Measurement of androgen and estrogen receptors in breast tissue from subjects with anabolic steroid-dependent gynecomastia.

In order to assess the relationship between anabolic steroid administration and gynecomastia, we studied the effects produced by administering nandrolone decanoate and a mixture of propionate, phenilpropionate, isocaproate and testosterone decanoate to bodybuilders during a six month period. The following significant changes occurred: a 53% reduction in serum testosterone; LH and FSH levels were suppressed to 77% and 87%, respectively, in comparison to control values; and although 45% of the subjects showed an increase in serum estradiol levels, no statistically significant differences were found compared with control estradiol levels. With regard to estradiol and androgen receptors, 85% of gynecomastia tissue contained estradiol or androgen receptors, while 40% contained both. The mean values of estradiol and androgen receptors in the cytosol were 65 +/- 10 and 52 +/- 5 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Nuclear androgen and estradiol receptor levels were 33 +/- 7 and 67.5 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein, respectively. The presence of hormone receptors in gynecomastia receptive cells provides support for the hypothesis that gynecomastia is steroid-dependent.

Effect of androgenic anabolic steroids on sperm quality and serum hormone levels in adult male bodybuilders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the administration of high doses of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) on endocrine and semen parameters. Thirty volunteering bodybuilders were studied (ages ranging between 26.6 +/- 4.1 years). A history of anabolic steroid administration was recorded for fifteen subjects, and results of semen analysis and endocrine parameters were compared with data from fifteen bodybuilders not using steroids. In those subjects using AAS, eight had sperm counts under the lower normal limit (20 x 10(6) sperm/ml), three had azoospermia, two polyzoospermia, and two had normal sperm counts. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was significantly reduced, only 17.7% had normal spermatozoa. In the control group, only one subject had oligozoospermia. The hormonal parameters revealed reduced FSH (1.5 +/- 3.2 vs 5.0 +/- 1.6, p < 0.001) and PRL (5.1 +/- 4.9 vs 9.2 +/- 4.4, p < 0.01) levels. LH, T, E2 and DHEA levels did not vary.

[beta-Endorphins and the male reproductive system]. / beta-Endorfinas y el aparato reproductor masculino.

In the antique Chinese culture, it was already known about opioide for therapeutic usage. On 1975, Hughes et al., identificated two endogen pentapetides with potent opiate activity Leu-enkephalin and Met-enkephalin, ever since beta-Endorphin have been considered involucrated in many biological functions. beta-Endorphin have found in testis, seminal vesicle and prostate in different species. It has been observed a paracrine effect between in Leydig and Sertoli cells and inhibit the basal release of LH in man by inhibiting its pulsatile discharge. In this paper is discussed, in a general way, localization and production sites of beta-Endorphin especially their participation in male reproductive tract-physiology. Finally, it is mentioned the experimental methodology to identify and quantify beta-Endorphin in blood plasma and semen.

Uterine glutathione reductase activity: modulation by estrogens and progesterone.

The aim of this study was to determine whether glutathione reductase activity in uterine tissue is regulated by sex hormones. In spayed rats uterine glutathione reductase was significantly increased by exogenous estrogen (P< 0.01), progesterone (P< 0.01) or estrogen plus progesterone (P<0.01). When enzyme activity is expressed per mg protein, daily administration of estrogen or progesterone induces a progressive increase of this enzyme between 24 to 48 h or 24 to 72 h of treatment, respectively. Whereas the combination of both steroids causes an earlier and higher increase in glutathione reductase activity at 24 h of treatment. Estradiol singly or in combination with progesterone induced the highest protein concentration in the uterus. Whereas uterine DNA concentration is only significantly affected by estradiol. Our results suggest that uterine glutathione reductase is regulated by estradiol and progesterone and may be involved in maintaining levels of reduced glutathione in the uterus. This compound may be required for control of the redox state of thiol groups and in detoxification reactions involving H2O2 and electrophylic substances. The antioxidant action of estrogens is partially due to the stimulation of glutathione reductase.

Effect of naloxone on serum prolactin levels in adult male rabbits.

In order to clarify the possible physiological role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOP), we studied the effect of low doses of naloxone (specific opiate antagonist) on plasma prolactin levels in male rabbits. Five groups of five male rabbits each was injected daily between 8-9 a.m., with naloxone 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 microg/kg/day. An additional group of ten animals was injected with saline solution and considered the control group. Blood samples were taken at baseline before naloxone administration and later at 90 min and 1, 2, 4, 7, 10 days after its administration. Samples were also taken 4 days after stopping naloxone administration (day 14). Plasma prolactin levels were measured by RIA. A significant constant decrease in PRL levels was seen with the 12.5 microg at 90 minutes, while with the remaining doses a progressive decrease was recorded throughout the study.

Effect of naloxone on serum testosterone in adult male rabbits.

Considerable evidence suggests that endogenous opioids may play an important role in the hypothalamic LH-releasing hormone. Administration of high doses of naloxone, an opiate antagonist, produces an increase in plasma concentration of LH. Naltrexone administration to healthy males produces an increase in both immunoactive and bioactive LH. The objective of the present work was to assess the effect of low doses of naloxone during 10 consecutive days on testosterone serum levels in rabbit. Three groups of five rabbits were injected with naloxone or saline. Naloxone was tested at 0.1 and 0.01 mg/kg day-1. Blood samples were taken at 90 min and 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, and 14 days after starting naloxone administration. Plasma testosterone (T) levels were measured by RIA. T levels increased progressively through the study in the experimental groups. The differences were significant after days 4 and 7 for 0.01-mg/kg and 0.1-mg/kg doses, respectively. T levels in both groups peaked at day 10 and decreased at day 14 (4 days after treatment).

Infiltrating ductal / lobular carcinoma: an evaluation of prognostic factors in primary breast cancer.

PIP: During 1986-1987, 192 women aged 26-86 with invasive breast cancer were treated with radiotherapy, hormonotherapy, and chemotherapy and then underwent modified radical mastectomy or wide local excision at Luis Castelazo Ayala Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico City. At diagnosis, metastatic bone surveys and bone scans showed that no one had distant metastasis. The physicians used incisional biopsy to determine the type of breast carcinoma (infiltrating ductal carcinoma [IDC] and infiltrating lobular carcinoma [ILC]). The researchers aimed to identify prognostic factors in primary breast cancer. 156 patients (81.3%) and 36 patients (18.7%) had IDC and ILC, respectively. Among women with IDC, axillary nodes were involved in 23.5% of premenopausal women and in 23% of postmenopausal women. 83.8% of all patients with IDC and 52.3% of IDC patients aged at least 50 had clinical stage III disease. Among women with ILC, axillary nodes were involved in 19.4% of premenopausal women and in 19.4% of postmenopausal women. 70% of all patients with ILC and 84.6% of ILC patients aged at least 50 had clinical stage III disease. All the patients had advanced breast cancer (i.e., clinical stage II and III). Some tumors were only estrogen receptor types, while others were only progesterone receptor types. Some tumors were even both receptor types, while another category had neither steroid hormone receptor. Survival rates for metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer was greater among postmenopausal women than premenopausal women (32.7% vs. 14.8% and 21.8% vs. 12.8% for ICD and 19.4% vs. 8.4% and 30.5% vs. 13.9% for ILC, respectively). These findings suggest that axillary node status, status of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and menstrual status were important prognostic factors of breast cancer.^ieng

Menstrual blood loss in IUD users: comparative study of eleven different IUDs in Mexican women.

PIP: In developing countries with high levels of malnutrition and iron deficiency, the menstrual blood loss sometimes associated with IUD use can represent a serious maternal health concern. To identify the IUD models associated with the least amount of bleeding, 365 clients of the Mexican Institute of Social Security's Volunteer Family Planning Program participated in a 12-month comparative study of 11 IUDs. Menstrual blood loss was measured before IUD insertion; at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; and 1, 2, and 3 months after removal. Mean menstrual blood loss at baseline was 43.6 +or- 6.3 ml. The greatest increase in bleeding (above 80 mg) was recorded among acceptors of the Lippes Loop-D and Copper T-380 devices; the Copper T-200 and 220C and Multiload 250 were in an intermediate position (below 80 mg), while the Copper 7 induced little change. In contrast, users of the 5 progestogen-releasing IUDs experienced a decline in menstrual bleeding that was proportional to the amount of steroids released or the progestational potency. This reduction was greatest (96%) for the IUD that released 8 mcg/day of levonorgestrel. However, this category of IUDs is more costly and necessitates earlier removal; in addition, many women discontinue use of hormone-releasing IUDs precisely because of the associated amenorrhea. Recommended, therefore, is promotion of the Copper T-220C, which can remain in place for 10 years. In selected cases, short-term treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents can reduce IUD-associated hypermenorrhea and promote contraception continuation.^ieng

Presence and chemical composition of glycoproteic layer on human spermatozoa.

Studies from electronic microscopy disclosed the presence of an electrodense stranded and branch-like electrodense layer that extends toward extracellular space. Chemical composition of this glycoproteic layer showed that protein and total sugar content is similar (0.98 microgram/microgram protein). As for the total sugar content of this glycoproteic constituent, sialic acid accounts for 40%, hexosamines 27%, and fucose 30%. Electrophoresis characterization of this constituent showed the presence of 6 different motility bands. Risen levels of sialic acid indicate the contribution of sialic residue in the net charge of the sperm membrane, its role during capacitation, and its possible participation in the formation of binding bridges between sperm membrane and ovum.

Occlusion of vas deferens after a single intraluminal injection of carrageenan and other chemical agents in rabbits.

A direct single injection of a mixture of sclerosing chemical agents into the lumen of the rabbit vas deferens was effective as early as 4 weeks post treatment in 13 of 16 animals. No effect was observed in carrageenan-treated animals.

The zoapatle. XV. Activity of 16 alpha-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid isolated from Montanoa hibiscifolia, and its methyl ester on rat and guinea pig uterus.

16 alpha-Hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid was isolated from Montanoa hibiscifolia. The effects of this acid and its methyl ester on the contractile activity of rat and guinea pig uterine horns were studied. Both inhibited spontaneous, oxytocin-induced and potassium-induced contractile activities. The inhibitory effect produced by the methyl ester was greater than that observed with the acid. The methyl ester was 2-5 times more potent than the acid upon spontaneous and potassium-induced contractions and 11-15 times more potent than the acid upon the contractile activity of uterine smooth muscle induced by oxytocin. Such effects were observed using bath concentrations of 6, 15, 30 and 60 microM of each compound.

The zoapatle XIV--the effect of oral administration of zoapatle upon progesterone plasma levels in pregnant rabbits.

Oral administration of zoapatle aqueous crude extract (ZACE) made from Montanoa tomentosa or frutescens at doses of 5 mg/day from days 3 through 17 of pregnancy in rabbit, did not modify the normal plasma levels of progesterone. Pregnancy and delivery were similar in controls and zoapatle-treated animals.

The effect of acetylsalicylic acid on menstrual blood loss in women with IUDs.

Fifty-three volunteer women using Copper T 220C IUDs, complaining of increased menstrual bleeding, received per os 1 g, three times a day, of acetylsalicylic acid, for 5 days, during their menstrual periods. Menstrual bleeding for each patient was measured at least once before treatment. Bleeding estimates were also performed from the second to the fifth treatment cycle. From the 53 women admitted to the study, only 13 subjects (24.7%) had pre-treatment menstrual bleeding of more than 80 ml; 40 subjects had less than 80 ml. The group with hypermenorrhea had slightly decreased (not significant) the amount of menstrual blood loss with acetylsalicylic acid intake. On the other hand, 67.1% of women with bleeding less than 80 ml observed a significant increase in menstrual blood loss.

Estimates of post-partum bleeding.

Post-partum bleeding was estimated during the first 72 hours in 106 women with normal delivery at term, all had live child with a body weight between 2.5 and 3.5 Kg. Three groups of women were studied: Group 1 comprised 41 volunteers with normal deliveries to whom no medication had been administered; Group 2 comprised 39 volunteers receiving 20 IU of oxytocin in 250 ml of a 5% glucose solution, immediately after delivery; and in Group 3, 26 volunteers received 0.2 mg of ergonovine maleate, orally three times daily for three days. The average post-partum blood loss in Group 1 during the first 72 hours after delivery was 151.5 +/- 12.5 ml; for Group 2, 155.9 +/- 13.9 ml; and for Group 3, 135.5 +/- 15.9 ml. There were no significant differences among the groups and, most of the blood loss occurred during the first 24 hours after delivery.

The effect of post-partum IUD insertion on post-partum bleeding.

Post-partum bleeding was measured for 72 hours in 66 volunteer healthy women after normal pregnancy and delivery at term. After complete placenta expulsion, a 220C Copper T was placed by the attending physician in 33 volunteer subjects before leaving the delivery room. Similar number of volunteer subjects served as a control. Post-partum bleeding during the 72 hours of study was 134.7 +/- 16.3 ml for the IUD group and 155.9 +/- 16.0 ml for the control group. No differences were detected among the two groups. Hemoglobin levels were the same for both groups, being at 72 hours after delivery, 11.9 +/- 0.28 gm/ml for the IUD group and 12.2 +/- 0.36 for controls. None of the women with immediate post-partum IUD insertion had any changes in the normal characteristics of their post-partum period.

Zoapatle. XII. In vitro effect of kaurenoic acid isolated from Montanoa frutescens and two derivatives upon human spermatozoa.

Zoapatle aqueous crude extract (ZACE) from Montanoa tomentosa has been used as an oral contraceptive in traditional Mexican medicine for centuries. Kaurenoic acid, as isolated from Montanoa frutescens, and the methyl esters of 15-hydroxy-dihydro-kaurenoic acid and 15-keto-dihydro-kaurenoic acid were tested in vitro on human sperm motility and viability. The estimated ED50 concentrations immobilization were 374, 126 and 58 micrograms/ml, respectively using 15 X 10(6) sperms/500 microliter. Kaurenoic acid and both of its derivatives displayed only weak to negligible capacity for killing human sperms.

PIP: The effects on human sperm motility and viability of 3 compounds isolated from an aqueous extract of Montanoa frutescens Cerv (Compositae, Heliantheae) were tested. The plant is related to the zoapatle, traditionally used as a contraceptive, and known to have uterotonic and luteolytic activity. Kaurenoic acid, its 15 hydroxy- and its methyl ester were prepared from the polar fraction, and dissolved in 95% ethanol at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Human sperm, suspended in Bigger's Whitten and Wittingham medium at a final concentration of 15 million sperm per 500 mcl were incubated at 37 degrees C. for 60 seconds. Judging sperm motility under phase contrast microscopy, kaurenoic acid was 0.89 times less effective, and the hydroxy kaurenoic acid 2.6 times more effective than verapamil, while the keto derivative was 5.7 times more potent than verapamil at the same concentration. Sperm viability assessed by vital staining was hampered only about 10% by the keto-kaurenoic acid, 21% by kaurenoic acid, and 33% by hydroxy-kaurenoic acid. Doses required for immobilization of 50% of human sperms ranged from 58 to 374 mcg/ml. This is 225 times lower than that reported for gossypol in vitro, and much lower than the millimolar range needed to inactivate sperm with nonoxynol. Thus these drugs may prompt a search for analogs useful in vaginal contraceptives.

Serum lipid levels before and after vasectomy in men.

The blood lipid profile was determined in sixty-two men, 24 to 62 years old, before and two, six and twelve months after surgical occlusion of the vas deferens. No statistically significant differences were found in mean body weight, blood pressure, serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and alpha, beta and prebeta fractions of the lipoproteins, which were measured before and after surgery. When the serum levels of the alpha and beta fractions were considered in the same subject, it was observed that 12 months after vasectomy a similar percentage of cases showed a predominance of either one of them. Hence, no modifications on the lipid profile of these subjects were found that could indicate an increased risk of arteriosclerotic disease.