Postpubertal Period Research Articles

Ultrastructural Mechanisms of Impaired Aldosterone Synthesis in Rats Exposed to DDT during Prenatal and Postnatal Development.

The study is aimed at elucidation of ultrastructural mechanisms underlying impaired aldosterone synthesis by glomerulosa cells in Wistar rats exposed to low doses of endocrine disrupter DDT during prenatal and postnatal development. Analysis of rat zona glomerulosa histology and function during the pubertal and postpubertal periods showed that exposure to endocrine disrupter DDT disturbs its development and reduced the production of aldosterone. Electron microscopy showed that changes in the aldosterone synthesis are related to impaired reorganization of the mitochondrial apparatus, one of the leading factors in the regulation of steroidogenesis, in glomerulosa cells in DDT-exposed rats during puberty.

Differential Effects of Early Adversity and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Amygdala Reactivity: The Role of Developmental Timing

BackgroundPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with altered processing of threat-related stimuli. Neurobiological models implicate right amygdala hyperreactivity in these alterations, but this potential biomarker also has been observed in individuals exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (i.e., abuse and neglect) without psychopathology. Separation of the differential contributions of PTSD and ACEs to amygdala reactivity might benefit from incorporating the developmental timing of the events. MethodsWe conducted comprehensive retrospective interviews assessing ACEs for each life year between the ages of 1 and 17 years in a sample of 60 women exposed to trauma (including 34 participants with PTSD and 26 healthy participants). Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to extract amygdala reactivity to threatening versus neutral scenes. Amygdala reactivity was predicted from PTSD diagnosis, total ACE severity, and ACE severity by life year using random forest regression. ResultsPTSD and ACEs significantly predicted reactivity in the right amygdala (R2 = 7%) but did not explain variance in the left amygdala. ACEs during both a prepubertal (ages 3 and 4) and a postpubertal (ages 16 and 17) period emerged as particularly predictive, while total ACE severity did not contribute to prediction. Follow-up analyses revealed a positive relationship between amygdala activity and PTSD and a negative relationship between amygdala activity and ACEs during predictive life years. ConclusionsThe opposing effects of PTSD and ACEs caution against simplistic etiological and diagnostic interpretations of amygdala function. The identification of potentially sensitive periods for the effects of ACEs on amygdala reactivity to threat may help to uncover interactions between traumatization and development of PTSD.

The protective role of l-carnitine on spermatogenesis after cisplatin treatment during prepubertal period in rats: A pathophysiological study

AimsAs the spermatogenesis process is targeted by cisplatin (Cis) that changes testicular morphology, alters sperm quality, and hence causes male infertility. This study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of l-carnitine (LC) on Cis impaired spermatogenesis's establishment during the prepubertal phase. Materials and methodsNinety-six prepubertal Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into four groups. Control group: rats were injected with 0.9% saline solution intraperitoneally (i.p.). LC group: animals were injected for eight weeks, with 250 mg/kg/wk. LC (i.p.). Cis group: animals were injected with a single dose of 5 mg/kg Cis (i.p.). LC + Cis group: animals were pre-injected with LC 250 mg/kg 2 h before Cis injection. The rats were sacrificed at 37, 60, and 90 days old, and their testes were taken for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological studies. The motility, viability, morphology, and DNA fragmentation of sperm in adult rats were also measured. Key findingsGroup treated with LC and Cis showed an increase in antioxidant and hormonal activity compared to the Cis treated group in the pre and post-pubertal period. Moreover, there was an increase in sperm survival, motility, and DNA integrity. Furthermore, LC showed an increase in the anti-apoptotic and chromatin remodeling genes and a decrease in the pro-inflammatory genes. SignificanceLC could enhance the spermatogenesis process after exposure to Cis during the prepubertal phase by restoring the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant activity, improving hormonal activity, sperm quality and DNA integrity, promoting protamination and blood-testis barrier integrity, and maintaining the testicular architecture.

Normative values of pancreas stiffness by shear wave elastography in healthy children and adolescents.

To define normal pancreas elasticity and velocity values with shear wave elastography (SWE) in healthy children and assess associations with gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). This prospective study included a total of 100 cases (male: 50; female: 50), aged 3-17years. Preschool, school, and adolescent periods of 3-6years (n = 27), 7-12years (n = 30), and 13-17years (n = 43), respectively, were created in addition to two groups representing prepubertal and postpubertal periods of 3-10years (n = 50) and 11-18years (n = 50), respectively. Demographic data regarding the gender, age, height, body weight, and BMI were recorded. Pancreatic head, corpus, and tail SWE measurements were performed with a convex transducer (3.5-5MHz). Correlations and comparisons were made for stiffness values between groups. Statistical analyses used Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's correlation tests. Medians (25-75th percentage) of age and BMI were 7 (4.25-10) years and 15 (13-17) years and 17.47 (14.94-19.23) kg/m2 and 21.22 (17.41-24) kg/m2 in the two age groups, respectively. The median (interquartile range) elasticity and velocity values for the head, corpus, and tail sections of the pancreas were measured as 9.35 (2.9) kPa and 1.76 (0.26) m/s; 9.3 (2.5) kPa and 1.74 (0.21) m/s; and 8.75 (2) kPa and 1.69 (0.15) m/s, respectively. No significant differences were identified for stiffness values between gender and pancreatic section. Pancreatic stiffness values were significantly different among two (p = 0.001) and three (p = 0.028) age groups, and presented mild positive correlations with age (r: 0.23, p: 0.002), height (r: 0.18, p: 0.01), body weight (r: 0.38, p: 0.003), and BMI (r: 0.37, p: 0.045). Normal elasticity and velocity values were defined for the pancreas with SWE in children. Pancreatic stiffness does not significantly change among pancreas parts, but it increases with the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Association between puberty with thyroid morphology and function in women

Objective: To explore the effects of different puberty development stages on thyroid morphology and function in women. Methods: From October to November 2017, a multi-stage cluster sampling method was used to select one junior high school in Minhang district of Shanghai, Haimen city of Jiangsu province, Yuhuan city of Zhejiang province and Deqing county of Zhejiang province respectively. A total of 491 girls in the first grade in 4 schools were included in the study. The subjects were examined with thyroid B-ultrasound and physical examination, and their morning random urine samples and fasting blood samples were collected to detect urinary iodine and thyroid function indexes. Puberty Development Self-rating Scale (PDS) was used to evaluate the stages of puberty; multiple linear regression models and logistic regression models were used to investigate the effects of different puberty stages on thyroid morphology and function. Results: There were differences in thyroid status among women at different stages of puberty. Thyroid volume, the rate of nodules and the level of FT4 were lowest in prepubertal period, followed by pubertal period and postpubertal period (P<0.05). TT3 and FT3 levels were highest in prepubertal period, followed by pubertal period and postpubertal period (P<0.001), and there was an opposite trend on the abnormal rate. TSH and TT4 levels were not affected by the stage of puberty (P>0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed consistent results. There was a negative correlation between puberty development and TT3 and FT3 levels. For each 1 point increase in PDS, TT3 and FT3 levels decreased by 0.067 nmol/L and 0.170 nmol/L in Model 1, respectively, and decreased by 0.065 nmol/L and 0.162 nmol/L in Model 2, respectively. Compared with the prepubertal period, the TT3 and FT3 levels were lower in postpubertal period (Model 1: OR=0.337, 95%CI: 0.173-0.658; OR=0.283, 95%CI: 0.144-0.557; Model 2: OR=0.306, 95%CI: 0.155-0.605; OR=0.263, 95%CI: 0.132-0.524). Conclusions: The process of puberty is related to the thyroid status in women. The better matured during the puberty, the larger volume the thyroid was, more likely the thyroid nodules appeared, and the levels of TT3 and FT3 was much lower.

The localization and expression of gonadotropin inhibitory hormone in the hypothalamus of turkey hens during the prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal phases

Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), initially discovered in birds as a hypothalamic neuropeptide, inhibits the synthesis and release of gonadotropins by affecting GnRH neurons and gonadotropes. Therefore, it may be a key neuropeptide in reproduction in birds. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prepubertal, pubertal, and postpubertal localization of GnIH and changes in hypothalamic GnIH expression in British United Turkey hens. In prepubertal, pubertal, and postpubertal periods, the brains of turkey hens (n = 15) were removed after fixation. Sections (30 μm) were prepared from the entire hypothalamus and stained immunohistochemically against GnIH antibody. Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone–immunoreactive neurons were observed in the paraventricular nucleus. These neurons were significantly more abundant in the prepubertal turkeys than pubertal and postpubertal turkeys (P < 0.05). The results suggested that GnIH neurons have an important role in regulating the pubertal events in British United Turkey hens.

Understanding breast asymmetry and its relation to AIS.

Literature Review. Review the pathophysiology, causes, and treatment of breast asymmetry in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), as well as postoperative patient assessment and health-related quality of life. Female breast development begins at 35-day gestation and continues 2-4-year post-thelarche to achieve final volume and shape. During the post-pubertal period, errors in growth and development may result in breast asymmetry. Breast asymmetry typically attenuates with time, but can be pronounced in individuals with AIS. During adolescence, there is rapid development and, thus AIS patients are increasingly sensitive, physically and emotionally, to breast changes. While breast asymmetry can be monitored through radiographic measures and surface topography, pre- and postoperative patient assessment is also critical in determination of optimal patient treatment. A comprehensive literature review was performed on the pathophysiology, causes, and treatment of breast asymmetry. The advantages and limitations of various treatment options based on patient satisfaction were also investigated. Various treatment options exist for breast asymmetry correction in AIS patients. Surgical correction involves an aesthetic outcome, as well as social, physical, and psychological impact on the patient. Despite the benefit of correction surgery, in terms of function and self-image, patient-reported outcomes still appear lower postoperatively in the domains of pain and mental health. Breast asymmetry is very common, especially among AIS patients, and is often corrected with surgical augmentation. AIS correction surgery has been shown to aggravate breast asymmetry and negatively affect patient-reported outcomes. Other treatment modalities should thus be considered when presented with an adolescent patient. Understanding patient concerns and their relation to quality of life will help guide surgical and medical interventions in correction of AIS deformities. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to determine whether such interventions are successful and if patients remain healthy. N/A.

Expression profile of Toll-like receptor 4 in rat testis and epididymis throughout postnatal development.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) belonging to pattern recognition receptors are involved in maintaining testicular and epididymal immune homeostasis. The purpose of the current study was to investigate TLR4 expression in rat testis and epididymis throughout postnatal development. Weak staining was detected in peritubular myoid cells and immature Sertoli cells while no staining was observed in gonocytes during prepubertal period. However, TLR4 expression began to appear in spermatocytes in pubertal period and gradually increased in spermatids. An intense staining was observed in steps 5-19 spermatids in post pubertal and mature periods. Similarly, TLR4 expression in the testes steadily increased from pubertal period to mature period. Puberty also caused a significant increase in TLR4 expression in epididymis. TLR4 expression in cauda epididymis was lower as compared to those of other epididymal segments. The majority of epididymal epithelial cells exhibited apical TLR4 expression, whereas basal cells showed intense intracytoplasmic immunoreaction. We detected an intense staining in epididymal smooth muscle cells. The expression levels of TLR4 showed dynamic changes in both spermatogenic cells, and entire testicular and epididymal tissues during postnatal development. These results suggest that TLR4 expression contributes not only to inflammation but also to the development of spermatogenic cells.

Body Composition as a Mediator between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Bone Mass during Growth.

To examine the effect of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle power output (MPO) on bone mass of prepubertal and pubertal children using lean mass (LM) and percentage of fat mass (%FM) as mediator variables. The hypothesis was that both LM and %FM would be independent mediators of the relationships during the sexual maturation period. We analyzed 200 children (88 boys and 112 girls [11.5 ± 2.0 yr]). Body composition was analyzed by bone densitometry, and indirect calorimetry and cycle ergometer were used to calculate V˙O2peak (mL·kg·min) and MPO (W) during an incremental exercise test. Sample was divided by pubertal status. In the prepubertal group, LM and %FM acted independently as mediators in the relationship between bone mass and CRF or MPO (22%-25% for LM and 37%-50% for %FM, respectively). In pubertal children, LM acted as mediator at 37%. Although the independent mediator role of LM and %FM in the associations between CRF or MPO and bone mass was present during the prepubertal stage, only LM remain its mediator role in these associations during the postpubertal period. Therefore, with growth and sexual maturation, the full effect of LM seems to increase, whereas the influence of %FM seems to disappear.

Fertility Preservation in the Transgender Population

Hormonal and surgical treatments for transgender individuals can severely impact reproductive potential. In this review, we discuss the role of fertility preservation in both male-to-female and female-to-male transgender patients. We focus on the effects of hormone replacement therapy on the gonads and discuss current methods and techniques available for fertility preservation. Moreover, we review the current literature on patient attitudes toward fertility preservation and existing barriers to care. The literature supports the notion that feminizing therapy negatively impacts spermatogenesis, as evidenced by impaired semen parameters. The degree of such decline lies on a spectrum and can be somewhat unpredictable. Similarly, masculinizing therapy with testosterone has variable effects on ovarian function, gynecologic organs, and future fertility potential. Further research is required to better elucidate the long-term effects of such therapies. Optimal timing for fertility preservation is in the postpubertal period prior to initiation of hormonal therapy. This is however not always possible. A multitude of barriers to pursuing fertility preservation exist, including lack of appropriate counseling, the potentially invasive nature of some fertility preservation methods, and the financial burden placed on the patients. Fertility preservation in the transgender population remains poorly utilized. For transgender women, cryopreservation of sperm ideally is performed prior to initiation of hormone replacement therapy. Nonetheless, studies have shown that a degree of spermatogenesis is seen in some individuals without discontinuation of hormonal therapy. This could allow for less disruption, both physically and emotionally. Fertility preservation in transgender men remains invasive with oocyte retrieval as the main technique. Cessation of therapy, ovarian stimulation, and invasive testing has potential to be traumatic and enhance dysphoria. The possibility of fertility preservation at the time of gonadectomy is promising. Prepubertal fertility preservation is also on the horizon, though still experimental. Cost of preservation techniques and storage is currently prohibitive for many patients. Recent changes to state insurance mandates may soon make fertility preservation more accessible. Future research may demonstrate that fertility preservation is possible at the time of gender confirmation surgery, with the goal of being both effective and nontraumatic to the patient.

Effect of body mass index percentile on skeletal maturation of cervical vertebrae and hand-wrist and dental maturation

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age- and gender-specific body mass index (BMI) percentile and skeletal and dental maturation in Turkish adolescents.Materials and methods: A sample of 429 patients (171 males, 258 females aged between 7 and 17 years) was selected. Skeletal maturation was identified in the hand-wrist radiography by Björk, Grave and Brown (BGB), and the cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) method defined by Hassel and Farman in lateral cephalometric radiography. Dental maturation was determined by the Demirjian method. BMI was calculated by reference curves used for Turkish children. A regression model was used for the relationship between BMI percentile and skeletal and dental maturation.Results: There was no significant correlation between BMI and skeletal maturation of cervical vertebrae and dental maturation. A one-percentile increase in BMI percentile accelerates the increase of period (likelihood of being post-pubertal period) to 1.016 times (p < .05). Skeletal maturation of hand-wrist and cervical vertebrae and dental maturation were more prominent in females compared to males (p < .05). Males and females were not statistically significantly different in BMI percentile (p = .52).Conclusions: BMI may be considered before deciding to estimate the skeletal and dental maturation in an individual by the relevant methods.

Radiographic evaluation of mandibular morphometric differences in prepubertal and postpubertal individuals in a Turkish subpopulation

Introduction: Radiologic differences in the mandible between genders have been evaluated; however, studies are lacking in comparison of prepuberty and postpuberty. The purpose of this study was to measure the gonial angle (GA), ante GA (AGA), bicondylar breadth (BB), mental index (MI), minimum ramus breadth (MRB), bigonial width (BW), and ramus height (RH) on panoramic radiographs obtained from Turkish patients and to elucidate how those measurements relate with age and gender in pre- and post-pubertal period. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of patients aged between 5 and 50 years old were taken according to the manufacturer's instructions. A total of 760 radiographic images were evaluated (19 groups, n = 40). GA, AGA, BB, MI, MRB, BW, and RH values were measured on digital panoramic radiographs using Java Image Processing Software on the images. The data were analyzed by independent sample t-tests and regression analysis using a software program (P < 0.05). Results: Only AGA values were statistically significant between male and female patients in both prepubertal and postpubertal periods (P < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in AGA, BB, MI, MRB, BW, and RH in postpubertal period between male and female patients (P < 0.05). Besides, when the ages between 5 and 20 years were analyzed, all parameters except for GA and AGA were significantly correlated positively with age in both genders. Conclusions: Only AGA values can be used for gender determination both in prepubertal and postpubertal period. In addition, BB, MI, MRB, BW, and RH values were correlated positively with age in both prepubertal and postpubertal groups.

ONTOGENETIC FEATURES OF SONOGRAPHIC INDICATORS OF THE UTERUS IN ACROBATS OF THE UKRAINIAN ETHNIC GROUP

Іntroduction: The absence of diagnostic of the female sex organs in time can lead to serious disoders of the female athletes' reproductive system. There is few information in the literature about morphological evolution of the female sex organs, in particular, the uterus under the influence of sports. The aim: To determine the peculiarities of linear sonographic dimensions of the uterus, its position and shape in the acrobats of the Ukrainian ethnic group of high level of sportsmanship in different periods of puberty. Materials and methods: 122 acrobats of high level of sportsmanship and 126 girls who have not played sports were examined. The girls' passport age was between 8 and 21 years old. In order to determine belonging to the Ukrainian ethnic group, all surveyed girls were given questionnaires where they were required to indicate the nationality and place of birth of their parents and grandparents. All girls were devided into three groups according to their biological age: athletes of prepubertal period of ontogenesis, duting puberty and athletes of postpubertal period of ontogenesis. Internal sex organs of all girls were examined by ultrasound diagnostic system of expert class Voluson 730 Pro (ATL, Austria) using a convex sensor RAB2-5L. The uterus was examined by the following program: determined its position and shape and 3 linear dimensions (length, width and thickness). The analysis of the obtained results was carried out in the licensed package Statistica 5.5 using nonparametric methods of estimation of indicators. Results: The monitoring of the growth and development of the uterus in different ontogenetic periods in acrobats and women who are not involved in sports was analysed. We found, that the length of the uterus at all stages of puberty in acrobats was significantly less than in the girls of the control group. The width of the uterus was statistically significantly smaller in female athletes in the pre- and post-pubertal periods, and in puberty. The thickness of the uterus under the influence of acrobatic sports activity does not undergo significant changes in all periods of ontogeny. Conclusions: Features of competitive activity in sports acrobatics as well as the result of sports selection lead to the delay of sexual development and, as a consequence, to the retardation of development of the uterus in all periods of puberty.

Histological characteristics of fol­li­cu­logenesis in Murrah water buffaloes during the early postpubertal period

A characteristic feature of water buffalo heifers is that they approach breeding maturity later than bovine heifers. From a physiological and endocrinological view, this is related to a later puberty, which affects the overall reproductive performance of water buffalo. The aim of this study was to highlight some morphological characteristics of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovaries in the early postpubertal period. The results showed active ovaries of the examined specimens. Some of the follicles had no oocyte, but were with normal structure and physiological activity. Histology is a definitive method for examination of ovarian activity in water buffaloes. In some of the ovulating follicles the oocyte was absent during early puberty. The presence of corpora lutea confirmed the endocrine maturity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal endocrine axis in 11–14 months old heifers despite the absence of oocytes.

Role of Transcription Factor Oct4 in Postnatal Development and Function of the Adrenal Cortex.

We analyzed the expression of transcriptional factor Oct4 in rat adrenal cortical cells during postnatal development. It was found that Oct4 is expressed by typical cortical cells of the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis in pubertal and postpubertal periods. The maximum number of Oct4+ cells was found in the zona glomerulosa. An inverse correlation between the number of Oct4+ glomerulosa cells and serum level of aldosterone both in pubertal and postpubertal periods was revealed. After puberty, the number of Oct4+ glomerulosa cells directly correlated with the number of Ki-67+ cells. A hypothesis was put forward that Oct4 is involved in postnatal morphogenesis, regeneration, and functioning of the adrenal cortex.

IMPACT OF CANONICAL P-CATENIN/WNT SIGNALING IN NORMAL AND IMPAIRED BY ENDOCRINE DISRUPTOR DICHLORDIPHENYLTRICHLOROETHANE POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADRENAL MEDULLA

Exposure of developing organism to endocrine disrupting chemicals is an emerging scientific problem of wide concern. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is considered to be one of the most wide-spread endocrine disruptors. Exposure of humans to low doses of DDT occurs around the globe. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of canonical Wnt-signaling in postnatal morphogenesis of the adrenal medulla in intact and developmentally exposed to DDT rats. The research was performed on male Wistar rats in pubertal (42nd day) and postpubertal (70th day) periods which were exposed to dDt during both prenatal and postnatal and only postnatal development. Adrenal histology showed enlargement of the adrenal medulla due to equal development of chromaffine cells and blood vessels from 42nd to 70th day in the intact rats and slower development of the adrenal medulla in the prenatally and postnatally exposed rats. Age-dependent changes in activation of canonical Wnt-signaling in the intact rats and altered Wnt-signaling along with impaired postnatal morphogenesis of the adrenal medulla in the DDT-exposed rats were found. The data obtained shows that prenatal exposure to DDT unlike postnatal exposure causes more profound decrease in activation of canonical Wnt-signaling in adrenal chromaffine cells and impairs development of adrenal medulla parenchyma.

Somatotypological features of acrobat girls in different periods of ontogenesis

The somatotypological characteristic of acrobats in the literature is insufficiently disclosed, especially from the position of the role of sports selection, training and competitive activities in the formation of somatotype in athletes, whose professional activity is marked by coordination, rhythm and artistic movements, and the early onset of the impact of intense physical activity on their body. The purpose of the work is to establish the peculiarities of the components of the somatotype of acrobats with a high level of sportsmanship of prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal age. We conducted a survey of 122 girls acrobats of high-level sports skills. As a control group, 126 girls were examined, who were not engaged in sports and studied in schools of Vinnytsia. The girls’ passport age was between 8 and 21 years old. In order to determine the biological age, we used the scheme Avtandilov G. G. (1990). The examined girls were divided into three groups according to the degree of biological maturity: prepubertal period (36 acrobats and 39 girls of the control group); puberty period (31 acrobats and 35 girls of the control group); postpubertal period (55 acrobats and 59 girls of the control group). The somatotypological study was performed according to the estimated modification of the Heath-Carters method (1990). The analysis of the obtained results was carried out in the licensed package “Statistica 5.5” using parametric methods of estimation of indicators. It was found that in the prepubertal period of the ontogenesis in the acrobat and in the girls who were not engaged in sports, the group somatotype was ecto-mesomorphic. In this period, the fatty component of the somatotype in acrobats was significantly lower, and mesomorphic - significantly higher than that of non-sports girls. In the puberty period, the somatotype in control and acrobats had distinct features of the ecto-mesomorphic type. It was found that acrobats in this period had a greater linearity of the body, as evidenced by the significantly higher values of their ectomorphic component of the somatotype. In addition, the size of the endomorphic component was significantly lower in athletes than in the control group. In the postpubertal period of ontogenesis, the F- and L-components were not significantly different, unlike in the previous period, which was characterized by intense puberty development. Acrobats only showed a significant predominance of the mesomorphic component of the somatotype. It can be concluded that the peculiarities of acrobatic sports activity in prepubertal, puberty and postpubertal age have the most significant effect on the development of the fatty and muscular components of the somatotype.

Effect of Centella asiatica Supplementation on Striatum Function in Mice According to Various Developing Stages

This study is directed to investigate the ‘golden period’ of herbal Centella asiatica (CA) administration towards striatum’s function and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) concentration to achieve its maximum efficacy during various developmental stages of prepubertal, postpubertal, adolescent and young mature period. Mices of age 5, 8 ,12, and 15 weeks old were put into control group. CA aqueous extract with dose of 100 mg/kgBW/day was administered to CA groups of age 5–12, 5–15 and 8–15 weeks old. At the end of intervention, striatums were collected, homogenized and centrifuged at 3500 rpm. Glutathione peroxidase activity was observed using Randox kit at wavelength 340 nm. Behaviour initiation time was recorded using Paired-Associative-Cognitive-Test while mice tried to solve a maze with food as reward stimuli. GPx concentrations were found to increase in all CA-consuming groups with CA 5-12 having significant elevation (p = 0.032). Mice given CA supplementation also spent lesser time in solving the maze with statistical significance found in group CA 5-12 (p = 0.029). Overall, mice given C. asiatica supplementation at earlier developmental stage have greater benefits compared to those who obtain the intervention in later developing period, reflected by greater GPx concentration in striatum and faster record in solving the maze.

Peculiarities of Precocious Puberty in Boys and Girls With McCune-Albright Syndrome.

McCune-Albright Syndrome (MAS; OMIM # 174800) is a rare, sporadic disease caused by a post-zygotic, activating mutation in the guanine-nucleotide binding protein α-subunit (GNAS1) gene. MAS is characterized by the clinical triad of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of bone, café-au-lait skin pigmentation and peripheral precocious puberty. However, clinical presentation is highly variable depending on mosaic tissue distribution of mutant-bearing cells. Precocious puberty is the most common endocrine manifestation of MAS and is often the presenting, and sometimes the only, clinical sign of MAS. Due to the very low prevalence of MAS, data on course of precocious puberty, effectiveness of treatments and gonadal function during post-pubertal period are lacking. Our knowledge on this issue derives essentially from case reports and small cohorts of patients. The aim of this review is to report all available literature data on clinical aspects, therapeutic management and outcomes of precocious puberty in children with MAS. A systematic research was carried out through MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Semantic Scholar, Cochrane Library.

Morphology and quantification of sheep pineal glands at pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods.

The pineal gland is a neuroendocrine organ associated with photoperiodic regulation in mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pineal gland at the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal periods by means of morphology and stereology. The study examined at total of 24 ovine pineal glands collected from healthy female Akkaraman breed. Thick sections (40μm) were cut and treated with synaptophysin. Following each thick section, six consecutive sections at a thickness of 5μm were cut. Each thin section was stained with one of the following dyes: Crossman's modified triple dye, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), melatonin marker, periodic acid-Schiff, Von Kossa and AgNOR. The pineal gland volume was measured using Cavalieri's method. The optical fractionator was used to estimate the total number of pinealocytes. The percentage of parenchyma and connective tissue and degree of vascularization were estimated by the area fraction fractionator method. The pineal gland volumes in the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal groups were 7.53±1.715mm3 , 11.20±1.336mm3 and 17.75±1.188mm3 , respectively (p<.5). The number of pinealocytes in the pre-pubertal, pubertal and post-pubertal groups was 3,244,000±228,076, 4,438,000±243,610, 7,381,766±406,223, respectively (p<.05). The glands of the post-pubertal group contained the highest amount of connective tissue (11.49±2.103%; p<.5) and the largest GFAP staining area (p<.05). The melatonin staining density was the highest in the pubertal group. The density of lipofuscin staining was higher in the pubertal and post-pubertal groups.