Influence of leptin on luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone secreted from cultured rat anterior pituitary cells

BACKGROUND： Leptin may regulate reproductive function via release of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y. However, it is unknown whether this regulatory effect is limited to the hypothalamus. OBJECTIVE： To detect the effect of different dosages of leptin on luteinizing hormone （LH） and follicle stimulating hormone （FSH） secretion from in vitro cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. DESIGN： Contrast study based on cells. SETTING： This study was performed in the Basic Institute of Chengde Medical College, Chengde City, Hebei Province, China from March to June 2007. MATERIALS： Eighteen female Wistar rats of three months of age, weighing 200-220 g, and of clean grade were used. Leptin was provided by Peprotech Company, DMEM culture medium by Invitrogen Company, and the radioimmunological kit by Beijing Zhongshan Jinqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd. METHODS： Three glandular organs were regarded as one group for culture of anterior pituitary cells. In the control group, saline was added to the culture medium instead of leptin. In the leptin group, leptin was prepared into different concentrations of 1×10^-12, 1×10^-11, 1×10^-9, 1×10^-7, and 1×10^-6 mol/L for stimulation of cultured cells. The culture supernatant was obtained at three hours after additional of saline/leptin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Contents of LH and FSH were detected by radioimmunology. RESULTS： Following leptin stimulation, LH release increased with increasing concentrations of leptin up to 1×10^-9 mol/L, where LH release peaked. LH release then progressively decreased with increasing leptin concentrations （P 〈 0.01）. LH release in the leptin （1×10^-12, 1×10^-11, 1×10^-7, and 1×10^-6 mol/L） groups was significantly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. FSH content in the leptin （1×10^-11, 1×10^-9, and 1×10^-7 mol/L） groups was significantly higher than that in the control group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Leptin can directly affect pituitary tissue to promote the secretion of LH and FSH in a dose-dependent manner.

Combination immunotherapy with Survivin and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone fusion protein in murine breast cancer model

AIM To investigate the therapeutic potential of two recombinant proteins, Survivin and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) fusion protein [LHRH(6 leu)-LTB] for immunotherapy of breast cancer.METHODS Murine 4 T-1 breast cancer model was used to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant proteins in vivo. Twenty four Balb/c mice were divided into 4 groups of 6 mice each. Recombinant Survivin and LHRH fusion protein, alone or in combination, were administered along with immunomodulator Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP) in Balb/c mice. Unimmunized or control group mice were administered with phosphate buffer saline. Each group was then challenged with syngeneic 4 T-1 cells to induce the growth of breast tumor. Tumor growth was monitored to evaluate the efficacy of immune-response in preventing the growth of cancer cells.RESULTS Preventive immunization with 20 μg recombinant Survivin and MIP was effective in suppressing growth of 4 T-1 mouse model of breast cancer (P = 0.04) but 50 μg dose was ineffective in suppressing tumor growth. However, combination of Survivin and LHRH fusion protein was more effective in suppressing tumor growth (P = 0.02) as well as metastasis in vivo in comparison to LHRH fusion protein as vaccine antigen alone.CONCLUSION Recombinant Survivin and MIP suppress tumor growth significantly. Combining LHRH fusion protein with Survivin and MIP enhances tumor suppressive effects marginally which provides evidence for recombinant Survivin and LHRH fusion protein as candidates for translating the combination cancer immunotherapy approaches.

Long-term effectiveness of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist or antiandrogen monotherapy in elderly men with localizect prostate cancer （T1-2） ： a retrospective study

Aim： To evaluate the long-term effectiveness, side effects and compliance rates of two types of drugs （luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [LHRH] agonist and antiandrogen） that were used individually to treat patients with localized prostate cancer （T1-2） at our institution. Methods： Ninety-seven patients who were diagnosed in the period from April 1997 to January 2000 as having clinically localized prostate cancer （T1-2） received either LHRH agonist （leuprolide acetate 7.5 mg/month） monotherapy （group 1, n = 62） or antiandrogen monotherapy （group 2, n = 35; 18 received bicalutamide 50 mg q.d., 13 received nilutamide 150 mg t.i.d, and 4 received flutamide 250 mg t.i.d.）. The mean age in both groups was 76 years. Results： The mean follow-up time was （50.8 ±8.5） months in group 1 and （43.1 ± 2.2） months in group 2. Prostate-specific antigen （PSA） levels rose in only 1 of the 62 patients （1.6%） in group 1, and in 20 of the 35 patients （57.1%） in group 2. In group 2, 10 of the 20 patients （50 %） with increasing PSA levels were treated with LHRH salvage therapy, and eight （80%） responded. Hot flashes （54.8%） and lethargy （41.9%） were the most common side effects in group 1. In contrast, nipple-tenderness （40%） and light-dark adaptation （17.1%） were more often seen in group 2. Only 1 of the 62 patients （1.6%） in group 1 switched to another medication because of adverse side effects; whereas 8 of the 35 patients （22.9%） in group 2 did so. Conclusion： Unlike antiandrogen monotherapy, LHRH agonist monotherapy provided long-term durable control of localized prostate cancer （T1-2）. It can also be an effective treatment option for patients whose disease failed to respond to antiandrogen monotherapy. The limitations of our study are the lack of health outcomes analysis and a small sample size.

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.

Beneficial effects of a decreased meal frequency on nutrient utilization,secretion of luteinizing hormones and ovarian follicular development in gilts

Background:Replacement gilts are typically fed ad libitum,whereas emerging evidence from human and rodent studies has revealed that time-restricted access to food has health benefits.The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of meal frequency on the metabolic status and ovarian follicular development in gilts.Methods:A total of 36 gilts(Landrace×Yorkshire)with an age of 150±3 d and a body weight of 77.6±3.8 kg were randomly allocated into one of three groups(n=12 in each group),and based on the group allocation,the gilts were fed at a frequency of one meal(T1),two meals(T2),or six meals per day(T6)for 14 consecutive weeks.The effects of the meal frequency on growth preference,nutrient utilization,short-chain fatty acid production by gut microbial,the post-meal dynamics in the metabolic status,reproductive hormone secretions,and ovarian follicular development in the gilts were measured.Results:The gilts in the T1 group presented a higher average daily gain(+48 g/d,P<0.05)and a higher body weight(+4.9 kg,P<0.05)than those in the T6 group.The meal frequency had no effect on the apparent digestibility of dry matter,crude protein,ether extract,ash,and gross energy,with the exception that the T1 gilts exhibited a greater NDF digestibility than the T6 gilts(P<0.05).The nitrogen balance analysis revealed that the T1 gilts presented decreased urine excretion of nitrogen(−8.17 g/d,P<0.05)and higher nitrogen retention(+9.81 g/d,P<0.05),and thus exhibited higher nitrogen utilization than the T6 gilts.The time-course dynamics of glucose,α-amino nitrogen,urea,lactate,and insulin levels in serum revealed that the T1 group exhibited higher utilization of nutrients after a meal than the T2 or T6 gilts.The T1 gilts also had a higher acetate content and SCFAs in feces than the T6 gilts(P<0.05).The age,body weight and backfat thickness of the gilts at first estrous expression were not affected by the meal frequency,but the gilts in the T1 group had higher levels of serum luteinizing hormone on the 18th day of the 3rd estrus cycle and 17β-estradiol,a larger number of growing follicles and corpora lutea,and higher mRNA expression levels of genes related to follicular development on the 19th day of the 3rd estrus cycle.Conclusions:The current findings revealed the benefits of a lower meal frequency equal feed intake on nutrient utilization and reproductive function in replacement gilts,and thus provide new insights into the nutritional strategy for replacement gilts,and the dietary pattern for other mammals,such as humans.

Immunohistochemical observation on luteinizing hormone in rat testes before and after testicular capsulotomy

Aim: In the testicular capsulotomized rats, although there was a significant increase in the luteinizing hormone (LH)levels, the secretion of testosterone remained low. In order to clarify the mechanisms of this phenomenon, the bindingof endogenous LH to the testes were observed before and after testicular capsulotomy. Methods; Peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) method was used to detect the binding of LH to the testes in rats. Results; An intense positivestaining of LH was found in the Leydig cells of both the normal and sham-operated control testes. However, at 40 d af-ter operation, the LH immunoreactivity was decreased in the Leydig cells of the capsulotomized testis. By d 60, onlyvery weak positive staining could be observed in these cells. Conclusion; A progressive reduction of endogenousLH binding to the testis occurred in the capsulotomized rat. (Asian J Androl 2001 Sep; 3 : 227 - 230)

Effect of Kisspeptin on Regulation of Growth Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone in Lactating Dairy Cows

Kisspeptin （KP） , a neuroendocrine regulator of reproduction,is hypothesized to be an integrator of metabolism and hormones critical to the regulation of reproduction. Lactation is associated with enhanced growth hormone （GH） responsiveness and reduced fertility. Our study was designed to determine the effects of lactation on KP-stimulated GH and luteinizing hormone （LH） secretion. Five non-lactating and five lactating dairy cows were used in the study. Experiments were conducted with lactating cows at weeks 1,5 and 11 after parturition. The experimental treatments （saline and KP [100 and 400 pmol / kg body weight]） were given intravenously and blood was collected and plasma was stored until later assay to determine concentrations of GH,LH,progesterone and nonesterified fatty acids. We found that neither dose of KP stimulated an increase in GH secretion. The low dose ofKP increased （P 〈0. 05） LH concentrations only in lactating cows. The higher dose of KP elicited an increase in circulating LH concentrations in both lactating and non-lactating cows. The lower dose of KP increased （P 〈 0. 05） the area under the curve for LH only in cows during week 5 of lactation,and the area under the curve of LH following the highest dose of KP was greater （P 〈 0. 05） in cows during week 5 of lactation than that for the other groups of cows. In summary,lactation status and stage of lactation did not change the sensitivity of the GH system to KP. However,an effect of stage of lactation on KP-stimulated LH secretion was detected in the dairy cows. Study of the KP system during lactation in dairy cows may provide critical insights into the mechanisms for lactation-associated changes in the reproductive axis.

Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and prolactin in relation to double brooding in Great Tit(Parus major)

The reproductive behaviors of birds are mainly controlled by the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis.Many studies have shown that reproductive hormones are tightly linked to the breeding sub-stages.However,only a few studies have examined the temporal trend of hormone levels among different reproductive stages in multiple brooded species.We investigated the changes in plasma luteinizing hormone(LH)and prolactin(PRL)concentrations during different reproductive stages of the facultative double-brooded Great Tit(Parus major).We found that the concentrations of LH and PRL in females were significantly higher than those in males.Females had significantly higher LH and lower PRL concentrations in the pre-breeding period than in the first/second brooding periods,and there were no significant changes between the first and second brooding periods.The concentrations of LH and PRL in males had no significant difference between the pre-breeding period and the first brooding periods,while LH and PRL concentrations in the second brooding period were significantly higher than those in the first brooding period.We conclude that there are sex-based differences between LH and PRL at different stages of reproduction.The changes in LH and PRL in both males and females should be related to their physiological functions.Especially for males,individuals with higher levels of LH and PRL are more likely to maintain second clutches.

N-acetylcysteine and zinc sulphate abate di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate-mediated reproductive dysfunction in rats:Focus on oxidative and sex hormone receptors mechanisms

Objective:To investigate the potential of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)and zinc sulphate(ZnSO_(4))in mitigating reproductive dysfunction caused by di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)in rats and to understand the underlying mechanisms,specifically oxidative stress and sex hormone receptor activity.Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups(n=7 per group).Group 1 was administered 0.5 mL of distilled water and served as the control group.Group 2 was given only DEHP(750 mg/kg/day),while group 3,4 and 5 were given DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day),DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),and DEHP(750 mg/kg/day)plus NAC(100 mg/kg/day)as well as ZnSO_(4)(0.5 mg/kg/day),respectively.All treatments lasted for 21 days.Samples were obtained after the rats were sacrificed,and hormones levels in the serum and markers of oxidative stress in the testicles were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The amount of androgen receptors in the testicles was determined by immunohistochemistry,and the susceptibility of testosterone and DEHP to bind to androgen receptor and 5α-reductase was determined by molecular docking studies.Results:DEHP decreased reproductive hormones,testicular antioxidant enzymes,increased malondialdehyde levels,and negatively impacted histology of the pituitary and testes.NAC or ZnSO_(4) treatment showed a marked improvement in testicular antioxidant status and hormone levels,as well as a positive effect on the histology of the pituitary and testes.The combination of both treatments appeared to be more effective.The affinity of DEHP to bind to androgen receptors may lead to disruption of androgen receptor signaling,which can further result in dysfunction of hormones related to androgen.However,NAC is more likely to form stronger binding interactions with follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptors,as well as gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors,when compared to DEHP.Conclusions:The possibility that NAC and ZnSO_(4) could downregulate DEHP-induced sex hormone changes is suggested by their potential to reduce toxicity.

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.

The Effects of Lei Gong Teng on Reproductive Hormones

The serum reproductive hormone levels were examined with radioimmunoassay in women of child-bearing age before and after treatment with the prescriptions containing Lei Gong Teng ([symbol: see text] Radix Tripterygii Wilfordii). The results showed that Lei Gong Teng could induce amenorrhea, but it was reversible.

Androgen receptor gene polymorphism and sex hormones in elderly men:the Tromsøstudy

The aim of this study was to examine whether CAG/GGN repeats are significant modulators of serum concentrations of total and free testosterone(T)as well as of luteinizing hormone(LH)in elderly men.Sixty-nine 60-to 80-year-old men with subnormal T levels(≤11.0 nmol L^(-1))and 104 men with normal T levels taking part in a nested case-control study were used for these analyses.Sex hormones were measured and free T was calculated.The CAG and GGN polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene were determined by polymerase chain reaction and subsequent direct sequencing.There were no differences in the CAG and GGN repeat lengths between the groups.In cross-sectional analyses of the whole cohort,total and free T were positively associated with CAG length(all P<0.05)before,but not after,waist circumference or body mass index was added to the model.CAG repeat lengths were weakly,but not independently,associated with total and free T.These findings indicate that when clinically evaluating T and LH levels in elderly men,the CAG and GGN repeat lengths do not need to be taken into consideration.

Preclinical therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia with neuropeptide hormone antagonists

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is a pathologic condition of the prostate described as a substantial increase in its number of epithelial and stromal cells.BPH may significantly reduce the quality of life due to the initiation of bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract syndromes.Current medical therapies mostly consist of inhibitors of 5α-reductase orα1-adrenergic blockers;their efficacy is often insufficient.Antagonistic analogs of neuropeptide hormones are novel candidates for the management of BPH.At first,antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone(LHRH)have been introduced to the therapy aimed to reduce serum testosterone levels.However,they have also been found to produce an inhibitory activity on local LHRH receptors in the prostate as well as impotence and other related side effects.Since then,several preclinical and clinical studies reported the favorable effects of LHRH antagonists in BPH.In contrast,antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone(GHRH)and gastrin-releasing peptide(GRP)have been tested only in preclinical settings and produce significant reduction in prostate size in experimental models of BPH.They act at least in part,by blocking the action of respective ligands produced locally on prostates through their respective receptors in the prostate,and by inhibition of autocrine insulin-like growth factors-Ⅰ/Ⅱand epidermal growth factor production.GHRH and LHRH antagonists were also tested in combination resulting in a cumulative effect that was greater than that of each alone.This article will review the numerous studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects of antagonistic analogs of LHRH,GHRH and GRP in BPH,as well as suggesting a potential role for somatostatin analogs in experimental therapies.

Morphological changes of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the rat preoptic area across puberty

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） neurons in the preoptic area may undergo morphological changes during the pubertal period when their activities are upregulated. To clarify the regulatory mechanism of puberty onset, this study aimed to investigate the morphological changes of GnRH neurons in the preoptic area of GnRH-enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic rats. Under confocal laser microscopy, pubertal GnRH neurons exhibited an inverted Y distribution pattern. Prepubertal GnRH neurons were generally unipolar and bipolar, and were distinguished as smooth type cells with few small processes or irregular type cells with many spine-like processes in the proximal dendrites. The number of GnRH neurons in the preoptic area and spine-like processes were increased during the course of reproductive maturation. There was no significant difference between male and female rats. Immunofluorescence staining revealed synaptophysin punctae close to the distal end of GnRH neurons, indicating that some presynaptic terminals may form a synaptic linkage with these neurons.

Kisspeptin regulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion in gonadotropin-releasing hormone/enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic rats

Kisspeptin is essential for activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. In this study, we established gonadotropin-releasing hormone/enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic rats. Rats were injected with 1, 10, or 100 pM kisspeptin-10, a peptide derived from full-length kisspeptin, into the arcuate nucleus and medial preoptic area, and with the kJsspeptJn antagonist peptJde 234 into the lateral cerebral ventricle. The results of immunohistochemical staining revealed that pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion was suppressed after injection of antagonist peptide 234 into the lateral cerebral ventricle, and a significant increase in luteinizing hormone level was observed after kisspeptin-10 injection into the arcuate nucleus and medial preoptic area. The results of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that luteinizing hormone levels during the first hour of kisspeptin-10 infusion into the arcuate nucleus were significantly greater in the 100 pM kisspeptin-10 group than in the 10 pM kisspeptin-10 group. These findings indicate that kisspeptin directly promotes gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion and luteinizing hormone release in gonadotropin-releasing hormone/enhanced green fluorescent protein transgenic rats. The arcuate nucleus is a key component of the kisspeptin-G protein-coupled receptor 54 signaling pathway underlying regulating luteinizing hormone pulse secretion.

Homeostatic relevance of vitamin D in maintaining male fertility in human: Down-regulation of oxidative stress and up-regulation of anti-oxidative defense and steroidal hormones

Objective:To evaluate correlation between the levels of vitamin D and male infertility as well as to determine the efficacy of vitamin D in improving the male fertility by up-regulating the levels of testosterone and spermatogenesis.Methods: In the present study, 130 male patients (aged 25-70 years) having fertility defects were screened and 145 healthy individuals were taken as control. All human subjects were screened for 4-hydroxynonenal, isoprostane-F2α, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, vitamin D, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterones, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and nitric oxide.Results: The screening analysis revealed that the levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and testosterone were lower in male infertile subjects compared to healthy subjects. Similarly, the levels of vitamin D [(17.17 ± 2.30) ng/mL] and calcium[(6.29 ± 0.31) mg/dL] were significantly lower in infertile groups compared to the normal healthy groups. Moreover, the study revealed that the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly higher in healthy subjects compared to the infertile subjects.Conclusions:Vitamin D exhibits strong relevance to male fertility by maintaining the levels of sex hormones (luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and testosterone), up-regulating the antioxidant defense (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and down-regulating the oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase species).

Comparison of serum reproductive hormones, antioxidants, PGE2 and PGF2-α between primary and secondary infertile women in Calabar

Objective:To compare the prolactin, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, antisperm antibodies, tumor necrosis factorα, total antioxidant capacity, prostaglandin E2 and F2α between primary and secondary infertile women in Calabar.Methods:One hundred and two volunteers infertile women (test group), aged 20-45 years attending the infertility clinic in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) were recruited. Fourteen of the women had primary infertility while 88 of them had secondary infertility. Sixty apparently healthy, age matched women served as the control group. Five millilitres of blood was collected, allowed to clot and serum was obtained from the subjects and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method was used for prolactin, progesterone, estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), prostaglandin E2and F2α, human TNF-α,Chlamydia trachomatis IgG, antisperm antibodies assay, while serum total antioxidant capacity was assessed spectrophotometrically.Results:The result shows on comparison that primary infertile women has a significantly higher level of progesterone than those with secondary infertility (P>0.05). There was a significant difference in the levels of prolactin and total antioxidant capacity in the primary and secondary infertility when compare to the control group atP>0.05. Their mean ages were (31.10±5.37) years and (33.10±4.91) years respectively. There was a positive correlation between TAC and FSH, TNF and anti-sperm anti-bodies in the test group ofr=0.207 andr=0.632;P>0.05 respectively.Conclusions: These findings suggest no alterations in levels of prostaglandin F2α, TNF and anti-oxidant between primary and secondary infertile females.

Association between luteinizing hormone level decrease on the triggering day and pregnancy outcome for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients following gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol: a retrospective cohor

Objective:Optimal luteinizing hormone(LH)levels forin vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI)patients following the gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)antagonist protocol remain controversial.This study aimed to estimate the association between serum LH levels on the triggering day(LHLOT)and clinical pregnancy outcomes in IVF/ICSI patients following the GnRH antagonist protocol.Methods:We enrolled 4743 IVF/ICSI cycles using flexible or fixed GnRH antagonist protocols between January 2017 and June 2021.The patients were stratified into four groups according to the LHLOT quartiles(Q1–Q4).Each group was further divided into two subgroups according to the median basal LH/LHLOT.The main outcomes were clinical pregnancy,birth,and miscarriage rates.Secondary outcomes were oocyte yield,number of MII,fertilized oocytes(2PN),and high-quality embryos.Results:Serum LHLOT levels were negatively correlated with oocyte yield and the numbers of MII,2PN,and high-quality embryos.Reproductive outcomes were compared among the different quartiles and subgroups.The absolute difference in the clinical pregnancy rates between the Q4 and Q1 groups was 6.4%(47.2%vs.40.8%,P<0.05).Clinical pregnancy rates between the subgroups with basal LH/LHLOT>3.04 and≤3.04 were 32.7%and 48.6%(P<0.01),respectively,in Q1.Within Q3,the clinical pregnancy rates between the subgroups with basal LH/LHLOT>2.14 and≤2.14 were 50.2%and 41.9%,respectively(P<0.05).The greater the decrease in LH levels,the lower the oocyte maturation rate across all quartiles.Conclusions:According to the LHLOT quartiles,the Q1 of serum LHLOT<1.43 IU/L may result in a higher number of oocytes but reduced oocyte maturation and lower clinical pregnancy rates.A decrease in LH levels by approximately 2.14 to 3.04 times compared to basal LH levels may lead to higher clinical pregnancy rates in IVF/ICSI patients following the GnRH antagonist protocol.

黄体生成素/促卵泡生成素比值对快进展型中枢性性早熟的预测价值研究

背景 中枢性性早熟(CPP)是儿童内分泌常见疾病,近年来呈逐年增加趋势,依据青春期发育进程可分为快进展型中枢性性早熟(RP-CPP)和缓慢进展型中枢性性早熟(SP-CPP)。RP-CPP具有极大危害,其与SPCPP在早期临床鉴别中存在困难,主要依靠随访中青春期发育进程及骨龄进展情况进行判断,目前缺乏有效的实验室检查指标来预测RP-CPP。目的 探讨促黄体生成素(LH)/促卵泡生成素(FSH)比值对RP-CPP的预测价值。方法回顾性选取2020年1月—2022年5月郑州大学附属儿童医院收治的4~10岁CPP女童(n=380),依据青春期发育进程等指标分为RP-CPP组(n=130)及SP-CPP组(n=250),对两组间的临床特征进行对比分析,进行RP-CPP影响因素的单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析,并绘制LH/FSH比值对RP-CPP预测价值的受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线。结果 RP-CPP组女童的身高、体质量、BMI、胰岛素样生长因子1(IGF-1)、骨龄与实际年龄差值、双侧卵巢体积、LH基础值、雌二醇水平、LH基础值/FSH基础值、LH峰值/FSH峰值均高于SP-CPP组(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析,结果显示,LH基础值(OR=0.882,95%CI=0.686~0.986,P=0.035)及LH峰值/FSH峰值(OR=0.492,95%CI=0.336~0.723,P<0.001)是CPP患者进展为RP-CPP的影响因素。LH基础值/FSH基础值、LH峰值/FSH峰值均与身高、IGF-1、LH基础值、雌二醇水平、LH峰值、卵巢容积及骨龄呈正相关(P<0.05)。ROC曲线显示LH基础值/FSH基础值、LH峰值/FSH峰值较其他指标对RP-CPP的预测价值更高,LH基础值/FSH基础值为0.63时,约登指数最大为0.258[灵敏度为43.1%,特异度为82.7%,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)=0.644],LH峰值/FSH峰值为1.39时,约登指数最大为0.276(灵敏度为74.6%,特异度53.0%,AUC=0.655),二者联合的预测模型优于单一指标预测模型(AUC=0.668)。对未进行临床干预患儿随访6个月后的基础促性腺激素水平进行分析,随访6个月后RP-CPP组的身高增长、ΔLH、ΔFSH、骨龄增长及卵巢容积增长均多于SP-CPP组(P<0.05)。结论 LH基础值/FSH基础值及LH峰值/FSH峰值是RP-CPP的早期预测指标,当LH/FSH基础值≥0.63或LH峰值/FSH峰值≥1.39时,需考虑RP-CPP的可能性,并且二者联合的预测价值优于单一指标,可作为临床应用促性腺激素释放激素类似物治疗的辅助参考指标。

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.