Follicle-stimulating Hormone Concentrations Research Articles

Protective effect of naringenin against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male SD rats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of naringenin (Nar) on cadmium (Cd)-induced testicular toxicity. Twenty-four male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats aged 5 weeks were used. Rats were administered with 0.9% NaCl (control group), CdCl2 (2 mg/kg b.w. intraperitoneally), Nar (50 mg/kg b.w, orally), and CdCl2 + Nar (2 mg/kg b.w intraperitoneally and 50 mg/kg b.w. orally, respectively) for 4 weeks. Results showed that body weight, relative testis weights, and sperm quality decreased in the Cd-treated group, and Cd accumulated in serum and testes. Pathological examination showed that Cd can cause testicular damage. Cd decreased the serum concentrations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone. It also decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Moreover, exposure to Cd resulted in decreased content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentrations, as well as increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents. Cd also provoked testis autophagy by upregulating the expression of the autophagy-related proteins P62 and LC3 II. However, the combined administration of Nar and Cd significantly attenuated the Cd-induced negative effects by increasing the body weight, relative testis weights, and sperm quality and by decreasing testicular damage. Simultaneous supplementation of Nar and Cd markedly restored the decreased levels of GnRH, FSH, LH, testosterone, GSH, and T-AOC and the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx caused by Cd treatment. Nar further suppressed MDA and H2O2 production and protected the testes from Cd-induced autophagy by downregulating P62 and LC3 II expression. Therefore, Nar protected the testes from Cd-induced toxicity.

FSH promotes fat accumulation by activating PPARγ signaling in surgically castrated, but not immunocastrated, male pigs

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was recently implicated as a novel regulator of fat accumulation. Surgical castration causes high FSH concentrations and increases fat accumulation, whereas immunocastration results in low FSH concentrations and less fat in immunocastrated boars versus barrows. However, detailed information regarding the role of FSH in regulation of fat accumulation in male pigs is unclear. First, expression of FSH receptor was confirmed (real-time quantitative PCR) in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues (SAT and VAT, respectively) of boars. Then, surgical castration (high FSH model) was compared to immunocastration (low FSH model) to investigate potential roles of FSH in adipogenesis and fat accumulation. High FSH concentrations after surgical castration activated PPARγ signaling by upregulating expression of CREB (P < 0.05), and then recruited an array of PPARγ target adipogenic genes, including transcription factor (C/EBPα), long-chain fatty acid uptake (LPL), fatty acid de novo synthesis (FASN, ACACA) and lipid droplet formation (PLIN1) in both SAT and VAT, promoting fat accumulation in barrows. In contrast, much lower serum FSH concentrations in immunocastrates attenuated (P < 0.05) expressions of PPARγ and PPARγ target genes in both SAT and VAT, resulting in less fat accumulation in immunocastrated boars versus barrows. We concluded that the substantially elevated FSH concentrations in barrows promoted fat accumulation by activating the PPARγ signaling pathway in adipose tissues, whereas immunocastrates accumulated less fat due to low FSH.

Differential analysis of gut microbiota and the effect of dietary Enterococcus faecium supplementation in broiler breeders with high or low laying performance

The difference in microbiota was examined for breeders with different egg-laying rates, and the impact of dietary Enterococcus faecium (EF) was also determined in the present study. A total of 256 Arbor Acres broiler breeders (48-wk-old) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design, which encompassed 2 egg-laying rate levels [average (average egg laying: AP, 80.45 ± 0.91%) and low (lower egg laying: LP, 70.61 ± 1.16%)] and 2 different dietary groups [control (no additive), 6 × 108 cfu/kg EF]. The results showed that the AP breeders presented a lower egg weight, feed conversion ratio, abdominal fat rate, and serum leptin level (P(laying) ≤ 0.05) as well as a higher egg-laying rate (P(laying) < 0.01) than the LP breeders. Dietary supplementation with EF improved the egg weight (P(EF) = 0.03) and had a higher concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum (P(EF) = 0.04). The relative expression of Caspase 9, Bax, AMHR, BMP15, and GATA4 in the ovary of AP breeders was lower, whereas the FSHR and BMPR1B expression was higher than that measured in LP breeders (P(laying) ≤ 0.05). LP increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes (phylum), Firmicutes (phylum), Bacteroidia (class), Clostridia (class), Bacteroidales (order), Clostridiales (order), and Lachnospiraceae (family), whereas the AP promoted the enrichment of Proteobacteria (phylum) and Gammaproteobacteria (class) (P(laying) < 0.05). The genera Bacillus, Rhodanobacter, and Streptomyces were positively correlated with the egg-laying rate and BMPR1B expression (P < 0.05) but negatively correlated with the abdominal fat rate (P < 0.05) and Caspase 9 (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that the low reproductive performance breeders had lower microbiota diversity and higher Firmicutes, which triggers the energy storage that led to higher fat deposition. Besides, increases in the abdominal fat rate, leptin level, and apoptosis (Caspase 9, Bax) and reproduction-related gene (BMP15, AMHR, BMPR1B, and GATA4) expression would possibly be the potential mechanisms under which breeders have different reproductive performance. Dietary EF increased the egg weight and serum FSH level and decreased the Bacteroidetes (phylum) in low reproductive breeders.

In vitro growth of bovine oocytes in oocyte-cumulus cell complexes and the effect of follicle stimulating hormone on the growth of oocytes.

Several successful in vitro culture experiments have used oocyte-cumulus cell-mural granulosa cell complexes (OCGCs) from early antral follicles (0.5–0.7 mm) for the growth of bovine oocytes. However, in studies related to in vitro oocyte maturation and in vitro embryo production, oocyte-cumulus cell complexes (OCCs) that have no mural granulosa cells have been widely used instead of OCGCs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cumulus cells alone support oocyte growth. First, OCCs and OCGCs were cultured in vitro for 14 days to compare the integrity of the complexes as well as antrum formation. After 14 days, the diameter and meiotic competence of oocytes in OCCs and OCGCs were examined. Oocytes in OCCs grew fully and acquired meiotic competence similar to OCGCs, whereas antrum formation occurred later in OCCs as compared to OCGCs. Subsequently, the effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on in vitro growth of OCCs were examined for 14 days. When FSH was added to the culture medium, OCCs formed antrum-like structures one day earlier than those cultured without FSH. Oocytes cultured with 1 mIU/ml FSH grew fully and acquired meiotic competence. In contrast, when oocytes were cultured in media containing high concentrations of FSH, some of the OCCs collapsed and the number of degenerated oocytes increased. In conclusion, bovine oocytes in OCCs grow and acquire meiotic competence similar to OCGCs and, 1 mIU/ml FSH supports the development of OCCs and oocyte growth as observed in our culture system.

Carbamazepine adversely altered the pituitary-testicular axis with resultant reproductive dysfunctions than levetiracetam or carbamazepine-levetiracetam adjuvant treatment in male Wistar rat.

This study investigated the on-toward reactions of individual or adjunctive treatment with carbamazepine (CBZ) and levetiracetam (LEV) on the pituitary-testicular axis in male rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomised into 4 groups (n=6) and received daily intraperitoneal (i.p) treatment of normal saline (0.1ml/day); CBZ (25mg/kg i.p); LEV (50mg/kg i.p); or combination of CBZ (12.5mg/kg) and LEV (25mg/kg) for 4weeks. The serum concentration of luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone was determined. Also, the seminal profile and histomorphological status of the testis were determined. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The control and test groups were compared using Student's t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc analysis where appropriate, while the results presented as mean±SEM in graphs or tables. The level of significance was taken at p<.05. The percentage motility, viability, and concentration of FSH decreased significantly in all the treatment groups, while the testis was presented with various forms of histomorphological aberrations. This study concludes that CBZ, and CBZ+LEV adjunctive treatments alter the pituitary-testicular axis with evidence of hormonal deregulation and alteration in the reproductive functions' indices, while LEV treatment remains the safest.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Hormone Levels during the Menopausal Transition: Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Background: PFAS are endocrine disrupting chemicals that have been associated with an earlier age at menopause. However, information on their association with serum hormone concentrations is limited and inconsistent. We examined longitudinal associations between serum PFAS concentrations at baseline and serial serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a multi-racial/ethnic, community-based cohort of women transitioning through menopause. Methods: We assayed serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), 2-(N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide) acetate (EtFOSAA), 2-(N-methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide) acetate (MeFOSAA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoate (PFNA) in 1,398 women eligible for the SWAN Multi-Pollutant Study in 1999-2000 who were followed approximately annually to 2016. Serum PFAS concentrations were quantified by online solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution-tandem mass spectrometry. Hormone and PFAS concentrations were log-transformed. Linear mixed regression with random intercepts was used to analyze longitudinal associations, adjusting for menopausal status, smoking, parity, race/ethnicity, site and body mass index (BMI). Results: At baseline, women had a mean age of 49.5 years, a mean BMI of 28.0 and included white (50.5%), black (22.0%), Chinese (12.7%) and Japanese (14.8%) women. PFAS were not associated with E2. In adjusted models including BMI, FSH was positively associated with total PFOS (β=0.041, 95% CI=0.000, 0.0092), branched-PFOS, (β=0.044, 95% CI=0.006, 0.0083), and n-PFOA (β=0.055, 95% CI=0.008, 0.0103) but not with EtFOSAA, MeFOSAA, PFHxS, or PFNA. T and SHBG were negatively associated with PFOS, n-PFOA and EtFOSAA, but these associations were greatly attenuated and not significant after adjustment for BMI. Conclusions: The results of this prospective study suggest that PFAS, especially PFOS and its precursors (MeFOSAA and EtFOSAA), and PFOA are associated with higher FSH concentrations in women during the menopausal transition, consistent with findings that PFAS affects reproductive aging.

The Mediating Role of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in the Associations between Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Incident Natural Menopause

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been associated with earlier natural menopause, possibly through depletion of ovarian reserve and disturbance of hormone homeostasis. We aimed to investigate and quantify the degree to which follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) could mediate the associations between PFAS exposure and natural menopause among 1120 premenopausal women aged 45-56 years in 1999-2000 from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Serum concentrations of linear- and branched-chain perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (n-PFOS and sm-PFOS), linear-chain perfluorooctanoic acid (n-PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were measured in 1999-2000 and included in the analyses because their detection frequency was larger than 70%. Accelerated failure time models were utilized to evaluate time to incident natural menopause. 578 women reached natural menopause, with a median survival time of 6.5 (95% CI: 6.1, 6.8) years. The proportion of the effect mediated through FSH was 8.5% (95% CI: -11.7%, 24.0%) for n-PFOS, 13.2% (95% CI: 0.0%, 24.5%) for sm-PFOS, 26.9% (95% CI: 15.6%, 38.4%) for n-PFOA, and 21.7% (6.8%, 37.0%) for PFNA. No significant associations were observed for PFHxS. PFAS are associated with an earlier age at natural menopause. The effect of PFAS on natural menopause may be partially explained by variation in FSH concentrations.

The Non-hormonal Male Contraceptive Adjudin Exerts its Effects via MAPs and Signaling Proteins mTORC1/rpS6 and FAK-Y407.

Adjudin, 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbohydrazide (formerly called AF-2364), is a nonhormonal male contraceptive, since it effectively induces reversible male infertility without perturbing the serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and inhibin B based on studies in rats and rabbits. Adjudin was shown to exert its effects preferentially by perturbing the testis-specific actin-rich adherens junction (AJ) at the Sertoli-spermatid interface known as apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES), thereby effectively inducing spermatid exfoliation. Adjudin did not perturb germ cell development nor germ cell function. Also, it had no effects on Sertoli cell-cell AJ called basal ectoplasmic specialization (basal ES), which, together with tight junction constitute the blood-testis barrier (BTB), unless an acute dose of adjudin was used. Adjudin also did not perturb the population of spermatogonial stem cells nor Sertoli cells in the testis. However, the downstream signaling protein(s) utilized by adjudin to induce transient male infertility remains unexplored. Herein, using adult rats treated with adjudin and monitored changes in the phenotypes across the seminiferous epithelium between 6 and 96 h in parallel with the steady-state protein levels of an array of signaling and cytoskeletal regulatory proteins, recently shown to be involved in apical ES, basal ES and BTB function. It was shown that adjudin exerts its contraceptive effects through changes in microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) and signaling proteins mTORC1/rpS6 and p-FAK-Y407. These findings are important to not only study adjudin-mediated male infertility but also the biology of spermatogenesis.

Curcumin and Hesperidin alleviates oxidative stress and hormonal alterations in a rat model of cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a cessation of ovarian function in women under 40 years of age. Ovarian atrophy leads to a reduced follicle reserve, which leads to menstrual irregularities, ovarian dysfunction, and infertility. The beneficial effects of curcumin (CRC) and hesperidin (HSP) on Cyclophosphamide –induced Premature ovarian failure (POF) in a rat model were studied. POF was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg b.wt) at day one, and then (8 mg/kg b.wt/day) for the following 14 days. Two weeks after POF induction, treatment with CRC (100 mg/kg b.wt/day, i.p) and HSP (80 mg/kg b.wt/day, i.p) were started and continued for 14 days. Ninety female rats were divided into six equal groups. Group 1( Control normal group) rats received no drugs, Group 2 (POF-induced group), Group 3 (POF + CRC treated), Group 4 ( POF + HSP treated), Group5 ( POF + CRC+HSP treated) and Group 6 (Normal+CRC+HSP treated). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and ovarian tissues Malonedialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were significantly increased while serum estradiol (E2) level, ovarian superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were markedly decreased in POF group as compared with control group. However, a significant increase in serum E2 , ovarian tissues SOD activity and GSH level and marked decrease in FSH and MDA concentrations were observed in rats treated with CRC or/and HSP compared with the POF group. Conclusively, curcumin and hesperidin provided an effective treatment for Premature ovarian failure induced by Cyclophosphamide in rats.

Особливості гормонального і цитокінового статусу в жінок, які мали порушення менструальної функції у пубертатний період

Deviations in the formation of reproductive function, and subsequently menstrual irregularities from the age of menarche, ovarian dysfunction and steroidogenesis disorders can be clinically manifested in remote periods after their direct action. The nature and depth of morphofunctional disorders in this case depends on the degree of maturity of the reproductive system, the initial functional state of the regulation centers (hypothalamus, pituitary gland) and ovaries, and the duration of the action of adverse factors. The accumulated specific research experience indicates that in addition to the pituitary gonadotropin hormones, cytokines (interleukins), which can simulate ovarian function and play an important role in ovulation, are of great importance in the normal functioning of the ovaries. The objective: аccording to laboratory and instrumental methods of research, to study the characteristics of hormonal status and the relationship of ovarian hormones with interleukins (IL) in women with menstrual dysfunction in the puberty. Materials and methods. According to the nature of the violations, the main group of women (n=90) who had a pathology of menstrual function in the puberty period was divided into 3 subgroups (n=30): the first – women with primary oligomenorrhea in the anamnesis, the second – with a late age menarche, the third – with puberty bleeding. The control group included women (n=30) with the correct rhythm of menstruation in puberty. Results. A clinical study found a decrease in the concentration of progesterone in women with a history of primary oligomenorrhea, a decrease in estradiol in the preovulatory period in women with late menarche. When assessing the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone in the subgroups, an increase was noted in patients with puberty bleeding compared with the control group, due to the low level of antimuller hormone in the blood serum. The correlation between the indicators of these hormones and interleukins (IL-4, IL-8) indicates the influence of cytokines on folliculogenesis and the formation of the corpus luteum. Ovarian reserve parameters are not reduced. Conclusion. An analysis of the hormonal and cytokine status in women with menstrual dysfunction in the puberty allows us to draw an analogy between the processes of ovulation and the inflammatory response. The cytokines produced by certain immune cells are signaling molecules that affect cell proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cells, folliculogenesis, hormone secretion and thus play an important role in ovulation. Therefore, the immune system may be an additional local regulator of ovarian function. Estradiol and progesterone are of great importance in the secretory transformation of the endometrium, especially during the «implantation window». Keywords: puberty, menarche, oligomenorrhea, pubertal bleeding, folliculogenesis, progesterone, estradiol, interleukins, pituitary gland, anti-varial antibodies.

Effect of calfhood nutrition on metabolic hormones, gonadotropins, and estradiol concentrations and on reproductive organ development in beef heifer calves.

This study examined the effect of plane of nutrition on the endocrinological regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis in beef heifer calves during a critical sexual developmental window early in calf hood. Forty Holstein-Friesian × Angus heifers (mean age 19 d, SEM = 0.63) were assigned to a high (HI; ADG 1.2 kg) or moderate (MOD; ADG 0.50 kg) nutritional level from 3 to 21 wk of life. Intake was recorded using an electronic calf feeding system, BW was recorded weekly, and blood samples were collected on the week of age 5, 10, 15, and 20 for metabolite, reproductive, and metabolic hormone determination. At 19 wk of age, on sequential days, an 8-h window bleed was carried out for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol analysis. To characterize anterior pituitary gland function, an intravenous GnRH challenge was conducted (19 wk of age). Blood was collected via a jugular catheter every 15 min for 135 min for the analysis of LH, FSH, and estradiol. Calves were subsequently euthanized at 21 wk of age; the anterior pituitary, metabolic organs, and reproductive tract were weighed, and ovarian surface follicular numbers and oocytes recovered were recorded. Mean ADG was 1.18 and 0.50 kg for HI and MOD, respectively, resulting in a 76.6-kg difference in BW (P < 0.001). Blood insulin, glucose, and IGF-1 concentrations were greater (P < 0.001) for HI compared with MOD. There was a diet × time interaction for leptin (P < 0.01); concentrations were greater in HI compared with MOD at 20 wk of age with no difference between treatments before this. Dietary treatment did not alter the concentrations of adiponectin or anti-mullerian hormone. There was a diet × time interaction for FSH, whereby MOD had greater concentrations than HI at 10, 15, and 20, but not at 5 wk of age. Over the duration of an 8-h window bleed (19 wk of age), serum concentrations of LH, LH pulse frequency, and LH pulse amplitude were unaffected by treatment, whereas FSH (0.23 vs. 0.43 ng/mL) and estradiol (0.53 vs. 0.38 ng/mL) concentrations were less than and greater, respectively, for HI than MOD (P < 0.05). Likewise, following a GnRH challenge, the area under the curve analysis revealed greater (P < 0.01) estradiol and lesser (P < 0.01) FSH concentrations in calves on the HI relative to MOD diet, whereas concentrations of LH were unaffected (P = 0.26) between treatments. Ovarian surface follicle numbers were greater (P < 0.05) in HI compared with MOD. Total reproductive tract, uterus, and ovarian tissue expressed relative to BW were greater (P < 0.05) for HI compared with MOD. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition in early calfhood advances the ontogeny development of the HPO axis.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine complex supplementation improves reproductive performance, serum biochemical parameters, and anti-oxidative capacity in periparturient dairy cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine complex (TCHMC) on the productive performance of periparturient dairy cows. Eighteen non-lactating pregnant Holstein dairy cows with similar body conditions with 1 to 2 parity were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6), receiving a basal diet with 0 (CON group), 200 (T-200 group), and 300 (T-300 group) g TCHMC per day from 14 to 9 days prepartum. The results demonstrated that TCHMC treatments decreased the days of gestation, calving to first service, and calving to first visible estrus. Compared with CON at specific time points, TCHMC treatments increased the concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2), whereas progesterone (P4) and E2 concentrations decreased. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations were downregulated, whereas that of globulin (GLB) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were upregulated by TCHMC treatments around the time of calving. Compared with CON and T-200 treatments, the T-300 treatment increased the serum concentrations of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration from 7 d prepartum to 21 d postpartum when. In addition, although TCHMC treatment had no effect on average birth weight, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature of calves, the T-300 treatment increased serum albumin (ALB) and IgG concentrations in calves from 3 to 14 days postpartum. The addition of TCHMC used in the present study could serve as a potential effective strategy to improve the health and productive performance of periparturient dairy cows, and the optimal dose should be set at 300 g per day.

Methanolic extract of Chlorella vulgaris protects against sodium nitrite-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

The current study aimed to investigate the protective potential of Chlorella Vulgaris (CV) extract against the reproductive dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite toxicity. Forty-five male Wistar albino rats were assigned into five groups (n=9). Control group received normal saline orally for 3months, CV-treated: administered CV extract (70mg/kg.BW) orally for 3months, sodium nitrite-treated: received sodium nitrite (80mg/kg.BW) orally for 3months, co-treated: simultaneously received CV along with sodium nitrite treatment, orally, daily for 3months, and CV-pre-treated: pre-treated with CV extract for 4weeks followed by simultaneous treatment with sodium nitrite and CV extract for additional 8weeks. Treatment with sodium nitrite significantly decreased serum testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, sperm count, motility, and viability. Besides, it decreased testicular superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities while increased malondialdehyde concentration. This effect of sodium nitrite was associated with degenerative, necrotic, vascular, and inflammatory changes in testicular tissues. Treatment of sodium nitrite-intoxicated rats with CV in co-treated and pre-treated groups significantly prevented sodium nitrite-induced alterations of sperm parameters, hormonal concentrations, testicular oxidative-antioxidant status, and histological architecture. This study indicates that CV extract ameliorates the reproductive dysfunction induced by sodium nitrite toxicity via improving reproductive hormonal levels and testicular antioxidant activities.

An extremely rare combination of acute intermittent porphyria and Turner syndrome.

A very rare case of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) co-existing Turner syndrome (TS) is reported for the first time. A 32-year-old woman was diagnosed with AIP due to recurrent acute abdominal pain, red urine and pathogenic mutation of Hydroxymethyl synthetase (HMBS) gene. At the same time, TS was confirmed by Karyotype analysis results of 46,X,i(X)(q10), which accompanied by primary amenorrhea, elevated serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Since the first attack of AIP, the patient has been increasingly depressed, and Psychiatry identified major depression. Duloxetine was chosen after careful deliberation, and the patient's mood stabilized. AIP had not recurred after half a year. Since sex hormones are the exacerbating factor of acute attack of AIP, sex hormone replacement therapy for TS was not administered. In conclusion, the conditions of AIP co-existing TS are complicate, and the treatment still needs to be improved by multiple disciplines in the follow-up.

Human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells improved premature ovarian failure.

BACKGROUNDPremature ovarian failure (POF) affects many adult women less than 40 years of age and leads to infertility. According to previous reports, various tissue-specific stem cells can restore ovarian function and folliculogenesis in mice with chemotherapy-induced POF. Human embryonic stem cells (ES) provide an alternative source for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because of their similarities in phenotype and immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ES-MSCs) are attractive candidates for regenerative medicine because of their high proliferation and lack of barriers for harvesting tissue-specific MSCs. However, possible therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of transplanted ES-MSCs on cyclophosphamide and busulfan-induced mouse ovarian damage have not been evaluated.AIMTo evaluate ES-MSCs vs bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in restoring ovarian function in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure.METHODSFemale mice received intraperitoneal injections of different doses of cyclophosphamide and busulfan to induce POF. Either human ES-MSCs or BM-MSCs were transplanted into these mice. Ten days after the mice were injected with cyclophosphamide and busulfan and 4 wk after transplantation of the ES-MSCs and/or BM-MSCs, we evaluated body weight, estrous cyclicity, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol hormone concentrations and follicle count were used to evaluate the POF model and cell transplantation. Moreover, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated 2-deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick end labeling, real-time PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry and mating was used to evaluate cell transplantation. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 2 and hepatocyte growth factor levels in ES-MSC condition medium in order to investigate the mechanisms that underlie their function.RESULTSThe human ES-MSCs significantly restored hormone secretion, survival rate and reproductive function in POF mice, which was similar to the results obtained with BM-MSCs. Gene expression analysis and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated 2-deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick end labeling assay results indicated that the ES-MSCs and/or BM-MSCs reduced apoptosis in the follicles. Notably, the transplanted mice generated new offspring. The results of different analyses showed increases in antiapoptotic and trophic proteins and genes.CONCLUSIONThese results suggested that transplantation of human ES-MSCs were similar to BM-MSCs in that they could restore the structure of the injured ovarian tissue and its function in chemotherapy-induced damaged POF mice and rescue fertility. The possible mechanisms of human ES-MSC were related to promotion of follicular development, ovarian secretion, fertility via a paracrine effect and ovarian cell survival.

Effect of dietary arginine-to-lysine ratio in lactation on biochemical indices and performance of lactating sows.

The present study investigated the effect of optimizing the total dietary arginine (Arg)-to-lysine (Lys) ratios on the metabolism of lactating sows and piglet performance by supplementation with l- Arg during lactation. A total of 200 multiparous sows (three to six parities, Yorkshire × Landrace) were selected and randomly and equally assigned to five groups in lactation, and finally, 36, 34, 35, 36, and 33 dams completed the study in the dietary treatments, respectively, where the diets consisted of five step-up Arg-to-Lys ratios (0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3) by the addition of 0%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.30%, and 0.40% Arg. The diets contained 3.37 to 3.38 Mcal of digestible energy/kg energy, 17.73% to 17.75% crude protein, and 0.98% to 1.01% Lys and were fed ad libitum during lactation. The performance of sows and suckling piglets was measured, and plasma and milk samples were collected for analysis. The feed intake of sows as well as litter weight gain during lactation increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05), while maternal backfat and milk composition were not affected (P > 0.05) as the dietary Arg-to-Lys ratios increased. Analyzed plasma biochemical indices, including concentrations of free Arg, Orn, and Glu, and prolactin, insulin, and follicle-stimulating hormone, responded linearly (P ≤ 0.05) to increases in dietary Arg-to-Lys ratios. The dietary Arg-to-Lys ratios of 1.01 and 1.02 were optimal for maternal feed intake and litter weight gain, based on broken-line models. Collectively, the results of this study indicate that increasing total dietary Arg-to-Lys ratios in lactation was beneficial for the performance of lactating sows and suckling piglets, and dietary Arg-to-Lys ratios of 1.01 and 1.02 were optimal, from regression analyses, for the practical feeding of lactating sows.

The optimized research of the in vitro culture of preantral follicles in mice.

ObjectiveEfficiency of preantral follicle culture in vitro is low and is dependent on species, development stage, and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration. Here, we optimized the preantral follicle in vitro culture system in mice.MethodsThe primary follicles (PM follicles, 80‐100 μm diameter ) and early secondary follicles (ES follicles, 110‐130 μm diameter) isolated from 14‐day female mice were cultured in mediums containing 10 mIU/mL or 100 mIU/mL r‐FSH. The follicle growth and oocyte maturation were observed. Estradiol (E2) was detected by ELISA. FSH receptor (FSHR), Ki‐67, 3β‐HSD, CYP17, and CYP19 levels were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot.ResultsThe antrum formation and oocyte maturation rates of ES follicles were significantly higher than those of PM follicles (P < .05). They were also significantly higher in ES follicles with 100 mIU/mL r‐FSH than with 10 mIU/mL r‐FSH (P < .05). A higher FSHR level was found in ES follicles. Meanwhile, with 10 mIU/mL r‐FSH, the ES follicles exhibited a pattern of flat growth, whereas a pattern of stereoscopic spatial growth was observed with 100 mIU/mL r‐FSH. The 100 mIU/mL r‐FSH stimulated granulosa cell proliferation more significantly than 10 mIU/mL r‐FSH. Moreover, FSH significantly promoted ES follicle granulosa cell proliferation compared to PM follicular granulosa cells. The secretion of E2 and the expressions of 3β‐HSD, CYP 17, and CYP 19 in ES follicles with 100 mIU/mL r‐FSH were significantly higher than those with 10 mIU/mL r‐FSH.ConclusionsThe 100 mIU/mL r‐FSH ideally promotes the development of ES follicles, whose growth pattern can more reasonably simulate the growth of follicles in vivo.

Analysis of the relationship between long-term exposure to PM2.5 and sex hormone levels of female sanitation workers in Urumqi

From June 2017 to June 2018, female sanitation workers engaged in road cleaning in a district of Urumqi City, as well as government and logistics women participating in national health examination in the same community were recruited as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure group and control group respectively. The contents of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the PM2.5 exposed group were lower than those in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Further analysis showed that the content of FSH in the exposure group at the age of 35-39, 40-44 and 45-49 years old was lower than that of the control group (all P values < 0.05). The content of LH in the exposed group at the age of 35-39 and 45-49 years old was lower than that of the control group (all P values < 0.05). The content of FSH in the exposed group with the length of service less than 5, about 5-9 and more than 10 years was lower than that of the control group (all P values < 0.05). The content of LH in the exposed group with the length of service about 5-9 and more than 10 year was lower than that of the control group (all P values < 0.05).

Effects of photoperiod on morphology and function in testis and epididymis of Cricetulus barabensis.

Photoperiod regulates the seasonal reproductive rhythms of mammals by influencing the development and function of sexual organs; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We examined the morphology and functioning of the main sex organs of striped dwarf hamsters (Cricetulus barabensis) under different photoperiods (short daylight [SD], moderate daylight [MD], and long daylight [LD]) and further investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. There was an inverse correlation between blood melatonin levels and photoperiod in the order SD > MD > LD. Decreases in body and tissue weights were observed under SD, whereas testis and epididymis weights between MD and LD were comparable. The diameters of the spermatogenic tubules, thickness of the spermatogenic epithelium, and the number of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells decreased under SD, whereas the serum-luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and fecal testosterone concentrations decreased under LD. In SD, bax/bcl2 protein expression increased in the testes and decreased in the epididymides, whereas LC3II/LC3I remained unchanged in the testes and increased in the epididymides compared with the MD group. In LD, bax/bcl2 and LC3II/LC3I protein expression levels were unchanged in the testes but were decreased in the epididymides. In SD and LD, adenosine triphosphate synthase and citrate synthase protein expression levels were unchanged in the testes but were decreased in the epididymides. Drp1 and Mff protein expression increased in the testes and decreased in the epididymides. Overall, different regulatory mechanisms in the testis and epididymis led to degeneration under SD and maintenance under LD, preferentially protecting mitochondrial function in the testis by regulating mitochondrial fission.

Adoptive transfers of CD4+ CD25+ Tregs partially alleviate mouse premature ovarian insufficiency.

This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) against zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 peptide (pZP3) immunization-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in mice. A mouse POI model was induced by two subcutaneous injections of pZP3 (50 nmol/L). Mice in the pZP3-Treg group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 × 105 CD4+ CD25+ Tregs after the POI model was established. Sex hormone levels, follicle numbers, apoptotic events, and the Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway molecules in the ovaries were assessed. Compared with control group, the weight of ovaries in both pZP3 group and pZP3-Treg group was decreased and no difference was found between them. The number of follicles in the Treg transferred mice, like in pZP3 group, was significantly reduced compared to the control group, but showed a modest improvement when compared the pZP3 group alone. Significantly lower serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and anti-zona pellucida antibodies (AZPAbs) were found, while the concentrations of estradiol and anti-Mullerian hormone increased. In mechanism, Treg cell transfer to ZP3 treated mice restored the levels of Caspase3 to control levels, and partially restored Bax, however, had no effect on Bcl-2. Moreover, Treg cell transfer to ZP3 treated mice partially restored the levels of Akt and FOXO3a, and partially restored the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-FOXO3a/FOXO3a. In conclusion, Treg cells improved some aspects of ZP3-induced POI which may be mediate by suppressing ovarian cells apoptosis and involving the Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway. Therefore, Treg cells may be protective against autoimmune POI.