Lower E2 Levels Research Articles

Disrupted sexual cycles in female grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) raised in tropical conditions

In the Ivory Coast, grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) have been integrated in the tilapia-based polyculture in order to increase pond productivity. In the tropical conditions prevailing there, female cycles seemed disrupted. We describe oogenesis in these conditions using histological observations, monitoring of individual cycles with intraovarian biopsies, endocrinal monitoring (development of a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for vitellogenin (Vg), measurement of plasma oestradiol-17β (E2) and testosterone (T)) and comparison with grass carp raised in Poland. We noted that oogenesis was blocked in all females at the migrating germinal vesicle stage, precluding ovulation or spawning without artificial induction. High rates of atypical post-vitellogenic oocytes (translucent, not filled with yolk granules) were observed in many females. Female individual cycles also displayed atypical features: cycles were sometimes (10% of females) blocked at the beginning of vitellogenesis (BV), for females displaying abnormally low E2 (0.5 ng/ml) and Vg (30 μg/ml) levels compared to “normal” females (1.4 ng/ml and 223 μg/ml, respectively). The duration of the cycles was highly variable among females (a few days to several weeks). Sexual cycles were unsynchronised (all the ovarian stages could be found for all seasons) and the number of females at the end of vitellogenesis (EV) was low (<40% most of the year). These characteristics raise problems for artificial induction of spawning in small-scale hatcheries: a large stock of broodfish is required as is regular checking of female broodstock with intraovarian biopsies to select responsive females.

Effect of Leptin Replacement on Pituitary Hormone Regulation in Patients with Severe Lipodystrophy

Leptin is important in regulating energy homeostasis. Severe lipodystrophy is associated with leptin deficiency and insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, and hepatic steatosis. Leptin deficiency is also associated with abnormalities of the pituitary hormones in rodent models and patients with congenital absence of leptin. We inquired whether similar abnormalities are seen in patients with lipodystrophy and whether replacement of leptin will make an impact on the regulation of pituitary hormones. Seven female patients (aged 15-42 yr, all diabetic) with lipodystrophy and serum leptin levels less than 4 mg/liter were treated with recombinant methionyl-human leptin (recombinant leptin) in physiological doses in an open-labeled study. The following parameters were evaluated before and at 4 months of leptin treatment: menstrual history, pelvic ultrasonogram, LHRH, TRH, and CRH tests. While on recombinant leptin, mean serum leptin concentration increased from 1.3 +/- 0.3 mg/liter to 11.1 +/- 2.5 mg/liter. Only one of five patients who had intact reproductive systems was cycling normally before leptin therapy, and all five had normal menses by the fourth month of leptin therapy. Serum E2 concentrations increased (110 +/- 44 pmol/liter vs. 546 +/- 247 pmol/liter, P = 0.002), serum T concentrations decreased (3.5 +/- 3.0 nmol/liter vs. 1.3 +/- 0.7 nmol/liter, P = 0.055), and the attenuated LH response to LHRH was corrected with therapy. Serum T(3) and free T(4) were in the normal range before leptin therapy and did not change. However, serum TSH concentrations fell from 2.2 +/- 1.1 microU/ml to 1.2 +/- 0.7 microU/ml (P < 0.001). The percent increase in TSH following TRH administration was similar before (560%) and at 4 months (580%) of leptin therapy. The mean nonstimulated ACTH and cortisol concentrations were, respectively, 6.0 +/- 3.4 pmol/liter and 680 +/- 280 nmol/liter before leptin and did not change after 4 months of therapy (4.2 +/- 1.2 pmol/liter, P = 0.11 and 453 +/- 142 nmol/liter, P = 0.13, respectively). The ACTH and cortisol responses to CRH stimulation were normal both before and after therapy. Leptin replacement improved menstrual abnormalities and low E2 levels and corrected the attenuated LH response to LHRH in a group of young women with lipodystrophy and leptin deficiency. These results add to the growing body of evidence that metabolic signals such as leptin play a role in neuroendocrine regulation.

Chronic helminth infection induces alternatively activated macrophages expressing high levels of CCR5 with low interleukin-12 production and Th2-biasing ability.

Helminth infections induce Th2-type biased immune responses. Although the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are not yet clearly defined, antigen-presenting cells (APC) could play an important role in this process. Here, we have used peritoneal macrophages (F4/80+) recruited at different times after challenge with Taenia crassiceps as APC and tested their ability to regulate Th1/Th2 differentiation. Macrophages from acute infections produced high levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and nitric oxide (NO), paralleled with low levels of IL-6 and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and with the ability to induce strong antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell proliferation in response to nonrelated antigens. In contrast, macrophages from chronic infections produced higher levels of IL-6 and PGE(2) and had suppressed production of IL-12 and NO, associated with a poor ability to induce antigen-specific proliferation in CD4+ T cells. Failure to induce proliferation was not due to a deficient expression of accessory molecules, since major histocompatibility complex class II, CD40, and B7-2 were up-regulated, together with CD23 and CCR5 as infection progressed. These macrophages from chronic infections were able to bias CD4+ T cells to produce IL-4 but not gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), contrary to macrophages from acute infections. Blockade of B7-2 and IL-6 and inhibition of PGE(2) failed to restore the proliferative response in CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, studies using STAT6(-/-) mice revealed that STAT6-mediated signaling was essential for the expansion of these alternatively activated macrophages. These data demonstrate that helminth infections can induce different macrophage populations that have Th2-biasing properties.

Basal plasma hormone levels in depressed perimenopausal women.

An association between abnormal changes in reproductive endocrine function during the perimenopause and the onset of depression in some women has been suggested but remains controversial. We examined basal plasma hormone levels in two samples of women with well characterized, first onset depression (major or minor) during the perimenopause and matched comparison groups of asymptomatic women. Results were compared by analysis of variance. No significant diagnosis-related differences were observed in plasma hormone measures of the following: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), total (T) or free testosterone (FT), or the E2/LH ratio. We did identify significantly lower morning plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulphated metabolite DHEA-S (but not cortisol) levels in the depressed women compared to the non-depressed comparison group. Women with hot flushes (regardless of the presence of depression) were significantly older than women without flushes, had significantly higher plasma levels of FT, LH and FSH, and had significantly lower E2/LH ratios. Women with first onset depression during the perimenopause are not distinguished from controls on the basis of basal hormone measures of ovarian estrogens, testosterone, or gonadotropins. However, perimenopause-related changes in E2 may interact with low levels of DHEA in some women to increase their vulnerability to develop depression. In contrast to perimenopause-related vasomotor symptoms, depression during the perimenopause is not associated with a simple hormone deficiency state. The relatively low levels of E2 and E1 in the depressed women may have met statistical significance in a much larger and homogenous sample.

Ovarian function during use of vaginal rings delivering three different doses of Nestorone®

Contraceptive vaginal rings delivering various progestins alone or in combination with estrogen have been previously studied, showing adequate steroid vaginal absorption and acceptability by the users. Nestorone® progestin (NES) is a potent 19-nor-progesterone derivative, inactive by the oral route, but an excellent option for vaginal delivery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ovarian function during 6 months of continuous use of progestin-only vaginal rings delivering 3 different doses of NES: 50, 75, and 100 μg per day. Blood samples were taken twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks during a control cycle and on months 1, 3 and 6 of use, for the measurement of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), and NES. A total of 87 volunteers randomly received each of the 3 doses. After an initial peak, NES serum levels remained fairly constant throughout the duration of the study at about 125, 200 and 250 pmol/L, respectively, decreasing slightly with time. Luteal activity occurred very rarely (1.2–2.6% of sampling periods) with no apparent difference between doses. Low E2 levels (≤100 pmol/L) in all samples of a run were rare (5%) and only with the high dose ring (100 μg/day). E2 remained within normal levels (101–1500 pmol/L) in most of the segments studied. We conclude that the 50 and 75 μg/day NES rings provide adequate ovulation inhibition without hypoestrogenism, while the 100 μg/day ring may deliver an unnecessarily high dose.

Involvement of up-regulation of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in maintenance of intratumoral high estradiol levels in postmenopausal breast cancers.

Estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) levels as well as mRNA expression levels of aromatase, sulfatase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta-HSD1) in breast cancer tissues were studied to elucidate the mechanism involved in the maintenance of the intratumoral high E2 levels in postmenopausal patients with very low serum E2 levels. Intratumoral E2 levels of postmenopausal patients (127.2 +/- 17.5 pg/g) (mean +/- SE) were not significantly different from those of premenopausal patients (110.1 +/- 10.1 pg/g) (p = 0.36). The mRNA expression levels of aromatase and sulfatase, determined by a quantitative real-time PCR, were not significantly different between premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancers, but 17beta-HSD1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal breast cancers (p < 0.05). Intratumoral E2/E1 ratios were significantly higher in postmenopausal than premenopausal breast cancers (p < 0.01). These results demonstrate that the increased conversion from E1 to E2 catalyzed by 17beta-HSD1 may play an important role in the maintenance of the intratumoral high E2 levels in postmenopausal patients.

Pathogenetic and clinical aspects of low estradiol level in the man

To elucidate a possible role of low estradiol (E2) levels in blood serum of men, normal values were determined in 91 healthy men (age 20-75 years), classified as high or low complaint-index due to a psychological questionnaire. Statistical analysis gave no correlation of estradiol levels to age or complaint index in normal men whereas testosterone (T) could be significantly correlated to complaint-index (p < 0.01) and free testosterone (fT) could be significantly correlated to age (p < 0.001) and complaint-index (p < 0.01). T and E2 were determined in 1370 clinical patients with various urological diseases, T, fT and E2 in 1261 ambulant patients. In 72/1370 (5.2%) and 76/1261 (6%) patients, low E2-levels (< 10 pg/ml) were found in blood serum. In 56/76 (74%) patients with low E2-levels, T or fT was simultaneously low. Isolated low E2-levels were found in 20/1261 (1.6%) patients. In clinical patients, no special urological disease correlated to low E2-levels. Due to these results, low E2 levels in men are in most cases the result of low testosteron levels. The adequate hormonal treatment in men is therefore the replacement of testosteron. Substitution of E2 in men is at that time an experimental therapy, that is limited on selected cases.

Evidence for an Involvement of Vitellogenin in the Steroidogenic Activity of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Vitellogenic Oocytes

In vivo and in vitro the concentration of vitellogenin (VTG) inside the oocyte can alter VTG production by the liver, modulating the synthesis of 17β-estradiol (E2) by the ovary. To gain a greater insight into this mechanism, the in vitro production of free and conjugated testosterone (T), E2, and androstenedione (A) by rainbow trout oocytes from the early and middle vitellogenic stage was measured by radioimmunoassay. There was a decreased E2 production that was greater in September (40%) than October (30%), by the oocytes incubated with the vitellogenic fraction. The production of E2 conjugated as glucuronide was lower than sulfate (P<0.05), but similar in control and VTG-incubated oocytes. Levels of free T increased from September to October, and conjugates were both produced at low levels, and no differences were detected between control and incubated VTG oocytes. The decreased synthesis of E2 by oocytes incubated with VTG was not followed by an increase in the amount of T or conjugated E2, because there were no differences under the two circumstances. However, there was a reduced synthesis of A with oocytes producing low levels of E2. These results suggest that the presence of high levels of VTG in the oocyte suppresses the synthesis of A and E2, affecting the activities of the enzymes C17,20 lyase and aromatase and probably interfering with the heme protein cytochrome P450 which in the ovary catalyses C 17,20 lyase (P450 c17) and aromatase (P450 arom).

Physiological levels of estradiol correlate with lipid / lipoprotein profiles in healthy men

In this cross-sectional study, the relationships of the physiological levels of estradiol (E2) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) to the lipid and lipoprotein profiles were investigated in 212 apparently healthy men aged from 18 to 59 years old. These subjects were divided into tertiles according to the levels of E2 and DHEA-S, respectively. We performed one-way analysis of variance and analysis of co-variance controlling for age, body mass index, percent body fat, waist to hip ratio, maximal oxygen uptake, alcohol and cigarette consumptions as confounding factors.A lower E2 level was associated with higher concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. A lower DHEA-S level was associated with a lower concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and a higher ratio of TC / HDLC. These correlations remained significant after adjusting for the above confounding factors. Neither free testosterone nor sex hormone-binding globulin was associated with the lipids and lipoproteins. These results suggest that higher levels of E2 and DHEA-S, at least in physiological concentrations, are related to the favorable lipid and lipoprotein levels in men.

Associations of obesity markers, insulin, and sex hormones with HDL-cholesterol levels in Turkish and German individuals

Turkish men and women have about 20% lower mean levels of HDL-C and apoA-I than German individuals. To obtain some information on the metabolic basis of this difference, we compared anthropometric data as well as serum levels of leptin, insulin, testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and sex hormone binding globuline (SHBG) in 289 German and 120 Turkish men as well as in 108 German and 182 Turkish women aged 20–60. Individuals who smoke, take hormones, have overt diabetes mellitus, BMI>30 kg/m 2, triglycerides>400 mg/dl, or LDL-cholesterol>200 mg/dl were excluded. In both sexes, Turks had significantly lower levels of HDL-C, apoA-I, Lp(a), and SHBG than Germans. Moreover, German men had a larger waist circumference, lower levels of E2 and a lower ratio of T/SHBG. German women also had a lower BMI, smaller waist circumference, lower insulin levels and higher T levels. Mean values of age, waist-hip-ratio (WHR), leptin, triglycerides, LDL-C, and apoB did not differ significantly among Germans and Turks. Upon univariate analysis HDL-C had inverse correlations with BMI, waist circumference, WHR, leptin, and insulin as well as positive correlations with SHBG in both sexes. Upon multivariate analysis, most of the different levels of HDL-C and apoA-I between Germans and Turks were explained by ethnicity, independently of obesity markers, insulin, and sex hormones.

Changes in Bone Resorption During the Menstrual Cycle

To determine if the cyclic changes of female sex hormones during the menstrual cycle are related to changes in bone formation and resorption, we measured serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin (OC) and bone resorption markers, serum and urine deoxypyridinoline (Dpyr), three times per week during one menstrual cycle in 20 healthy premenopausal women. Serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) showed characteristic cyclic fluctuations. Serum Dpyr was higher during the follicular phase (FP) than in the luteal phase (p = 0.027). Serum BAP, OC, and urine Dpyr levels did not change substantially across the cycle. Serum Dpyr correlated negatively with serum E2 values measured 6 (p = 0.011) and 8 (p = 0.001) days earlier and with P measured concurrently (p = 0.033) 2 (p = 0.002), 4 (p = 0.003), and 6 (p = 0.014) days earlier. BAP correlated negatively with E2 measured 6 days earlier (p = 0.006). We found no statistically significant correlations of E2 or P with OC or urine Dpyr within women over their cycles. BAP was positively correlated with concurrent serum Dpyr (p = 0.015) during the menstrual cycle. Serum OC levels correlated inversely with age (rs = -0.48, p = 0.036). Women with higher mean urine Dpyr levels had higher mean serum OC levels (rs = 0.49, p = 0.033) and showed a trend toward lower hip bone mineral density (rs = -0.40, p = 0.078). We conclude that the low level of E2 and/or P observed during the FP of the normal menstrual cycle is associated with increased bone resorption. These relationships suggest that normal women experience monthly episodes of increased bone resorption from menarche to menopause.

Menstrual abnormalities in women with Cushing's disease are correlated with hypercortisolemia rather than raised circulating androgen levels.

Menstrual irregularity is a common complaint at presentation in women with Cushing's syndrome, although the etiology has been little studied. We have assessed 45 female patients (median age, 32 yr; range, 16-41 yr) with newly diagnosed pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Patients were subdivided into 4 groups according to the duration of their menstrual cycle: normal cycles (NC; 26-30 days), oligomenorrhea (OL; 31-120 days), amenorrhea (AM; > 120 days), and polymenorrhea (PM; < 26 days). Blood was taken at 0900 h for measurement of LH, FSH, PRL, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and ACTH; cortisol was sampled at 0900, 1800, and 2400 h. The LH and FSH responses to 100 micrograms GnRH were analyzed in 23 patients. Statistical analysis was performed using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and Spearman tests. Only 9 patients had NC (20%), 14 had OL (31.1%), 15 had AM (33.3%), and 4 had PM (8.8%), whereas 3 had variable cycles (6.7%). By group, AM patients had lower serum E2 levels (median, 110 pmol/L) than OL patients (225 pmol/L; P < 0.05) or NC patients (279 pmol/L; P < 0.05), and higher serum cortisol levels at 0900 h (800 vs. 602 and 580 nmol/L, respectively; P < 0.05) and 1800 h (816 vs. 557 and 523 nmol/L, respectively; P < 0.05) and higher mean values from 6 samples obtained through the day (753 vs. 491 and 459 nmol/L, respectively; P < 0.05). For the whole group of patients there was a negative correlation between serum E2 and cortisol at 0900 h (r = -0.50; P < 0.01) and 1800 h (r = -0.56; P < 0.01) and with mean cortisol (r = -0.46; P < 0.05). No significant correlation was found between any serum androgen and E2 or cortisol. The LH response to GnRH was normal in 43.5% of the patients, exaggerated in 52.1%, and decreased in 4.4%, but there were no significant differences among the menstrual groups. No differences were found in any other parameter. In summary, in our study 80% of patients with Cushing's syndrome had menstrual irregularity, and this was most closely related to serum cortisol rather than to circulating androgens. Patients with AM had higher levels of cortisol and lower levels of E2, while the GnRH response was either normal or exaggerated. Our data suggest that the menstrual irregularity in Cushing's disease appears to be the result of hypercortisolemic inhibition of gonadotropin release acting at a hypothalamic level, rather than raised circulating androgen levels.

Oogenesis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) occurs by zonagenesis preceding vitellogenesis in vivo and in vitro.

Fish oogenesis represents pleiotropic cytodifferentiative programs including hepatic synthesis of the molecular components for both the eggshell and the oocytic energy deposits. Both hepatic processes are directly controlled by plasma levels of estradiol (E2), and injected E2 induces both biogenetic processes in prepubertal fish of both sexes. This work compares the temporal pattern of E2-induced biosynthesis of zona radiata proteins (zr-proteins) and vitellogenin in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in vivo and in vitro. We monitored the presence of plasma zr-proteins and vitellogenin, using homologous polyclonal antiserum to zr-proteins and a monoclonal antibody to vitellogenin. Zr-proteins were induced by all E2 concentrations (0.001-1.1 mg/kg body weight (bw)) within one week of exposure while vitellogenin was not induced until two weeks post-injection and then only in plasma from fish injected with high E2 concentrations (0.4 mg or 1.1 mg/kg bw). After E2 treatment, hepatocytes isolated from male fish synthesized zr-proteins and vitellogenin in vitro. However, zr-proteins were secreted into the medium two days before vitellogenin, as measured by ELISA. The data indicate a preferential induction of zr-proteins compared with vitellogenin, both with regard to E2 sensitivity and response time to E2 treatment. These findings suggest an obligate sequence in salmon oogenesis. During sexual maturation low E2 levels at first induce only zonagenesis, while increasing levels of E2 subsequently induce both zonagenesis and vitellogenesis. In nature, the interval between zonagenesis and vitellogenesis may, therefore, be considerable. The data suggest new control mechanisms in fish oogenesis.

Progesterone implants delay age-related declines in regular estrous cyclicity and the ovarian follicular reserve in Long-Evans rats.

The present study examined the effects of progesterone (P4) treatments on estrous cyclicity and the loss of ovarian follicles during aging. Young rats received repeated treatments with P4 or empty implants between 3.5 and 8 mo of age. At 8 mo, ovaries were obtained from some animals to determine the numbers of resting follicles, and estrous cycle patterns and hormone levels were determined from other groups of treated females. In contrast to the cyclic increases in P4, estradiol (E2), LH, and FSH in control animals, P4-implanted rats exhibited elevated serum P4 but low E2, LH, and FSH levels. After implant treatments, the follicular reserve was significantly (p < 0.05) larger in P4-treated females (2012 +/- 297 resting follicles per ovary, n = 5 rats per group) than in regularly cyclic control rats (713 +/- 226 follicles per ovary, n = 7). The effects of P4 implants on the follicular reserve were associated with a subsequently higher incidence of regular estrous cycles after P4 treatment. These results demonstrate that P4 prevents cyclic increases in E2 secretion and is associated with a conservation of the ovarian follicular reserve and the maintenance of regular estrous cycle patterns, indicating a protective effect of P4 on the age-related loss of ovarian follicles.

Elevated Levels of Basal Estradiol-17β Predict Poor Response in Patients with Normal Basal Levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

Objective: To evaluate whether the predictive ability of a normal FSH level on cycle day 3 can be enhanced by levels of estradiol-17β (E2) on cycle day 3.Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting: University hospital–based, tertiary care infertility center.Patient(s): Two hundred thirty-one consecutively seen patients who attended the center for their first IVF attempt.Intervention(s): Blood samples were collected on day 3 of the cycle preceding IVF; IVF was performed in all patients.Main Outcome Measure(s): Patient’s age, number of ampules of hMG, cancellation rate, number of oocytes, fertilization rate, and clinical pregnancy rate.Result(s): In patients with elevated FSH levels on cycle day 3, a low oocyte yield was achieved (7 versus 11) and a high number of ampules of hMG was necessary (56 versus 33). Their cancellation rate was high (67% versus 16%). In patients with normal basal FSH levels, high E2 levels predicted a high cancellation rate (56%, versus 13% in patients with low E2 levels) and a low oocyte yield (9, versus 11 in patients with low E2 levels). Patients with both normal FSH levels and low E2 levels on cycle day 3 fared best.Conclusion(s): The basal E2 level on cycle day 3 is a useful prognosticator of response to stimulation in IVF patients with normal basal FSH levels.

Seasonal cycles of gonadal development and plasma sex steroid levels inEpinephelus morio, a protogynous grouper in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

In a field population of the protogynous red grouper Epinephelus morio in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, females with oocytes at all stages of development were collected during the spawning season suggesting that several batches of oocytes may be released over the spawning period. Plasma oestradiol (E2) levels were highest in ripe females whose gonads contained both cortical alveoli and vitellogenic oocytes during the breeding season. Males were still spermiating as late as August, although levels of androgens 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and testosterone (T) had declined from their peaks in March. A few red grouper with either perinucleolar or cortical alveoli stage oocytes were undergoing sex change both during and after the spawning period. Low levels of E2, T and 11-KT were detected in transitionals. Proliferation of male tissue was not restricted to any specific area of the gonad but occurred in pockets within the ovarian lumen. The sequence of an increase in gonial cells along the periphery of the lamellae, increase in interstitial tissue, degradation of female elements, and formation of a sperm duct seemed to be concurrent with spermatocyte proliferation and the process of preparing the gonad to function as a testis.

Seasonal cycles of gonadal development and plasma sex steroid levels in Epinephelus morio, a protogynous grouper in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

In a field population of the protogynous red grouper Epinephelus morio in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, females with oocytes at all stages of development were collected during the spawning season suggesting that several batches of oocytes may be released over the spawning period. Plasma oestradiol (E2) levels were highest in ripe females whose gonads contained both cortical alveoli and vitellogenic oocytes during the breeding season. Males were still spermiating as late as August, although levels of androgens 11‐ketotestosterone (11‐KT) and testosterone (T) had declined from their peaks in March. A few red grouper with either perinucleolar or cortical alveoli stage oocytes were undergoing sex change both during and after the spawning period. Low levels of E2, T and 11‐KT were detected in transitionals. Proliferation of male tissue was not restricted to any specific area of the gonad but occurred in pockets within the ovarian lumen. The sequence of an increase in gonial cells along the periphery of the lamellae, increase in interstitial tissue, degradation of female elements, and formation of a sperm duct seemed to be concurrent with spermatocyte proliferation and the process of preparing the gonad to function as a testis.

Female sex hormones and body mass in adolescent and postmenopausal Korean women.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between body mass and serum level of female sex hormones among 153 adolescent girls, and 153 postmenopausal women in Korea. Information on lifestyles, and both menstrual and reproductive factors was collected by personal interview. Serum total estradiol (E2), progesterone (Pg), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine whether the hormonal levels would be affected by the obesity indices. Body weight and body mass index (BMI) were inversely related to SHBG level in both premenopausal (p<0.005) and postmenopausal women (p<0.005) after adjusting for age. E2 levels during any phase in premenopausal girls were not related to BMI, whereas heavier girls had significantly higher levels of late luteal-phase Pg (p<0.05). Taller postmenopausal women had lower E2 levels (p<0.05). Results on the association between SHBG and BMI are consistent with previous results in Caucasian women, and might suggest the potential role of bioavailable estradiol in breast carcinogenesis in pre- and post-menopausal women. The finding that progesterone might be related to body mass in premenopausal women should be pursued in further studies.

The concentration of GnRH in hypothalamus, LH and FSH in pituitary, LH, PRL and sex steroids in peripheral and ovarian venous plasma of hypo- and hyperthyroid, cysts-bearing gilts.

The aim of this work was to investigate the hormonal pattern in hypo- and hyperthyroid gilts with experimentally induced cystic ovarian disease (COD). A total of 70 adult, nulliparous gilts divided into six groups were used for the experiment. Group I was euthyroid and control. Group II was made hypothyroid by oral administration of methylthiouracyl for 24 days. Group III represented euthyroid gilts injected with gonadotropins (PMSG and hCG). Group IV consisted of hypothyroid gilts injected with gonadotropins. Group V was treated with L-thyroxine for 24 days and Group VI with thyroxine and with gonadotropins for the last 10 days of the test. The treatment of all groups was terminated on the 4th-5th day of the next estrous cycle. The peripheral blood of the gilts was collected on Day 0, and on Day 24. On the 25th day the gilts were laparotomized and cannulas were inserted into utero-ovarian veins of each ovary for blood collection. Simultaneously, peripheral blood samples were collected during 1 to 3 consecutive days. The animals were then slaughtered and the hypothalamus, pituitary and ovaries were frozen and preserved for further analyses. In hypothalamic tissue the content of GnRH: in the pituitary the concentration of LH and FSH; and in peripheral and ovarian blood plasma the level of LH, PRL, E1, P4, A4, T and cortisol (Cl) were estimated by RIA procedure. The level of GnRH in the hypothalamus, and LH and FSH in the pituitary showed a tendency to parallel with thyroid function which may indicate a role of this gland in their production or secretion. In hypothyroid animals an increase of LH and PRL and a slight decrease of secretory function of the ovaries were noted. Injections of gonadotropins in euthyroid or hypo- and hyperthyroid gilts intensified the function of the ovaries, which was manifested by numerous follicular cysts and corpora lutea. The hormonal milieu of gilts from these groups showed a low level of LH, PRL and an increased content of sex steroids in peripheral and ovarian blood. The ovarian steroidogenesis of cyst-bearing gilts was disturbed, which was indicated by an increased level of E1, P4, A4, T, and Cl, but a low level of E2. These disturbances in steroidogenesis in cystic gilts may be caused by a deficiency in LH secretion as the consequence of the pituitary gonadotropin suppression by the used gonadotropins. The steroid hormone pattern of cyst-bearing gilts strongly resembles the endocrine profile noted in polycystic ovarian disease in women.

In-vitro secretion of prostanoids by placental villous cytotrophoblasts in pre-eclampsia

Villous trophoblasts isolated from term placentae of normal pregnancies, and pregnancies complicated by chronic hypertension or pre-eclampsia, were examined over 7 days in primary culture. Low levels of prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto prostaglandin Flα) were secreted by trophoblast cells from all three clinical groups. Secretion was maximal at day 1 and decreased exponentially thereafter. Thromboxane secretion also fell sequentially from day 1. Thromboxane secretion by pre-eclampsic trophoblasts was three to four times that of cells from normal or chronically hypertensive subjects. Prostanoid secretion by isolated cultured cytotrophoblasts was not dependent on aggregation or morphological alteration, nor related to changes in progesterone or human chorionic gonadotrophin production. Because the local maternal circulation is exposed to substances secreted by this cell population, thromboxane could be the trigger for vasoconstriction and coagulation found within the maternal uteroplacental circulation in pre-eclampsia.