Steroidal and gonadotropin hormone profile studies of a classical ayurvedic preparation of “Saraguna Balijarita Makardhwaja” after chronic administration to male Sprague-Dawley rats

Background: Saraguna Balijarita Makardhwaja (SGM) is an Ayurvedic preparation used as a traditional antipyretic in the rural population. This research work was designed to get an overview of steroidal and gonadotropin hormone profiles after chronic administration of this drug. Methods: The acute pharmacological test of SGM recorded no death or any signs of effectivity even at the highest dose of 4000 mg/kg body weight. For chronic pharmacological evaluation, sixteen healthy Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into two groups, one group was a control group and the other was an experimental group. The experimental group was assigned to receive the drug at a dose of 400 mg/kg of body weight orally. After 28 days of treatment, blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. Results: The research showed the following effects on the steroidal and gonadotropin hormone profile. In this study, serum circulating level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), testosterone level, progesterone, 17-beta-estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured to determine safety profile study of SGM after chronic administration. There were no significant differences in any parameters which is suggesting that SGM has no effect of the steroidal and hormone profile. Conclusions: According to studies, SGM has no harmful effect on the steroid and hormone profiles after chronic treatment. Further studies are needed to establish the safety aspects of SGM.

Role of clinical examination, ultrasound findings and serum beta-hCG in first trimester vaginal bleeding

Background: The significance of bleeding in first trimester of pregnancy may vary from an inconsequential episode to a life-threatening emergency. USG is safe and non-invasive and widely used for diagnosis various problems in pregnancy. Beta hCG can be detected in the plasma of a pregnant woman as early as eight days after ovulation, and its quantitative estimation can provide useful information regarding early pregnancy. Aim was to determine the role of clinical examination, ultrasonographic parameters and serum beta-hCG in predicting the outcome of pregnancy in first trimester vaginal bleeding.Methods: It was a prospective observational study conducted in the department of OBG at JSS medical college, Mysuru for a duration of 18 months where in, serum beta-hCG levels, ultrasound examination was done in 120 patients presenting with first trimester of vaginal bleeding with gestational age less than 13 weeks.Results: Out of 120 patients in our study, 39 patients had miscarriage and 81 patients had viable pregnancy at 28 weeks of gestation. Among those who had pregnancy loss, higher beta-hCG levels were found at 6-8 weeks of gestation. Higher incidence of miscarriage was found in association with subchorionic haemorrhage and smaller gestational sac. No statistically significant association between the pregnancy loss and ultrasound parameters was noted in our study.Conclusions: The incidence of miscarriage in our study was 32.5%. No statistically significant association between the biochemical and ultrasonography parameters with pregnancy loss in patients presenting with threatened abortion could be established in our study.

Role of sex hormones in keratoconus and potential therapeutic targets / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Keratoconus is a blinding corneal disease characterized by central or paracentral corneal thinning and conical ectasia, and usually happens in adolescence. Currently, the etiology of keratoconus is unclear. Multiple studies have identified an association between genetics, eye rubbing, allergic diseases, ultraviolet exposure and keratoconus. Recently, several studies identified that sex hormones also played important roles in the pathogenesis of keratoconus. The disturbance of sex hormones may increase the risk of occurrence and progress of keratoconus. This review aims to summarize the pathophysiological effects of sex hormones on the cornea, clarify the effects of sex hormones on keratoconus and its related inflammatory or immune mechanisms, and explore the role of sex hormones in the early diagnosis and treatment of keratoconus, providing reference and help for clinical work.

Correlation of uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels during postmolar evacuation surveillance: A pilot study in a tertiary hospital / Philippine Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background@#During postmolar evacuation surveillance, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) regression levels can predict invasive disease while Doppler ultrasound can assess in vivo tumor neovascularization and quantify uterine blood supply. As an ancillary tool to β-hCG monitoring, ultrasound can detect the early presence of viable trophoblastic tissues and identify patients at risk of developing postmolar gestational trophoblastic Neoplasia (PMGTN). @*Objective@#The objective of this study was to correlate uterine artery Doppler ultrasound with β-hCG levels during pre- and postmolar evacuation surveillance among patients with complete mole.@*Materials and Methods@#A cohort of patients with sonographic diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole and managed with suction curettage in the same institution were prospectively followed up after evacuation. The pre- and postmolar evacuation surveillance period was at days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Monitoring of serum β-hCG levels was based on the standard regression curve. For Doppler ultrasound parameters, monitoring of the systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio, pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and peak systolic velocity (PSV) was based on its relationship with its serum β-hCG levels. The ultrasound images generated were archived and reviewed by the authors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze median differences. For the correlation of uterine artery Doppler flow parameters, analysis for the test of difference used Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis for the odds ratio.@*Results@#Sixteen of the 23 enrolled patients completed the protocol (16 of 23, 69.50%). A majority had spontaneous remission (13; 81%) while 3 cases (19%) presented increasing and plateauing β-hCG levels. The pre- and post evacuation median β-hCG levels showed a significant decrease (P = 0.001). As post evacuation β-hCG levels decreased, PSV also decreased (r = 0.478, P = 0.061) while Doppler parameters, RI, PI, and S/D ratio increased. However, when post evacuation β-hCG levels rose or plateaued, Doppler parameters decreased. These changes had statistical correlation (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the magnitude of the relationship for β-hCG and Doppler parameters was moderate and ranged from 0.524 to 0.581. Among the Doppler parameters, the S/D ratio and RI of the right uterine artery strongly predicted a rise in β-hCG levels. The odds ratio of predicting increased β-hCG levels and risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia by the right S/D ratio were − 2683.67 (confidence interval [CI] = −271.692–5095.655; P = 0.034) and by the right RI − 66,193.34 (CI = −161,818.107–29,431.433; P = 0.046). Notably, Doppler parameter changes appeared early at day 14 up to day 35 and before the appearance of abnormal β-hCG regression patterns.@*Conclusion@#There is a strong correlation between uterine artery Doppler flow changes and β-hCG levels during postmolar evacuation surveillance. The inverse relationship of the S/D ratio, PI and RI, and β-hCG regression patterns confirms spontaneous remission of the disease. For patients with abnormal β-hCG patterns, this relationship is altered. The Doppler changes become erratic, unpredictable, and significantly decreased. These changes were detected as early as 2 weeks post evacuation. Thus, the use of ultrasound as an adjunct to β-hCG post evacuation surveillance can predict abnormal β-hCG regression patterns and identify patients at risk of developing postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (PMGTN).

Considerations on the improvement of height benefit in children with central precocious puberty / 中国当代儿科杂志

With the changes in various factors such as genetics and the environment, the incidence of childhood precocious puberty has been gradually increasing. Improving height is one of the key issues in the clinical management of precocious puberty. Currently, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) remain the preferred treatment for precocious puberty, but their effect on height improvement is influenced by multiple factors, which may result in lower-than-expected height benefits. Combining recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy with GnRHa treatment is an alternative strategy to enhance the efficacy of GnRHa, but there is still no clear recommendation regarding the timing of their combination. Considering the current status of precocious puberty treatment, it is crucial to reevaluate the effects of GnRHa monotherapy and combination therapy with rhGH on height improvement. This article discusses strategies such as combination therapy indications to guide clinical medication and help children with precocious puberty achieve optimal height benefits.

Fetomaternal hemorrhage with postpartum diagnosis of choriocarcinoma: a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

This paper reports a case of fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH), which was diagnosed as choriocarcinoma due to late postpartum hemorrhage 20 days after full-term vaginal delivery. The patient fully recovered after chemotherapy combined with surgical treatment, and no disease progression was observed during a one-year follow-up. Choriocarcinoma is one of the risk factors for FMH. Therefore, it is suggested that the placenta should be examined in any suspected cases of FMH. Maternal human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level should also be monitored after delivery for early diagnosis and better prognosis of choriocarcinoma.

Study on Variation Trend of Pre-treatment Blood Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Predicting Efficacy of Tubal Pregnancy Treated by Drug Therapy / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the role of variation trend of pre-treatment blood beta human chorionic gonadotropin(β-HCG)in predicting the efficacy of tubal pregnancy(TP)treated by drug therapy.Methods Clinical data of 380 TP patients treated by drug therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to June 2022 were collected.The patients were divided into 271 cases in the pure Chinese medicine(CM)treatment group(shortened as pure CM group)and 109 cases in the combination of Chinese medicine and western medicine group(shortened as combination group)according to the therapy.The relevant factors that may affect the outcomes of the therapy were analyzed,and logistic regression analysis was used for the control of confounding factors.The influences of pre-treatment β-HCG on the outcomes of TP treated by various therapies were investigated,and the value of variation trend of pre-treatment β-HCG in predicting the efficacy of TP treated by drug therapy was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve).Results(1)The results of univariate analysis showed that the initial value of blood β-HCG,the variation trend of β-HCG and the difference value of β-HCG detected for 2 times before treatment were correlated with the treatment outcomes in the pure CM group and the combination group,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(2)The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that in the pure CM group,the blood β-HCG values and the variation trend of β-HCG detected for 2 times before treatment were correlated with the treatment outcomes,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);in the combination group,the menopausal time and blood β-HCG value detected at the second time before treatment were correlated with the treatment outcomes,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After controlling for the confounding factors,the variation trend of pre-treatment β-HCG in the pure CM group was correlated with the treatment outcomes,and the difference was statistically significant(OR=3.35,95%CI being 1.69-6.65,P = 0.001).However,the variation trend of pre-treatment β-HCG in the combination group did not affect the treatment outcomes,and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(4)The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)in the pure CM group was 0.74,the cutoff value was-0.14,the sensitivity was 71.3%and the specificity was 67.8%.The AUC in the combination group was 0.67,the cutoff value was 0.10,the sensitivity was 73.6%and the specificity was 60.7%.Conclusion The variation trend of pre-treatment blood β-HCG can effectively predict the efficacy of Chinese medicine for the treatment of TP,but has no value for predicting the efficacy of the combination of Chinese medicine and western medicine in treating TP.The variation value of pre-treatment blood β-HCG can be used as a valuable reference indicator for the early prediction of the outcomes of TP treated by drug therapy.

Establish an Anti-biotin Interference Method to Detect Serum β-hCG and Prog Levels Based on BAS Immunoassays / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective A simple and effective anti-biotin interference method was established to detect human chorionic gonadotropin β subunit(β-hCG)and progesterone(Prog)in BAS immunoassays.Methods Using two different concentrations of streptavidin magnetic particles(M)to detect high,medium and low levels of β-hCG and Prog serum with different biotin concentrations,the anti-biotin interference ability of two kinds of M and the accuracy of high concentration M to detect β-hCG and Prog were evaluated through recovery test when the calibration curve of low concentration M is adopted.Results ①The anti-biotin interference ability of β-hCG and Prog were 100 and 25 ng/ml respectively at low concentration M(0.72 mg/ml),and were 500 and 50 ng/ml respectively at high concentration M(1.44 mg/ml).②When using the same calibration curve as low concentration M,the recovery rate of high concentration M for β-hCG at three levels with biotin below 500 ng/ml were between 90%and 110%,for Prog with high and medium levels of biotin below 50 ng/ml,the recovery rate were between 90%～110%.Conclusion When detecting serum nterference ability of β-hCG mmunoassays,the method of high concentration M(1.44 mg/mL)is a simple,effective and reliable anti-biotin interference program.

Progress in the application of non-peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist in the treatment of uterine fibroid / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Non-peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist(GnRH-antagonist)is a highly efficient and selective antagonist of GnRH receptor.The oral preparations(Elagolix,Relugolix and Linza-golix)had been approved for listing abroad.It shows efficacy in reducing the size of uterine fi-broid and controlling heavy bleeding.Appropriate combination of'add-back'therapy could improve the safety in medical application and patient com-pliance.Compared with other hormonal pharma-ceuticals,oral GnRH-antagonists showed promising prospects in the treatment of uterine fibroid.

Development and evaluation of a rapid and sensitive POC chemiluminescent assay for β-human chorionic gonadotropin / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To develop and evaluate a rapid and sensitive point-of-care chemiluminescent assay(POC-CLIA)for β-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-HCG).Methods:POC-CLIA was constructed based on alkaline phosphatase(Alp)-AMPPD lumi-nescence system and magnetic particles(Mps)carrier.Performance of POC-CLIA,including sensitivity,precision,accuracy,linear dilution,specificity,stability,hook effect and clinical application were evaluated.Results:Detection limit of β-HCG was 0.71 mU/ml,linear detection range was 0.710～1.092×104 mU/ml,and was no hook effect up to 1.7×105 mU/ml.Intra and inter batch coefficients of variation were less than 10％,and could be stored stably at 37℃ for 10 days.Accuracy deviation was within±10％,so results were reliable.There was no cross-reactivity between interfering substances and anti-β-HCG antibdies.For detecting β-HCG in 100 clinical serum samples,results were highly correlated with those that were tested by clinical standard methods(R2=0.997 0).Turnaround time for single sample was less than 15 min and throughput could reach 200 T/h.Conclusion:This method is adequate that can be widely used in grassroots communities to help large-scale screening of pregnancy and related diseases.

A reporter gene assays for bioactivity determination of human chorinonic gonadotropin / 药学学报

This study constructed a LHCGR-CRE-luc-HEK293 transgenic cell line according to the activation of the cAMP signaling pathway after recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin binding to the receptor. The biological activity of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin was assayed using a luciferase assay system. The relative potency of the samples was calculated using four-parameter model. And the method conditions were optimized to validate the specificity, relative accuracy, precision and linearity of the method. The results showed that there was a quantitative potency relationship of human chorinonic gonadotropin (hCG) in the method and it was in accordance with the four-parameter curve. After optimization, the conditions were determined as hCG dilution concentration of 2.5 μg·mL-1, dilution ratio of 1∶4, cell number of 10 000-15 000 cells/well, and induction time of 6 h. The method had good specificity, relative accuracy with relative bias ranging from -8.9% to 3.4%, linear regression equation correlation coefficient of 0.996, intermediate precision geometric coefficient of variation ranging from 3.3% to 15.0%, and linearity range of 50% to 200%. This study successfully established and validated a reporter gene method to detect hCG biological activity, which can be used for hCG biological activity assay and quality control.

Effect of subchorionic hematoma on first-trimester maternal serum free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels

Abstract Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of the presence of subchorionic hematoma (SH) in early pregnancies with threatened miscarriage (TM) on levels of first-trimester maternal serum markers, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), and free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels. Methods The data of TM cases with SH in the first trimester between 2015 and 2021 were evaluated retrospectively. The data of age and gestational age-matched TM cases without SH were also assessed to constitute a control group. Demographic characteristics, obstetric histories, ultrasonographic findings, and free β-hCG and PAPP-A levels of the groups were compared. Results There were 119 cases in the study group and 153 cases in the control group. The median vertical and longitudinal lengths of the SH were 31 mm and 16 mm. The median age of both groups was similar (p=0.422). The MoM value of PAPP-A was 0.088 (.93) in the study group and 0.9 (0.63) in the control group (p=0.519). Similarly, the MoM value of free β-hCG was 1.04 (0.78) in the study group and 0.99 (0.86) in the control group (p=0.66). No significant relationship was found in the multivariate analysis between free β-hCG MoM, PAPP-A MoM, age, gravida, and vertical and longitudinal lengths of the hematoma (p>0.05). Conclusion The level of PAPP-A and free β-hCG were not affected by the SH. Therefore, these markers can be used reliably in TM cases with SH for the first-trimester fetal aneuploidy screening test.

Pulsatile gonadotropin releasing hormone therapy for spermatogenesis in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients who had poor response to combined gonadotropin therapy

ABSTRACT Objective: Both pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and combined gonadotropin therapy are effective to induce spermatogenesis in men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pulsatile GnRH therapy on spermatogenesis in male patients with CHH who had poor response to combined gonadotropin therapy. Materials and methods: Patients who had poor response to combined gonadotropin therapy ≥ 6 months were recruited and shifted to pulsatile GnRH therapy. The rate of successful spermatogenesis, the median time to achieve spermatogenesis, serum gonadotropins, testosterone, and testicular volume were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 28 CHH patients who had poor response to combined gonadotropin (HCG/HMG) therapy for 12.5 (6.0, 17.75) months were recruited and switched to pulsatile GnRH therapy for 10.0 (7.25, 16.0) months. Sperm was detected in 17/28 patients (60.7%). The mean time for the appearance of sperm in semen was 12.0 (7.5, 17.5) months. Compared to those who could not achieve spermatogenesis during pulsatile GnRH therapy, the successful group had a higher level of LH60min (4.32 vs. 1.10 IU/L, P = 0.043) and FSH60min (4.28 vs. 1.90 IU/L, P = 0.021). Testicular size increased during pulsatile GnRH therapy, compared to previous HCG/HMG therapy (P < 0.05). Conclusion: For CHH patients with prior poor response to one year of HCG/HMG therapy, switching to pulsatile GnRH therapy may induce spermatogenesis.

Manejo de la neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional. A propósito de un caso

La enfermedad trofoblástica gestacional es definida como un grupo heterogéneo de lesiones, las cuales surgen a partir del epitelio trofoblástico de la placenta luego de una fertilización anormal. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 35 años de edad, con diagnóstico de neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional posmolar en etapa I, que se detectó tras estudios imagenológicos de seguimiento y determinación de la hormona gonadotropina coriónica humana, para lo cual llevó tratamiento con quimioterapia y terapéutica de mantenimiento con metotrexato por 5 días o metotrexato/ácido folínico por 8 días, hasta la normalización de la gonadotropina coriónica humana. Lo más relevante es que, aunque estos tumores abarcan menos del 1 % de los tumores ginecológicos, representan una amenaza para la vida de las mujeres en edad reproductiva.

Gestational trophoblastic disease is defined as a heterogeneous group of lesions, which arise from the trophoblastic epithelium of the placenta after abnormal fertilization. The case of a 35-year-old female patient is presented with a diagnosis of posmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in stage I, which was detected after follow-up imaging studies and determination of human chorionic gonadotropin, for which she underwent chemotherapy treatment and maintenance therapy with methotrexate for 5 days or methotrexate/folinic acid for 8 days, until normalization of human chorionic gonadotropin The most relevant thing is that, although these tumors comprise less than 1% of gynecological tumors, they represent a threat to the life of women of reproductive age.

Role of cetrorelix in the prevention and treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a prospective case control study

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) has intrigued clinicians for many years because of its devastating consequences. As an iatrogenic condition resulting from elective ovarian stimulation in the quest for pregnancy, the need to completely prevent the syndrome is evident. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist Cetrorelix has found to be effective in treatment of OHSS and some studies have found it to be helpful in prevention of this condition. Hence, we designed a hospital-based study to investigate the effect of Cetrorelix in preventing and treating OHSS in in-vitro fertilization � embryo transfer (IVF朎T) patients at risk of OHSS undergoing long and short protocol.Methods: The study includes total 102 patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation COS for IVF/ICSI. All cases were stimulated using long and short protocol. Depending on whether a GnRH antagonist was given after ovum pick-up (OPU) the patients were divided in two groups: Cetrorelix (antagonist) group (n=51) and control group (n=51). The study group was treated with Cetrorelix 0.25 mg for 5 days commencing on the day of ovum pick up.Results: Incidence of mild OHSS was significantly higher (p=0.01) whereas moderate to severe OHSS was significantly lower in the antagonist group (p<0.05). None of the patients had critical OHSS.Conclusions: GnRH antagonist Cetrorelix administration in early luteal phase in patients undergoing long or short protocol is effective in prevention and treatment of OHSS.

A study on assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of premenstrual syndrome among female in urban area

Background: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a significant clinical disorder affecting a substantial percentage of women. This study aims to investigate the existence, knowledge, and attitude of female students towards PMS.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted, with 250 female participants between the ages of 18 to 30 years. The participants completed a self-reporting menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) and a standardized health questionnaire to assess the prevalence and severity of premenstrual symptoms and also to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of PMS for subjective perceptions of health, stress, lifestyle, and demographic variables. The questionnaire was set in four parts, one each to assess the knowledge, the attitude, and practices regarding PMS and one to assess the gap between self-perceived PMS and actual PMS. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: The results revealed that 80% of the participants reported experiencing PMS, but only 48% met the criteria defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The most common symptoms reported were irritability, mood swings, headache, fatigue, and menstrual cramps. PMS had a significant impact on participants� normal life, with 60.4% reporting disturbances in their routine. While 51.2% believed that PMS/menstrual leave should be an option at universities, only 39.2% supported the idea at the workplace.Conclusions: Surprisingly, over 60% of participants did nothing to relieve their PMS symptoms. So, there is a significant impact of PMS in the lives of urban women and it is also a common problem all over the globe. The study underscores the need for increased awareness and education about PMS and its management, as well as the importance of promoting a stress-free environment to mitigate its impact on women抯 quality of life.

Gestación ovárica ectópica y subunidad ß de gonadotropina coriónica negativa ¿es posible? Reporte de un caso infrecuente / Ectopic ovarian gestation and ß subunit of negative chorionic gonadotropin, is it possible? Report a rare case

La gestación ectópica ovárica ocurre cuando el tejido fetal se implanta fuera de la cavidad uterina. La implantación generalmente es tubárica; la localización ovárica tiene una incidencia menor al 1 %. El diagnóstico se confirma con la ultrasonografía y la subunidad ß de gonadotropina coriónica en orina o sangre; pero su negatividad no descarta el diagnóstico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente nulípara de 19 años, con dolor pélvico, sin antecedentes de importancia. La ecografía reveló tumor en ovario derecho de 65 mm. El valor de subunidad ß de gonadotropina coriónica fue de 3 mUI/L. Los hallazgos operatorios fueron: 100 cc de hemoperitoneo, quiste de ovario derecho roto de 6 x 4 cm roto, embarazo ectópico de 7 semanas de gestación en fondo de saco de Douglas y apéndice flegmonoso. El estudio anatomopatológico reflejó: periapendicitis moderada, ovario derecho con inflamación, neovascularización, congestión vascular, hemorragia reciente y embarazo ectópico ovárico(AU)

Ovarian ectopic gestation occurs when fetal tissue implants outside the uterine cavity. Implantation is usually tubal; Ovarian localization has an incidence of less than 1%. The diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasonography and the ß subunit of chorionic gonadotropin in urine or blood; But its negativity doesn't rule out the diagnosis. We present the case of a 19-year-old nulliparous patient with pelvic pain, with no significant history. Ultrasound revealed a 65 mm right ovary tumor. The ß subunit value of chorionic gonadotropin was 3 mIU/L. The operative findings were: 100 cc hemoperitoneum, ruptured right ovary cyst of 6 x 4 cm ruptured, ectopic pregnancy of 7 weeks of gestation in Douglas sac fundus and phlegmonous appendix. The anatomopathological study reflected: moderate periappendicitis, right ovary with inflammation, neovascularization, vascular congestion, recent hemorrhage and ovarian ectopic pregnancy(AU)

Bis (2-butoxyethyl) Phthalate Delays Puberty Onset by Increasing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Leydig Cells in Rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated the effects of bis (2-butoxyethyl) phthalate (BBOP) on the onset of male puberty by affecting Leydig cell development in rats.@*METHODS@#Thirty 35-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to five groups mg/kg bw per day that were gavaged for 21 days with BBOP at 0, 10, 100, 250, or 500 mg/kg bw per day. The hormone profiles; Leydig cell morphological metrics; mRNA and protein levels; oxidative stress; and AKT, mTOR, ERK1/2, and GSK3β pathways were assessed.@*RESULTS@#BBOP at 250 and/or 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased Leydig cell number mg/kg bw per day and downregulated Cyp11a1, Insl3, Hsd11b1, and Dhh in the testes, and Lhb and Fshb mRNAs in the pituitary gland (P < 0.05). The malondialdehyde content in the testis significantly increased, while Sod1 and Sod2 mRNAs were markedly down-regulated, by BBOP treatment at 250-500 mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BBOP at 500 mg/kg bw per day decreased AKT1/AKT2, mTOR, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and GSK3β and SIRT1 levels mg/kg bw per day (P < 0.05). Finally, BBOP at 100 or 500 μmol/L induced ROS and apoptosis in Leydig cells after 24 h of treatment in vitro (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#BBOP delays puberty onset by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis in Leydig cells in rats.@*UNLABELLED@#The graphical abstract is available on the website www.besjournal.com.

A classification of genes involved in normal and delayed male puberty / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Puberty is a pivotal biological process that completes sexual maturation to achieve full reproductive capability. It is a major transformational period of life, whose timing is strongly affected by genetic makeup of the individual, along with various internal and external factors. Although the exact mechanism for initiation of the cascade of molecular events that culminate in puberty is not yet known, the process of pubertal onset involves interaction of numerous complex signaling pathways of hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis. We developed a classification of the mechanisms involved in male puberty that allowed placing many genes into physiological context. These include (i) hypothalamic development during embryogenesis, (ii) synaptogenesis where gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons form neuronal connections with suprahypothalamic neurons, (iii) maintenance of neuron homeostasis, (iv) regulation of synthesis and secretion of GnRH, (v) appropriate receptors/proteins on neurons governing GnRH production and release, (vi) signaling molecules activated by the receptors, (vii) the synthesis and release of GnRH, (viii) the production and release of gonadotropins, (ix) testicular development, (x) synthesis and release of steroid hormones from testes, and (xi)the action of steroid hormones in downstream effector tissues. Defects in components of this system during embryonic development, childhood/adolescence, or adulthood may disrupt/nullify puberty, leading to long-term male infertility and/or hypogonadism. This review provides a list of 598 genes involved in the development of HPT axis and classified according to this schema. Furthermore, this review identifies a subset of 75 genes for which genetic mutations are reported to delay or disrupt male puberty.

Effect of follicular size on clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer induced by hCG on ovulation in natural cycles / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of follicular size on the clinical outcomes of frozen-thawed embryo transfer induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) of natural cycles on ovulation.Methods:Clinical data of 427 cycles of frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into 15-16 mm group (15≤diameter≤16 mm, n=66), 16-17 mm group (16<diameter≤17 mm, n=101), 17-18 mm group (17<diameter≤18 mm, n=125), 18-20 mm group (18<diameter≤20 mm, n=109),>20 mm group (diameter>20 mm, n=26), according to the maximum follicle diameter on the induction day of hCG ovulation induction. The estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, and clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate and live birth rate were compared in five groups. Results:There were statistically significant differences in estradiol and LH levels among the five groups on the day of hCG induction (all P<0.05). Estradiol levels in 15-16 mm group to >20 mm group gradually increased on the day of hCG induction, and estradiol level in 15-16 mm group was significantly lower than those in 17-18 mm group, 18-20 mm group and >20 mm group (median: 1 002.3 vs 1 103.3 vs 1 171.2 vs 1 539.0 pmol/L), with statistical significances ( P=0.034, P<0.001, P=0.002). On the day of hCG induction, LH levels in 15-16 mm group to >20 mm group showed a decreasing trend, and LH level in 15-16 mm group was significantly higher than those in 17-18 mm group and >20 mm group (median: 37.73 vs 28.24 vs 24.11 U/L), with statistically significant differences ( P=0.007, P=0.006). There were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate, abortion rate and live birth rate in 15-16 mm group to >20 mm group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:In the natural cycle protocol of hCG induced ovulation, the small follicle group could achieve similar clinical outcomes compared with normal sized follicles in the single blastocyst transfer of frozen-thawed embryos.