Prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in different age groups of women with fertility problems

Hormonal disturbance is one of the major causes of infertility and higher prolactin concentration, causes ovulatory dysfunction and infertility in women. Aim of our study was the evaluation of disordered prolactin concentration for fertility related complaints in female patients and prevalence of hyperprolactinemia in various age groups. The study was carried out in Reproductive Physiology/Health, PHLD NIH [National Institute of Health, Islamabad]. 246 women complaining fertility problems were included in study. Subjects were divided into two major groups ranging from 13-50 years [n=165] in Normal and 13-40 years [n=81] in Hyperprolactinemic group where Normal group had reference value of 1.9-25.9 ng/ml and Hyperprolactinemic group was having prolactin level >25.9 ng/ml. They were further sub-divided into age groups, four groups in Normal category and three groups in Hyperprolactinemic category. 66% women in all had serum concentration of prolactin in normal limits [1.9-25.9 ng/ml] whereas 33% women had elevated prolactin level. The mean serum concentration of prolactin Hyperprolactinemic groups [in each age group] varied significantly from Normal groups [P<0.01]. Decrease in prolactin level was seen in advancing age

Interrelation of t3 and t4 in different conditions represented by the thyroid profile

The present study was carried out to determine the picture of T3 and T4, with respect to each other, among male and female population of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Serum Total 13 and Total T4 levels were determined in 713 patients, using Abbott AxSYM system, based upon MELA [T3] and FPIA [T4] technology. Among the studied male population, no case was seen in which depression of T4 was present among patients with normal T3, as well as having elevated T4 in association with depressed T3. No case, from either gender was seen in which T3 elevation and T4 depression was present. No significant differences were recorded in respective levels of T3 and T4 between genders, in the same groups. With respect to age, it was observed that abnormal thyroid hormone levels are mostly found in people of age 30-40 years. Young and elderly persons are rarely affected. It was also observed that in certain cases the age of male patients was greater, so it can be said that males are affected in later life as compared to females. Thyroid hormone disorder is a commonly occurring disease. Analysis demonstrated that T3 and T4 show a kind of interrelation among themselves in these disorders, since change in one hormone affects the level of the other. Prevalence of these changes is high in females than in males. This study also demonstrated that younger and elderly patients show more normal thyroid hormone levels as compared to the middle aged

Carcinoembryonic antigen usefulness as a tumour marker in female subjects

The result of the current study demonstrated that there was no effect of age on carcinoembryonic antigen levels and also determined percentage of different carcinomic conditions diagnosed on the basis of carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] level out of the total analyzed cases. 40% patient had normal carcinoembryonic antigen levels while 60% had elevated serum concentration of carcinoembryonic antigen

Contraceptive properties of natural substances used as delicacies nature's system of check and balance

Nature maintains a check and balance between the available resources and animal and plant populations. In a similar way, natural substances possess fertility affecting properties for human beings as well. The present paper reports five such substances used as contraceptives in the traditional system of medicine, namely, Piper nigrum, Curcuma longa, Allium sativum, Syzygium aromaticum and Momordica charantia, which are used as delicacies in our society

Relationship between a tumour marker - serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin [beta-hCG] - and age in female subjects

Cancer is a dreadful disease, which often proves fatal if not treated timely and properly. Early diagnosis can help in preventing cancer related deaths through successful therapy where tumour markers are present in the serum useful for diagnosis and monitoring tumour cases, through fluctuating levels in their serum. Beta human chorionic gonadotropin [beta-hCG] is a useful tumour marker. The present study was carried out to observe the association of beta-hCG level with age of female patients. Grouping on the basis of normal and raised beta-hCG levels demonstrated highly significant differences [p<0.001], while age did not vary significantly [p>0.05]. It was also observed that beta-hCG levels are higher in patients under 50 years while they are low in age group above 50 years

Association of maternal serum alpha fetoprotein levels with gestational age

The aim of the study was to measure the levels of maternal serum alphafetoprotein [AFP] at an early stage, and study its association with prevailing gestation age for use in diagnosis of foetal abnormalities. Microparticle Enzyme Immuno Assay technique was used for AFP quantification. In pregnant women, correlation co-efficient exhibited a strong relationship among age, values of AFP and gestational weeks [r=0.966]. It was further observed that levels of AFP significantly depended on gestation weeks [t >2.93]

Effect of non detectable thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] levels on thyroid activity

Thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxin [T4], affect almost all metabolic activities of tissues and are produced under influence of the anterior pituitary hormone, the thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], which stimulates secretion of thyroid hormones, and is itself under the control of the hypothalamic thyroid releasing hormone [TRH]. The present study was conducted to observe the effect of non-detectable levels of TSH on thyroid hormones, on the basis of gender and age. Analysis of data through student's 't'-test revealed that prevalence of thyroid disorders in the studied group was more among females. However, the disorders were not age dependent. Most common condition associated with non-detectable TSH levels was hyperactivity of the thyroid gland, followed by sub-clinical hyperthyroidism

Assessment of iron deficiency anaemia by observing the correlation between serum ferritin and haemoglobin levels

In order to observe the correlation between the serum ferritin and blood haemolgobin in anemic patients determination of haemoglobin levels was carried out in uncoagulated blood using Sysmex K1000. The remaining 2 ml blood was used to separate serum by centrifugation, which was then analyzed for determination of ferritin by Elecsys 2010, through electrochemilluminescence technique. Data were compared using correlation analysis and significant correlations were observed in case of male patients, as well as the patients when studied collectively, before distribution into genders. Female patients did not exhibit any significant correlations, when studied separately. The results of the present study show that elevation or decrease in serum ferritin level is a very significant factor in causing anaemia

Disturbances in the serum progesterone levels during the luteal phase

The major cause of female infertility is the disturbance of the hormones of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and progesterone is a major component of this axis. The present study was carried out to determine the incidence of luteal phase defect of progesterone in a group of 150 regularly menstruating female subjects. Luteal phase defect to progesterone was seen in 43.3% patients, 40% having fairly low level of progesterone and 3.3% exhibiting higher levels

Variation in serum testosterone levels in male infertility cases

A study was carried out in which male subjects [n=105], with a complaint of infertility, were assessed for their testosterone levels. Serum testosterone levels were determined using Roche Diagnostic Enzymun System. Findings revealed that 22.69% of the population had their testosterone below normal levels, while 10.25% exhibited levels beyond the upper permissible levels. All these patients were absolutely normal in terms of secondary sexual characteristics development, and, could not be phenotypically categorized as either being androgen deficient, or, hyperactive. Upon the bases of these findings, it is concluded that the testosterone levels need to be assessed in all male infertility cases, irrespective of the phenotypic picture of the individual

Contraception in traditional system of medicine the possible role of sex steroids on female reproduction

Contraceptive pills used in allopathic system of medicine contain both estrogen and progesterone or progesterone only. These hormones are responsible for contraception. Fertilization is prevented mainly by inhibiting ovulation or by making the mucus in the female genital tract thick and viscid. In this study different parts of five different plants, and one animal species used as contraceptive in Traditional System of Medicine, were selected to see their efficacy as contraceptive. These substances were subjected to determine the presence of steroid and peptide hormones. Electrochemiluminescence technique was used to detect these hormones in the extract. Results reveal that all the substances contain reasonable amount of steroid hormones i.e., estradiol, progesterone and testosterone ranging from 62.76 pg/ml to 313.6 pg/ml, 0.333 ng/ml to 2.90 ng/ml and 1.22 ng/ml to 22.24 ng/ml. respectively. All these substances were found to contain steroid hormones except the shell of Cyprea moneta which showed no detectable amount of LH and FSH. The concentrations of LI1 and FSH in the extract of Cyprea moneta shell were 0.564 mlU/ml ml and 0.644 mlU/ml, respectively. On the basis of these findings it is postulated that different parts of these plants and animals may create imbalance in the delicate ratio of estrogen and progesterone required for the ovulation and implantation, thus preventing fertilization

Role of serum estradiol and progesterone in the regulation of male fertility

In the present study, serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations were determined in men representing infertile couples. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance [ANOVA], Tukey multiple comparison tests and Student's t-test with regard to estradiol, normal, low and high concentrations were observed. Mean serum concentrations of E2 [pg/ml] in the three groups were 28.25 +/- 2.13, 3.14 +/- 1.23 and 82.62 +/- 19.3 pg/ml respectively. The serum concentrations of E2 were significantly different [p<0.0001], whereas mean age did not differ significantly [p>0.05] among the groups. Space of serum progesterone levels, both normal [<0.3 ng/ml] as well as elevated cases were seen. The mean serum concentrations of progesterone in the groups were 0.039 +/- 0.018 ng/ml and 0.93 +/- 0.39 ng/ml respectively. There was a significant difference [p<0.002] between the groups with respect to mean serum concentration of progesterone. However, mean age was not significantly different [p>0.05] between the groups. It can be concluded that endocrine screening of men with estradiol may detect the vast majority of clinically significant endocrinopathies

comparison between the normal levels of thyroid hormones among elderly and young men

A preliminary study was carried out to observe the levels of thyroid hormones among the normal elderly men and to observe the variation from the levels exhibited by men of younger age. The hormonal levels were measured using Abbott IMX system. Total T3, Total T4 and TSH were evaluated among 47 elderly men [mean age 53.23 +/- 1.00]. Data were analyzed using t-test. It was found that the normal levels of Total T3 and Total T4 did not vary significantly [p>0.05] from that of a younger group of men [28.6 +/- 0.02 years], however, TSH levels among the older men were significantly higher [p<0.001], although well within the permissible levels. It seems to indicate that a slight significant increase [p<0.001] in normal levels of TSH, and a non-significant decrease [p>0.05] in levels of T3 and T4, with age, takes place

Detection and the quantitative analysis of seeds of crotalaria juncea and lac of ficus religiosa for steroidal hormones

As reported in the traditional medicine literature, antifertility properties have been attributed to seeds of Crotalaria juncea and lac of Ficus religiosa. A study was carried out to detect and measure the extent of presence of steroidal hormones of the human reproductive axis, namely, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, in the seeds of Crotalaria juncea and Ficus religiosa lac. The extracts of the seeds and lac were prepared, and both yielded extracts with two distinct fractions, the upper and lower extracts. The analysis revealed the presence of all these hormones in extracts of both the seeds and lac. In the extract from seeds of Crotalaria juncea, the levels in the upper and lower extracts were 26.070 and 85.210-pg/ml [estradiol], 0.597 and 0.807 ng/ ml [progesterone], while testosterone levels were 1.488 and 10.746 ng/ml, respectively. In Ficus religiosa lac extract, the content in the upper and lower portions were 55.010 and 64.610pg/ml [estradiol], 0.417 and 0.312 ng/ml [progesterone], while testosterone levels were 2.276 and 1.006 ng/ml. The presence of these hormones, and their concentration in seeds and lac could be a reason for the fertility regulating property of these seeds and lac

Pattern of steroidal hormones among amenorrhic women

Amenorrhoea is the most common complaint among women of reproductive age. In a preliminary study on a group of 60 women, 24 normal and 36 amenorrhic, were studied for their serum estradiol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations at the Reproductive Health Department of the National Institute of Health. Serum estradiol concentration was assessed by using commercially available specific enzyme immunoassay [EIA] kits of Abbott Laboratories and serum progesterone and testosterone concentration were assessed using Roche Immuno-diagnostic kits. The amenorrhic patients had disturbed levels of serum estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. The mean age, as well as serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations were not significantly different [p>0.05] between the two groups, while the mean serum testosterone concentration varied significantly [p<0.05] between the two groups. It is indicated that the major cause of amenorrhoea in our population is the elevated level of testosterone, but to some extent estradiol and progesterone could also be the cause of amenorrhoea

Variation of serum alpha fetoprotein [AFP] levels among different age groups of men and women

The aim of the study was to identify any difference in the levels of a serum based tumour marker, Alpha Fetoprotein [AFP] on the basis of age and gender of patients with different forms of tumour. AFP was studied in 46 patients symptomatic of tumour. Normal levels in males and female did not vary significantly [p>0.05], while age differed highly significant [p<0.001]. The AFP levels of male and female subjects, as well as their age differed highly significantly [p<0.001] with greater values of AFP among males. AFP shows increasing trend with increasing age upto 69 years, however, age group above 70 years exhibits low AFP levels

study of serum testosterone levels among infertile Pakistani men

Present study was conducted to study the involvement of serum testosterone in causing infertility in male partners of the infertile couples advised assessment of fertility status at the Reproductive Physiology/Health department of the National Institute of Health. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance [ANOVA], Turkey, multiple comparison tests and Student's 't' -test. The 82 subjects were divided into 3 groups on the basis of their endocrine status, 73% had normal [1.5-6.6 ng/ml], 17% had low and 10%, had high testosterone [ng/ml] concentrations, which were 3.2 +/- 0.14, 0.67 +/- 0.11 and 7.6 +/- 0.27, respectively, and the over all ANOVA was found to be significant [p<0.001] for mean serum testosterone concentrations. However, no significant difference [p>0.05] was observed among the groups with respect to age. It can be concluded that endocrine screening of men with testosterone may detect the vast majority of clinically significant endocrinopathies

Identification and determination of the level of steroid hormones of the human reproductive axis, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, in the seed extracts of psoralia corylifolia

The present study was carried out to detect and measure the extent of presence of the steroidal hormones of the human reproductive axis, namely, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, in the seeds of Psoralia corylifolia. The analysis revealed the presence of all these hormones in the seed extract. The levels in the first and second extract were 394.84 and 216.64 pg/ml [estradiol], 3.773 and 2.123 ng/ml [progesterone], while testosterone levels were 3.15 and 2.94 ng/ml. The presence, levels of these hormones in the seeds could be a reason for the fertility regulating property of these seeds

Is the commercial kit's normal range for various analytes technology specific?

Laboratory based tests form an important component in the final diagnosis. These tests are carried out on different commercially available systems, which have specific reagent kits that are available for determination of various analytes of the human body. A majority of laboratories resort to adoption of normal ranges that have been proposed by the kit manufacturers, and hence exhibit a great variation. The frequent change from one kit to another often results in the formulation of new reference ranges. This paper describes the variation in normal ranges for two different systems of the same manufacturer, based upon different technologies. It seems that the normal range does not vary with the kits, but with the studied population

Does a commercial kit affect"Normal Range" for any given parameter?

The diagnostic products market is full of different commercial kits which are available for determination of various analytes of the human body. In the absence of established national normal ranges, a majority of laboratories resort to adoption of normal ranges that have been proposed by the kit manufacturers, and hence exhibit a great variation. This paper describes the variation in normal ranges for two different systems of the same manufacturer, based upon the same technology. It can be concluded that the normal range does not vary with the kits, but with the studied population