Differences In Follicle Stimulating Hormone Levels Research Articles

Distribution and Positive Predictive Value of Follicle Stimulating Hormone Among Nonazoospermic Men.

Our goal was to characterize the distribution of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in fertile and subfertile nonazoospermic men, and to determine the ability of various FSH thresholds to predict fertility status. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1389 nonazoospermic men who presented for fertility evaluation. Men with at least 2 semen analyses and 1 FSH level were included. Men were dichotomized into fertile and subfertile groups based on total motile sperm count. FSH was evaluated within a multivariable model, and positive predictive values (PPVs) for subfertility were used to assess the clinical utility of various FSH thresholds. One thousand fifteen (80%) men were classified as fertile and 274 (20%) as subfertile. Age, presence of varicocele, and testosterone levels were not statistically different between the groups. Median FSH was 4.0 vs 6.0 (P < .001) among fertile vs subfertile men. Multiple FSH thresholds ranging from 2.9 to 9.3 performed similarly in predicting fertility status (PPV 0.49-0.59). Only FSH thresholds above the 95th percentile (12.1) had PPVs greater than 0.7. The highest PPV (0.84) was seen at an FSH of 20.8 (99th percentile). While there were significant differences in FSH levels among fertile and subfertile nonazoospermic men, multiple FSH cutoffs between 2.2 and 9.3 performed poorly for prediction of fertility status as determined by total motile sperm count. It was not until the 95th percentile FSH value that a clinically useful level of predictability for subfertility was reached, indicating that FSH should not be used as a standalone test of fertility status. Nonetheless, FSH testing remains clinically useful and may be most informative in the setting of extreme values or discordant FSH and semen analysis results.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Diabetes in Postmenopausal Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The co-occurrence of hormonal changes during menopause and the risk of cardio-metabolic disorders has been well studied. We explored the association of circulating levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with diabetes (DM) among postmenopausal women. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Library up to September 2023. Risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Pooled estimates of mean differences in FSH levels were compared between postmenopausal women with and without DM. Correlations between FSH and fasting blood glucose (FBG)/insulin/homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as well as pooled effect sizes with their 95% CIs for risk of DM were calculated. In this study, 14 articles, including 7878 postmenopausal women, met eligibility criteria. Most of the included studies had a low/moderate risk of bias. Women with DM had significantly lower FSH levels than those without DM (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.751 [95% CI, -1.129 to -.372], I2 = 82.46%, n = 1416). The pooled effect size for diabetes was 0.861 (95% CI, 0.740-1.001; I2 = 80.11%). The pooled risk estimate for DM based on the categorical FSH levels (high vs low) was (HR = 0.550; 95% CI, 0.356-0.850, I2 = 0). The significant inverse correlation was found between FSH levels and glycemic parameters: FBG (r= -0.285 [95% CI -0.441 to -0.113]; n = 1229), HOMA-IR (r = -0.241[-0.378 to -0.0924]; n = 1229) and insulin (r = -0.337 [-0.434 to -0.232]; n = 959)]. There were no statistically significant differences between estradiol levels among diabetic and nondiabetic groups; however, the SMD for luteinizing hormone was similar to that reported for FSH. The available data indicated an indirect association between FSH levels and glucose disturbances among postmenopausal women, notwithstanding heterogeneity among included studies, and the complexity of various influential factors needs to be considered. Further efforts should be made to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Coconut Water Solutions for the Preservation of Spleen, Ovary, and Skin Autotransplants in Rats

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of coconut water in the preservation of spleen, ovary, and skin autotransplantations in rats. MethodsFifty female Wistar rats were divided randomly into 5 groups on the basis of the following tissue graft preservation solutions: group 1, lactated Ringer's; group 2, Belzer's solution; group 3, mature coconut water; group 4, green coconut water; and group 5, modified green coconut water. In group 5, the green coconut water solution was modified to obtain the same electrolyte composition as Belzer's solution. The spleen, ovaries, and a skin fragment were removed from each animal, stored for 6 hours in one of the solutions, and then re-implanted. The recoveries of tissue functions were assessed 90 days after surgery by means of spleen scintigraphy and blood tests. The implanted tissues were collected for histological analyses. ResultsHigher immunoglobulin G levels were observed in the animals of group 5 than in the animals of group 1. Differences in follicle-stimulating hormone levels were observed between groups 1 and 2 (P < .001), between groups 4 and 2 (P = .03), and between groups 5 and 2 (P = .01). The spleen scintigraphy results did not differ among the groups. The ovarian tissue was better preserved in the mature coconut water group (P < .007). ConclusionsSolutions containing coconut water allowed for the preservation of the spleen, ovaries, and skin for 6 hours, and the normal functions of these tissues were maintained in rats.

Effect of internal iliac artery ligation on ovarian blood supply and ovarian reserve

Background Internal iliac artery ligation is one of the treatment methods used for obstetric hemorrhage. The long-term effects of that intervention on ovarian function remain unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of iliac artery ligation on ovarian blood supply and ovarian reserve.Methods Six patients who had undergone internal iliac artery ligation were recruited as the study group. Six women of the same age, parity and time after delivery who had not undergone the internal iliac artery ligation procedure served as the control group. Quantitative digital angiography and angio-CT of the ovarian arteries and the ovarian branches of the uterine arteries were carried out from 6 to 26 months after the operation. Blood samples were taken on the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle for subsequent hormone analysis of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH).Results Following angio-CT, in the study group, reversed blood flow in the ovarian branches of the uterine arteries was observed: contrast medium flowed from the ovarian arteries towards the ovaries and from the ovarian branches of the uterine arteries to the uterine arteries. In the control group, there was no contrast medium flow from the ovaries towards the ovarian branches of the uterine arteries. Quantitative digital angiography of the ovarian arteries showed that, in the study group, the mean ovarian artery diameter was significantly dilated (p < 0.05). In the study group, AMH levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in FSH levels between groups (p > 0.05).Conclusions Internal iliac artery ligation in the treatment of obstetric hemorrhage leads to dilation of the ovarian arteries and reversed flow in the ovarian branches of the uterine arteries. These change the blood supply to the ovaries and impair ovarian reserve.

Hysterectomy and ovarian function: levels of follicle stimulating hormone and incidence of menopausal symptoms are not affected by hysterectomy in women under age 45 years

Objective: To investigate levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), as a measure of ovarian function and menopausal symptoms prior to and following hysterectomy in women under the age of 45 years.Design: This was a prospective controlled study.Sample: A total of 56 hysterectomy patients and 34 controls, up to the age of 42 years, were recruited.Methods: Women undergoinghysterectomy were recruited prior to their operation and were matched, where possible, with controls for age, parity and smoking. Five blood samples were taken over 2 years, two before the operation (orat a 1-month interval in the control group) and then at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Questionnaires were completed at each sampling to assess symptoms associated with reduced estrogen secretion.Results:No significant differences in FSH levels between patients and controls were found. Modest differences in FSH levels between different time-points were identified (p = 0.03), but this disappearedif age and smoking were included as covariates. For the questionnaire data, there were no significant differences between the two groups on the somatic and vasomotor scales, but for psychological symptomsthe patients scored significantly higher than the controls (p = 0.007), particularly at the pre-operation time-point.Conclusion: The study found no evidence of compromise of ovarian function,as reflected in FSH levels, within 2 years of hysterectomy. Psychological symptoms were higher in women undergoing hysterectomy both before and after the operation.

Ovarian Function after Uterine Artery Embolization for Leiomyomata: Assessment with Use of Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone Assay

To determine if uterine artery embolization (UAE) for leiomyomata causes a change in ovarian function as measured by serial basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) assay. Sixty-three patients undergoing UAE for symptomatic leiomyomata had blood samples obtained on day 3 of a menstrual cycle before UAE and on day 3 during menstrual cycles 3 and 6 months after treatment. Analysis of variance was used to detect differences in FSH levels among age groups at each interval. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine if individual mean change occurred for the group as a whole and for each age group. Onset of new menopausal symptoms was compared between groups with use of the chi(2) test. There was no significant change in basal FSH levels for the group as a whole (P =.16), but there was a statistically significant difference when age groups were compared (P =.03). Individual change of >2 SD from baseline mean FSH level occurred at 6 months in seven patients, all 45-50 years of age. Four of these patients (15% of patients over age 44) had FSH levels increase to more than 20 IU/L. chi(2) analysis did not reveal any difference among the groups studied in the onset of menopausal symptoms. Most patients had no change in ovarian function as measured by basal FSH after UAE. For patients aged 45 or older, there is approximately a 15% chance of an increase in basal FSH into the perimenopausal range.

LEYDIG-CELL FAILURE AND HYPOGONADISM IN A 21 YEAR OLD MALE

A 21 year old male, with normal stature and an XY karyotype, presented with sparse pubic hair, no axillary hair, microphallus and otherwise normal external genitalia. Leydig-cell dysplasia and tubular degeneration were found on testicular biopsy. The mean 24 hr. plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were 50 and 8 mIU/ml respectively. LH levels were higher during sleep than during waking hours. There were no sleep-wake differences in FSH levels. Plasma LH rose to 115 mIU/ml in response to 25 μg of LH releasing factor (LH-RF). Plasma FSH responded poorly to LH-RF. The mean 24 hr. plasma concentrations of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were 95 and 84 ng/dl respectively. Plasma T rose from 120 to 160 ng/dl in response to 20,000 units of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), given over a 4 day period. Following an additional 20,000 units of HCG, given in 4 equal weekly doses, the plasma T concentration was 120 ng/dl. These data show that this patient has an unusual form of testicular degeneration characterized by diminished T production and poor T response to HCG. Normal concentrations of FSH suggest sufficient Inhibin production. The concentrations of T and DHT in utero, must have been adequate to enable normal differentiation of the external genitalia. This patient's abnormality fits into a spectrum of anomalies with Leydig-cell agenesis at one end and premature Leydig-cell failure (early climacteric) at the other.

FSH in the ewe: effects of season, live weight and plane of nutrition on plasma FSH and ovulation rate.

The effect of season live weight (LW) and nutrition on plasma levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and ovulation rates was studied in the ewe. The diet provided was either 1/3 1 or 2 times that of the maintenance requirement (MR). The mean LW reflected the differences in nutrition 7 weeks after initiation of the study. The ovulation rate was significantly (p less than .05) higher in the 2MR group though there were no marked differences in FSH levels among the 3 groups. The variations in FSH levels were attributable to individual differences (75%) and the day (16%) and hour (9%) of sampling. The concentrations of FSH did not correlate with LW or ovulation rate. The metabolic clearance rate of FSH was not significantly (p greater than .05) different between 7 ewes with 1 ovulation and 8 ewes with 2 ovulations on Days 10-12 of the estrous cycle. The administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone resulted in an inverse relation between FSH levels and the number of corpora lutea (.05 less than p less than .1). FSH concentrations were significantly (p less than .05) higher in ewes during the breeding season than in lactating or nonlactating anestrous ewes.