Results Of Hormone Assays Research Articles

Gonadotropin Levels and Underlying Diseases in Adolescent With Secondary Amenorrhea.

To provide characteristics and hormonal profiles of secondary amenorrhea cases in adolescent patients treated at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung. The study was retrospective in nature and involved the analysis of medical records from 2017 to 2022 for 44 adolescent patients aged 10-18 who had secondary amenorrhea. There were 44 adolescents included in this study after excluded 69 adults from 113 secondary amenorrhea cases. The majority of patients were 14-17 years old (38.63%), in senior high school (45.45%), had started menarche at 11 years old (45.45%), had normal nutritional status (65.91%), and had normal stature (65.91%). The underlying diseases found in most patients were systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and tuberculosis. Among the patients, 29 had FSH, LH, and estradiol levels measured. The results of hormonal assays showed a wide range of abnormal serum levels, with normal to low concentrations of FSH and low levels of LH and estradiol. The median (interquartile range) results for FSH, LH, and estradiol were 4.57 (0.64, 90.65), 1.635 (0.06, 55.76), and 24.3 (0.2, 154.71), respectively. Positive significant correlation between FSH and LH (p < 0.01) was found in children with secondary amenorrhea. Hormonal assay for FSH, LH, and Estradiol showed a wide range of abnormal serum level. Normal to low concentration levels of FSH and low LH and estradiol. The majority of secondary amenorrhea patients are associated with autoimmune disease and infection.

Body mass affects seasonal variation in sickness intensity in a seasonally breeding rodent.

Species that display seasonal variation in sickness intensity show the most intense response in the season during which they have the highest body mass, suggesting that sickness intensity may be limited by an animal's energy stores. Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) display lower body masses and less intense sickness when housed in short, winter-like days as opposed to long, summer-like days. To determine whether reduced sickness intensity displayed by short-day hamsters is a product of seasonal changes in body mass, we food restricted long-day hamsters so that they exhibited body mass loss that mimicked the natural photoperiod-induced loss of body mass in short-day hamsters. We then experimentally induced sickness with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and compared sickness responses among long-day food-restricted and long- and short-day ad libitum fed groups, predicting that long-day food-restricted hamsters would show sickness responses comparable to those of short-day ad libitum fed hamsters and attenuated in comparison to long-day ad libitum fed hamsters. We found that long-day food-restricted hamsters showed attenuated LPS-induced anorexia, loss of body mass and hypothermia compared with long-day ad libitum fed animals; however, anorexia remained elevated in long-day food-restricted animals compared with short-day ad libitum fed animals. Additionally, LPS-induced anhedonia and decreases in nest building were not influenced by body mass. Results of hormone assays suggest that cortisol levels could play a role in the attenuation of sickness in long-day food-restricted hamsters, indicating that future research should target the roles of glucocorticoids and natural variation in energy stores in seasonal sickness variation.

Influence of physiological concentrations of androgens on the developmental competence and sex ratio of in vitro produced bovine embryos

This study was designed to determine if the addition of androgens at ovarian follicular fluid (FF) concentrations to oocyte maturation media would alter the development and sex ratio of bovine embryos. To maximize hormone bioavailability, oil was removed and glass culture dishes were used during in vitro maturation (IVM) phase; this modified system was then used in the present experiment along with the standard IVM system utilizing plastic containers and incubation under oil. Ethanol (0.2%) was the vector for steroid hormone delivery. Oocytes were incubated for 22h in the presence of two doses (“low” and “high”) of androstenedione (A4) or testosterone (T); the doses were based on the concentrations of both androgens in preovulatory bovine follicles (A4: 337.5 and 562.5ng/ml; T: 22.2 and 42.6ng/ml). The results of hormone assays indicated that bioavailability of steroid hormones remained relatively constant, regardless of the IVM system used. The plasticware with the addition of T resulted in significantly higher cleavage rates (80.0±2.1%) than any other combination of treatments (plasticware×A4: 71.5±2.6%; glassware×T: 71.2±1.9%; and glassware×A4: 71.4±2.4%). The blastocyst formation rate for the plasticware×T treatment (39.7±2.5%) was significantly greater than for all other combinations (glassware×T: 28.7±2.2%; glassware×A4: 24.0±2.8%; and plasticware×A4: 19.8±3.0%) and the low dose of T (37.1±2.5%) resulted in higher (p<0.05) blastocyst formation rates than all other treatments (T high dose: 29.2±2.5%; A4 high dose: 27.1±2.9%; and A4 low dose: 20.2±3.0%). The proportion of male embryos was greater (p<0.05) in plastic than glass dishes in the low-dose A4 group (59.1±8.7% vs. 38.2±5.5%, plasticware vs. glassware, respectively) and it tended to be greater (p<0.08) in the control groups and high-dose A4 group, but not in the T groups. There was a moderate positive correlation between blastocyst formation rates across all treatment and control groups, and the percentage of male bovine embryos (r=0.38, p<0.05). In summary, specific combinations of androgen and glassware/plasticware treatments did alter early bovine embryo development and sex ratio. The addition of T to IVM media increased the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates in plasticware and may be employed to improve the efficiency of the standard in vitro embryo production systems. Androstenedione appeared to enhance whereas testosterone nullified the deviation in sex ratio (pro-femaleness) associated with the use of glass IVM dishes.

Cyclic Cushing's syndrome

The cyclic Cushing's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by multiple episodes of elevated cortisol levels alternating with periods of its normal secretion. The so-called hypercorticism cycles may be either regular or episodic with intercycle intervals as long as a few days to several years. Most researchers agree that the reliable diagnosis of cyclic Cushing's syndrome should be based on laboratory detection of 3 peaks and 2 falls of plasma cortisol level. Cyclic Cushing's syndrome may be either ACTH dependent or independent. A review of 65 verified cases indicates that this condition may be caused by pituitary corticotropinoma (54%), ectopic ACTH-producing tumour (26%), and adrenal tumour (roughly 11%). The cause of the disease remains uncertain in 9% of the patients. Pathophysiological mechanisms of cyclic Cushing's syndrome are poorly known. In certain cases of bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal corticosteroma, it may be associated with the presence of ectopic receptors or anomalous expression of normally located receptors. The majority of the patients presenting with cyclic Cushing's syndrome exhibit symptoms of classical hypercorticism that manifest themselves either on a permanent or cyclic basis. In a small number of patients, clinical signs of cyclic Cushing's syndrome are virtually absent. Variations of the clinical picture and conflicting results of hormonal assays taken together make cyclic Cushing's syndrome difficult to diagnose. Therefore, physicians must be aware of this condition and actively search for it in all patients believed to have an enhanced cortisol production despite normal results of laboratory analysis. Frequent changes of urinary or salivary free cortisol levels are reliable and convenient criteria for cyclic Cushing's syndrome in patients suspected to have this condition. Results of cortisol stimulation or suppression tests are likely to lead to a false conclusion due to spontaneous falls and rises in serum cortisol levels at the time of analysis. Given laboratory confirmation of cyclic Cushing's syndrome, subsequent studies should be focused on the elucidation of its cause. The average life expectancy of patients with cyclic Cushing's syndrome remains to be determined.

Radiosurgery with the use of protons beams in patients with Cushing's disease: hormonal monitoring of delayed results

The present paper deals with late results of the treatment of patients with Cushing's disease by proton beam irradiation of the pituitary gland. Retrospective analysis included results of hormonal assays in 197 patients (161 women and 36 men) with verified Cushing's disease who had undergone proton therapy at the Endocrinological Research Centre. The age of the patients prior to irradiation varied from 17 to 54 years (mean 29±12.1). Duration of the follow up period ranged from 1 to 24 years. Each patient was first examined 6 month after irradiation, then annually for 5 years, and thereafter during episodic visits to the clinic of Endocrinological Research Centre. Trophic hormones (ACTH, GH, prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH) as well as cortisol, estradiol, testosterone, and free thyroxin were determined in peripheral blood; in addition, free cortisol was measured in daily urine. ACTH and cortisol were measured twice daily (at 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.) to characterize diurnal dynamics of these hormones. Complete remission of the primary disease was documented based on the results of hormonal assays in 164 (83.6%) patients 0.5-3 (mean 1.5±1.8) years after irradiation; remission without subsequent impairment of the pituitary trophic activity was achieved in 43 (21.8%) patients. Different combinations of post-treatment side effects (hypopituitarism) were recorded in 100 (50.1%) patients while 54 (27.4%) others had only one function affected by radiation. The following disorders of hormonal function of the pituitary and peripheral glands developed: adrenal insufficiency in 58 (29.7%) patients, secondary hypothyroidism in 66 (22.8%), hypogonadism in 93 (47.4%), and hyperprolactinemia in 72 (36.7%). Adrenal insufficiency was the first adverse event to develop after proton therapy (within 0.5-12.0, mean 2.5±2.3, years). It was followed by elevation of prolactin levels and decrease of gonadotropins (within 1.0-7.2, mean 3.0±2.9, years and 0.8-11.8, mean 3.0±3.1, years respectively). Secondary hypothyroidism was the last to develop (within 1.3-12.3, mean 5.0±3.2, years after treatment). It is concluded that biochemical monitoring hormonal changes coupled to the evaluation of the patient's clinical conditions is a very important component of long-term (throughout the lifespan) dynamic observation of patients with Cushing's disease necessary for the timely detection of manifestations of hypopituitarism and initiation of relevant treatment.

Rewarding effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“Ecstasy”) in dominant and subordinate OF-1 mice in the place preference conditioning paradigm

We tested the ability of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to induce conditioned place preference (CPP) in dominant and subordinate OF-1 mice subjected to cohabitation and repeated sessions of agonistic confrontation, as well as in non-confronted mice. We selected doses of MDMA (2, 6, 10 mg/kg) previously reported to induce CPP in mice and we measured expression of c-Fos evoked by the treatments in non-confronted mice. MDMA induced c-Fos protein in several corticolimbic regions involved in drug-induced reward. Mice were exposed to brief sessions of agonistic confrontation on 5 consecutive days. Determinations of circulating hormones and drug conditioning tests were carried out on completion of the encounters. The results of hormone assays indicated that dominant mice had higher serum concentrations of testosterone, but lower levels of corticosterone, than submissive mice. Post-conditioning tests after drug conditioning (4 injections of MDMA or saline on alternate days) showed that MDMA significantly produced CPP at doses of 2 and 6 mg/kg, but not at 10 mg/kg, an inverted U-shaped pattern of conditioning that was invariable in non-confronted, dominant and subordinate mice. These results demonstrate that the endocrine and behavioural correlates linked to social status and social stress in mice are not paralleled by significant changes in the rewarding efficacy of MDMA in the CPP paradigm under the specific conditions tested.

Empty sella syndrome: does it exist in children?

The empty sella syndrome (ESS) is well documented in adults and although the same phenomenon of herniation of the arachnoid space into the enlarged sella turcica has been noted in children, it is not widely known that children suffer from this syndrome. Therefore, the aims of this paper are to increase neurosurgeons' awareness of the existence of this phenomenon in children and to add to the scant body of literature on the subject. The authors treated 12 children, ranging in age between 2 and 8 years in whom neuroradiological studies demonstrated an enlarged sella turcica filled with cerebrospinal fluid and herniation of suprasellar and arachnoid spaces. The causes of ESS in these children were high intracranial pressure, neglected or improperly treated hydrocephalus, and suprasellar arachnoid cyst. Primary ESS was found as well. Most of the children presented with headache, abnormal body weight (the majority being underweight), and short stature. The results of hormone assays were normal in all children. If undiagnosed and untreated, ESS in children may lead to serious consequences, including impairment of pituitary and hypothalamic function and damage to the optic chiasm. It is important to raise awareness in the neurosurgical community about the existence of ESS in children so that it can be diagnosed and treated at an early stage. A classification system for the diaphragma sellae is recapitulated.

Effect of exogenous sex steroids upon the number of germ cells and the growth of foetal ovaries grafted under the kidney capsule of adult ovariectomized hamsters

The effect of estradiol E, progesterone P and testosterone propionate T upon growth and germ cell population of foetal ovaries transplanted under the kidney capsule of adult ovariectomized hamsters was examined. Foetal ovaries were obtained 15 days postcoitum and the host received daily subcutaneous injections of E (1 micrograms/day), P (5 mg/day), T (500 micrograms/day) or E + P in 0.1 ml oil for 25 days beginning 5 days before grafting. One day after the last injection, the size of the ovary, the germ cell population and plasma steroid levels were assessed. The results of hormone assays indicate that daily steroid administration was able to maintain continuously elevated plasma levels of the corresponding hormone. Interconversions or steroid secretion by the graft, if any, were not reflected in the peripheral circulation. The growth of the graft was stimulated by T and inhibited by P, in comparison with E and oil-treated controls. All germ cells were at the stage of primary oocyte forming part of a primordial or growing follicle. Their absolute number was significantly increased by T and E and significantly decreased by P and E + P. The number of oocytes per mm3 of ovary was increased 80%, 48% and 40% with E, T and E + P, respectively. It is concluded that, in the hamster, exogenous sex steroids given to the host can exert specific effects upon the growth and oocyte population of a grafted foetal ovary. Whether or not the action of steroids upon the graft is a direct one and whether they influenced oogonial mitosis, the evolution of the meiotic prophase or atresia of primary oocytes remains to be determined.

Serum levels of FSH, LH, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone following the administration of a combined oral contraceptive containing 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol.

An oral contraceptive containing 20 micrograms of ethinylestradiol and 250 micrograms of levonorgestrel was given to 5 normally menstruating women for two consecutive cycles. Peripheral serum levels of FSH, LH, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone were determined during the treatment period and during two control cycles, one immediately before, and one immediately after treatment. In all 5 women studied there were no LH peaks and no luteal phase levels of progesterone during the treatment cycles indicating complete inhibition of ovulation. 4 of the 5 women showed no biphasic estradiol pattern. Posttreatment control cycles showed reestablished ovulatory pattern in 4 of the 5 subjects.

Fertility and the Physician*

Gonadal function in both sexes is under the synergistic control of the pituitary gonadotrophins, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) which are in turn influenced both by the hypothalamus (via the gonadotrophin releasing hormone) and by feedback signals from the gonads. There is good evidence that such feedback is mediated by steroid hormones and by a product of the germinal epithelium, termed inhibin. A logical approach to reproductive disorders involves the localization of the primary disturbance either to the hypothalamo-pituitary unit or to the gonad, on the basis of history, physical findings and the results of hormone assays. In men, the majority of disorders leading to infertility are of unknown aetiology and cannot, therefore, be treated specifically. In women, anovulation is usually readily treatable and recent studies have emphasised the usefulness of prolactin assays and of specific treatment for hyperprolactinaemia in restoring ferility. Increased understanding of the mechanisms leading to infertility may provide valuable new approaches to fertility control.