dwelling older men was inconclusive. To examine the association of serum testosterone and estradiol concentrations with cognitive function in older men with or without vascular risk factors (VRFs).MethodsThis cross-sectional study consisted of 224 community-dwelling men aged 65–90 years in the Songjiang District of Shanghai, China. Serum testosterone and estradiol were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The following five factors were defined as VRFs in this study: obesity, history of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and coronary heart disease. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association of testosterone and estradiol with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in participants with or without VRF. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was performed to account for the nonlinearity of these associations.ResultsAn inverted “U” shaped non-linear relationship was found between testosterone concentration and MMSE score in men with one VRF (P overall =.003, non-linear P =.002). Estradiol showed an inverted “U” shaped non-linear relationship with MMSE score independent of VRFs (men without VRF, P overall =.049, non-linear P =.015; men with one VRF, overall P =.007, non-linear P =.003; men with two or more VRFs, overall P =.009, non-linear P =.005).ConclusionIn older men, an optimal level of sex steroid concentration may be beneficial to cognitive function and the VRFs should be considered when interpreting the relationship between sex steroid and cognitive function.

Methods of artificial regulation of estrous cycle of Aberdeen Angus breeding stock

The research aim is to study the efficiency of using the OvSynch and Co-Synch schemes with subsequent resynchronization on beef cows and heifers of the Aberdeen Angus breed. The hormonal state of animals and the biochemical blood serum parameters were chosen as factors determining reproductive function. The purpose is to study the efficiency of applying the OvSynch and Co-Synch synchronization protocols on cows and heifers of the Aberdeen Angus breed depending on the hormonal state of the inseminated animals and the biochemical blood serum parameters. The rate of fertilization in cows inseminated according to the OvSynch protocol was determined to be 5.0 to 8.5 % higher during the first stage of insemination and 5.5 % higher during the second stage of insemination. In the group of heifers, the best fertilization results were obtained while using the Co-Synch protocol (59.3 %). Giving cows a second injection of GnRH, on day 9 of the OvSynch protocol, 16 hours before insemination, provided an average rate of fertilization of 52.3 %, which is 3.4 % higher compared to the 14-hour interval between GnRH injection and insemination. The concentration of steroid and gonadotropic hormones, including cortisol, estradiol, FSH and LH, in experimental animals during insemination corresponded to the estrus phase. The results of biochemical blood tests indicate a number of metabolic inconsistencies in the animal body. Changes in the biochemical blood serum parameters in animals that did not become pregnant followed the same patterns as in those that became pregnant. However, the level of increase or decrease in parameters was less pronounced. The results obtained can be used in arranging artificial insemination in breeding and commercial agricultural organizations engaged in beef cattle breeding, as well as in teaching process of zootechnical and veterinary disciplines in agricultural higher educational institutions of the Republic of Belarus.

Calcium signaling in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells: sex differences and the influence of estrogens and androgens.

Calcium signaling in vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is essential for the regulation of vascular tone. However, the changes to intracellular Ca2+ concentrations are often influenced by sex differences. Furthermore, a large body of evidence shows that sex hormone imbalance leads to dysregulation of Ca2+ signaling and this is a key factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, the effects of estrogens and androgens on vascular calcium-handling proteins are discussed, with emphasis on the associated genomic or nongenomic molecular mechanisms. The experimental models from which data were collected were also considered. The review highlights 1) in female ECs, transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) and mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU) enhance Ca2+-dependent nitric oxide (NO) generation. In males, only transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3) plays a fundamental role in this effect. 2) Female VSMCs have lower cytosolic Ca2+ levels than males due to differences in the activity and expression of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (Orai1), calcium voltage-gated channel subunit-α1C (CaV1.2), Na+-K+-2Cl- symporter (NKCC1), and the Na+/K+-ATPase. 3) When compared with androgens, the influence of estrogens on Ca2+ homeostasis, vascular tone, and incidence of vascular disease is better documented. 4) Many studies use supraphysiological concentrations of sex hormones, which may limit the physiological relevance of outcomes. 5) Sex-dependent differences in Ca2+ signaling mean both sexes ought to be included in experimental design.

Impact of a hypocaloric dietary intervention on antral follicle dynamics in eumenorrheic women with obesity.

Do antral follicle dynamics change in women with obesity and regular ovulatory cycles after a 6-month hypocaloric dietary intervention? After a 6-month hypocaloric dietary intervention, women with obesity and regular ovulatory cycles displayed evidence of improved antral follicle dynamics defined by the emergence of more dominant follicles, larger ovulatory follicle diameter at selection, and increased luteal progesterone concentrations compared to pre-intervention. Precise events in antral folliculogenesis must occur in order for natural and regular monthly ovulation. In healthy women of reproductive age, antral follicles are recruited for growth in a wave-like fashion, wherein a subset of follicles are selected for preferential growth, and typically, one dominant follicle culminates in ovulation. Women with obesity and regular ovulatory cycles display evidence of suppressed antral follicle development, as evidenced by fewer recruitment events, fewer selectable and dominant follicles, smaller diameter of the ovulatory follicle at selection, and a higher prevalence of luteal phase defects. While improvements in gonadotropin and ovarian steroid hormone concentrations after weight loss have been documented in eumenorrheic women with obesity, the precise impact of weight loss on antral follicle dynamics has not been evaluated. A pre-post pilot study of 12 women who participated in a 6-month hypocaloric dietary intervention. Twelve women with obesity (total body fat ≥35%) underwent transvaginal ultrasonography and venipuncture every-other-day for one inter-ovulatory interval (IOI) both before (baseline) and during the final month (Month 7) of a six-month hypocaloric dietary intervention. Participants were aged 24-34 years and had a self-reported history of regular menstrual cycles (25-35 days). Follicle number and diameter (≥2 mm) were quantified at each study visit, and individual growth profiles for all follicles ≥7 mm were determined. Blood samples were assayed for reproductive hormones. Follicle dynamics and reproductive hormone concentrations were compared pre- and post-intervention. Further, post-intervention follicle and endocrine dynamics (Month 7 IOI) were compared to an age-matched reference cohort of lean women with regular ovulatory cycles (total body fat <35%, N = 21). Participants lost an average of 11% of their original body weight with the hypocaloric dietary intervention. More dominant follicles were detected (≥10 mm) at Month 7 compared to baseline (0. 3 ± 0.4 versus 0.4 ± 0.5 follicles, P = 0.001), and ovulatory follicles were selected at larger diameters post-intervention (7.3 ± 2.0 versus 10.9 ± 2.6 mm, P = 0.007). Luteal progesterone concentrations were increased at Month 7 compared to baseline (5.3 ± 3.65 versus 6.3 ± 4.74 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). However, risk for luteal phase dysfunction as judged by the prevalence of a luteal phase length <10 days, integrated luteal progesterone levels <80 ng/ml or peak progesterone <10 ng/ml did not differ pre- versus post-intervention (all, P > 0.05). In Month 7, follicle dynamics and endocrine profiles were similar to the reference cohort across all measures. This study does not inform on the earliest stages of ovarian follicle development and is limited to providing knowledge on the later stages of antral follicle development. This study cannot fully address causation between weight loss and sustained improvements in antral follicle dynamics. The data cannot be extrapolated to comment on potential improvements in fertility and fecundity with weight loss. The small group sizes limit statistical power. The increasing prevalence of obesity necessitates an understanding of the mechanisms that underlie potential improvements in reproductive health outcomes with weight loss. Women with obesity and regular ovulatory cycles who undertook a 6-month hypocaloric dietary intervention demonstrated improvements consistent with benefits of lifestyle intervention on reproductive health even in those without overt signs of reproductive dysfunction. Potential improvements in the cellular makeup of follicles, which may underlie the restoration of normal follicle development and amelioration of subfertility, require further investigation. Cornell University, President's Council of Cornell Women, United States Department of Agriculture (Grant No. 8106), and National Institutes of Health (R01-HD0937848). B.Y.J. and H.V.B. were supported by doctoral training awards from the National Institutes of Health (T32-DK007158) and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Grant No. 146182), respectively. The authors have no competing interests. NCT01927432 and NCT01785719.

Estrous characteristics and steroid concentrations in Aceh cows (Bos indicus) after estrus synchronization using prostaglandin F2a

Abstract. Hafizuddin, Husnurrizal, Thasmi CN, Herrialfian, Salsabil NL, Siregar TN, Sutriana A. 2024. Estrous characteristics and steroid concentrations in Aceh cows (Bos indicus) after estrus synchronization using prostaglandin F2a. Biodiversitas 25: 322-328. This study aims to determine the estrous characteristics and steroid concentrations during estrus in Aceh cattle after estrus synchronization using prostaglandin F2a. This study involved 9 Aceh cows with good reproductive status, not pregnant, and has shown at least 2 regular cycles, which were divided into 3 treatment groups. The first group (GI) received a single injection treatment, the second group (G2) received a double injection treatment with an interval of 10 days, and the third group (G3) was also treatment double injection with an interval of 12 days. Symptoms and responses to estrus were reported descriptively, and the data collected on onset, intensity, and duration of estrus were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's test. The results showed that estrus symptoms were almost similar and estrus response was 100% in all three treatment groups. The onset of estrus in G1, G2, and G3 did not differ significantly (P&gt;0.05) with values of 68.00±18.33, 60.00±0.00, and 72.00±24.00 hours, respectively. The intensity of estrus in G1, G2, and G3 showed significant differences (P&lt;0.05) with scores of 3.00±0.00, 5.00±0.00 and 4.33±1.15, respectively. The duration of estrus showed no significant difference in G1, G2, and G3 (P&gt;0.05) with durations of 32.00±18.33, 72.00±0.00, and 52.00±38.57 hours, respectively. The concentrations of estradiol and progesterone obtained also showed no significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in G1, G2, and G3, with respective concentrations of 91.67±24.77, 132.00±23.15, 89.47±24.19 pg/mL and 0.98±0.59, 0.86±0.18, 1.00±0.17 ng/mL. In conclusion, estrus synchronization with PGF2a single injection and double injection in Aceh cattle was found to have 100% estrus response. However, PGF2a with double injection showed higher estrus intensity compared to single injection. In Aceh cows, the recommended protocol for estrus synchronization using PGF2a is double injection.