Difference In E2 Research Articles

Characterization of ovarian follicles, serum steroid hormone concentration, and steroidogenic gene expression profiles in the developing ovarian follicles in White King pigeons

Paired pigeons only lay 2 eggs in a laying period, which is closely related to ovarian follicle development, but this process is not well understood. In this study, 60 pairs of 12-mo-old White King pigeons were selected and serum and follicles were collected at 4 stages of laying interval (LI), including the first (LI1), the third (LI3), the fifth (LI5), and the seventh day (LI7). Morphological results showed that paired pigeons normally had 2 preovulatory follicles and the second-largest follicle (F2) developed from LI3 and had been selected in LI5. Prehierarchical follicles were coupled and hierarchical, which was in accordance with its clutch size. The P4 concentration increased gradually from LI1 to LI5, reaching a maximum of 30.67 ng/mL in LI5 and decreasing to 27.83 ng/mL in LI7 (P < 0.05). The levels of T in LI1 and LI5 were higher than LI3 and LI7 (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference in E2 in LI (P > 0.05), but it stayed at high levels. In the TCs of the largest follicle (F1), HSD3B1 mRNA and HSD17B1 mRNA levels peaked in LI7. The expression pattern of CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 was similar, increasing from LI3 to LI5 and then decreasing. In the TCs of F2, the expressions of HSD3B1 and CYP17A1 had no significant difference between LI5 and LI7 (P > 0.05), while the expression pattern of HSD17B1 and CYP19A1 was the opposite. In TCs of SF1, HSD3B1 mRNA level peaked in LI3 while CYP19A1 mRNA levels peaked in LI7. The expression of CYP17A1 had a minor change (P > 0.05) and the expression pattern of HSD17B1 was similar to F1. It was concluded that the morphological characteristics of follicles during the LI for the first time, including the number and diameter of small follicles (SFs) and hierarchical follicles in pigeon and the concentrations of steroid hormones and expressions of steroidogenic genes in TCs of different follicles could explain the growth and selection of 2 preovulatory follicles. This study facilitates further research into the regulation of ovulation and egg production in pigeons.

Abstract P1-11-11: Cimicifuga racemosa extract prevents menopausal syndrome in LHRHa treatment of breast cancer: A prospective randomized research

Abstract BACKGROUND Menopausal syndrome (MPS) is common in pre/peri-menopausal breast cancer patient receiving luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa). According to the results of TEXT &amp; SOFT study, it could affect patients' life quality seriously and even caused 8%˜23% treatment break. Cimicifuga racemosa (Remifemin) is previously proved effective for MPS in nature menopause patients. We aim to design a prospective randomized research for investigating the effect of Remifemin on MPS which caused by LHRHa in breast cancer (NCT03339882). METHODS The pre/peri-menopausal patients diagnosed as early breast cancer planning for LHRHa were identified and randomly divided into two groups after surgery and chemotherapy if necessary: the Remifemin group (Remifemin 20mg twice a day for 12 weeks) and the control group. The primary endpoint is Kupperman menopause index (KMI). The estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in blood were also evaluated. RESULTS From January 2017 to December 2017, totally 85 patients (42 in Remifemin group and 43 in control group) were enrolled in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital and there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics including age, BMI, tumor stage, ER, PR, HER2, KMI and hormone levels between two groups (Table 1). At the time of 4, 8, 12 weeks after treatment, the KMI of Remifenmin group were all significantly lower than control group (Table 2, P&amp;lt;0.01) while no significant difference in E2, FSH and LH levels between the two groups (Table 2, P&amp;gt;0.05).There was no significant difference in endometrial thickness, ovarian cyst and Uterine fibroids except cervical cyst (P=0.02). CONCLUSION The use of Remifemin is oncological safe and reliable in preventing MPS which caused by LHRHa in breast cancer. The clinical characteristics of two groups Remifemin groupControl groupP n=42n=43 N(%)N(%) Age(years) 37.74±6.6037.16±6.280.68BMI (body mass index) 21.90±2.8321.65±3.010.69T stage02(4.76)2 (4.65)0.16 113 (30.95)22 (51.16) 227 (64.29)19 (44.19) N stage021 (50.00)24 (55.82)0.63 110 (23.81)12 (27.91) 26 (14.29)5 (11.63) 35 (11.90)2 (4.65) ERPositive30 (71.43)35 (81.40)0.28 Negative12 (28.57)8 (18.60) PRPositive30 (71.43)32 (74.42)0.76 Negative12 (28.57)11 (25.58) HER2Positive8 (19.05)10 (23.26)0.64 Negative34 (80.95)33 (76.74) Category of LHRHaGoserelin32 (76.19)28 (65.12)0.26 Leuprorelin10 (23.81)15 (34.88) Category of endocrine drugNone10 (23.81)6 (13.95)0.20 SERM5 (11.90)11 (25.58) AI27 (64.29)26 (60.47) The endpoints of two groups Remifemin groupControl groupP n=42n=43 KMI*Base line2.45±1.452.30±1.360.62 4th week3.83±1.868.37±4.19&amp;lt;0.01 8th week4.21±1.8011.00±4.48&amp;lt;0.01 12th week4.67±2.1611.98±4.93&amp;lt;0.01E2Base line134.24±64.14143.49±84.190.57 4th week20.26±14.8125.24±13.310.11 8th week13.55±8.1415.65±8.020.23 12th week10.83±7.3512.53±6.350.26FSHBase line8.88±11.4010.17±9.910.58 4th week8.23±9.935.40±6.450.12 8th week4.83±8.496.53±11.500.44 12th week3.65±7.557.28±16.010.19LHBase line6.77±6.319.62±10.590.14 4th week9.08±4.877.93±4.830.28 8th week11.76±11.8210.18±12.210.55 12th week7.27±4.956.90±4.380.72*Wilcoxon test Citation Format: Yu X, Wang C, Liang C, Xuan H, Yang H. Cimicifuga racemosa extract prevents menopausal syndrome in LHRHa treatment of breast cancer: A prospective randomized research [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-11.

Care Standardization Reduces Blood Donor Exposures and Transfusion in Complex Cranial Vault Reconstruction.

Complex cranial vault reconstruction (CCVR) often requires a large-volume transfusion of blood products. We implemented a series of improvement interventions to reduce blood donor exposures (BDE) and transfusion requirements in CCVR. We implemented interventions over 4 epochs: (E1) reconstituted blood (1:1 ratio of donor-matched red blood cells and fresh-frozen plasma) for intraoperative transfusions, (E2) reconstituted blood plus postoperative transfusion guidelines, (E3) reconstituted blood plus intraoperative antifibrinolytics and postoperative guidelines, and (E4) fresh whole blood for intraoperative transfusion, antifibrinolytics, and postoperative guidelines. Primary outcomes, BDE, and total volume of blood products transfused are presented by using statistical process control charts, with statistical comparisons between each epoch and baseline data. We included 347 patients <72 months old who underwent CCVR between 2008 and 2016 (E1: n = 50; E2: n = 41; E3: n = 87; and E4: n = 169). They were compared with a baseline sample group of 138 patients who were managed between 2001 and 2006. Compared with our baseline group, patients in each epoch had a significant reduction in BDE (P = .02-<.0001). Conversely, compared with the baseline group, we observed an increase the volume of blood products transfused in E1 (P = .004), no difference in E2 (P = .6) or E3 (P = .46), and a reduction in the volume of blood products transfused in E4 (P < .0001). The implementation of sequential clinical improvement strategies resulted in a sustained reduction in BDE whereas only the use of whole blood resulted in a significant reduction in the total volume of blood products transfused in children undergoing CCVR.

Sex hormone levels are not associated with progression of renal disease in male patients with T2DM

BackgroundGreater renal function decline (RFD) in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has been suggested in men compared with women, and imbalances in estrogen/androgen levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease mortality in elderly men, but it remains unclear whether sex hormone disequilibrium is related to diabetic nephropathy (DN) in men with T2DM. ObjectiveThis study examined the relationship between sex steroid concentrations and renal outcomes in male T2DM patients. Population and methodsTotal testosterone (T), total estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and total and calculated free (cf) E2/T ratios were compared in 735 male T2DM patients with (n=513) and without (n=222) DN, using a cross-sectional approach. Also, in a pilot complementary prospective nested case-control cohort, total E2/total T and cfE2/cfT were evaluated according to a hard renal outcome (HRO): end-stage renal disease/doubling of baseline serum creatinine (36 HRO cases, 72 HRO controls) and rate of eGFR decline (68 rapid vs 68 slow RFD). ResultWith the cross-sectional approach, E2 and cfE2 were higher in DN cases vs DN controls (95.5 vs 86.8pmol/L [P=0.0246] and 2.59 vs 2.36pmol/L [P=0.005], respectively). The difference in E2 persisted on multivariate analysis. In the prospective approach, E2 and T concentrations, and total E2/total T and cfE2/cfT2 ratios did not differ in HRO cases vs controls or in patients with rapid vs slow RFD. ConclusionAlthough positively related to DN in the cross-sectional analysis, progression of renal disease in male patients with T2DM was not related to either sex hormone levels or aromatase index as reflected by E2/T ratio.

Synthesis of Neurosteroids and its Sexual Dimorphism in the Brain of Tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus

Neurosteroids play a vital role in governing the physiology of reproduction next to neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. Gonadal development influences the steroid synthesis in Central Nervous System (CNS) and also the CNS regulates the gonadal steroid production. It is well known that the receptors of estrogen modulate the production of GnRH, and serotonin, dopamine and GABAergic neurons modulate the steroidogenic enzyme. However, the influence of neurosteroids, Estrogen (E2) and Testosterone (T), and its presence and synthetic pathway variations are not studied in detail in Tilapia. Hence, the present study of identifying various steroids present in the total and regions of Tilapia brain resulted in the quantitative difference in E2, T, 11-Ketotestosterone (11-KT), Androstenedione (A), DHEA, and 21-Hydroxyprogesterone (21-P). The reproductively active fishes of female brain shows the high quantity of testosterone when compare with the male brain. It has been derived that the Cyp19 and Cyp17 gene expressions are higher than the Cyp21 by which the pathway of progesteronal derivatives are not documented. The steroidal production in the incubated regions of Tilapia brain highlights the augmented presence of 5α-or 3α-reductase evidence the elimination pathway. The quantitative expression of mRNA analysis of 3α-HSD, 3β-HSD, Cyp17, Cyp19 and Cyp21 substantiate the variation in sex and maturation of gonadal stages. Aromatase indicate the shift in the sex dependent pathway. The sulphated steroids of pregnenalone and DHEA indicate the presence of Hydroxysteroid Sulfotransferase (HST) for purging action. The study suggests that the sexual modulation can be done at CNS through manipulating the steroidal receptors more particularly at thalamus region of brain. Keywords: Neurosteroid Synthesis, Sexual Dimorphism

Synthesis of Neurosteroids and its Sexual Dimorphism in the Brain of Tilapia Oreochromis Mossambicus

Neurosteroids play a vital role in governing the physiology of reproduction next to neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. Gonadal development influences the steroid synthesis in Central Nervous System (CNS) and also the CNS regulates the gonadal steroid production. It is well known that the receptors of estrogen modulate the production of GnRH, and serotonin, dopamine and GABAergic neurons modulate the steroidogenic enzyme. However, the influence of neurosteroids, Estrogen (E2) and Testosterone (T), and its presence and synthetic pathway variations are not studied in detail in Tilapia. Hence, the present study of identifying various steroids present in the total and regions of Tilapia brain resulted in the quantitative difference in E2, T, 11-Ketotestosterone (11-KT), Androstenedione (A), DHEA, and 21-Hydroxyprogesterone (21-P). The reproductively active fishes of female brain shows the high quantity of testosterone when compare with the male brain. It has been derived that the Cyp19 and Cyp17 gene expressions are higher than the Cyp21 by which the pathway of progesteronal derivatives are not documented. The steroidal production in the incubated regions of Tilapia brain highlights the augmented presence of 5a-or 3a-reductase evidence the elimination pathway. The quantitative expression of mRNA analysis of 3a-HSD, 3â-HSD, Cyp17, Cyp19 and Cyp21 substantiate the variation in sex and maturation of gonadal stages. Aromatase indicate the shift in the sex dependent pathway. The sulphated steroids of pregnenalone and DHEA indicate the presence of Hydroxysteroid Sulfotransferase (HST) for purging action. The study suggests that the sexual modulation can be done at CNS through manipulating the steroidal receptors more particularly at thalamus region of brain.

Infants of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome have Lower Cord Blood Androstenedione and Estradiol Levels

ABSTRACT Context Prenatal androgen excess can cause a phenocopy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mammals. Retrospective studies have suggested that girls at risk for PCOS have low birth weight and prospective studies have suggested an increased prevalence of small for gestational age offspring in women with PCOS. Objective To determine whether infants of women with PCOS have reduced birth weight or increased intrauterine androgen levels. Design Prospective case-control study. Participants Thirty-nine PCOS and 31 control women and their infants. Main outcome measures Birth weight and mixed cord blood testosterone, androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol (E2), and dihydrotestosterone levels. Results Mean birth weight did not differ but there was a significant increase in the prevalence of large for gestational age infants in the PCOS group. Cord blood E2 and A levels were lower (p &amp;lt; 0.05) but testosterone:E2 ratios did not differ in female PCOS compared to control offspring. There was no difference in E2 and A levels in the male PCOS and control offspring. There was no difference in 17-hydroxyprogesterone or in other androgen levels in either male or female PCOS offspring compared to their respective control group. Conclusion Infants of women with PCOS were more likely to be large for gestational age. Female offspring of affected women have lower cord blood A levels; other cord blood androgen levels do not differ compared to female control offspring. Cord blood E2 levels are also significantly decreased in PCOS, without any difference in the testosterone:E2 ratio, suggesting decreased fetal or placental production of steroids.

Infants of women with polycystic ovary syndrome have lower cord blood androstenedione and estradiol levels.

Prenatal androgen excess can cause a phenocopy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mammals. Retrospective studies have suggested that girls at risk for PCOS have low birth weight, and prospective studies have suggested an increased prevalence of small-for-gestational-age offspring in women with PCOS. The objective of the study was to determine whether infants of women with PCOS have reduced birth weight or increased intrauterine androgen levels. This was a prospective case-control study. Thirty-nine PCOS and 31 control women and their infants participated in the study. Birth weight and mixed cord blood testosterone, androstenedione (A), dehydroepiandrosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol (E2), and dihydrotestosterone levels were measured. Mean birth weight did not differ, but there was a significant increase in the prevalence of large-for-gestational-age infants in the PCOS group. Cord blood E2 and A levels were lower (P < 0.05), but testosterone to E2 ratios did not differ in female PCOS compared with control offspring. There was no difference in E2 and A levels in the male PCOS and control offspring. There was no difference in 17-hydroxyprogesterone or other androgen levels in either male or female PCOS offspring compared with their respective control group. Infants of women with PCOS were more likely to be large for gestational age. Female offspring of affected women have lower cord blood A levels; other cord blood androgen levels do not differ compared with female control offspring. Cord blood E2 levels are also significantly decreased in PCOS, without any difference in the testosterone to E2 ratio, suggesting decreased fetal or placental production of steroids.

Biodegradation of 17β-Estradiol, Estrone and Testosterone in Stream Sediments

Biodegradation of 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and testosterone (T) was investigated in three wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) affected streams in the United States. Relative differences in the mineralization of [4-(14)C] substrates were assessed in oxic microcosms containing saturated sediment or water-only from locations upstream and downstream of the WWTP outfall in each system. Upstream sediment demonstrated significant mineralization of the "A" ring of E2, E1, and T, with biodegradation of T consistently greater than that of E2 and no systematic difference in E2 and E1 biodegradation. "A" ring mineralization also was observed in downstream sediment, with E1 and T mineralization being substantially depressed relative to upstream samples. In marked contrast, E2 mineralization in sediment immediately downstream from the WWTP outfalls was more than double that in upstream sediment. E2 mineralization was observed in water, albeit at insufficient rate to prevent substantial downstream transport. The results indicate that, in combination with sediment sorption processes which effectively scavenge hydrophobic contaminants from the water column and immobilize them in the vicinity of the WWTP outfall, aerobic biodegradation of reproductive hormones can be an environmentally important mechanism for noncon-servative (destructive) attenuation of hormonal endocrine disruptors in effluent-affected streams.

Physical Activity, Heart Rate, Metabolic Profile, and Estradiol in Premenopausal Women

To study whether physical inactive women with a tendency to develop metabolic syndrome have high levels of 17beta-estradiol (E2) of importance for breast cancer risk. Two hundred and four healthy women of reproductive age were assessed for self-reported leisure-time physical activity (LPA), resting heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), anthropometry, and serum glucose, lipids, and insulin [Norwegian Energy Balance and Breast Cancer Aspect (EBBA) study]. E2 was measured in daily saliva samples throughout an entire menstrual cycle. A clustered metabolic risk score [z metabolic syndrome (zMS); total cholesterol-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, insulin resistance, total fat tissue, BP, and triglycerides] was defined. Linear regression and linear mixed models were used, and confounding factors were tested. Physically active women had lower fat percentage (Ptrend = 0.003) and HRs (Ptrend = 0.003) than sedentary women. We estimated an increase in E2 of 1.27 pmol.L [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06-2.47] for each 11.7 beats.min (1 SD) increase in HR, and this corresponds to the 7% change in mean concentration of E2 for the total group. Associations with E2 were also found for fat tissue, total cholesterol-HDL-C ratio, insulin resistance, and triglycerides. A dose-response relationship was observed among the three levels of LPA and HR and zMS (Ptrend = 0.03 for LPA; Ptrend = 0.004 for HR). Women in the highest tertile of the clustered metabolic risk score had average salivary E2profiles that were markedly higher, throughout the cycle, than those of the other groups, with a cycle peak-day difference in E2 of 22-28%. LPA and HR were associated with metabolic risk score, and this score was associated with daily level of E2, pointing to important biologic mechanisms operating between a sedentary lifestyle and an increased breast cancer risk.

P-739: GnRH antagonist is a reliable ovarian stimulation regimen for IVF treatments

In the six years since introduction of GnRH antagonists, it has been shown that treatment duration and gonadotropin consumptions have decreased during ART cycles. However, success rates with GnRH-ant use have been questioned (Griesinger et al; 2005). Our objective with this study was to review success rates during a period that our practice used GnRH-antagnist as the primary choice IVF protocol. Retrospective study (11/2001 - 8/2005). This study was a retrospective chart review including all GnRH-antagonist treatment cycles with fresh embryo transfer from 11/01 through 8/05. Patients were pretreated with approximately three weeks of oral contraceptive pills starting on day 3 of menses. Gonadotropin stimulation was initiated on day 2-4 of their subsequent menses. GnRH-antagonist (Antagon/Ganirelix) initiation was variable based upon follicle diameter (∋14), estradiol levels (>400), and usually occurred on day 5 or 6 but as early as day 4 of stimulation. GnRH-antagonist dosing usually was 250μg SQ, but occasionally 500μg SQ, each day through and including the day of hCG (10,000 iu IM) administration. Gonadotropin dosing was variable and hCG was administered when at least three follicles reached a mean diameter of at least 18mm. No gonadotropin was given on the day of hCG. Oocyte retrieval was performed 35-37 hours after hCG. Embryo transfer was performed typically on day 3, but occasionally on day 5 (e.g. when single embryo transfer was desired). Clinical pregnancy was defined as ultrasound evidence of an intrauterine embryonic pole with heartbeat by the 5th week following oocyte retrieval. 94% of GnRH-antagonis cycles triggered with hCG between day 9-11 of GnRH administration. Length of gonadotropin stimulation did not differ with patient’s age. It also did not correlated with either E2 or P4. Clinical pregnancy rates did not very with the length of stimulation days i.e. 41.7%, 50.0%, 38.5% and 33.3% for hCG on day 9, 10, 11 and 12. Clinical pregnancy rates as expected did trend lower with patient’s age although there was no significant difference was found, i.e. 56.5%, 39.3%, 33.3% and 56% for age of ≤ 34, 35-37, ≥38 years old and donor groups respectively. There were no significant difference in E2 and P4 between age groups, except for the donors who had higher P4 on the day of hCG with 1.72 ± 0.22 ng/ml that was significantly higher than patient’s group with age ≤ 34 (1.24 ± 0.051 ng/ml P≤0.001), 35-37 (1.19 ± 0.057 ng/ml P≤0.001) and 38-40 years old (1.34 ± 0.090 ng/ml P≤0.05) respectively. These data suggest that pregnancy rates after GnRH-antagonist treatment are acceptable for all age groups and for donor cycles. Also, this review suggests that stimulations with GnRH-antagonist may be expected to trigger, on average, one day sooner comparing to our previous experience with using agonist. Notably, during oocyte donor stimulations, progesterone levels increased, which may be a result of their younger age.

The influence of tibial fixation on tunnel enlargement after hamstring tendon anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The retrospective study was designed to evaluate tibial-tunnel enlargement after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring autograft. Forty-three patients (43 knees) were enrolled, among whom a spiked washer was used for the tibial side fixation in 20 knees (Group SW) and the WasherLoc was used in 23 knees (Group WL). After an average 16 (range 12-32) months' follow-up, the distance between the sclerotic margins of the tibial tunnel was measured at the joint level, and 1 and 2 cm distal to the joint level on the lateral view radiographs, from which the tibial-tunnel enlargement at each point (E1, E2, and E3 respectively) was determined. Anterior knee laxity was also measured using a KT-1000 or KT-2000 arthrometer at follow-up. E1, E2, and E3 were 2.3+/-1.3 mm (mean+/-standard deviation), 1.8+/-0.8 mm, and 1.5+/-0.8 mm respectively in Group SW, and 2.6+/-1.0 mm, 2.6+/-1.2 mm, and 2.9+/-1.6 mm in Group WL. Group WL had a larger mean value than Group SW at each level of measurement, with a statistically significant difference in E2 and E3. Fifty percent of the tunnels were the cone type in Group SW, whereas reversed cone-type tunnels were the most common (39%) in Group WL. The side-to-side difference in anterior knee laxity was -0.6+/-5.2 mm in Group SW and 1.8+/-9.0 mm in Group WL, which was significantly different between the groups. No statistical relationship was found between tunnel enlargement and side-to-side difference in anterior knee laxity in Group SW, whereas there was a slight negative correlation between E1 or E2 and anterior knee laxity in Group WL. It is possible that there is greater tension applied to the graft when the WasherLoc is used, which creates larger compressive forces on the posterior wall of the tibial tunnel by the graft. This was probably the reason for the greater tunnel enlargement and the high incidence of the reversed cone-type tunnel in Group WL.

The role of estrogen support during the luteal phase of in vitro fertilization-embryo transplant cycles: a comparative study between progesterone alone and estrogen and progesterone support

To evaluate the possible role for estrogen supplementation to the P luteal phase support of GnRH agonists (GnRH-a)- and hMG-induced IVF-ET cycles. In vitro fertilization unit in a tertiary care university hospital. A prospectively randomized study. One hundred consecutive patients undergoing ET after IVF were assigned into one of two luteal supplementation regimens. In all patients enrolled in the study, ovulation was induced using the midluteal regimen for pituitary down regulation with GnRH-a followed by follicular stimulation with hMG. The first group received IM P 50 mg/d, as luteal phase support, starting the day of ET. The second group received the same dosage of P, combined with oral E2 valerate, 2 mg/d. Serum levels of P and E2 were monitored every 4 days for 16 days after ET. Pregnancy rates (PRs) and live birth rates per ET. No significant difference in E2 or P levels throughout the cycle was observed between groups. Similar PRs per ET and the live birth rates were also observed between group A and B (28% versus 26.5% and 78.6% versus 76.1%, respectively). No advantage was found in the addition of E2 valerate to P luteal phase support of GnRH-a- and hMG-induced IVF-ET cycles.

Plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone, FSH, LH and follicular development in castrated female rats with subcutaneous ovarian autografts.

Castrated adult female rats with subcutaneous ovarian autografts were killed at 3-day intervals for 30 days after grafting. Plasma estradioI-17� (E2), progesterone (P), FSH, and LH values were determined by radioimmunoassay, and follicular development was evaluated histologically. Eighty-two percent of all animals developed cycling vaginal smears by 7.9± 0.5 days after receiving the autografts. Cycle lengths were 4 or 5 days in 76 percent of the animals and 6 days in20 percent. There was no decrease in the number of follicles>150 urn per graft up to 30 days after grafting. However, there were more follicles>150 �rn at proestrus (17.1 ± 1.0) than either metestrus (3.2 ± 1.1) or estrus (3.3 ± 1.1). Corpora lutes (CL) were formed by luteinization of intact follicles. Plasma E2, P, and uterine weight in this model were not different from the intact rat. E2 peaked at 18 days after grafting (88 ± 17 pg/ml), and then gradually decreased until Day 30 (23 ± 7 pg/mI). P reached a plateau at 15 days after grafting (41 ± 7 nglml) and did not change for the remainder of the experiment.On Days 3,6,12 and 15, FSH levels were comparable to castrate values. FSH decreased from Day 15 (1012 ± 178 ng/ml) until Day 27(359 ± 71 ng/ml) but never decreased to diestrous values in the intact rat. The standard errors of the means of LH were large, and LH only decreased significantly below castrate levels on Day 27 (59 ± 14 ng/mI). Analysis of the data accordingto day of estrous cycle at autopsy, showed thatE2, P, and FSH didnotvaryat proestrus, estrus, or metestrus. However, there was asurgeof LH (2393 ± 741 ng/ml) atproestrus. In order to study the effectof the time the graftwas placedrelativeto pubertyon graft function, female rats were castrated and received ovarian autografts before (Group 1) or after (Group 2)puberty. Grafts werepresentforthesame length of time in both groups but the grafts in ratsinGroup 2 were exposedtopostpubertalgonadotropinslongerthan grafts in rats in Group 1 were.There was no difference in E2 between Groups 1 and 2 (35.7 ± 3.6vs.33.1 ± 4.1 pg/mI), but P was decreasedinGroup 2 (28.3 ± 1.6 vs. 15.2 ± 2.0 ng/ml). These data show that ovarian autografts in castrated female rats function like intact, in situ ovaries in many respects. The grafts produce E2 and P which suppress pituitary gonadotropins