Regulation of <i>α</i>-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone by Testosterone Is Associated with the Onset of Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms during Exercise

Objective: Atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms are altered with exercise. However, no study has investigated the association between testosterone and AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of testosterone by which the strength and weakness of exercise affects the skin symptoms of AD. Methods: Specific pathogen-free (SPF) and conventional NC/Nga mice were used. NC/Nga mice spontaneously developed dermal symptoms similar to AD patients. Two exercises, mild (20 m/min, 60 min) and rigorous (25 m/min, 90 min), were carried out using a treadmill four times every alternate day. Furthermore, we administered testosterone (0, 5, 50, 500, and 5000 pg/mice) to non-exercised conventional NC/Nga mice. On the final day of this experiment, we analyzed the plasma levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-4, IL-13, testosterone and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) by ELISA kit. Results: Symptoms manifested by NC/Nga mice were strongly exacerbated upon severe exercise but were ameliorated during mild exercise. Between mild and severe exercised conventional mice, the plasma level of IgE was not changed. On administering an equivalent amount of testosterone, depending on the exercise, AD-like symptoms in non-exercising NC/Nga mice were ameliorated with mild exercise and exacerbated through rigorous exercise. Plasma IL-6, IL-4, and IL-13 levels remained unchanged between +50 pg (mild) and +500 pg (severe) testosterone administration. Plasma α-MSH levels were elevated with +500 pg testosterone but decreased with +50 pg testosterone administration. Conclusion: The present results suggest that exercise largely mimics AD symptoms depending on the α-MSH and testosterone levels.

Hormonal contraception in Chinese men: variations insuppression of spermatogenesis with injectable testosteroneundecanoate and levonorgestrel implants

Aim: To explore the causes of the difference in spermatogenic suppression between responders and non-responders in Chinese men treated with levonorgestrel (LNG) implants plus testosterone undecanoate (TU) injectable. Methods: The 16 Chinese volunteers treated were divided into two groups in regard to the sperm count during the treatment period, 7 men in the responder group (Group R), including 6 azoospermia and one severe oligozoospermia, and the remaining 9 in the non-responder group (Group N), including 4 oligozoospermia and 5 with sperm counts greater than 20×106/mL. The differences in serum profiles of FSH, LH, T, LNG and T/LH ratio were compared between the two groups and the correlation between the seminal fluid parameters and serum reproductive hormones was analyzed. Results: The serum FSH level was lower in Group R than that in Group N (P<0.05), while the serum LH and LNG levels were higher in Group R than those in Group N (P<0.05). The sperm density (P<0.01, r=0.235), motility (P<0.01, r=0.326) and vitality (P<0.01, r=0.219) showed significantly positive correlation with the serum FSH level. Conclusion: The blood LNG and T levels, the degree of FSH inhibition and/or the sensitivity of the pituitary-testis axis to exogenous steroids, as well as the individual spermatogenetic potential and the functional status of the Leydig cells may be factors bringing about individual differences in spermatogenic suppression in Chinese men treated with LNG and TU.

Osteoblast-restricted Disruption of the Growth Hormone Receptor in Mice Results in Sexually Dimorphic Skeletal Phenotypes

Growth hormone （GH） exerts profound anabolic actions during postnatal skeletal development, in part, through stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in liver and skeletal tissues. To examine the requirement for the GH receptor （GHR） in osteoblast function in bone, we used Cre-LoxP methods to disrupt the GHR from osteoblasts, both in vitro and in vivo. Disruption of GHR from primary calvarial osteoblasts in vitro abolished GH-induced signaling, as assessed by JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation, and abrogated GH-induced proliferative and anti-apoptotic actions. Osteoblasts lacking GHR exhibited reduced IGF-l-induced Erk and Akt phosphorylation and attenuated IGF-1-induced proliferation and anti-apoptotic action. In addition, differentiation was modestly impaired in osteoblasts lacking GHR, as demonstrated by reduced alkaline phosphatase staining and calcium deposition. In order to determine the requirement for the GHR in bone in vivo, we generated mice lacking the GHR specifically in osteoblasts （△GHR）, which were born at the expected Mendelian frequency, had a normal life span and were of normal size. Three week-old, female AGHR mice had significantly reduced osteoblast numbers, consistent with the in vitro data. By six weeks of age however, female AGHR mice demonstrated a marked increase in osteoblasts, although mineralization was impaired; a phenotype similar to that observed previously in mice lacking IGF-1R specifically in osteoblasts. The most striking phenotype occurred in male mice however, where disruption of the GHR from osteoblasts resulted in a ＂feminization＂ of bone geometry in 16 week-old mice, as observed by faCT. These results demonstrate that the GHR is required for normal postnatal bone development in both sexes. GH appears to serve a primary function in modulating local IGF-1 action. However, the changes in bone geometry observed in male AGHR mice suggest that, in addition to facilitating IGF-1 action, GH may function to a greater extent than previously appreciated in establishing the sexual dimorphism of the skeleton.

Effect of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Analogue on the Sexual Behavior of Sacalia quadriocellata

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone(LHRH) is known to influence sexual behavior in many vertebrate taxa, but there have been no systematic studies on the role of LHRH in sexual behavior of turtles. We tested the hypotheses that exogenous LHRH analogues would induce sexual behavior of male Four-eyed turtle, Sacalia quadriocellata. We examined this by challenging males with intramuscular injections of mammalian luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue(LHRH-A), human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG), or a combination of the two, and subsequently exposing them to sexually receptive females for behavioral observation. Our data show that the injection of only HCG could not, while that of only LHRH-A could, facilitate sexual behavior along with testicular recrudescence and spermatogenesis in S. quadriocellata. The injection of both LHRH-A and HCG would induce more drastic sexual behavior of the animals than that of LHRH-A alone, indicating HCG enhances the effects of LHRH-A induced sexual behavior. However, different pharmacological dosages of LHRH-A(0.5 μg, 1 μg, 2 μg per 100 g bodyweight) did not correspond to different activity levels. Though the mechanism of LHRH effect was not determined, this study may support that the sexual behavior of S. quadriocellata which occurs at the beginning of the injection despite regression of the gonads. This is the first report on the exogenous LHRH-A induced sexual behavior for this species.

Use of a Natural Compound Made of Ecklonia bicyclis Seaweed, Tribulus terrestris and Water-Soluble Chitosan Oligosaccharide, in Male Sexual Asthenia with Mild or Mild-Moderate Erectile Dysfunction and Serum Testosterone Levels at the Lower Limit of Normal

Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of a natural compound made of Ecklonia bicyclis Seaweed, Tribulus terrestris and water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide, in the male sexual asthenia with mild or mild-moderate erectile dysfunction and serum testosterone levels between 280 and 350 ng/dl. Materials and Methods: 84 male patients affected by reduced libido and serum testosterone levels at the lower limit of normal, were recruited. We have separated patients in three different age groups: group A (18 - 45 years), group B (45 - 59 years), group C (>60 years). All subjects answered the International index of erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5) and underwent determination of serum total testosterone before and after 30 days of treatment. Results: Before treatment, the group A showed mean (± standard deviation) total testosterone 321.9 ± 19.2 ng/dl and mean IIEF-5 18.6 ± 1.97, in the group B it was 318.5 ± 18.1 ng/dl and 16.3 ± 2.66, and finally in the group C it was 305.4 ± 13.1 ng/dl and 14.2 ± 1.95 respectively. After treatment mean total testosterone and mean IIEF-5 were respectively: group A (448 ± 111.46 ng/dl and 21.84 ± 3.41);group B (453.8 ± 105.23 ng/dl and 20.4 ± 3.81);group C (385.8 ± 87.29 ng/dl and 16.7 ± 3.84). Conclusions: The treatment with Ecklonia bicyclis, Tribulus terrestris and water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide might represent a safe and effective option on the improvement of libido and erectile function in man with testosterone level at the lower limit of normal.

Hormonal replacement therapy and aging: Asian practical recommendations on testosterone supplementation

<abstract>Profound and diffuse alterations in the production of gonadal and adrenal androgens as well as growth hormone are associated with aging. To convey this concept more appropriately, partial endocrine deficiency in the aging male (PEDAM) was introduced as a term for the phenomenon of hormonal alterations in the aging male. Hormones responsible for some of the manifestations associated with male aging are testosterone, growth hormone, dehydroepiansdrosterone (DHEA), melatonin, thyroid hormones and leptin. Of these, testosterone has been widely investigated and its beneficial and adverse effects on male bodily systems are relatively well established. However, a serious body of confusion and misunderstandings surrounding the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of men suspected of having androgen deficiency has been raised. Therefore, it is timely to provide practical criteria for diagnosis and treatment to avoid misconception about the use of testosterone in the aging male. To provide an understanding and information of the issues, the following headings are summarized: (1) Important clinical consideration on testosterone supplementation in the aging male; (2) Asian practical recommendations on testosterone supplementation in the aging male.

Impact of Cellphone Radiation on Sexual Behavior and Serum Concentration of Testosterone and LH in Male Mice

Background: Cellphone radiation (CR) has been reported to be related to higher risk of many health problems, but if CR can impair sexual behavior and testosterone synthesis has seldom been studied. Objective: To evaluate the effects of CR on testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and sexual behaviors of male mice. Methods: Forty 3-month-old male mice, 22 - 25 g, were randomly allocated into four equal groups (n = 10 per group): the control group and three CR exposure groups including 8-hour group, 16-hour group and 24-hour group. Each mouse received different dose of CR exposure for 30 consecutive days. Sexual behaviors and testosterone and LH levels in serum were measured at the end of experiment. Furthermore, we also observed the weights of reproductive organs of each group, including testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle. Results: The mount latency and intromission latency in 24-hour group were significant higher than the control (both P < 0.01), while no obvious changes were seen in 8-hour group and 16-hour group (all P > 0.05). No difference in ejaculation latency existed among each group after the experiment (all P > 0.05). The frequency of mount and intromission in 24-hour group was statistically significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). No obvious change in the frequency of mount and intromission of the 8-hour group and 16-hour group was seen (all P > 0.05). Only the copulatory efficacy in the 24-hour group was statistically lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The serum levels of testosterone and LH in the 24-hour group were obviously higher than the control group (testosterone level: P < 0.05;LH level: P < 0.01). No significant differences were seen among the other two experimental groups and the control group (all P > 0.05). After the exposure of CR, the changes in the weights of sexual organs in the 24-hour group were significant compared with the control (testis weights, relative testis weight, epididymis weight, the weight of seminal vesicle, and the relative weight of seminal vesicle, all P < 0.01;the relative epididymis weight, P < 0.05). Conclusions: High dose exposure of CR can decline the testosterone and LH levels in mice and inhibit their sexual behaviors.

Effects of Bisphenol A on Testosterone Levels and Sexual Behaviors of Male Mice

Objective: To evaluate the effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on testosterone levels and sexual behaviors of male mice. Methods: Forty 12-week-old male mice, 22 - 25 g, were randomly allocated into four equal groups (n = 10 per group): the control group and three BPA exposure groups including low concentration group (10 mg/kg), middle concentration group (50 mg/kg) and high concentration group (100 mg/kg). Each mouse received BPA intraperitoneally injected for 21 consecutive days. Sexual behaviors and testosterone levels in serum and interstitial tissue of testis were measured after the last administration of BPA. Furthermore, we also observed the weights of sexual organs of each group, including testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle. Results: The mount latency in the high concentration group, the intromission latency in the middle and the high concentration group were 11.64 ± 2.67 min, 20.28 ± 3.40 min and 20.13 ± 2.06 min respectively. All of them were longer than the control group (all P < 0.05). The mount frequency, intromission frequency and copulatory efficacy in the high concentration group were 0.52 ± 0.15 numbers/min, 0.37 ± 0.12 numbers/min and 0.40 ± 0.03, which were all statistically lower than the control group (all P < 0.05). The average testis weights in the low, middle and high concentration group were 0.198 ± 0.032 g, 0.203 ± 0.037g and 0.183 ± 0.032 g, and the relative testis weight in the high concentration group was 0.637 ± 0.106. All of these data were lower than the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The epididymis weight and the relative epididymis weight, the weight of seminal vesicle and the relative weight of seminal vesicle were 0.069 ± 0.010 g, 0.242 ± 0.040, 0.219 ± 0.042 g and 0.760 ± 0.143, and all of them were lower than the control group (all P < 0.05). The serum testosterone levels in the high concentration group, the intratesticular testosterone levels in the middle and the high concentration group were 7.88 ± 1.62 ng/ml, 75.5 ± 7.18 ng/g and 73.00 ± 9.57 ng/g, which were all lower than the control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: BPA can decline the testosterone levels in mice and inhibit their sexual behaviors.

Association of severity and sex with vasoactive substance and sexual hormone level in patients with vascular dementia in the type of kidney asthenia and blood stasis syndrome

BACKGROUND: Kidney asthenia is the basic cause of the development of vascular dementia (VD). Kidney asthenia lasting for a long time will result in blood stasis. Also, the cause of VD may have relationships with endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), homocysteine (HCY), estrogen (E2), and testosterone (T). OBJECTIVE: To observed clinical curative effect of the kidney tonic, pancreas tonic, and blood tonic with promoting blood circulation components in treating kidney asthenia with blood stasis syndrome of VD. DESIGN: Case controlled study. SETTING: Geriatric Institute of Integrated Medicine, Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 70 patients, including 39 males and 31 females aged 60-80 years, were selected from Department of Neurology, Pingshan Hospital from May 2000 to September 2002. Diagnostic criteria were used for probable VD of the American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical of Manual of Mental Disorder, 4th ed (DSM-Ⅳ), 1994 revised, mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and criteria of kidney asthenia with blood stasis with mixed weak and sthenia syndrome of Guidelines of Clinical Research of New Chinese Medicine in Treating Dementia. According to score of kidney asthenia with blood stasis syndrome, they were classified to three groups: mild (n =22), moderate (n =33) and severe (n =15). All of them with complete chest X-Ray, ECG, blood chemistry and other related examinations, exclusive of cardiovascular, liver, kidney diseases, homeopathy and psychiatry diseases. And hereby we also select 30 normal people as the comparing group, having no substantial diseases in heart, brain, kidney, liver, lung and other main organic systems after medical examination. Of this group, 11 were males and 19 were females, ranging from 62 years old to 78 years old. There were no obvious differences between the above two groups in sex, age, and education level after statistical analysis. All patients observed in Pingxi Hospital, Fuzhou, from May 2000 to September 2002. METHODS: ① According to the diagnoses standard of blood stasis syndrome: 0-89: The increase in score indicated that blood stasis syndrome was getting serious. ② According to MMSE: All the test samples were evaluated, those with scores of 0-30, in which the non-educated ≤ 17, primary school ≤ 20, above middle school ≤ 24 were categorized. ③ Testing all sample's ET, E2 and T by using radioimmunoassay, the RIA kits were provided by Scientific and Technological Development Center of General Hospital of PLA. ④ Testing the level of NO by using colorimetic method. ⑤ Testing the level of HCY by using Enzyme-linked Immunoassay. ⑥ Meanwhile, analyzing the blood stasis score by comparing with every standard. The differences of data were compared by using t test and F test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Blood plasma ET, blood serum NO, HCY, E2 and T. ② The analyzing results obtained from comparing score of blood stasis with every indicators. RESULTS: The result analysis was including of both the 70 patients of VD with kidney asthenia and blood stasis and compared group consist of 30 healthy people. ① ET, NO, HCY and ET/NO: The levels of ET, HCY and ET/NO were increasing with pathography, while the levels of ET, NO, HCY and ET/NO were decreasing with the pathography, and the difference in statistics was significant (P < 0.01). ② The level of E2 and T: The levels of both E2, T and E2/T for male VD patients were (67.72±12.18) pg/L and (351.58±155.02) ng/L, 0.24±0.12 respectively, which were higher than the compared group [(53.96±16.13) pg/L, (471.83±143.99) ng/L, 0.12±0.00, P < 0.05]. The level of E2 in the female VD patients was lower than the compared group [(34.23±10.99), (44.81±14.65) pg/L, P < 0.05]. ③ The relationship between the score of blood stasis and each indicators: The levels of ET, ET/NO and HCY had significant positive relationship with blood stasis mark (r = 0.352, 0.754, 0.347, P < 0.05-0.01), obvious negative relationship with NO (r =-0.528, P < 0.01) and no clear relationship with female E2/T and male E2/T (r = -0.210, 0.04, P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ① The levels of ET, HCY and ET/NO are increasing with pathography, while the level of NO is decreasing, which may be the evidence that the possibility of VD pathography may have relationship with the indicators above. ② The level of E2 increase in male's VD patients, and decrease in male's. And the decrease of the female may have relationship with the VD.

Evaluations of cytotoxicity of Smilax myosotiflora and its effects on sexual hormone levels and testicular histology in male rats

Objective: To investigate the cytotoxicity of Smilax myosotiflora(S. myosotiflora)methanolic extract and its effects on sexual hormone levels and testicular histology in male rats.Methods: The cytotoxicity of S. myosotiflora methanolic extract was investigated by employing brine shrimp lethality assay. Forty eight male rats were randomly divided into four groups(Groups I–IV) of 12 each. Rats in Group I were administered with 0.5 m L of distilled water(vehicle), whilst Groups II, III and IV received 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the methanolic extract of S. myosotiflora in 0.5 m L of the vehicle, respectively. Male rats treated with continuous daily dosing were killed and necropsied after a total dose period of 60 days. Sexual hormones were assayed and histological examination of testes was performed according to standard methods.Results: S. myosotiflora extracts did not produce any cytotoxicity to brine shrimp in all concentrations tested. Serum testosterone level was significantly higher in rats treated with high dose of S. myosotiflora. Testicular histology showed normal architecture with all stages of spermatogenesis in all experimental groups.Conclusions: The present work confirmed that S. myosotiflora extract improves reproductive functions, without any cytotoxic activity and produces no histological changes to the testes.

Hormonal Status Assessment of Infertile Congolese Men

Background: The pathologies causing male infertility are various (congenital or acquired) and concern several hormone-producing organs: the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testes and adrenals. The hormonal dosage includes systematically testosterone, FSH and LH. These analyses often highlight hypogonadism hypogonadotropic or hypergonadotropic. They can sometimes be normal. The present study aimed to establish the hormonal profile of infertile men residing in Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study during five years (from 2018 to 2023). It concerned 344 infertilemen with an abnormal spermogram and spermocytogram. The method was performed from the blood dosage of testosterone, FSH, and LH using the Elisa technique. Results: The hormonal assessment was not normal in 48.83% (168/344) of cases. Increased values of testosterone were noted in 6.10% of cases and decreased in 12.20%. Abnormal high values of FSH were observed in 14.24% of cases and decreased values in 8.13%. LH was elevated, i.e. 2.03% of cases and decreased in 6.10% of subjects. Conclusions: A hormonal disturbance was observed in almost half of the infertile men. It concerned the hypothalamus-pituitary and the testes axis and indicated mainly a state of hypogonadism with high FSH and low LH.

LEVELS OF SEXUAL HORMONES IN RELATION WITH SYNDROME-DIFFERENTIATION OF TCM IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

Determinations of plasma levels of sexu-al hormones in 43 male patients of chronicrenal failure showed that the content oftestosterone（T）decreased markedly,whileestradiol（E2）and E2/T ratio were obviouslyhigher than in normal subjects,with no signif-icant correlation between the levels of thesesexual hormones and renal function.Accord-ing to syndrome-differentiation of TCM。

Association of Body Mass Index with Semen Quality and Sexual Hormone Levels among Men in Intrauterine Insemination

Background: The available evidence on the role of obesity and BMI on male infertility has been controversial or inconclusive to some extent. Objectives: To investigate the role of BMI on semen quality and hormone levels in men received intrauterine insemination. Material and Methods: A total of 390 males seeking artificial insemination in our department were recruited. BMI, blood pressure and semen parameters were assessed. Morning blood sample was taken for serum levels of testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2). Results: Subjects were divided into four groups according to BMI. There was no significant difference among groups in any of semen parameters and serum levels of FSH, LH, PRL and E2. Obese and overweight men were found having lower serum levels of T and higher levels of E2/T ratio than those of normal and underweight men. BMI was not found to be associated with semen parameters. Conclusion: This study has not found evidence of an association between BMI and semen parameters, but obesity has a negative effect on serum testosterone levels.

Reproductive Hormone Profiles and Their Relationships with Sexual Function in Patients with Prostate Cancer after Rapid Prostatectomy in Benin City

There are limited studies examining the relationship between serum reproductive hormone levels and sexual functions among prostate cancer (PCa) patients after rapid prostatectomy (RP). Aim: The present study aimed at evaluating the correlation between post-operative serum levels of some male reproductive hormones of PCa patients and their sexual functions in the months following RP. A total of 20 male patients with clinically localized PCa who had undergone RP within the last 12 months prior to commencement of the study, were invited to participate. The postoperative serum levels of their luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and total testosterone (Te) were measured. They also completed a structured health and lifestyle questionnaire to obtain information on their demographic characteristics and detailed medical history. Our data indicated normal mean levels of post-operative Te (4.34 ± 4.38 ng/ml) in the patients following RP, while the mean levels of FSH (39.24 ± 34.12 miu/ml) and LH (21.67 ± 25.73 miu/ml) were on the increase and far above normal ranges for healthy men. Data indicated a significant positive correlation between Te and frequency of sexual intercourse (r = 508;p < 0.05), libido (r = 0.429;p < 0.05) and penile erection (r = 0.494;p < 0.05). However, no significant correlations were found between FSH or LH and any of the sexual function parameters. The present study indicated that radical prostatectomy affected reproductive hormones by increasing LH and FSH concentrations above normal ranges for healthy men, while Te concentrations remained within normal range in the months following RP. The postoperative serum total Te concentrations of the patients were significantly associated with their postoperative sex drive, penile erection and frequency of sexual intercourse.

Improved sexual behavior in male rats treated with a Chinese herbal extract： hormonal and neuronal implications

Aim： To investigate the influence of an extract obtained from five Chinese medicinal plants on sexual behavior of adult male rats. Methods： The extract was administered at doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg by oral gavage, acutely （one time, 45 min before mating test） or subchronically （daily for 10 days） in sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent rats. Sexual behavior, serum levels of luteinizing hormone （LH） and testosterone （T） were evaluated in treated rats and compared with controls receiving vehicle. The effect of the extract on central dopaminergic neurotransmission was assessed in the nucleus accumbens using a microdialysis technique. Results： In sexually potent rats, both acute and subchronic treatment with the extract dosed at 30 and 60 mg/kg reduced mount latency and intromission latency. In sluggish/impotent rats, the acutely administered extract at the dose of 60 mg/kg shortened ejaculation latency, whereas subchronically administered at the doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg, reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, increasing also the percentage of mounting and ejaculating rats. The extract dosed at 60 mg/kg significantly increased LH and T following acute and subchronic administration and increased 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in the nucleus accumbens, 30 min after the acute administration. Conclusion： The improvement in both appetitive and consummatory components of sexual behavior observed in male rats treated with the extract could be ascribed to increased serum T level in parallel with the activation of the central dopaminergic system.

Isolation of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Its Receptor Genes from Scatophagus argus and Their Expression Analyses

The teleost Scatophagus argus is a species whose females grows faster than males.Growth hormone(gh)mRNA abundance in females pituitary is higher than that in males;however the mechanism underlining such differential is still unknown.Growth hormone(GH)is tightly associated with GH-releasing hormone(Ghrh)in vertebrates.In this study,Ghrh gene(ghrh)and its receptor gene,ghrhr,were isolated from S.argus.Tissue expression analysis showed that ghrh and ghrhr were mainly expressed in hypothalamus while ghrhr was expressed in pituitary and gh was predominantly expressed in pituitary.Twenty cultured S.argus individuals were used to compare ghrh,ghrhr and gh mRNA abundances,120 g and 181 g average weight for male(n=11)and female(n=9),respectively.Real-time PCR indicated that the ghrh and ghrhr mRNA abundances in male hypothalamus were significantly higher than those in female hypothalamus while that of gh mRNA abundance was significantly higher in female pituitary than in male pituitary.The ghrh and ghrhr mRNA abundances were significantly up-regulated in female hypothalamus 3 h after injection of 0.1 mg kg^-1 body weight Ghrh while pituitary ghrhr and gh mRNA abundances were not affected.In female hypothalamus,ghrh and ghrhr m RNA abundances were not affected at 6 h post-injection of 4 mg kg^-1 body weight 17α-methyltes-tosterone(17α-MT)or 17β-Estradiol(E2).In female pituitary,ghrhr m RNA abundance was down-regulated by 17α-MT while that of gh m RNA abundance was up-regulated by E2.Our findings indicated that E2,rather than Ghrh,plays an important role in up-regulating the expression of gh in female S.argus,which should aid to understand the sexual dimorphism of teleost growth.

Relationship between serum sex hormones levels and degree of benign prostate hyperplasia in Chinese aging men

Benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） is one of the most common medical conditions in middle aged and older men. This study investigated the relationship between serum levels of sex hormones and measures of BPH in the aging male population of China. Prostate symptoms were assessed as part of a free health screening program for men ~40 years of age. The examination included digital rectal examination, determination of serum prostate-specific antigen levels, International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS） and transrectal ultrasonography. Serum levels of total testosterone （TT）, sex hormone binding globulin （SHBG）, free testosterone （FT）, luteinizing hormone （LH）, follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, prolactin （PRL） and estradiol （E2） were evaluated. The men also completed a health and demographics questionnaire and received a detailed physical examination. The final study population consisted of 949 men with a mean age of 58.9 years. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that there were significant correlations between age and levels of all sex hormones except TT, and between age and prostate volume （PV; r=0.243; P〈0.01） or IPSS （r=0.263; P〈0.01）. Additional significant correlations were found between IPSS and serum levels of LH （r=0. 112; P〈0.01） and FSH （r=0.074; P〈0.05）, but there were no significant correlations between sex hormone levels and PV. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed significant correlations between age and body mass index （BMI） with PV （P〈0.0001）. In addition, there was a significant correlation between age and PV with IPSS （P〈0.0001）. Serum sex hormone levels did not correlate with PV or IPSS. The effects of endocrine changes on measures of BPH in aging men require further investigation in longitudinal and multicenter studies that include oatients with all severities of BPH.

Endocrine milieu and erectile dysfunction： is oestradio-testosterone imbalance, a risk factor in the elderly？

Oestrogens are not exclusive to the female gender but occur in moderate circulating levels of 25-70 pg ml^-1 in men, compared to 44- 153 pg ml^-1 in women. Arising from aromatisation of testosterone （T）, oestrogen is considered to have many opposing physiological functions and the progressive T decline in the aging male is associated with relative and/or absolute increase in serum oestradiol （E2）. Sexual disinterest and erectile dysfunction （ED） in the elderly may well be due to pathophysiological E2-T imbalance; the altered hormonal ratio may also explain the higher incidence of ED in hyperestrogenism or following exposure to environmental/plant oestrogens.

Effects of Environmental Lead Pollution on Blood Lead and Sex Hormone Levels among Occupationally Exposed Group in An E-waste Dismantling Area

Objective To study the effects of environmental multi-media lead pollution on blood lead and sex hormone levels among lead exposed males engaged in E-waste dismantling, and the correlation between confounding factors and sex hormone levels. Methods An E-waste dismantling area in Taizhou of Zhejiang Province was selected as the research site. One hundred and fifty two samples were collected from the groundwater, soil, rice, corn, chicken, and pork in the dismantling area. The effects of the multi-media lead pollution on the male blood lead and sex hormone levels of FSH, LH, and T, as well as the correlation with confounding factors, were studied. Results The blood lead concentrations in the males aged under 31, from 31 to 45 and from 46 to 60 were 98.55, 100.23, and 101.45 I~/L, respectively. Of all the environmental media lead exposures, the groundwater, rice and soil were main contributing factors to the lead accumulation in humans. FSH and LH levels increased with the age while the T levels decreased with the age instead. There was a significant correlation between the FSH and LH levels and wearing masks. Conclusion There was correlation between the FSH, LH, and T levels, and the mean values of lead concentrations in environmental media, and the sex hormone levels were correlated with the confounding factor of wearing masks.