ABSTRACT
The selective strogen receptors modulators (SERMs) were initially developed as antistrogens for the treatment of breast cancer, but their unusual properties have led to their use in the treatment and prevention of other diseases as well. SERMs bind the strogen receptor (ER) and modulated ER-mediated gene transcription. Tamoxifen is an effective treatment for hormone responsive breast cancer and can prevent breast cancer in high-risk women. Raloxifene was approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, also appears to prevent breast cancer. Other SERMs are in development, with the goal of improving efficacy and reducing toxicity.
Subject(s)
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/pharmacology , Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Raloxifene Hydrochloride/therapeutic use , Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/chemistry , Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators/classification , Tamoxifen/pharmacology , Tamoxifen/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Estrogens have several biologic actions. The specific nuclear actions of estrogens are determined by the hormone structure, the isoform subtype of the involved estrogen receptor, the characteristics of the target gene promoter, and the balance between coactivator and corepressor proteins that modulate the final transcriptional response of the complex between estrogens and its receptors. In this review we focus on the new biochemical and molecular aspects of the estrogens action.
Subject(s)
Estrogens/physiology , Estrogens/pharmacology , Female , Humans , Receptors, Estrogen/drug effects , Receptors, Estrogen/physiologyABSTRACT
An understanding of the physiologic events of male fertility provides a logical and practical organizational framework for dealing with the causes of infertility in men based its pathophysiology. The several disorders that cause male infertility emphasize the heterogeneous nature of infertility and the need for an integral clinical evaluation. Usually, semen analysis provides the first sign that a male factor is contributing to the couple's infertility. The introduction of the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has transformed the clinical management of the male infertility. It is to be expected that the availability of ICSI, will not impede efforts of the andrology to understand, prevent and diagnose male infertility.
