Low Estrogen Concentrations Research Articles

Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant Bisphenol-A levels affects growth, swimming, condition factor, sex ratio and histology of juvenile zebrafish

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental estrogen which perturbs hormone signaling pathways adversely affecting aquatic organisms. To evaluate the impact of developmental exposure to long term yet environmentally relevant low doses of BPA, wild-type juvenile zebrafish of 35 days post fertilization were treated with BPA (1 and 10 µg/L), treatment control (0.5% v/v methanol) and control for 60 days. Both BPA treatments led to significantly increased morality overtime. Length increment and specific growth rates became significantly high in BPA exposed zebrafish overtime. Obesogenic property of BPA was not evident with longexposure to low BPA doses. A significantly high and BPA dose-dependent female-biased sex ratios were observed following the juvenile exposure. Significantly low swimming speed was recorded in the fish of both BPA-treated tanks than that of control. Condition factor was significantly low in BPA exposed fish indicating the poor-wellness. There were numerous histopathological alterations of gonads, liver and kidney indicating impacts of juvenile exposure in zebrafish. Altered growth, swimming, mortality, feminization and histopathological changes in zebrafish induced by BPA indicate the risks associated with developmental exposures. The findings call for more comprehensive studies to comprehend the ecological risks imposed by low concentrations of environmental estrogens in urban aquatic ecosystems.

2D:4D-ratios among individuals with amphetamine use disorder, antisocial personality disorder and with both amphetamine use disorder and antisocial personality disorder

BackgroundThere is sufficient evidence that the index-finger-to-ring-finger-ratio (2D:4D-ratio) is associated with testosterone and estrogen exposure during the fetal stage. More specifically, a lower 2D:4D-ratio (that is; a shorter index finger, compared to a longer ring finger) was associated with a prenatally higher testosterone and lower estrogen exposure during the first trimester of the fetal stage. At a behavioral level, among adults, a lower 2D:4D-ratio was associated with a higher competitive performance among both female and male professional athletes, and with personality traits such as higher scores for mental toughness, dark triad traits, and aggressive behavior, and internet use disorder. Here, we tested, if 2D:4D-ratios differed among three clinical samples of individuals with amphetamine use disorder (AUD), antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), or both AUD and ASPD (AUD + ASPD), and when compared to healthy controls. MethodThe sample consisted of 44 individuals (mean age: 32.95 years; 22.7% females) diagnosed either with AUD (n = 25), ASPD (n = 10) or both AUD + ASPD (n = 9), and of 36 healthy controls (mean age: 23.28; 25% females). After a thorough clinical assessment, participants provided the scans of their right-hand palm to measure the lengths of their index finger and ring finger. Further, participants with AUD, ASPD and both AUD + ASPD completed a series of self-rating questionnaires on Dark Triad traits, narcissism sensitivity, and intolerance of uncertainty. ResultsCompared to healthy controls, participants with AUD, ASPD, or AUD + ASPD showed statistically significantly lower 2D:4D-ratios. Participants with AUD + ASPD showed statistically significantly lowest 2D:4D-ratios, compared to participants with AUD and compared to healthy controls. For the clinical sample, a lower 2D:4D-ratio was associated with higher Dark Triad traits. 2D:4D-ratios were unrelated to narcissism sensitivity or intolerance of uncertainty. Higher scores for Dark Triad traits were associated with higher scores for narcissism sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty. ConclusionsCompared to healthy controls, individuals with amphetamine use disorder and concomitant antisocial personality disorder (AUD + ASPD) appeared to have been exposed to particularly high prenatal testosterone and particularly low estrogen concentrations, which, at a behavioral level, might have led to a fast life history for immediate resource acquisition.

Endogenous estradiol contributes to vascular endothelial dysfunction in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes

BackgroundEndogenous estrogen is cardio-protective in healthy premenopausal women. Despite this favorable action of estrogen, animal models depict a detrimental effect of estradiol on vascular function in the presence of diabetes. The present study sought to determine the role of endogenous estradiol on endothelial function in women with type 1 diabetes.Method32 women with type 1 diabetes (HbA1c = 8.6 ± 1.7%) and 25 apparently healthy women (HbA1c = 5.2 ± 0.3%) participated. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a bioassay of nitric-oxide bioavailability and endothelial function was performed during menses (M) and the late follicular (LF) phase of the menstrual cycle to represent low and high concentrations of estrogen, respectively. In addition, a venous blood sample was collected at each visit to determine circulating concentrations of estradiol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and nitrate/nitrite (NOx), biomarkers of oxidative stress and nitric oxide, respectively. Data were collected in (1) 9 additional women with type 1 diabetes using oral hormonal birth control (HBC) (HbA1c = 8.3 ± 2.1%) during the placebo pill week and second active pill week, and (2) a subgroup of 9 demographically matched women with type 1 diabetes not using HBC (HbA1c = 8.9 ± 2.1%).ResultsOverall, estradiol was significantly increased during the LF phase compared to M in both type 1 diabetes (Δestradiol = 75 ± 86 pg/mL) and controls (Δestradiol = 71 ± 76 pg/mL); however, an increase in TBARS was only observed in patients with type 1 diabetes (ΔTBARS = 3 ± 13 µM) compared to controls (ΔTBARS = 0 ± 4 µM). FMD was similar (p = 0.406) between groups at M. In addition, FMD increased significantly from M to the LF phase in controls (p = 0.024), whereas a decrease was observed in type 1 diabetes. FMD was greater (p = 0.015) in patients using HBC compared to those not on HBC, independent of menstrual cycle phase.ConclusionEndogenous estradiol increases oxidative stress and contributes to endothelial dysfunction in women with diabetes. Additionally, HBC use appears to be beneficial to endothelial function in type 1 diabetes.

Multi-omic responses of fish exposed to complex chemical mixtures in the Shenandoah River watershed

To evaluate relationships between different anthropogenic impacts, contaminant occurrence, and fish health, we conducted in situ fish exposures across the Shenandoah River watershed at five sites with different land use. Exposure water was analyzed for over 500 chemical constituents, and organismal, metabolomic, and transcriptomic endpoints were measured in fathead minnows. Adverse reproductive outcomes were observed in fish exposed in the upper watershed at both wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent- and agriculture-impacted sites, including decreased gonadosomatic index and altered secondary sex characteristics. This was accompanied with increased mortality at the site most impacted by agricultural activities. Molecular biomarkers of estrogen exposure were unchanged and consistent with low or non-detectable concentrations of common estrogens, indicating that alternative mechanisms were involved in organismal adverse outcomes. Hepatic metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles were altered in a site-specific manner, consistent with variation in land use and contaminant profiles. Integrated biomarker response data were useful for evaluating mechanistic linkages between contaminants and adverse outcomes, suggesting that reproductive endocrine disruption, altered lipid processes, and immunosuppression may have been involved in these organismal impacts. This study demonstrated linkages between human-impact, contaminant occurrence, and exposure effects in the Shenandoah River watershed and showed increased risk of adverse outcomes in fathead minnows exposed to complex mixtures at sites impacted by municipal wastewater discharges and agricultural practices.

FEMORAL NECK FRACTURES, EPIDEMIOLOGY, ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION, MECHANISM OF ACTION, CLASSIFICATION, CLINICAL EVALUATION, IMAGING EVALUATION, TREATMENT AND COMPLICATIONS

Introduction: Femoral neck fractures (FNF) are frequent and devastating injuries in orthopedics and traumatology. It usually has several therapeutic options depending on the type of fracture and the comorbidities of the affected individual, among the conservative treatment alternatives are bed rest with or without traction and among the surgical alternatives are internal fixation. Objective: to detail the current information related to femoral neck fractures, epidemiology, anatomical description, mechanism of action, classification, clinical evaluation, imaging evaluation, treatment and complications. Methodology: a total of 40 articles were analyzed in this review, including review and original articles, as well as clinical cases, of which 31 bibliographies were used because the other articles were not relevant to this study. The sources of information were PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane; the terms used to search for information in Spanish, Portuguese and English were: fractures, femur, femoral neck, prosthesis, trauma. Results: 80% are generated in women, and the incidence doubles every 5 to 6 years in women over 30 years of age. It presents bimodal incidence. The risk factors are female sex, white race, advanced age, poor health, smoking, alcohol consumption, previous fractures, history of falls and low estrogen concentrations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the test of choice for the diagnosis of undisplaced or occult fractures not observable on plain radiographs. Up to 40% of impacted or nondisplaced fractures will displace if they do not undergo internal fixation. Secondary displacement is 5% following internal fixation. Pseudarthrosis may complicate up to 5% of non-displaced fractures and up to 25% of displaced fractures; furthermore, osteonecrosis complicates up to 10% of non-displaced fractures and up to 30% of displaced fractures. Conclusions: femoral neck fractures present a high incidence, the mechanism of action mostly presented in young people is high energy trauma, in the elderly the most common mechanism is low energy falls. Patients with displaced femoral neck fractures are unable to walk and show shortening and external rotation of the lower limb. Anteroposterior projections of the pelvis are indicated, as well as anteroposterior and cross lateral projections of the affected proximal femur. The goals of treatment are to relieve the patients pain, restore hip function and have rapid mobilization through anatomical reduction and internal fixation or by prosthetic replacement. Conservative treatment of fractures is recommended in individuals at extreme surgical risk; it can also be considered in individuals with dementia, who do not maintain the ability to walk and have little symptomatology due to hip pain. Among the most important complications are pseudarthrosis and osteonecrosis. Surgery to treat nondisplaced femoral neck fractures is associated with a higher number of consolidation and associated with less avascular necrosis compared to conservative treatment. KEY WORDS: fractures, femoral neck, trauma, prosthesis.

CHANGES IN THE VAGINAL CYTOLOGY AND PROGESTERONE AND ESTROGEN SERUM CONCENTRATIONS AFTER TREATMENT OF ANESTRTUM BITCHES WITH A COMBINATION OF FSH AND LH

The current study was designed to evaluate the changes in vaginal cytology and serum progesterone and estrogen concentration in anestrum bitches treated with a combination of FSH and LH. Seven healthy Mongrel anestrum bitches were treated with daily administration of 75 I.U. FSH plus 75 I.U LH for consecutive nine days and another three bitches were kept as a control without any treatment. Treated and control bitches were examined for the percentages of different vaginal-cytology cells, serum concentration of estrogen and progesterone, and signs of proestrus and estrus in a scheduled timeline. Five of the seven treated bitches (71.4%) showed a gradual decrease in the percentage of parabasal cells, a gradual increase in the percentage of cornified and RBCs, a rapid decrease in the estrogen concentration, and an increase in the progesterone concentration. These five bitches showed signs of proestrus and four of them showed male acceptance and were conceived. These five bitches had high estrogen concentrations before initiation of the treatment. The other two bitches had a low estrogen concentration before the initiation of the treatment and after treatment, they showed a gradual increase in the estrogen concentration, but they did not show characteristic changes in vaginal cytology or progesterone concentration. Control bitches had high estrogen concentrations before treatment, but they did not show characteristic changes in vaginal cytology, estrogen and progesterone concentrations, or signs of proestrus up to one month after the end of the treatment. In conclusion, treating anestrum bitches with a mixture of FSH and LH induced characteristic changes in vaginal cytology and serum estrogen and progesterone concentrations in the majority of bitches. These changes were associated with the induction of fertile estrus in more than half of the treated bitches, and this percentage increased to about 80% in bitches having initial high estrogen concentration. Key words: bitch; estrus-induction; FSH-LH, vaginal cytology, progesterone; estrogen

Xenobiotic estradiol-17ß alters gut microbiota of hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

Environmental oestrogens pose serious concerns for ecosystems through their effects on organismal survival and physiology. The gut microbiome is highly vulnerable to environmental influence, yet the effects of oestrogens on gut homeostasis are unknown because they are poorly studied in wildlife populations. To determine the influence of environmental oestrogens (i.e., xenoestrogens) on the diversity and abundance of gut microbiota, we randomly assigned 23 hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) to three ecologically relevant treatments (control, low, and high oestrogen concentrations) for 10 weeks. We predicted that xenoestrogen exposure would decrease microbial diversity and abundance within the digestive tract and that this effect would be dose-dependent. Microbial samples were collected following diet treatments and microbial diversity was determined using 16S rRNA gene-sequencing. Individuals in oestrogen-treatment groups had decreased microbial diversity, but a greater relative abundance of operational taxonomic units than those in the control group. In addition, this effect was dose-dependent; as individuals were exposed to more oestrogen, their microbiome became less diverse, less rich and less even. Findings from this study suggest that oestrogen contamination can influence wildlife populations at the internal microbial-level, which may lead to future deleterious health effects.

Gender Differences and Relationship of 2D:4D-Ratio, Mental Toughness and Dark Triad Traits among Active Young Adults.

There is consistent evidence that prenatal exposures to higher testosterone and lower estrogen concentrations during the first trimester of embryonal and fetal development are associated with a lower 2D:4D-ratio, which is to say: The index finger (2D) is shorter, compared to the ring finger (4D). Compared to non-active, athletes show lower 2D:4D ratios. However, athletes also report specific personality traits such as mental toughness, assertiveness, and competitive behavior. Here, we tested if 2D:4D-ratios were related to specific personality traits. We further investigated possible gender differences. A total of 460 active young adults (mean age: 24.81 years; 67% females) completed a series of self-rating questionnaires covering sociodemographic information and traits of the dark triad and mental toughness. Participants also provided a scan of their right palm hand to measure and calculate 2D:4D-ratios. t-tests, Pearson's correlations, and multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze data. Compared to male participants, female participants had a higher 2D:4D-ratio. Female and male participants did not differ as regards dark triad traits and mental toughness traits. Irrespective of gender, and based on correlational computations, 2D:4D-ratios were unrelated to the dark triad (DT) and mental toughness (MT) scores. Higher DT scores were modestly associated with higher MT scores among females, but not among males. Lower 2D:4D-ratios were associated with higher constancy scores and the male gender. The constancy and male gender appeared to be associated with lower 2D:4D-ratios.

Effects of the Follicular Menstrual Phase on Forearm Vascular Conductance in Abdominal Obese Premenopausal Women During Graded Handgrip Exercise

PurposePrevious studies have reported a sympatholytic action of estrogen on the vasculature in response to increased sympathetic outflow, an effect most notable during exercise, providing for necessary increases in blood flow to working muscle. In contrast, elevated concentrations of progesterone can inhibit this action of estrogen, impairing increases in blood flow. We hypothesize that the peak concentration of estrogen during the proliferative portion of the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in female humans will increase vascular conductance during exercise when the effects of progesterone are negligible. In addition, we hypothesize that overweight abdominally obese females will have an attenuated conductance response to dynamic exercise during the same menstrual phase.MethodsParticipants engaged in graded forearm exercise using an isotonic handgrip dynometer with sequential increases in resistance at a cadence of 30 contractions/minute until task failure. They performed exercise at time points of the menstrual cycle corresponding to low concentrations of both sex hormones and elevated estrogen, while progesterone remained low. Blood flow and vascular conductance were measured using Doppler ultrasound.ResultsThis revealed a trend that abdominal obese women during a phase of low estrogen had a lower overall blood flow and vascular conductance response than healthy controls at matching resistance stages during rest and exercise. This group difference was attenuated during the proliferative phase with elevated circulating estrogen. There is not a statistically significant interaction between Ovarian Phase and Weight group (P = 0.778).ConclusionThe results indicate that overweight women are at a disadvantage during exercise in increasing blood flow to working muscles, which can be detrimental to overall fitness improvement during the early and potentially late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.

Low testosterone concentrations and risk of ischaemic cardiovascular disease in ageing: not just a problem for older men

Coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and ischaemic stroke increase sharply in prevalence with age in both men and women.1 The understanding that such diseases are more likely to occur in women after the menopause has motivated research into the cardiovascular effects of low blood oestrogen concentrations. By contrast, it is less well appreciated that blood testosterone concentrations also decrease gradually with age in women, although these concentrations can rise again at the start of the seventh decade.

The Correlation between Pituitary Gonadotrophins, Gonadal Sex Steroid Hormone with Ferritin Level in Pubertal Females with Thalassemia Major at Wassit Province - Iraq 2020

Thalassemia Major still a growing disease in Iraq with no clear plan for prevention.
 Failure to get a secondary sexual character, amenorrhea, and then the inability to get pregnant is one the increasingly common problems in female patients with huge burden effects. Despite recent advances in iron chelation therapy, still, excess iron deposition in pituitary gonadotropic and gonadal cells remains one of the major causes for gonadal failure.
 Objectives: To evaluate the effect of iron overloads measured by serum ferritin on pituitary gonadotrophins measured by FSH, LH, and the gonadal sex steroid measured by estrogen in pubertal females with thalassemia Major.
 Methods: 41 female patients randomly selected in a cross-sectional study with diagnosed Thalassemia Major registered in Al-Kut Hereditary Blood Disease Center in the south of Iraq.
 Demographic data were evaluated including (age, type of chelation therapy, compliance for treatment and mean hemoglobin levels, and presence of amenorrhea). Serum ferritin, hemoglobin, FSH, LH, Estrogen levels were collected from patient's files. 
 Results: the age of the studied sample were range from 14-43 years. The majority of the studied patients 33(80.5%) were suffering from primary amenorrhea and only six had a normal menstrual cycle. Twenty-six (63.4%) patients had serum ferritin levels of more than 3000 ng/dl.
 A low average serum FSH, LH, and Estrogen concentration were observed in the group with serum ferritin levels more than 3000ng/dl in a statistically significant p-value, 0.001, 0.002, and 0.003 respectively with inverse Pearson's correlation (-0.4 and p-value 0.0009 for FSH), (- 0.2 with no significant p-value 0.12, for LH) and (-0.3 with significant p. value 0.02 for estrogen level). 
 Conclusions:
 In this study majority of females with thalassemia, Major suffer from disruption of pituitary gonadotropins and possible gonadal sex steroid. High ferritin still is a statistically significant risk factor for gonadal failure.
 The needs for more strict iron control, early screening, and proper treatment of gonadotropin and gonadal sex steroid deficiency around the age of 13 years are essential to be offered. More studies and a larger sample are needed to confirm and/or add other risk factors in pubertal thalassemic females.
 
 

Development of a Chemical Reproductive Aging Model in Female Rats.

Women are born with an abundant but finite pool of ovarian follicles, which naturally and progressively decreased during their reproductive years until menstrual periods stop permanently (menopause). Perimenopause represents the transition from reproductive to non-reproductive life. It is usually characterized by neuroendocrine, metabolic and behavioral changes, which result from a follicular depletion and reduced number of ovarian follicles. During this period, around 45-50 years old, women are more likely to express mood disorders, anxiety, irritability and vasomotor symptoms. The current animal models of reproductive aging do not successfully replicate human perimenopause and the gradual changes that occur in this phase. While the traditional rat model of menopause involves ovariectomy or surgical menopause consisting of the rapid and definitive removal of the ovaries resulting in a complete loss of all ovarian hormones, natural or transitional menopause is achieved by the selective loss of ovarian follicles (perimenopause period). However, the natural aging rodent (around 18-24 months) model fails to reach very low estrogen concentrations and overlaps the processes of somatic and reproductive aging. The chronic exposure of young rodents to 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) is a well-established experimental model for perimenopause and menopause studies. VCD induces loss of ovarian small follicles (primary and primordial) in mice and rats by accelerating the natural process of atresia (apoptosis). The VCD, ovary-intact or accelerated ovarian failure (AOF) model is the experimental model that most closely matches natural human progression to menopause mimicking both hormonal and behavioral changes typically manifested by women in perimenopause. Graphical abstract: The female reproductive system is regulated by a series of neuroendocrine events controlled by central and peripheral components. (A). The mechanisms involved in this control are extremely complex and have not yet been fully clarified. In female mammals whose ovulation (the most important event in a reproductive cycle) occurs spontaneously, reproductive success is achieved through the precise functional and temporal integration of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis. (B). In women, loss of fertility appears to be primarily associated with exhaustion of ovarian follicles, and this process occurs progressively until complete follicular exhaustion marked by the final menstrual period (FMP). (C). While in female rodents, reproductive aging seems to begin as a neuroendocrine process, in which changes in hypothalamic/pituitary function appear independently of follicular atresia. The traditional rat model of menopause, ovariectomy or surgical menopause consists of the rapid and definitive removal of the ovaries resulting in a complete loss of all ovarian hormones. (D). The chronic exposure (15-30 days) to the chemical compound 4-vinylcyclehexene diepoxide (VCD) in young rodents accelerates gradual failure of ovarian function by progressive depletion of primordial and primary follicles, but retains residual ovarian tissue before brain alterations that occurs in women in perimenopause. Low doses of VCD cause the selective destruction of the small preantral follicles of the ovary without affecting other peripheral tissues.

ESTROGEN REMOVAL FROM WASTEWATER

Currently, a significant problem of water and sewage management is the presence of human hormones, especially estrogens and progestagens, consumed by women in contraceptives and then excreted from the body. While other drugs are used by a small part of the population and rather sporadically, hormonal contraception is used by a large number of women, which contributes to their high concentration in sewage. Even relatively low estrogen concentrations (compared to other drugs) can have harmful effects on the body, disturbing the hormonal balance and leading to various endocrine disorders. In this paper the types of individual estrogen groups were characterized. Next, different methods of their removal from wastewater were presented. The parameters of estrogen removal efficiency depend on which parameters. Next, the effectiveness of each method was compared, also taking into account economic aspects. The work was summarized with appropriate conclusions.

Optimization and validation of a GC-MS quantitative method for the determination of an extended estrogenic profile in human urine: Variability intervals in a population of healthy women.

An analytical method based on GC-MS was developed for the determination of a wide panel of urinary estrogens, together with their principal metabolites. Because of the low concentration of estrogens in urine, an efficient sample pre-treatment was optimized by a design of experiment (DoE) procedure to achieve satisfactory sensitivity. A second DoE was built for the optimization of the chromatographic run, with the purpose of reaching the most efficient separation of analytes with potentially interfering ions and similar chromatographic properties. The method was fully validated using a rigorous calibration strategy: from several replicate analyses of blank urine samples spiked with the analytes, calibration models were built with particular attention to the study of heteroscedasticity and quadraticity. Other validation parameters, including the limit of detection, intra-assay precision and accuracy, repeatability, selectivity, specificity, and carry-over, were obtained using the same set of data. Further experiments were performed to evaluate matrix effect and extraction recovery. Then the urinary estrogen profiles of 138 post-menopausal healthy women were determined. These profiles provide a representation of physiological concentration ranges, which, in forthcoming studies, will be matched on the base of multivariate statistics with the urinary estrogenic profile of women with breast or ovarian cancer.

Diabetes Attenuates the Increase in Estrogen‐Mediated Endothelial Function

BackgroundApparently healthy premenopausal women are protected against cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to men; and estrogen has been thought to play a key role. In the presence of diabetes; however, this overall sex‐dependent cardiovascular protection is lost. The increase in vascular function throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy premenopausal women has been established. The present investigation sought to test the hypothesis that the increase in vascular function from menses to the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is lost in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodsPremenopausal women with a clinical diagnosis of T1D (n=22, HbA1c=8.2±1.7%, age=26±8 years, BMI=26.9±5.4 kg/m2) and seemingly healthy, age‐ and sex‐matched controls (n=10, HbA1c=5.2±0.3%, age=26±9 years, BMI=23.3±4.1 kg/m2) were recruited to participate. Flow mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of endothelial function, was assessed during the menses (cycle day=4±1) and late follicular phases (cycle day=13±1) of the menstrual cycle to represent periods of low and high concentrations of estrogen, respectively. Visit 1 (menses) was confirmed by a positive hemolytic urological multistix test and visit 2 (late follicular) was scheduled based on indications from an ovulation prediction kit. A small venous blood sample was collected at each visit to measure concentrations of estrogen. Endothelial independent vasodilation was determined by administration of sublingual nitroglycerin after each FMD test.ResultsThe increase in estrogen from menses to the follicular phase was similar (p=0.73) in both groups (Δ estrogen: T1D=78.3±92.6 vs Controls=85.6±30.0 pg/mL). Baseline brachial artery diameter was similar between T1D and controls (p=0.25) and was not different between visit 1 and visit 2 (p=0.76). Fasting blood glucose was higher (p<0.01) in women with T1D compared to controls at both visits; however, the change within groups was similar (p=0.49) across time. A near significant interaction (p=0.07) for endothelial function was observed such that FMD increased from the menses to follicular phase in controls (ΔFMD=1.151±1.603%), whereas no change was observed in patients with T1D (ΔFMD=−0.633±2.126%). Endothelial independent vasodilation was not different between groups (p=0.82). Additionally, the endothelial independent response was similar across the menstrual cycle (p=0.97).ConclusionThese data suggest that the presence of diabetes may attenuate the beneficial effects of estrogen on endothelial function in premenopausal women. The loss of estrogen’s cardiovascular protective effect on the vasculature in diabetes may explain the increased risk of CVD observed in women with T1D.Support or Funding Information1RO1HL137087‐01A1.

When male seahorses take the female contraceptive pill ...

17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), the female contraceptive pill, has been detected in mediterranean coasts where seahorse populations, Hippocampus guttulatus, live. Low environmental concentrations have the potential to disrupt growth but also endocrine metabolism, and this imbalance is all the more critical in early life stage. To investigate the impact of EE2 in reared seahorses, we exposed aged 2months and sexually undifferentiated seahorses to an environmental concentration of 21ng/L of EE2 for a period of 30days. EE2 exposure led to a 19% reduction in weight, but also a mortality rate of 27%. This exposure predicted demasculinization of male individuals with a late onset of secondary sexual characteristics. EE2 exposure led to an increase of the free androgen index, but significant reductions of estradiol and testosterone in males were observed. This low estrogen concentration seemed to impact the positive feedback on luteinizing hormone (LH) with a decrease in LH production. Added to this, synthetic estrogen had a negative impact on the production and the release of follicle-stimulating hormone. Contrary to all expectations, females demonstrated a significant decrease in vitellogenin, following exposure to EE2 at 21ng/L, while no changes were detected in males. This first study on the European long-snouted seahorses confirmed the deleterious impact of the female contraceptive pill with a real impact on growth, sexual differentiation, and maturation in young immature seahorses.

Characterization of follicles in girls and young women with Turner syndrome who underwent ovarian tissue cryopreservation

To characterize ovarian follicles of girls and young women with Turner syndrome (TS) who underwent ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC). Retrospective case-control study. University hospital. Fifteen girls and young women with TS aged 5-22years at OTC were included, together with 42 control girls and young women aged 1-25years who underwent OTC because of cancer. None. Follicle density (follicles/mm3), morphology, and health were assessed in ovarian cortex biopsies from TS patients and compared with controls. Hormone concentrations were measured in serum and follicle fluids. Immature cumulus oocyte complexes were obtained and matured invitro. Follicles were found in 60% of the biopsies (9 of 15) from TS ovaries. In 78% of the ovaries (7 of 9) with follicles, the follicle density was within the 95% confidence interval of the control group. There was a high rate of abnormal follicle morphology. Six follicle-specific proteins were expressed similarly in TS and control ovaries. However, apoptosis and zona pellucida protein expression were found to be abnormal in TS. Turner syndrome follicle fluid from small antral follicles had lower concentrations of estrogen and testosterone and higher concentrations of antimüllerian hormone than controls. Thirty-one cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from one patient and cultured for 48hours invitro, resulting in five metaphase II oocytes (maturation rate 16%, degeneration rate 19%). The benefits of OTC may be limited to a highly selected group of TS mosaic patients in whom a sizeable pool of normal follicles is present at OTC.

Effect of the combination of a cold water temperature and exogenous estrogens on feminization, growth, gonadosomatic index and fat muscle content of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

96 Normal 0 21 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Tabla normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Times New Roman; mso-ansi-language:EN-US; mso-fareast-language:PL;} The use of water temperature to modify sex proportion in Nile tilapia has been suggested as an alternative to eliminating the use of steroids since it was discovered that it has an important role in the sex differentiation process. However, the use of cold-water temperatures to achieve feminization has rarely been explored and never has it been combined with exogenous estrogens. This work aimed to determine if the proportion of females could be increased by combining low concentrations of estrogens with a cold-water temperature, and describing its effect on growth parameters, gonadosomatic index, and fat muscle content. Two experiments were carried out, each one set at a specific water temperature (27.5 and 21.5oC). In each experiment four treatments (per triplicate) were evaluated (control -no estrogens-, estradiol-17β E 2 , 17 α -ethinylestradiol EE 2 and diethylstilbestrol DES). Higher feminization rates were observed in all groups, including the control group, reared at 21.5oC. Growth parameters showed significantly higher values ( P < 0.05) for the groups reared at 27.5oC. The control group and the group fed E 2 reared at 21.5oC showed significantly higher ( P < 0.05) values of gonadosomatic index than that observed in the groups reared at 27.5oC. Fat muscle content was significantly higher ( P < 0.05) in both experiments for the groups fed E 2 and EE 2 . The fry used showed a high tendency towards feminization by exposure to a cold-water temperature. Our results allow us to consider E 2 (21.5oC) the best option for the development of YY technology. 96 Normal 0 21 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE

The comparison of the bacterial colonisation of the oral cavity and vaginal ecosystems

Introduction: The right bacterial flora of the vagina is, first of all, lactobacilli. Lactobacilli inhibit the development of pathogens and restore the right bacterial flora of the vagina. Any disorders of the vaginal ecosystem most typically result from epithelium damage, a low concentration of estrogens and atrophy of the right vaginal microflora. In the vagina, both systemic, sexually transmitted infections as well as the infections characteristic of the vagina occur. Among the latter, the following can be distinguished: bacterial vaginosis–the most frequent, candidal vulvovaginitis, trichomoniasis, the infection with aerobic bacteria, and mixed infections (MI). Gestational gingivitis, which is manifested in the erubescence of gingival papillae or the entire gingival margin and increased gingival bleeding during brushing, has every characteristic of an inflammation related to the dental plaque. The pregnant women diagnosed with a periodontium disease are 7.5–20 times more likely to succumb to gestational complications than those with good periodontium.

Correlation between estrogen plasma level and miRNAs in muscle of Piedmontese cattle

A loss-of-function mutation of the myostatin gene has a very high prevalence in the Piedmontese cattle breed. The effect of such mutation is a double-muscle phenotype because of hypertrophy. However, differences in muscle mass development can still be detected in individuals of this breed. Such differences must be generated by other factors controlling skeletal muscle development. MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNA molecules that modulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. MicroRNAs have been demonstrated to be involved in skeletal muscle development, and some of them are controlled by steroid hormone signaling. Data on estrogen signaling are lacking, whereas more studies have been carried out on the effect of androgens. We aimed at identifying putative estrogen responsive miRNAs that might be involved in skeletal muscle development. At a slaughterhouse, we collected muscle samples from longissimus dorsi and blood samples. Blood 17β-estradiol concentration was assessed, and RNA was extracted from muscle samples. The animals we sampled were divided into groups according to estrogen blood concentration, and through qPCR expression, levels of 7 muscle-related miRNAs were evaluated. We found that miR-26b (P < 0.01), miR-27a-5p (P < 0.05), miR-27b (P < 0.05), and miR-199a-3p (P < 0.01) were differentially expressed among experimental groups. Expression levels of miR-26b were reduced approximately 50% in samples with a low blood estrogen concentrations, and the other miRNAs showed a tendency to increase their expression levels when blood estrogen levels were higher. The variations of the circulating concentrations of estrogen in Piedmontese cattle might influence muscle mass development through miRNAs and thus contribute to individual variability in a breed with a high prevalence of a myostatin point mutation.