Reproductive Hormone Profiles Research Articles

Semen characteristics and hormonal profile of Yankasa rams fed a mixed ration of cowpea husk (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) and tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentum L.) residue

Thirty growing and healthy Yankasa rams were randomly allotted five dietary treatments with six animals per treatment to ascertain the effect of diet on their reproductive potential and hormonal profile. Treatments compared were T1 (cowpea husk 40% + tiger nuts residue 0%), T2 (cowpea husk 30% + tiger nuts residue 10%), T3 (cowpea husk 20% + tiger nuts residue 20%), T4 (cowpea husk 10% + tiger nuts residue 30%), and T5 (cowpea husk 0% + tiger nuts residue 40%). The results of the chemical composition of the diets showed that the dry matter was high for all treatments. The semen characteristics and hormonal profile showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in all the parameters observed but were within normal ranges. However, the group fed a high percent tiger nut mixed ratio had a depreciating effect on semen characteristics, and LH, FSH, and testosterone levels. There is no deleterious effect on the reproductive potential of growing Yankasa rams fed varying levels of cowpea husk and tiger nut residue at the inclusion levels in this study. Hence, it is safe to feed breeding rams the ration mix. However, the authors advise caution of including tiger nuts levels of up to 40% in a mixed ration. further investigation may be conducted with ewes to determine the effect of a mixed ration of cowpea husk and tiger nut residue in reproduction.

Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) as the 'anatomical marker' and reproductive 'hormonal fingerprint' in the occurrence dental plaque accumulation.

Digit ratio (2D:4D), as endocrine fingerprint, can indicate prenatal androgen exposure. It serves as an anatomical marker for various systemic diseases and a few studies relating it to oral health. The present study aims to evaluate the association between digit ratio and susceptibility to dental plaque formation. The study was conducted on young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. Digit ratio and reproductive hormones were measured; dental plaque score and gingival index (GI) were recorded. Data were analysed using the MedCalc. v.20. Male and female participants were categorized into two groups based on their digit ratios being either above or below the calculated average (0.99 for females, 0.98 for males). Those with a digit ratio below the average had a significantly higher mean dental plaque score (p < 0.0001) than those with ratios at or above the average. However, there was no significant difference in the GI between the two groups. Reproductive hormone profiles varied significantly between the higher and lower digit ratio groups for both sexes. Digit ratio may find potential to be used as an anatomical marker to identify the susceptibility to dental plaque build-up.

Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) outcome in Middle Eastern patients with non-obstructive azoospermia: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundInfertility is an important health problem, affecting couples worldwide. Non-obstructive azoospermia is the most severe form of azoospermia, which is mostly idiopathic or caused by different causes such as chemotherapy and genetic disorders. Testicular fine needle aspiration (or testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)) is simple, cost-effective and less invasive than testicular sperm extraction.Materials and methodsThree hundred twenty Middle Eastern patients with NOA were recruited in this study. The patients underwent routine infertility assessment including medical, surgical, and reproductive history, physical examination, semen analysis, and hormonal profile including FSH, Testosterone, and inhibin B in addition to Genetic assessment including karyotype and Y-chromosome micro-deletion.ResultsTesticular sperm aspiration was positive in 70 patients (22.18%). Serum FSH levels were clearly elevated in the patients with negative sperm retrieval (mean = 21.39 U/L), while they were reduced in the patients with positive sperm retrieval (mean = 14.61 U/L). Testosterone value did not clearly correlate with the results of testicular sperm aspiration in the two groups of patients, and testicular volume was normal for most of the patients in the two groups. Patients with Y-chromosome micro-deletion were 11.22% of the total patients studied and they had negative TESA results, while 13.12% of patients had Klinefelter Syndrome and their TESA results were negative.ConclusionWe confirmed that there are many factors that negatively affect Testicular sperm aspiration results: high FSH and low inhibin B levels, smoking, and genetic disorders. Despite the absence of sperm in the semen, some NOA patients have a chance to have children by using this technique.

Effect of protected fatty acid supplementation on ovarian activity, reproductive hormone profiles and reproduction of Barki ewes under semiarid conditions

Abstract. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of dietary supplementation with rumen-protected fat (calcium soaps of fatty acids, CSFA) and/or hormonal superovulation using equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on ovarian activity, changes in ovarian hormones, and reproductive performance in Barki ewes under semiarid conditions. A total of 39 non-pregnant Barki ewes, with an average body weight of 34.7 ± 0.25 kg and an average age of 3–4 years, were divided into four groups. The first group (9 ewes) served as the control, while the second group (10 ewes) received double doses of PGF2α, administered 9 d apart, and was superovulated with 600 IU (international unit) eCG. The third group (10 ewes) was supplemented with 30 g per head per day of rumen-protected fat. The fourth group (10 ewes) underwent the same superovulation protocol as the second group and was also supplemented with 30 g per head per day of rumen-protected fat. All the ewes were fed a basal diet. Ovarian activity was detected using ultrasonography during the estrus phase in all the groups, after which all the ewes were naturally bred with Barki rams. The results demonstrated significant (P&lt;0.05) increases in estradiol 17-β (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels in the treated groups compared to the control group. Ewes in all the treated groups exhibited large follicles, with an overall mean diameter (≥5 mm) significantly higher than that of ewes in the control group. Although there were no significant differences between the treated and control groups, the ewes treated with CSFA and/or the eCG hormone showed tendencies to improve the reproductive traits of Barki ewes. Overall, the findings of this study demonstrated a positive effect of CSFA alone or in combination with an estrous synchronization protocol on ovarian activity in Barki ewes, as indicated by the number and size of follicles and the presence of large-sized follicles.

A longitudinal study of endocrinology and foraging ecology of subadult gray whales prior to death based on baleen analysis

Individual-level assessments of wild animal health, vital rates, and foraging ecology are critical for understanding population-wide impacts of exposure to stressors. Large whales face multiple stressors, including, but not limited to, ocean noise, pollution, and ship strikes. Because baleen is a continuously growing keratinized structure, serial extraction, and quantification of hormones and stable isotopes along the length of baleen provide a historical record of whale physiology and foraging ecology. Furthermore, baleen analysis enables the investigation of dead specimens, even decades later, allowing comparisons between historic and modern populations. Here, we examined baleen of five sub-adult gray whales and observed distinct patterns of oscillations in δ15N values along the length of their baleen plates which enabled estimation of baleen growth rates and differentiation of isotopic niche widths of the whales during wintering and summer foraging. In contrast, no regular patterns were apparent in δ13C values. Prolonged elevation of cortisol in four individuals before death indicates that chronic stress may have impacted their health and survival. Triiodothyronine (T3) increased over months in the whales with unknown causes of death, simultaneous with elevations in cortisol, but both hormones remained stable in the one case of acute death attributed to killer whale predation. This parallel elevation of cortisol and T3 challenges the classic understanding of their interaction and might relate to increased energetic demands during exposure to stressors. Reproductive hormone profiles in subadults did not show cyclical trends, suggesting they had not yet reached sexual maturity. This study highlights the potential of baleen analysis to retrospectively assess gray whales' physiological status, exposure to stressors, reproductive status, and foraging ecology in the months or years leading up to their death, which can be a useful tool for conservation diagnostics to mitigate unusual mortality events.

Research Note: Effect of different photoperiodic programs from rearing period on the reproductive performance and hormone secretion of White King pigeons

The photoperiod is an important factor during rearing and laying period that affects age and body weight at sexual maturation and reproductive performance in poultry; however relevant research on this factor in pigeons is still lacking. Thus, this study investigated the effects of different photoperiodic programs on the reproductive performance and hormonal profile in White King pigeons. From 101 d of age, the pigeons in the control group were exposed to a natural photoperiod until 160 d, and then to a photoperiod of 16 h (16 light [L]: 8 dark [D]) and lasted for 200 d. Pigeons in the 3 experimental groups were exposed to a short photoperiod of 8L: 16D until 160 d, and then to 14L: 10D, 16L: 8D, and 18L: 6D, respectively. The results showed that light-restriction (8L: 16D) during the rearing period and then 14L: 10D or 16L: 8D photostimulation delayed the age at first egg laying in pigeons. However, 16L: 8D after an 8L: 16D photoperiod during the breeding period ensured maximum photosensitivity, and significantly improved the reproductive performance (egg production and fertility rates) in pigeons. Moreover, the highest reproductive performance in group under16L: 8D after 8L: 16D photoperiodic program was accompanied by improved follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels and reduced prolactin hormone levels. The results indicated that photoperiodic programs from rearing to laying period are closely related to the reproductive performance of White King pigeons. The results provide information that 8L: 16D during rearing period and 16L: 8D during laying period can be used to enhance reproductive performance in the pigeon industry.

Infertility Improvement after Medical Weight Loss in Women and Men: A Review of the Literature.

Infertility is a modern health problem. Obesity is another expanding health issue associated with chronic diseases among which infertility is also included. This review will focus on the effects of weight loss by medical therapy on fertility regarding reproductive hormonal profile, ovulation rates, time to pregnancy, implantation rates, pregnancy rates, normal embryo development, and live birth rates. We comprised medicine already used for weight loss, such as orlistat and metformin, and emerging medical treatments, such as Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA). Their use is not recommended during a planned pregnancy, and they should be discontinued in such cases. The main outcomes of this literature review are the following: modest weight loss after medication and the duration of the treatment are important factors for fertility improvement. The fecundity outcomes upon which medical-induced weight loss provides significant results are the female reproductive hormonal profile, menstrual cyclicity, ovulation and conception rates, and pregnancy rates. Regarding the male reproductive system, the fertility outcomes that feature significant alterations after medically induced weight loss are as follows: the male reproductive hormonal profile, sperm motility, movement and morphology, weight of reproductive organs, and sexual function. The newer promising GLP-1 RAs show expectations regarding fertility improvement, as they have evidenced encouraging effects on improving ovulation rates and regulating the menstrual cycle. However, more human studies are needed to confirm this. Future research should aim to provide answers about whether medical weight loss therapies affect fertility indirectly through weight loss or by a possible direct action on the reproductive system.

Effects of Pasturella Multocida B:2 and its immunogens (LPS and OMP) on reproductive hormones in Nili-Ravi Buffaloes.

Livestock is a fundamental part of the agriculture industry in Pakistan and contributes more than 11.53% to GDP. Among livestock species, the buffaloes are regarded as the black gold of Pakistan. Being the highest milk producers globally, Nili-Ravi buffaloes are the most famous ones. Buffaloes are affected by many endemic diseases, and "Hemorrhagic septicemia" (HS) is one of them. This study was designed to ascertain the effects of experimental exposure ofP. multocida B:2 (oral) and its immunogens, i.e., LPS (oral and intravenous) and OMP (oral and subcutaneous) on reproductive hormonal profiles in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Repeated serum samples were collected from the jugular vein of experimental animals for 21 days (0, 02, 04, 08, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, 48, 72, 120, 168, 216, 264, 360, 456 and 504 hours). Hormonal assays to determine the serum concentrations of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), Estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) were performed using (MyBioSource) commercial Elisa kits. The hormonal profile of all treatment groups of the buffalo heifers exhibited significant (P<0.05) variations as compared to the control group (G-1). These results indicate suppression in Nili-Ravi buffaloes' reproductive hormonal profile on exposure to P. multocida B:2 and its immunogens. This influence warrants that exposure to H.S may be a possible reason for delayed puberty and poor reproduction performance in Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

Beneficial Effects of RESMENA Diet on Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Reproductive Profile in Adolescents with Obesity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study

Introduction: The optimal dietary strategy to improve the metabolic and reproductive endocrine profile in adolescents with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is undefined. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the MEtabolic Syndrome REduction in NAvarra (RESMENA) diet versus a control diet based on American Heart Association (AHA) recommendations for the treatment of PCOS in adolescents with PCOS. Methods: A total of 40 adolescents diagnosed with PCOS between the ages of 13–18 years were randomized to either a RESMENA or control diet for 6 months. Dietary status, anthropometry, body composition, biochemical parameters, and reproductive endocrine hormones were compared between the 2 groups before and after the intervention. Results: Both diet groups showed significant decreases in anthropometric parameters, whereas the RESMENA diet provided a greater decrease in all these parameters except neck circumference and fat percentage (p p p Conclusions: Both dietary patterns resulted in significant improvement in anthropometric measurements and body composition, but the RESMENA diet showed beneficial effects on insulin resistance parameters and androgen levels.

Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and reproductive health in adult sons: a study in the Danish National Birth Cohort.

Is maternal pre-pregnancy BMI associated with semen quality, testes volume, and reproductive hormone levels in sons? Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with an altered reproductive hormone profile in young adult sons, characterized by higher levels of oestradiol, LH, and free androgen index (FAI) and lower levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in sons born of mothers with pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity. Evidence suggests that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI may influence reproductive health later in life. Only one pilot study has investigated the association between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and reproductive health outcomes in sons, suggesting that a high BMI was associated with impaired reproductive function in the adult sons. A population-based follow-up study of 1058 young men from the Fetal Programming of Semen Quality (FEPOS) cohort nested within the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC), 1998-2019, was carried out. In total, 1058 adult sons (median age 19 years, 2 months), born 1998-2000 by mothers included in the DNBC, participated in FEPOS. At a clinical examination, they provided a semen and blood sample, measured their testes volume, and had height and weight measured. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was obtained by self-report in early pregnancy. Semen characteristics, testes volume, and reproductive hormone levels were analysed according to maternal pre-pregnancy BMI categories and as restricted cubic splines using negative binomial and ordinary least square regression models. Mediation analyses examined potential mediation by the sons' birthweight, pubertal timing, fat mass, and BMI. Additional analyses investigated the role of paternal BMI in the potential associations between maternal BMI and reproductive health outcomes. We found no consistent associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and semen characteristics or testes volume. Sons of mothers with higher pre-pregnancy BMI had higher oestradiol and lower SHBG levels, both in a dose-dependent manner. Sons of mothers with pre-pregnancy obesity (≥30 kg/m2) had higher LH levels and a higher FAI than sons born by mothers with normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). The mediation analyses suggested that the effect of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI on higher levels of oestrogen, LH, and FAI was partly mediated by the sons' birthweight, in addition to adult fat mass and BMI measured at the clinical examination, whereas most of the effect on lower levels of SHBG was primarily mediated by the sons' own fat mass and BMI. Paternal BMI was not a strong confounder of the associations in this study. This study was based in a population-based cohort with a low prevalence of overweight and obesity in both mothers and adult sons. Some men (10%) had blood for reproductive hormone assessment drawn in the evening. While several potential confounding factors were accounted for, this study's inherent risk of residual and unmeasured confounding precludes provision of causal estimates. Therefore, caution should be given when interpreting the causal effect of maternal BMI on sons' reproductive health. Given the widespread occurrence of overweight and obesity among pregnant women, it is imperative to thoroughly examine the potential consequences for reproductive hormone levels in adult sons. The potential effects of maternal pre-pregnancy obesity on sons' reproductive hormone profile may potentially be partly avoided by the prevention of overweight and obesity in the sons. The project was funded by the Lundbeck Foundation (R170-2014-855), the Capital Region of Denmark, Medical doctor Sofus Carl Emil Friis and spouse Olga Doris Friis's Grant, Axel Muusfeldt's Foundation (2016-491), AP Møller Foundation (16-37), the Health Foundation, Dagmar Marshall's Fond, Aarhus University, Independent Research Fund Denmark (9039-00128B), and the European Union (ERC, BIOSFER, 101071773). Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. N/A.

Uptake of the core outcome set on polycystic ovary syndrome before and after its publication.

Does the core outcome set (COS) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) impact the selection of research outcomes? Following the publication of the COS on PCOS, an increasing number of trials are reporting both the generic domain and body mass index; however, the uptake of this COS has not been as extensive as expected. The COS on PCOS included 33 core outcomes in the following seven domains: the generic (3), metabolic (8), reproductive (7), pregnancy (10), psychological (3), oncological (1), and long-term (1). This was done to improve consistency in outcome selection and definition. However, thus far, no studies have investigated the effectiveness of this COS in the above-mentioned tasks. A methodological study based on the trial registries, including 395 eligible clinical trials registered between 1 January 2018 and 21 September 2022. A total of 1258 registered clinical studies on PCOS were retrieved from the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Of those, 395 were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and divided into two groups based on the publication date of the COS on PCOS (4 February 2020): pre-publication and post-publication. The practical uptake of this COS was explored after data collation, assessment, comparison of the uptake of core outcomes or domains before and after the publication of this COS, and correlation analysis between the domains. There were 26 out of 33 core outcomes and five out of seven domains reported in the 395 trials. The highest uptake was observed for the reproductive domain and the reproductive hormonal profile (63.0% and 38.7%, respectively). After the publication of the COS on PCOS, the uptake of the generic domain and body mass index increased from 24.1% to 35.8% (P = 0.011) and 17.8% to 26.5% (P = 0.039), respectively. The total number of reported core outcomes in the generic domain met statistical significance (P = 0.012). Moreover, multivariable analyses still supported the above finding in the generic domain. Correlation analysis showed that most of the domains were positively correlated with each other. However, the pregnancy domain was negatively correlated with the metabolic domain. Reasons responsible for the unsatisfactory uptake may be the absence of specific definitions of core outcomes, as well as the lack of awareness among researchers regarding this COS. Due to the lack of standardized definition of outcomes, it was difficult to avoid some subjectivity in the process of consistency assessment. Two years after its publication, there was no substantial improvement in the uptake of the COS on PCOS. This suggests that this COS may require further revision, refinement, and promotion to improve the comparability of PCOS studies. This work was funded by Beijing Municipal Health Science and Technology Achievements and Appropriate Technology Promotion Project (BHTPP2022069), and the special fund of Beijing Key Clinical Specialty Construction Project.The authors do not have conflicts of interest to declare. N/A.

Testicular Apoptosis and Proliferation in Relation to Body Mass Index and m-TESE Success in Nonobstructive Azoospermic Men

Male infertility occurs due to the disruption of the balance of proliferation and apoptosis in the testicular tissue. It is important to show the effect of increased body mass index, which is one of the factors that disrupts this balance of apoptosis and proliferation, not only at the blood hormone level but also at the tissue level. For this reason, the present study is aimed at demonstrating the relation between body mass index and cell turnover in the testis using immunohistochemical methods. In the present study, patients were grouped as normal, overweight and obese, and as m-TESE positive and negative. The sperm retrieval rate with microsurgical testicular sperm extraction (m-TESE) was 41.67%. Histological diagnosis of testicular tissues was made with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Apoptosis and proliferation in the testicular tissue were demonstrated by TUNEL and PCNA immunohistochemical methods, respectively. It was concluded that BMI had no significant effect on reproductive hormone profile (FSH, LH, and testosterone), m-TESE success, apoptosis, and proliferation in testicular tissue in nonobstructive azoospermic men. In addition TUNEL positivity and proliferative index was found to be significantly correlated with testicular histology and m-TESE outcome.

Synchronization of the estrous during a short period, using a low dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in primiparous and multiparous ewes

Objective: To evaluate the reduction effect of the synchronized luteal phase and the eCG application in the reproductive variables and hormone profile response of primiparous and multiparous ewes. Design/Methodology/Approach: The experimental design was completely random, with a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Based on their reproductive activity, the 81 specimens were divided into primiparous (n=38) and multiparous (n=43) ewes. The estrous and pregnancy stages were analyzed using the c2 test. An analysis of variance and the Tukey’s mean comparison test were used to determine the start and the duration of the estrous. P4 concentration was measured using the PROC MIXED which influenced the fixed effects of the treatment and the day, as well as their interaction. Results: There was no difference between treatments, regarding the occurrence of the estrous; however, its start and duration were not impacted by the physiological state and the synchronized luteal phase. P4 concentrations in plasm were higher in primiparous ewes than in multiparous ewes. The main effects did not impact the pregnancy and the prolificity rates. Study Limitations/Implications: The variation in the start and the duration of the estrous was caused by the physiological reproductive state and the duration of the synchronized luteal phase (6 and 12 days). Therefore, these effects should be taken into account when the artificial insemination takes place at a fixed period. Finding/Conclusions: The combination of the cronolone sponges with 100 UI of eCG during short periods (6 days) effectively synchronizes the estrous. P4 concentrations in serum were higher in primiparous ewes, although these concentrations were not a determining factor in the increase of pregnancy and prolificity.

Kisspeptin as potential biomarker of environmental chemical mixture effect on reproductive hormone profile: A pilot study in adolescent males

BackgroundKisspeptin has been proposed as an effect biomarker to understand the mechanisms by which some environmental chemicals adversely affect the human reproductive system. ObjectiveTo ascertain whether kisspeptin serum protein and DNA methylation levels are associated with exposure to several environmental chemicals (individually and as a mixture) and serum reproductive hormone levels in adolescent males. MethodsThree phenols (bisphenol A [BPA], methyl-paraben [MPB], and benzophenone-3 [BP3]); two toxic metals (arsenic and cadmium); and four metabolites of non-persistent pesticides, including insecticides (2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinol [IMPy], malathion diacid [MDA], and dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid [DCCA]) and fungicides (ethylene thiourea [ETU]) were measured in first-morning urine samples of 133 adolescent males aged 15–17 years from the INMA-Granada cohort. In blood samples collected on the same day, KISS1 gene DNA methylation was measured at four CpGs from the Exon IV, as well as serum levels of kiss54 protein, total testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding-globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Multiple linear regression and mixture (quantile g-computation) models were fit. ResultsUrinary MDA and DCCA concentrations were associated with higher kiss54 levels [% change (95%CI) for each log-unit increase in concentration = 2.90 (0.32;5.56), and 1.93 (0.45,3.43), respectively]; IMPy with lower DNA methylation percentage at CpG1 and total CpGs [% change (95%CI) = −1.15 (−1.96;-0.33): −0.89 (−1.73;-0.01), respectively]; and BP3 and DCCA with lower total CpGs methylation [−0.53 (−1.04;-0.01) and − 0.69 (−1.37;-0.01), respectively]. The pesticide mixture and the whole chemical mixture were associated with higher kiss54 [% change (95%CI) = 9.09 (3.29;15.21) and 11.61 (3.96;19.82), respectively] and lower methylation levels at several CpGs. Additionally, serum kiss54 in the third tertile was associated with higher LH levels [% change (95%CI) = 28.69 (3.75–59.63)], and third-tertile CpG1, CpG2, and total CpG methylation percentages were associated with lower FSH and E2. ConclusionThe findings of the present study and the negative correlation between serum kiss54 levels and KISS1 DNA methylation percentages suggested that kisspeptin may be a promising effect biomarker.

Health risk assessment, water quality indices and reproductive hormone profile among Abakpa citizens in Enugu metropolis

Numerous substances has been attributed to elicit endocrine-disruption and may potentially affect healthy reproductive functions. This study was carried out to determine the health risk assessment, water quality indices and reproductive hormone profile among citizens of Abakpa in Enugu metropolis. Ten (10) water sampling points comprising of wells and streams were analyzed for chemical properties such BOD, COD, DO, pH, TSS, TDS, Total Hardness, and Alkalinity and Heavy metal composition such as Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg) using the American Public Health Association’s (APHA) guidelines and Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) respectively. Five (5) blood samples comprising males and females was collected across the sampling areas and assayed for reproductive hormone profile such as Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Progesterone, Prolactin, Estradiol and the enzyme Aromatase was using the ELISA kit method. The result of chemical properties such as TSS, TDS, COD, Total hardness and Alkalinity were all within World Health Organization (WHO) stipulated limits, whereas DO, BOD and pH were higher than WHO limits across all sampling points from the sampling area. Some parameters showed significance difference while some sample did not at different sampling locations at 95% confidence level. The result of heavy metals showed very high concentrations of analyzed metals with Hg present in five water samples from Abakpa at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.96 ppm. Pb concentration ranged between 0.06-0.35 ppm; Zn 24.93- 33.65 ppm; Cr 0.00 – 0.23 ppm; Cd. 0.11 – 0.17 ppm across all sampling points. All the result of reproductive hormone showed lower concentration of testosterone in men (1.99 to 2.19 ng/ml) and high concentration in females (2.03 to 2.06 ng/ml) across all sampling points. The concentration of FSH was in the range of 0.67 to 0.77 ng/ml in males, while the level was between 0.71 to 0.83 ng/ml in female. Prolactin results was 3.49 to 3.86 ng/ml for males and 3.44 to 3.59 ng/ml in females. Estradiol levels were 8.48 to 9.54 ng/ml and 9.61 to 9.84 ng/ml for females and males respectively. However, progesterone level were between 34.08 to 37.45 ng/ml for females and 36.48 to 39.56 ng/ml. The aromatase enzyme was averagely below 4.0 Pmol/mg in both male and female. The risk assessment showed low risk exposure but mercury had high risk exposure tendencies of 16.333 when compared to other heavy metals from all samples. Consumption of water in sampled area’s may pose a serious health challenge; high concentration of heavy metals could be attributed to the hormonal imbalance recorded in the research as most heavy metals is seen to reduce the expression and activity of 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD, which could be facilitated by high acidic nature of the water. Thus, interfering with steroidogenesis. Therefore, continuous monitoring of water quality in Abakpa in Enugu metropolis is highly recommended in order to ensure the health safety of humans living in such environment.

Assessment of relationship between anthropometric measurements and reproductive hormonal profiles, among females of childbearing age at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria

Background: Increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has profound impacts on health generally, including the reproductive system. Traditionally, pear body shapes, from narrow waist and wide hip circumferences, have been associated with high fecundability among females. Although this has been scientifically demonstrated by a number of researches only a few of these investigations were conducted with black women in Africa who were of reproductive age. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare the mean reproductive hormone levels between the different waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) categories and also to determine the correlations between the two anthropometric measurements and the reproductive hormones in a black African population. Materials and Methods: It was an analytical cross-sectional study of 180 females of a childbearing age. The WHR and BMI were measured as per standard recommendations. Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, estradiol, day-21 progesterone, and testosterone were assayed. Results: A majority of the research participants were within the age group 21–30 years. Thirty three percent (33%) and 28.9% of participants were overweight and obese, respectively, using BMI compared with 26.7% and 20%, respectively, using WHR. Seventy six point nine percent (76.9%) of participants with an optimal BMI range ovulated with 61.5% having adequate luteal phase support compared with 75% and 54.2%, respectively, using WHR. Day-21 serum progesterone and serum estradiol were significantly negatively correlated with WHR and BMI (P < 0.05). BMI, however, showed a better correlation than WHR (r = -0.535 vs. -0.397; P = 0.001 vs. 0.008, respectively). Gonadotropins were significantly lower among overweight and obese groups for both BMI and WHR (P < 0.05), but only WHR showed moderately positive significant correlation with gonadotropins (LH: r = 0.050 vs. r = 0.215, P = 0.003, respectively; FSH: r = 0.159 vs. r = 0.431, P = 0.001, respectively), same as serum testosterone (r = 0.580 vs. r = 0.611, P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: Anthropometric measurements can serve as objective clues to functionality and optimal concentrations of reproductive hormones. Weight control should therefore aid the optimization of reproductive hormones and fertility among females of reproductive age.

Impact of Garlic and Caraway Oils on Reproductive Hormones Profile and Testicular Histopathology of Male Rats

Impact of Garlic and Caraway Oils on Reproductive Hormones Profile and Testicular Histopathology of Male Rats

Categorization of reproductive hormone profile abnormalities in women with infertility: A retrospective study

Categorization of reproductive hormone profile abnormalities in women with infertility: A retrospective study

Productive performance, follicular development, and reproductive hormone profiles of laying hens fed with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal as a substitute for fish meal

Introduction Fish meal is a high-quality protein source used mainly in diets for poultry. The production of fish is becoming inadequate to meet demand in the livestock industry, especially because fish is in high demand for human consumption. The high

Exposure to the pesticides linuron, dimethomorph and imazalil alters steroid hormone profiles and gene expression in developing rat ovaries

Inhibition of androgen signaling during critical stages of ovary development can disrupt folliculogenesis with potential consequences for reproductive function later in life. Many environmental chemicals can inhibit the androgen signaling pathway, which raises the question if developmental exposure to anti-androgenic chemicals can negatively impact female fertility. Here, we report on altered reproductive hormone profiles in prepubertal female rats following developmental exposure to three pesticides with anti-androgenic potential: linuron (25 and 50 mg/kg bw/d), dimethomorph (60 and 180 mg/kg bw/d) and imazalil (8 and 24 mg/kg bw/d). Dams were orally exposed from gestational day 7 (dimethomorph and imazalil) or 13 (linuron) until birth, then until end of dosing at early postnatal life. Linuron and dimethomorph induced dose-related reductions to plasma corticosterone levels, whereas imazalil mainly suppressed gonadotropin levels. In the ovaries, expression levels of target genes were affected by linuron and dimethomorph, suggesting impaired follicle growth. Based on our results, we propose that anti-androgenic chemicals can negatively impact female reproductive development. This highlights a need to integrate data from all levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, as well as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, when investigating the potential impact of endocrine disruptors on female reproductive development and function.