Sex and media: Considerations for cell culture studies.

Cell culture has enhanced our understanding of cellular physiology and constitutes an important tool in advancing mechanistic insight. Researchers should be reminded, however, that there are limitations in extrapolating data derived from cultured cells to questions focusing on the impact of sex. In this Opinion, we highlight two underappreciated aspects of cell culture systems regarding sex: how cell culture media alters the sex hormone environment, and how the innate sex of the cell is often not factored into the overall analysis. By paying careful attention to these areas, researchers can facilitate reproducibility of their cell culture models, which is consistent with the mandate from the National Institutes of Health to improve scientific rigor and reproducibility in research.

Multivariate calibration-assisted high-performance liquid chromatography with dual UV and fluorimetric detection for the analysis of natural and synthetic sex hormones in environmental waters and sediments.

A green method is reported based on non-sophisticated instrumental for the quantification of seven natural and synthetic estrogens, three progestagens and one androgen in the presence of real interferences. The method takes advantage of: (1) chromatography, allowing total or partial resolution of a large number of compounds, (2) dual detection, permitting selection of the most appropriate signal for each analyte and, (3) second-order calibration, enabling mathematical resolution of incompletely resolved chromatographic bands and analyte determination in the presence of interferents. Consumption of organic solvents for cleaning, extraction and separation are markedly decreased because of the coupling with MCR-ALS (multivariate curve resolution/alternating least-squares) which allows the successful resolution in the presence of other co-eluting matrix constituents. Rigorous IUPAC detection limits were obtained: 6-24 ng L(-1) in water, and 0.1-0.9 ng g(-1) in sediments. Relative prediction errors were 2-10% (water) and 1-8% (sediments).

Synthesis of sex hormone-derived modified steroids possessing antiproliferative activity.

During recent years intensive research has been focused on the synthesis of structurally modified steroid hormones in order to obtain compounds with beneficial biological activity such as cell-growth inhibition. Experimental results have revealed that some steroidal derivatives possess direct cytostatic effect on cancer cells in a hormone receptor-independent manner. After a brief account on the most important biological function and characteristics of the naturally occurring sex hormones in physiological and pathological conditions, structural modifications of estrane and androstane scaffolds are discussed in detail. The review covers literature publications (from 2002 to 2012) relating to the synthesis and antiproliferative activity of semisynthetic sex hormone-derived molecules containing simple or heterocyclic substituents. The compounds reviewed are divided into three main categories according to their sterane framework and the nature of substitution. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Synthesis and biological testing of steroid derivatives as inhibitors".

Uncommon trajectories: steroid hormones, Mexican peasants, and the search for a wild yam.

This article analyzes how evolving pharmaceutical technology, chemical advances, and world politics created the need for an abundant and cheap supply of steroids, and how decisions made in faraway laboratories ultimately determined that a Mexican yam, barbasco, was the best possible raw material. Following this discovery, this article explores how barbasco's exploitation impacted on the Mexican countryside and specifically the men and women hired to gather wild yams. In analyzing, for example, the peasant organizations that emerged, the use of chemical terms by barely literate peasants, and the Mexican government's political strategy to control rural unrest by controlling barbasco production one begins to understand the unexpected consequences of the global search for medicinal plants. In this particular case, the merging of science and peasant life reshuffled social hierarchies in the countryside, granted monetary value to an erstwhile 'weed', and gave a novel reinterpretation to laboratory knowledge and its (social) uses.

Syntheses of female sex pheromone precursors of pine sawfly species and of some structurally related methyl-branched long-chain 2-alkanols.

3,7-Dimethyl-2-undecanol, 3,7,9-trimethyl-2-tridecanol, and 3,7, 11-trimethyl-2-tridecanol were synthesized as racemic mixtures in moderate yields. The alcohols are known precursors of the female sex pheromones of the pine sawfly species Diprion nipponica, Macrodiprion nemoralis, and Microdiprion pallipes, respectively. Stereoisomeric mixtures of 3,8,12-trimethyl-2-tridecanol, erythro-(2R,3R, 11R/S)-3,11-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol, 3,5-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol, and 5,7-dimethyl-2-tetradecanol, structurally related to sex pheromone alcohol precursors of pine sawfly species, were also synthesized in moderate yields. The key reaction in the syntheses was the ring opening of gamma-butyrolactones by using different alkyl lithiums as nucleophiles.

The use of reproductive hormones in canine reproduction.

Naturally produced and synthetically prepared reproductive hormones are frequently employed as pharmaceuticals in canine reproduction. Specific indications for the use of these preparations are few; too often hormonal therapies are used incorrectly and at times deleteriously. Appropriate uses of reproductive hormones are based on known physiological mechanisms in order to improve reproductive efficiency or to treat specific disorders.

Injectable contraceptive synthesis: an example of international cooperation.

Since many contraceptives appropriate for use in developing countries are not of major interest to the pharmaceutical companies in developed countries, the World Health Organization has sponsored a program whereby contraceptives are developed outside the traditional pharmaceutical industry channels. This program might serve as a model for the develoment of other drugs or even pesticides.