Steroids Testosterone Research Articles

Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract benefits cashmere goat semen quality via improving rumen microbiota and metabolome.

Artificial insemination (AI) is an effective reproductive technique to improve the performance of cashmere goats and prevent the spread of diseases, and the quality of the semen determines the success of AI. The potential of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) and Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract (MOLE) to improve semen quality has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. For the purpose, 18 mature male cashmere goats were randomly assigned into three groups: the control (CON), MOLP, and MOLE groups. The CON group received distilled water orally; the MOLP group was orally treated with 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) MOLP; and the MOLE group was orally treated with 40 mg/kg BW MOLE. Results showed that MOLE contained long-chain fatty acids and flavonoids. Treatment with MOLP and MOLE increased the activities of the serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05), enhanced the total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05), and reduced the serum malondialdehyde level (P < 0.05). At the same time, MOLE increased the contents of serum gonadotropin releasing hormone and testosterone (P < 0.05). Moreover, MOLE significantly increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, MOLE raised the Chao1 index (P < 0.05) and altered the composition of the rumen microbiota; it also raised the relative abundance of Treponema (P < 0.05) and Fibrobacter (P < 0.05) and reduced the relative abundance of Prevotella (P < 0.1). Correlation analysis revealed the genus Prevotella was significantly negatively correlated with sperm concentration, as well as sperm motility and viability. Furthermore, MOLE significantly increased the rumen levels of the steroid hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (P < 0.05), as well as the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) alpha-Linolenic acid, gamma-Linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and 9-S-Hydroperoxylinoleicacid (P < 0.05). Oral MOLE supplementation can improve semen quality by increasing the antioxidant capacity and altering the rumen microbiota and metabolites of cashmere goats. Moreover, the MOLP supplementation could enhance the antioxidant capacity of cashmere goats.

Study of the Physiological effects of heart Atherosclerosis on concentrations of some electrolytes, lipid component, sex hormones in Tikrit city and its Governorate

This study aimed to investigate the concentrations effect of some Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium) and some Lipids compounds (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein), and some sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) on the atherosclerosis disease. The study included a comparison between 60 patients from both male and female with heart atherosclerosis disease, with 40 healthy from both gender. The age ranged between (30 - 83) years for both patients and healthy people. The results indicates a moral increase of (P≤0.05) in the concentration of (sodium ions, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein) in patients compared with the healthy people. On the other hand, the concentration of (Potassium ions, Magnesium, high density lipoprotein, estrogen and testosterone hormones) shows a moral increase of (P≤0.05) for healthy people compared with patients. This conclude that the increase of sodium ions and harmful lipids, and the decrease in six hormones concentration, were all factors that contributed in the creation of the heart atherosclerosis

Association between Body Mass Index and Diabetes Mellitus Are Mediated through Endogenous Serum Sex Hormones among Menopause Transition Women: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

To explore whether and to what extent endogenous sex hormones mediate the association between overweight and diabetes risk in menopausal transition women. Premenopausal women were from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, with measurements of serum sex hormone including sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) in first postmenopausal follow-up. At the last postmenopausal follow-up, hyperglycemia status was confirmed. The partial least squares (PLS) regression method was used to extract hormonal signals associated with body mass index (BMI). Hyperglycemia was defined as individuals with prediabetes or diabetes; overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Causal mediation analysis was used to examine the mediation effect on the association between perimenopause overweight and post-menopause hyperglycemia through PLS score and individual sex hormones. The longitudinal study included 1438 normal glucose women with a baseline mean age (SD) of 46.5 (2.6) years and a mean follow-up period of 9.9 years. During the follow-up period, 145 (10.1) cases of hyperglycemia occurred. Compared with normal-weight participants, overweight women were associated with a higher hyperglycemia risk during the transition period (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 2.52 to 6.80). Overweight women had higher T, E2, and lower SHBG, FSH, and DAHS concentrations (β = 0.26, 0.38, -0.52, -0.52, and -0.13, p < 0.05 for all). After adjusting for overweight and covariates, lower SHBG and FSH levels were associated with higher hyperglycemia risk (OR = 0.70 and 0.69, all p < 0.05). As a linear combination of sex hormones, the PLS score was positively associated with T, E2, and negatively with SHBG, FSH, and DHAS. PLS score interpreted 36.50% (p < 0.001) of the overweight-hyperglycemia association. Considering single-sex hormones, the mediation proportion of SHBG and FSH were 21.38% (p < 0.001) and 24.08% (p < 0.001). Sex hormones mediated the association of overweight and diabetes risk in menopause transition women. SHBG and FSH have the dominant mediation effect.

Hormonal abnormalities in alexithymia.

Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulties in emotion recognition and regulation that is associated with deficits in social cognition. High alexithymia levels are considered a transdiagnostic risk factor for a range of psychiatric and medical conditions, including depression, anxiety, and autism. Hormones are known to affect social-emotional cognition and behavior in humans, including the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin, the steroid hormones testosterone and estradiol, the stress hormone cortisol as well as thyroid hormones. However, few studies have investigated hormonal effects on alexithymia and on alexithymia-related impairments in emotion regulation and reactivity, stress response, and social cognition. Here, we provide a brief overview of the evidence linking alexithymia to abnormalities in hormone levels, particularly with regard to cortisol and oxytocin, for which most evidence exists, and to thyroid hormones. We address the current lack of research on the influence of sex hormones on alexithymia and alexithymia-related deficits, and lastly provide future directions for research on associations between hormonal abnormalities and deficits in emotion regulation and social cognition associated with alexithymia.

Underwater ultrasonography and blood sampling provide the first observations of reproductive biology in free-swimming whale sharks

We report on a non-invasive technique for observing the reproductive states of wild, free-swimming whale sharks Rhincodon typus for the first time. Female whale sharks (n = 22) were assessed using underwater ultrasonography and a novel blood-sampling technique at Darwin Island in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador. Despite the widely held assumption among researchers that the post-pelvic distention of large females is indicative of pregnancy, ultrasound provided no evidence of embryos or egg cases. However, the presence of follicles (diameter: 28.5-83.6 mm) was confirmed in 2 female sharks of 11-12 m total length (TL). Additionally, 3 steroid hormones (estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone) were analyzed in blood plasma from 6 female sharks (11-12 m TL). Hormone levels were similar to, or lower than, those obtained from an immature female in the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. Based on these results, we infer that female whale sharks (TL &gt;11 m) in this study were mature but not pregnant. The techniques used here for whale sharks can be successfully used to obtain non-lethal field data on the biology and reproductive anatomy of this globally endangered fish, and are adaptable for use in other large marine species.

The effect of coronavirus disease 2019 severity on male sexual functions among patients on follow-up after hospital discharge

Objectives Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has infected millions of people worldwide with extensive affection and damage to body systems and organs; hence, the study of post-coronavirus disease (COVID) sequences is mandatory. Till now, reports are upcoming on the considerable effects of COVID-19 on male sexual health with no final data. Patients and methods Our cohort study included 76 male COVID-19-infected patients, confirmed positive via nasopharyngeal PCR swab. The rationale of this study was to estimate the influence of clinical, laboratory, and radiological severity parameters of COVID-19 on male erectile dysfunction based on erectile scores and male sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and estradiol). Results Our results have demonstrated a highly statistically significant correlation between COVID-19 severity (mild, moderate, and severe cases) and both erectile scores (erection hardness score and International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5) and testosterone hormones at first and third month after COVID (P&lt;0.001), except for testosterone level at third month and COVID-19 severity, which showed a statistically significant difference, with P value of 0.031. Conclusions The current study correlated the effect of COVID-19 severity in the terms of clinical, laboratory, and radiological presentations on male sexual dysfunction (erectile scores and testosterone hormone) at first and third month after hospital discharge, with statistical significance being highly affected in severe rather than moderate and mild cases. This strengthens the obvious effect of COVID-19 infection on male sexual dysfunction.

Male Hypogonadism (According to the Materials of the European Association of Urology)

Male hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome which is the result of insufficient production of the sex hormone testosterone by the testicles and the number of spermatozoa. The article reveals modern views on the physiology and pathophysiology of testosteroneogenesis in the male organism, provides information on the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis and modern treatment of hypogonadism in men. Literature on the results of global and European researches in recent years, as well as materials of the Guideline of the European Association of Urology for 2022, were used in the article. An individual therapeutic approach to each patient with hypogonadism was demonstrated. The importance of diagnosis of chronic and systemic comorbid diseases that cause the risk of hypogonadism, the need to determine the body mass index and the measurement of waist circumference, the size of the testicles, the penis and the presence of secondary sexual characteristic was established. The article includes necessary biochemical and instrumental studies for the diagnosis of hypogonadism. Specific contraindications for hormone replacement therapy are identified. Absolute contraindications for testosterone therapy are indicated: topically widespread or metastatic prostate cancer (PC), breast cancer of men; men who desire to have children; hematocrit level &gt;54%; uncontrolled or poorly controlled stagnant heart failure. Relative contraindications include IPSS&gt;19, initial hematocrit of 48-50 %, venous thromboembolism in a family history. The article also provides recommendations for testosterone therapy. It has been proven that testosterone therapy improves mild forms of erectile dysfunction (ED) and libido in men with hypogonade states; improves the frequency of sexual intercourses, orgasm and general pleasure; increases low-fat mass, reduces fat and improves insulin resistance; normalizes body weight, waist circumference and lipid profile; relieves the symptoms of depression in men with hypogonadism; improves bone mineral density. It has been demonstrated that the use of testosterone therapy in eugonadal men is not indicated. Testosterone therapy should be used as first-line treatment in patients with symptomatic hypogonadism and moderate ED. In addition, it is necessary to use a combination of type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors and testosterone treatment in more severe ED forms. It is also necessary to use standard medical treatments for severe symptoms of depression and osteoporosis. The therapy of hypogonadism, non-medication and medication, the necessary medicines and the peculiarities of their use are widely described. The article shows that weight loss due to low calorie diet and regular physical activity leads to a slight improvement in testosterone levels, testosterone gels and prolonged injection drugs are testosterone drugs have the best safety profile, and gonadotropin treatment can be used in men with secondary hypogonadism. It is noted that before the treatment with testosterone, it is necessary to treat organic causes of hypogonadism (for example, pituitary tumors, hyperprolactinemia, etc.), improve lifestyle and reduce body weight in persons with obesity; cancel drugs that can impair testosterone production. Much attention is paid to the risk factors by the treatment with testosterone. Testosterone therapy is contraindicated for men with secondary hypogonadism who wish fertility, men with active PC or breast cancer. Restoration of testosterone concentration in serum relieves the symptoms and signs of hypogonadism in men after 3 months of treatment. Therefore, testosterone therapy leads to improvement of the quality of patient’s life.

Relationship between thyroid hormone and sex hormone levels and non-suicidal self-injury in male adolescents with depression.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the intentional and repeated direct injury to one's bodily tissues or organs without the intent to die, which is not socially sanctioned and does not result in death. This study will be the first to explore the relationship between NSSI behavior and thyroid hormone and sex hormone levels in male adolescents with depression. Among the inpatients in the children's ward of Shandong Mental Health Center, eighty male patients with first-episode depressive disorder were randomly selected. Forty male adolescent depressed patients with NSSI behaviors were set as the NSSI group, and forty male adolescent depressed patients without NSSI behaviors were set as the No-NSSI group. Their thyroid hormones (free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroid stimulating hormone) and sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone) were measured, and the severity of self-injury in the NSSI group was assessed using the Adolescent Self-Injury Questionnaire. The NSSI group was tested again after 6 weeks of sertraline treatment for biological indicators and assessed by the Self-Injury Questionnaire to compare the hormonal differences between the NSSI group and the No-NSSI group and compare the differences of each index before and after treatment in the NSSI group. T3/T4 (p = 0.001) and FT3 (p = 0.023), TSH levels (p < 0.001) were lower in the NSSI group than in the No-NSSI group before treatment, and FT4 (p = 0.036) and T (p < 0.001) levels were higher than in the No-NSSI group. T3/T4 levels were higher in the NSSI group after treatment (p < 0.001). FT4 (p < 0.001) and T (p = 0.001) levels and self-injury questionnaire scores (p < 0.001) decreased after treatment in the NSSI group. In the NSSI group at baseline, FT4 levels were negatively correlated with self-injury questionnaire scores (r = -0.459, p = 0.003) and testosterone levels were positively correlated with self-injury questionnaire scores (r = 0.383, p = 0.015), and in the NSSI group after treatment, FT4 difference was negatively correlated with self-injury questionnaire score reduction rate (r = -0.037, p = 0.019), and testosterone difference was positively correlated with self-injury questionnaire score reduction rate (r = 0.424, p = 0.006). Logistic regression analysis showed that low TSH and high testosterone levels were independent risk factors for the development of non-suicidal self-harming behaviors in male adolescent depressed patients. Changes in thyroid hormone and sex hormone levels may be associated with non-suicidal self-injurious behavior in male adolescent depressed patients.

Nonlethal Tools to Identify Mass Ovarian Follicular Atresia in Burbot

AbstractSkipped spawning, or variation in spawning periodicity, occurs in many annual spawning fish species and is an important consideration for population management. We assessed plasma sex steroid concentrations and measured gonad size and ovarian follicle diameter as metrics to nonlethally identify mass ovarian follicular atresia, which may contribute to skipped spawning in Burbot Lota lota. We maintained wild fish in captivity and exposed them to increasing water temperatures during a 3-wk period before the spawning season to induce mass ovarian follicular atresia. We collected ovarian follicles, blood plasma, and gonadal sonograms from fish weekly between January 28, 2018, and March 25, 2018. We histologically analyzed ovarian follicles to confirm stage of maturity. We measured concentrations of plasma sex steroids testosterone (T) and estradiol-17β (E2) by radioimmunoassay. We measured gonad diameter and circumference by ultrasonography and ovarian follicle diameter by image analysis. Mean plasma T concentration decreased from 8.94 ng/mL during late vitellogenesis to 1.83 ng/mL during atresia, suggesting that plasma T concentrations may be used to identify mass ovarian follicular atresia. We do not recommend using plasma E2 concentrations to identify mass ovarian follicular atresia because E2 concentrations rapidly decreased during the completion of vitellogenesis and the initiation of atresia in Burbot; therefore, plasma E2 may not accurately identify mass ovarian follicular atresia. Mean gonad diameter measured by ultrasonography decreased from 4.05 cm during late vitellogenesis to 3.65 cm during atresia. Mean diameter of ovarian follicles decreased during the final week of the study, suggesting that ovarian follicle diameter may be used to identify advanced mass ovarian follicular atresia. The nonlethal tools assessed—plasma sex steroid concentrations, ultrasonography, and ovarian follicle diameter—enable fisheries biologists to determine the occurrence and frequency of mass ovarian follicular atresia among Burbot in Lake Roosevelt and may be applied to other Burbot populations.

Steroidogenic and innate immune responses in Atlantic salmon are influenced by dietary total lipid, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and dissolved oxygen

Recent studies have found that feeding high levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) influenced the steroid biosynthesis pathway of Atlantic salmon on a transcriptomic level, although research observed on a metabolic level is lacking. Dietary lipid and chronic stress have also been suggested to play a role in steroidogenesis. A study was performed on Atlantic salmon post-smolts (184 g) fed with diets of high and low levels of lipid with and without high levels of LC-PUFA under hypoxic (stressed) or normoxic (unstressed) conditions. Liver, head kidney and blood samples were collected after 35 and 116 days to determine short- and long-term effects. On day 35, dissolved oxygen affected the levels of the steroid hormones 11-deoxycortisol, cortisone and testosterone as well as the relative expression of cyp11a involved in steroidogenesis and ud2a2 involved in sex steroid metabolism. On day 116, an interaction between lipid x LC-PUFA x oxygen was found for cyp11a, hsd3b (steroidogenesis) and ud2a2 genes, whereas LC-PUFA and/or oxygen affected the steroid levels of 11-dehydrocorticosterone, corticosterone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone and testosterone. The observation that both LC-PUFA and oxygen affected cyp11a expression and the levels of pregnenolone, provides evidence for the influence of both parameters on the rate-limiting point of steroid production, which can take >35 days to establish. The 3-way interaction between lipid, LC-PUFA and dissolved oxygen on the expression of steroid genes suggests that the chronic stressor of hypoxia may be over-riding dietary influences of the lipid and LC-PUFA, though the relative proportion of LC-PUFA within the lipid may play a role as well. In terms of fatty acid composition, low dietary lipid and high LC-PUFA increased the levels of total n-6 and n-3 PUFA in the liver, particularly EPA and DHA, and the head kidney to a lesser extent. In terms of immune pathways, hypoxia influenced cytokine gene expression (tgfb, il10), cellular repair gene expression (gr, hsp70 and hsp90) and eicosanoid levels (PGE2 and LTB5) in the head kidney, while dietary lipid and LC-PUFA influenced cytokines (ifnγ and il1β) and eicosanoids (PGE2 and LTB5). These findings demonstrate that feeding different levels of LC-PUFA significantly alters steroidogenesis and innate immune response in Atlantic salmon post-smolts with additional interactions from dietary lipid and hypoxia stress. These results will significantly impact the aquaculture industry since it demonstrates salmon fed high levels of LC-PUFA are likely more resilient to cope with chronic stressors (e.g. prolonged hypoxia) due to lower corticosteroid levels and upregulated immune response.

Attractive and healthy-looking male faces do not show higher immunoreactivity

Previous research has indicated that facial attractiveness may provide cues to the functioning of the immune system. Mating with individuals who have a more effective immune system could lead to a higher reproductive success. Our main aim was to test a possible association between immunoreactivity (stimulated by vaccination) and perceived facial attractiveness and healthiness. We experimentally activated the immune system of healthy men using vaccination against hepatitis A/B and meningococcus and measured levels of specific antibodies (markers of immune system reactivity) before and 30 days after the vaccination. Further, 1 day before the vaccination, we collected their facial photographs that were judged by females for attractiveness, healthiness, and facial skin patches for healthiness. In view of its proposed connection with the functioning of the immune system, we also measured skin colouration (both from the facial photographs and in vivo using a spectrophotometer) and we assessed its role in attractiveness and healthiness judgements. Moreover, we measured the levels of steroid hormones (testosterone and cortisol) and the percentage of adipose tissue, because both are known to have immunomodulatory properties and are related to perceived facial attractiveness and healthiness. We found no significant associations between antibody levels induced by vaccination and perceived facial attractiveness, facial healthiness, or skin healthiness. We also found no significant connections between steroid hormone levels, the amount of adipose tissue, rated characteristics, and antibody levels, except for a small negative effect of cortisol levels on perceived facial healthiness. Higher forehead redness was perceived as less attractive and less healthy and higher cheek patch redness was perceived as less healthy, but no significant association was found between antibody levels and facial colouration. Overall, our results suggest that perceived facial attractiveness, healthiness, and skin patch healthiness provide limited cues to immunoreactivity, and perceived characteristics seem to be related only to cortisol levels and facial colouration.

Dynamics of sex hormones in cows in the period of deep pregnancy and after calving in connection with hyperbilirubinemia

The article presents the results of comparing the level of sex hormones estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in cows with normal and elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood during deep pregnancy and immediately after calving. A study was carried out on 20 cows, which, according to the results of the concentration of bilirubin in after calving, were divided into two groups: the first group included 8 animals with an increased level of it, the second group included 12 animals with a normal content of bilirubin. It was determined that hyperbilirubinemia is accompanied by a significant increase in the level of progesterone by 45,2% and testosterone by 52,1% in the first week after calving in comparison with animals that do not have high concentrations of bilirubin in the blood. In the absence of statistically significant differences at the beginning of the observation period 15-20 days before calving, both in the concentration of bilirubin and in the content of sex steroids in the blood, 3-8 days before calving, an increase in the level of bilirubin, progesterone and testosterone in group 1 by 43,0%, 48,0% and 19,4% than in group 2. Since progesterone and testosterone are precursors of estradiol in the process of ovarian steroidogenesis, the revealed ratio of sex steroids in the studied cows may indicate, on the one hand, a violation biosynthesis of the most important estrogen estradiol in liver pathology, but on the other hand, this may be a consequence of a slowdown in the catabolism of progesterone and testosterone with the participation of hepatic microsomal enzymes and conjugation processes.

Testosterone induces sexual dimorphism during infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA.

Malaria is the most lethal parasitic disease worldwide; men exhibit higher mortality and more severe symptomatology than women; however, in most studies of immune response in malaria, sex is not considered a variable. Sex hormones 17β-oestradiol and testosterone are responsible for the main physiological differences between sexes. When interacting with their receptors on different immune cells, they modify the expression of genes that modulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and synthesis of cytokines. The immunosuppressive activity of testosterone is well accepted; however, its participation in the sexual dimorphism of the immune response to malaria has not been studied. In this work, we analysed whether altering the concentration of testosterone, through increasing the concentration of this hormone for exogenous administration for three weeks, or gonadectomy before infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA affects different cells of the immune response necessary for parasite clearance. We also assessed the concentration of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in male and female CBA/Ca mice infected or not with the parasite. Our results show that testosterone changes affect females more than males, resulting in sex-associated patterns. Testosterone administration increased parasitaemia in intact males while reducing it in intact females leading to a dimorphic pattern. In addition, gonadectomy increased parasitaemia in both sexes. Moreover, testosterone administration prevented both weight loss caused by the infection in females and hypothermia in gonadectomized mice of both sexes. Boosting testosterone concentration increased CD3+ and CD8+ populations but decreased the B220+ cells exclusively in females. Additionally, testosterone reduced IFN-γ concentration and increased IL-6 levels only in females, while in males, testosterone increased the number of NK cells. Finally, gonadectomy decreased TNF-α concentration in both sexes. Our results demonstrate that testosterone induces different patterns depending on sex and testosterone concentration. The results of this work contribute to understanding the impact of modifying testosterone concentration on the immune response specific against Plasmodium and the participation of this hormone in sexual dimorphism in malaria.

Abstracts from the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health 2022 Annual BIRCWH Meeting:Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health November 2, 2022

Abstracts from the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health 2022 Annual BIRCWH Meeting:Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health November 2, 2022

Effects of long-term sex steroid hormones (estradiol and testosterone)-supplemented feeds on the growth performance of Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis).

The phenomenon of sexual size dimorphism (SSD), existing in mammals, birds, reptiles, spiders, amphibians, insects, and fishes, is generally related to feeding efficiency, energy allocation, sex steroids, and somatotropic and reproductive endocrine axes. Recently, positive and negative regulations of sex steroids have been reported on SSD in various species. Chinese tongue soles (Cynoglossus semilaevis) at 4months were fed with 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) supplemented feedsfor 8months to assess the effect of sex steroids on growth traits in different sexes. The potential genetic regulation was examined using severalgrowth-related genes. The results showed that two sex steroid hormones had inhibitory effects on the growth performance of different sexes of C. semilaevis. At the age of 8months, the expression of insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (igf2), 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (dhcr24), leptin, and estrogen receptor 2 (esr2) in the liver showed an overall downward trend. The expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (igf1) was reduced, while thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein 3 (thrap3) expression tended to increase in the gonad after T and E2 treatments. In the brain, somatostatin 1, tandem duplicate 2 (sst1.2) expression increased with the treatment of T and E2 (P < 0.05), while growth hormone-releasing hormone (ghrh) expression decreased. E2 and T had different effects on growth differentiation factor 8 (gdf8) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (igfbp7) expression in the muscle. Expression of gdf8 increased in thetreated fishes in contrast to the reduction expression of igfbp7. This study provided important clues for understanding the roleof sex steroids in flatfish SSD.

Evaluation of Sex Hormone in Benign and Malignant Breast Cancer in Iraqi Women

Elevated levels of circulating estrogens and androgens are linked to higher breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women; however, little is known about hormone levels within the breast. Hormone concentrations within the breast may not be reflected in the blood and are likely important contributors to breast carcinogenesis. The present study investigated the sex hormone (Estrogen, progesterone, Prolactin and testosterone). Female patients are divided into three groups (Benign, malignant and control). Benign (B)(34 patients) is divided into sub-groups including Benign premenopausal stage (B1)(17 patients) Benign postmenopausal stage (B2) (17 patients) and Malignant (M)(34 patients), Malignant premenopausal stage (M1) (17patients) and Malignant postmenopausal stage (M2)(17patients), and control group (C) include (11) premenopausal stage (C1) and (11) postmenopausal stage (C2). The expression level of soluble sex hormone (Estrogen, progesterone, Prolactin and testosterone) in serum was determined by an ELISA. Technique. The patients attended the Center for Early Detection of Breast Tumor at an oncology teaching hospital in Medical City. The study was conducted on 15/February (2021) to 20/July (2021). The values of Estrogen hormone in premenopausal malignant M1 (34.76 ±4.26 pg/ml) decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in comparison with C1, but it was non-significant in comparison with C2 and B1. M2 (64.28 ±4.17 pg/ml) shows a non-significant increase compared with C1, but it increased significantly with C2, B2 and M1. The values of progesterone hormone B1(12.75 ±3.34ng/ml) and B2( 13.06 ±2.98 ng/ml) was non-significant(P≤0.05) in comparison with C1 (8.17 ±2.87 ng/ml) and C2(6.28 ±2.87 ng/ml).M1 (14.30 ±4.29 ng/ml) and M2 (15.76 ±4.34 ng/ml) show non-significant difference in comparison with C1,C2,B1and B2. The values of Prolactin hormone in the M1(32.07±3.56(µIU/ml)) and M2(29.42±3.16) show non-significant difference(p&gt;0.05) with C1,C2,B1 and B2.levelsTestosterone hormone show a significant in M1(1.462 ±0.11(ng/ml)) increased (p&lt;0.05) in comparison with C1,C2,B1,B2. M2(1.392 ±0.10(ng/ml)) increase significantly(p&lt;0.05) in comparison with C1,C2,B1,B2 and M1. concluded from this study that the levels of estrogen increased significantly in postmenopausal malignant M2 women with breast cancer, and the levels of testosterone hormone significant increase in pre and postmenopausal breast cancer women, the levels of Prolactin and progesterone hormone showed non-significant differences in comparison with other groups. Keywords: Sex Hormone, Benign, malignant, Breast Cancer,

Anabolic Steroids in Fattening Food-Producing Animals-A Review.

Simple SummaryAnabolic steroids significantly affect animal tissues and cause morphological and histological changes, which are often irreversible. This issue is currently a very hot topic, as the answers to the questions concerning the health of endangered animals and humans vary greatly from country to country. There is a need to further investigate whether the use of anabolic steroids in animal fattening threatens consumer health and to develop new tools for the detection of anabolic steroids in meat. One possibility for detection could be to observe histological changes in the tissues, which form a typical pattern of anabolic abuse. This review gathered information on the anabolic steroids most commonly used in animal fattening, the legislation governing this issue, and the main effects of anabolics on animal tissues.Anabolic steroids are chemically synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone. They are used in medicine for their ability to support muscle growth and healing and by athletes for esthetic purposes and to increase sports performance, but another major use is in fattening animals to increase meat production. The more people there are on Earth, the greater the need for meat production and anabolic steroids accelerate the growth of animals and, most importantly, increase the amount of muscle mass. Anabolic steroids also have proven side effects that affect all organs and tissues, such as liver and kidney parenchymal damage, heart muscle degeneration, organ growth, coagulation disorders, and increased risk of muscle and tendon rupture. Anabolic steroids also have a number of harmful effects on the developing brain, such as brain atrophy and changes in gene expression with consequent changes in the neural circuits involved in cognitive functions. Behavioral changes such as aggression, irritability, anxiety and depression are related to changes in the brain. In terms of long-term toxicity, the greatest impact is on the reproductive system, i.e., testicular shrinkage and infertility. Therefore, their abuse can be considered a public health problem. In many countries around the world, such as the United States, Canada, China, Argentina, Australia, and other large meat producers, the use of steroids is permitted but in all countries of the European Union there is a strict ban on the use of anabolic steroids in fattening animals. Meat from a lot of countries must be carefully inspected and monitored for steroids before export to Europe. Gas or liquid chromatography methods in combination with mass spectrometry detectors and immunochemical methods are most often used for the analysis of these substances. These methods have been considered the most modern for decades, but can be completely ineffective if they face new synthetic steroid derivatives and want to meet meat safety requirements. The problem of last years is the application of “cocktails” of anabolic substances with very low concentrations, which are difficult to detect and are difficult to quantify using conventional detection methods. This is the reason why scientists are trying to find new methods of detection, mainly based on changes in the structure of tissues and cells and their metabolism. This review gathered this knowledge into a coherent form and its findings could help in finding such a combination of changes in tissues that would form a typical picture for evidence of anabolic misuse.

Social status mediates behavioral, endocrine, and neural responses to an intruder challenge in a social cichlid, Astatotilapia burtoni

Most animals encounter social challenges throughout their lives as they compete for resources. Individual responses to such challenges can depend on social status, sex, and community-level attributes, yet most of our knowledge of the behavioral and physiological mechanisms by which individuals respond to challenges has come from dyadic interactions between a resource holder and a challenger (usually both males). To incorporate differences in individual behavior that are influenced by surrounding group members, we use naturalistic communities of the cichlid fish, Astatotilapia burtoni, and examine resident dominant male responses to a territorial intrusion within the social group. We measured behavior and steroid hormones (testosterone and cortisol), and neural activity in key brain regions implicated in regulating territorial and social dominance behavior. In response to a male intruder, resident dominant males shifted from border defense to overt attack behavior, accompanied by decreased basolateral amygdala activity. These differences were context dependent – resident dominant males only exhibited increased border defense when the intruder secured dominance. Neither subordinate males nor females changed their behavior in response to a territorial intrusion in their community. However, neural activity in both hippocampus and lateral septum of subordinates increased when the intruder failed to establish dominance. Our results demonstrate how a social challenge results in multi-faceted behavioral, hormonal, and neural changes, depending on social status, sex, and the outcome of an intruder challenge. Taken together, our work provides novel insights into the mechanisms through which individual group members display context- and status-appropriate challenge responses in dynamic social groups.

Hormonal and genetic causes of poor response to controlled ovarian stimulation in women of late reproductive age

Objectives: to investigate the hormonal and genetic determinants of the poor response to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in women of late reproductive age.Materials and methods. 130 patients from assisted reproductive technology programs were examined. The main group of 80 older reproductive aged patients (35 years and older) was divided into 2 subgroups according to the POSEIDON criteria. Subgroup 1 included 34 women with a predicted poor response to COS, subgroup 2 – 46 patients with a predicted normal response to COS. The comparison group consisted of 50 patients under the age of 35 with a predicted normal response to COS.The pituitary hormones (luteinizing, follicle-stimulating hormones, prolactin), steroid hormones (testosterone, estradiol, progesterone), cortisol, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B values was determined in blood serum by the ELISA. Blood was taken on the third day of the menstrual cycle. A molecular genetic study of FSHR gene polymorphism (Ala307Thr, Ser680Asn) was performed.Results. AMH decrease, estradiol increase and inhibin B decrease in potentially poor responders to COS may be an additional indication of reduced ovarian reserve. The level of follicle-stimulating hormone increases with age, but does not have high specificity as a marker of ovarian reserve. Elevated levels of cortisol emphasize its role in reproduction and correspond to increased stress value. The effectiveness of IVF if there were 4 or more mature oocytes obtained is associated with higher levels of AMH and inhibin B, and lower estradiol and cortisol values. The multifaceted dependence of the COC effectiveness in women of older reproductive age on the parameters of the hormonal profile, confirmed by correlation analysis, reflects the complexity of the reproductive function implementation with the use of auxiliary reproductive technologies in such patients. The combination of AA/SS genotypes for the Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms of the FSHR gene can be an additional marker of COC inefficiency.Conclusions. Determination of the hormones levels (inhibin B, estradiol and cortisol), the study of Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms of the FSHR gene can provide additional information for predicting the response to COS in women of older reproductive age.

Male reproductive cycle in a population of the endemic butterfly lizard, Leiolepis ocellata Peters, 1971 (Squamata: Agamidae) from northern Thailand

BackgroundFundamental knowledge on the seasonal reproductive microanatomy and endocrinology of reptiles has been collected from several studies of various species. The present study was to determine annual changes in hormonal profiles, and detailed histomorphometric and histochemical characteristics of the entire male reproductive system of the tropical agamid lizard, Leiolepis ocellata.ResultsMale L. ocellata individuals (n = 75) collected from the territory of two provinces (Lampang and Tak) in northern Thailand exhibited annual variation in sex hormonal, histomorphometric, and histochemical characteristics of the male reproductive system. The reproductive cycle was subdivided into eight reproductive periods (early first active, first active, resting, second recrudescent, second active, regressive, quiescent, and first recrudescent), thus displaying a bimodal pattern with two actively reproductive periods. Circulating sex hormones (testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone) peaked in the first active (February) and the second active (June–July) periods. Likewise, gonadosomatic index (GSI) and histomorphometric variables of the testes and of the genital ducts (rete testis, ductuli efferentes, ductus epididymis, and ductus deferens) revealed their highest values in the first active period. Marked increase in protein and carbohydrate production was detectable in the ductuli efferentes during the active periods.ConclusionsThe male reproductive cycle of L. ocellata showed a biannual pattern of the hormonal profile, and detailed histomorphometric and histochemical characteristics of the entire reproductive system. Hence, the present study provides improved basic knowledge on the reptilian reproductive biology with comparative viewpoints to other reptiles.