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Ovarian Hormones (ovarian + hormones)
Selected AbstractsOvarian Hormones and Migraine Headache: Understanding Mechanisms and Pathogenesis,Part 2HEADACHE, Issue 3 2006Vincent T. Martin MD Migraine headache is strongly influenced by reproductive events that occur throughout the lifespan of women. Each of these reproductive events has a different "hormonal milieu," which might modulate the clinical course of migraine headache. Estrogen and progesterone can be preventative or provocative for migraine headache under different circumstances depending on their absolute serum levels, constancy of exposure, and types of estrogen/progesterone derivatives. Attacks of migraine with and without aura respond differently to changes in ovarian hormones. Clearly a greater knowledge of ovarian hormones and their effect on migraine is essential to a greater understanding of the mechanisms and pathogenesis of migraine headache. [source] Stimulation of Uterine Cell Cytokine Production By Ovarian HormonesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2000J.A. DELOIA PROBLEM: Although leukocytes do not possess significant numbers of ovarian steroid hormone receptors, their numbers in the endometrium vary consistently, relative to the menstrual cycle. The possibility that cell types within the endometrium express leukocyte-attracting genes in response to ovarian hormones was investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: Endometrial biopsies were collected 10 days post-leutinizing hormone surge; the cell types were separated and cultured individually for 5 days in the presence of increasing amounts of estrogen or progesterone. Following culture, RNA was collected from cells and reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine relative levels of gene expression of monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP)-1, -2, and -3, and interleukin (IL)-12p35 and p40. RESULTS: Although both endometrial stroma and glands were able to make MCP mRNA, steady-state levels of gene expression did not vary significantly relative to hormone treatment. The same was found for the p35 molecule of the IL-12 gene; however, differences were observed for the p40 subunit. CONCLUSIONS: Within the human endometrium, chemokines other than MCP and IL-12 are most likely responsible for cycle-related leukocyte recruitment. [source] Oestrogen Receptors Enhance Dopamine Neurone Survival in Rat MidbrainJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 4 2010M. L. Johnson Previous findings in our laboratory and elsewhere have shown that ovariectomy of rats in adulthood attenuates cocaine-stimulated locomotor behaviour. Ovarian hormones enhance both cocaine-stimulated behaviour and increase dopamine overflow after psychomotor stimulants. The present study aimed to determine whether ovarian hormones have these effects in part by maintaining dopamine neurone number in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) and to investigate the roles of specific oestrogen receptors (ERs) in the maintenance of mesencephalic dopamine neurones. To accomplish this goal, we used unbiased stereological techniques to estimate the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-IR) cell bodies in midbrain regions of intact, ovariectomised and hormone-replaced female rats and mice. Animals received active or sham gonadectomy on postnatal day 60 and received vehicle, 17,-oestradiol (E2) or selective ER agonists propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT, ER,) or diarylpropionitrile (DPN, ER,) for 1 month post-surgery. In both rats and mice, ovariectomy reduced the number of TH-IR cells in the SNpc and VTA. Replacement with E2, PPT or DPN prevented or attenuated the loss observed with ovariectomy in both rats and mice. An additional study using ER knockout mice revealed that adult female mice lacking ER, had fewer TH-IR cells in midbrain regions than wild-type mice, whereas mice lacking ER, had TH-IR cell counts comparable to wild-type. These findings suggest that, although both ER subtypes play a role in the maintenance of TH-IR cell number in the SNpc and VTA, ER, may play a more significant role. [source] 5-hydroxytryptamine signalling in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: effects of gender and menstrual statusALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009L. A. HOUGHTON Summary Background, Symptomatology and physiology differ between men and women and across the menstrual cycle in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ovarian hormones influence 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), an amine known to play a role in gut motor-sensory function. Aim, To assess the effects of gender and menstrual status on platelet-depleted plasma (PDP) 5-HT concentration in IBS patients with diarrhoea (IBS-D) patients compared with healthy volunteers (HV). Methods, Platelet-depleted plasma 5-HT concentrations were assessed under fasting and fed conditions in 73 IBS-D patients (aged 18,58 years; 18 men) and 64 HV (aged 18,50 years; 24 men). Women were divided into those with low or high progesterone/oestrogen (P/O) levels. Results, Irritable bowel syndrome patients with diarrhoea had higher PDP 5-HT concentrations than HV under fasting (P = 0.002) and fed (P = 0.049) conditions. This was particularly related to IBS-D men having higher PDP 5-HT concentrations than healthy controls (P = 0.002). Moreover, PDP 5-HT concentrations in IBS-D women with low P/O levels were similar to healthy controls. Conclusions, Similar to IBS-D women with high P/O levels, IBS-D men also have raised PDP 5-HT concentrations. 5-HT concentration normalizes at menses in IBS-D women, suggesting a shift in the mechanisms responsible for abnormal 5-HT signalling in these patients. [source] The Effect of Ovariectomy on Rat Vaginal Tissue Contractility and HistomorphologyTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2006F. Fatih Önol MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Ovarian hormones have an important role in age-related genital arousal disorders; however, our knowledge regarding possible vaginal wall morphology and contractility changes in low-hormonal states is limited. Aims., To investigate morphological and functional alterations in the vaginal tissue in a rat ovariectomy model and to show the differences between proximal and distal vagina. Methods., Six weeks following ovariectomy, vaginal tissues were examined under light and electron microscopy. Circularly cut distal and proximal tissues were studied in the organ bath under isometric tension and compared with age-matched controls. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS), phenylephrine, carbachol, and the effects of alpha-1 and alpha-2 blockade on EFS-induced contractility were investigated. Relaxation responses to EFS and vardenafil were investigated in precontracted strips. Main Outcome Measures., Differences between control and ovariectomy groups in terms of vaginal tissue contractility and histomorphological properties. Results., Distal vagina showed different epithelial characteristics and a better-developed muscularis compared with proximal vagina. Ovariectomy caused thinning of the epithelium, severe degeneration in epithelial architecture, and smooth muscle atrophy. Contraction and relaxation responses of distal strips were significantly lower in ovariectomized rats. Contractile responses to neuropharmacological stimulation were insignificant in proximal strips of both groups. EFS-induced contractions in distal strips diminished significantly after alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic blockade. EFS caused frequency-dependent relaxation responses in precontracted distal strips, which were significantly decreased after nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Conclusions., Ovariectomy causes significant alteration in rat vaginal tissue morphology and contractility. Contraction and relaxation responses of distal vagina are significantly greater compared with morphologically distinct proximal vagina. Alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors are the main mediators of contraction in distal rat vaginal tissue whereas nitric oxide pathway may have at least a partial role in relaxation. Main mediators of the rat vaginal tissue relaxation and the effect of ovariectomy on this regulation are yet to be defined. Önol FF, Ercan F, and Tarcan T. The effect of ovariectomy on rat vaginal tissue contractility and histomorphology. J Sex Med 2006;3:233,241. [source] Pubertal maturation modifies the regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor signaling by estradiol in the rat prefrontal cortexDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 8 2008Amaya Sanz Abstract The transition from adolescence to adulthood is accompanied by substantial plastic modifications in the cerebral cortex, including changes in the growth and retraction of neuronal processes and in the rate of synaptic formation and neuronal loss. Some of these plastic changes are prevented in female rats by prepubertal ovariectomy. The ovarian hormone estradiol modulates neuronal differentiation and survival and these effects are in part mediated by the interaction with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). In this study, we have explored whether the activation by estradiol of some components of IGF-I receptor signaling is altered in the prefrontal cortex during puberty. Estradiol administration to rats ovariectomized after puberty resulted, 24 h after the hormonal administration, in a sustained phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase 3, in the prefrontal cortex. However, this hormonal effect was not observed in animals ovariectomized before puberty. These findings suggest that during pubertal maturation there is a programming by ovarian hormones of the future regulatory actions of estradiol on IGF-I receptor signaling in the prefrontal cortex. The modification in the regulation of IGF-I receptor signaling by estradiol during pubertal maturation may have implications for the developmental changes occurring in the prefrontal cortex in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008. [source] Endogenous estrogen status, but not genistein supplementation, modulates 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mutation in the liver cII gene of transgenic big blue rats,ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 5 2005Tao Chen Abstract A growing number of studies suggest that isoflavones found in soybeans have estrogenic activity and may safely alleviate the symptoms of menopause. One of these isoflavones, genistein, is commonly used by postmenopausal women as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Although sex hormones have been implicated as an important risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, there are limited data on the potential effects of the estrogens, including phytoestrogens, on chemical mutagenesis in liver. Because of the association between mutation induction and the carcinogenesis process, we investigated whether endogenous estrogen and supplemental genistein affect 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mutagenesis in rat liver. Intact and ovariectomized female Big Blue rats were treated with 80 mg DMBA/kg body weight. Some of the rats also received a supplement of 1,000 ppm genistein. Sixteen weeks after the carcinogen treatment, the rats were sacrificed, their livers were removed, and mutant frequencies (MFs) and types of mutations were determined in the liver cII gene. DMBA significantly increased the MFs in liver for both the intact and ovariectomized rats. While there was no significant difference in MF between the ovariectomized and intact control animals, the mutation induction by DMBA in the ovariectomized groups was significantly higher than that in the intact groups. Dietary genistein did not alter these responses. Molecular analysis of the mutants showed that DMBA induced chemical-specific types of mutations in the liver cII gene. These results suggest that endogenous ovarian hormones have an inhibitory effect on liver mutagenesis by DMBA, whereas dietary genistein does not modulate spontaneous or DMBA-induced mutagenesis in either intact or ovariectomized rats. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2005. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Serotonin mediates oestrogen stimulation of cell proliferation in the adult dentate gyrusEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2001Mounira Banasr Abstract Characterizing the mechanisms by which endogenous factors stimulate neurogenesis is of special interest in view of the possible implication of newly generated cells in hippocampal functions or disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether serotonin (5-HT) and oestradiol (E2) act through a common pathway to increase cell proliferation in the adult dentate gyrus (DG). We also investigated the effects of long-lasting changes in oestrogen levels on cell proliferation. Combining ovariectomy with inhibition of 5-HT synthesis using p -chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) treatment produced approximately the same decreases in the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and PSA-NCAM immunolabelled cells in the subgranular layer as ovariectomy alone. Administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) restored cell proliferation primarily decreased by ovariectomy, whereas oestradiol was unable to reverse this change in ovariectomized rats treated with PCPA. These findings demonstrate that 5-HT mediates oestrogen stimulation of cell proliferation in adult dentate gyrus. However, increase in ovarian hormones during pregnancy has no effect on dentate cell proliferation. This finding suggests that concomitant changes in other factors, such as glucocorticoids, may counterbalance the positive regulation of cell proliferation by 5-HT and oestradiol. Finally, oestrogen may regulate structural plasticity by stimulating PSA-NCAM expression independently of neurogenesis, as shown for instance by the increases in the number of PSA-NCAM labelled cells in pregnants. As 5-HT and oestrogen are involved in mood disorders, our data suggest that the positive regulation of cell proliferation and neuroplasticity by these two factors may contribute to restore hippocampal connectivity in depressive patients. [source] Social and sexual incentive properties of estrogen receptor ,, estrogen receptor ,, or oxytocin knockout miceGENES, BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR, Issue 1 2008A. Ågmo Social and sexual incentive motivation, defined as the intensity of approach to a social and a sexual incentive, respectively, were studied in female Swiss Webster mice. In the first experiment, the social incentive was a castrated mouse of the same strain as the females, whereas the sexual incentive was an intact male mouse of the same strain. Ovariectomized females were first tested after oil treatment and then after administration of estradiol benzoate + progesterone in doses sufficient to induce full receptivity. The hormones increased sexual incentive motivation while leaving social incentive motivation unaffected. This suggests that sexual incentive motivation in the female mouse is dependent on ovarian hormones. In the next experiment, ovariectomized females were tested with an intact, male estrogen receptor , knockout and its wild type as incentives, first without hormones and then when fully receptive. There were no differences in incentive properties between the wild type and the knockout. In a similar experiment, we used an intact male estrogen receptor , knockout and its corresponding wild type as incentives. The wild type turned out to be a more attractive social incentive than the knockout, while they were equivalent as sexual incentives. Finally, an intact male oxytocin knockout and its wild type were used as incentives. The knockout turned out to be a superior incentive, particularly a superior sexual incentive. The fact that the estrogen receptor , and oxytocin knockouts have incentive properties different from their wild types may be important to consider in studies of these knockouts' sociosexual behaviors. [source] Ovarian Hormones and Migraine Headache: Understanding Mechanisms and Pathogenesis,Part 2HEADACHE, Issue 3 2006Vincent T. Martin MD Migraine headache is strongly influenced by reproductive events that occur throughout the lifespan of women. Each of these reproductive events has a different "hormonal milieu," which might modulate the clinical course of migraine headache. Estrogen and progesterone can be preventative or provocative for migraine headache under different circumstances depending on their absolute serum levels, constancy of exposure, and types of estrogen/progesterone derivatives. Attacks of migraine with and without aura respond differently to changes in ovarian hormones. Clearly a greater knowledge of ovarian hormones and their effect on migraine is essential to a greater understanding of the mechanisms and pathogenesis of migraine headache. [source] Oestrogen Receptors Enhance Dopamine Neurone Survival in Rat MidbrainJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 4 2010M. L. Johnson Previous findings in our laboratory and elsewhere have shown that ovariectomy of rats in adulthood attenuates cocaine-stimulated locomotor behaviour. Ovarian hormones enhance both cocaine-stimulated behaviour and increase dopamine overflow after psychomotor stimulants. The present study aimed to determine whether ovarian hormones have these effects in part by maintaining dopamine neurone number in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) and to investigate the roles of specific oestrogen receptors (ERs) in the maintenance of mesencephalic dopamine neurones. To accomplish this goal, we used unbiased stereological techniques to estimate the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-IR) cell bodies in midbrain regions of intact, ovariectomised and hormone-replaced female rats and mice. Animals received active or sham gonadectomy on postnatal day 60 and received vehicle, 17,-oestradiol (E2) or selective ER agonists propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT, ER,) or diarylpropionitrile (DPN, ER,) for 1 month post-surgery. In both rats and mice, ovariectomy reduced the number of TH-IR cells in the SNpc and VTA. Replacement with E2, PPT or DPN prevented or attenuated the loss observed with ovariectomy in both rats and mice. An additional study using ER knockout mice revealed that adult female mice lacking ER, had fewer TH-IR cells in midbrain regions than wild-type mice, whereas mice lacking ER, had TH-IR cell counts comparable to wild-type. These findings suggest that, although both ER subtypes play a role in the maintenance of TH-IR cell number in the SNpc and VTA, ER, may play a more significant role. [source] Collagen types I, III, and V constitute the thick collagen fibrils of the mouse deciduaMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 1 2007Karin Spiess Abstract A mammal's endometrium is deeply remodeled while receiving and implanting an embryo. In addition to cell proliferation and growth, endometrial remodeling also comprises synthesis and degradation of several molecular components of the extracellular matrix. All of these events are orchestrated by a precise sequence of ovarian hormones and influenced by several types of cytokines. As we have previously reported, an intriguing and rapid increase in collagen fibril diameter occurs in the decidualized areas of the endometrium, surrounding the implantation crypt, whereas collagen fibrils situated far from the embryo remain unchanged. Collagen fibrilogenesis is a complex molecular process coordinated by a number of factors, such as the types and amounts of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans associated with collagen molecules. Collagen genetic type, mechanical stress, aging, and other factors not yet identified also contribute to this development. A recent study suggests that thick fibrils from mouse decidua are formed, at least in part, by aggregation of thin fibrils existing in the stroma before the onset of decidualization. In the present ultrastructural study using single and double immunogold localization, we showed that both thin and thick collagen fibrils present in the mouse pregnant endometrium endometrium are heterotypic structures formed at least by type I, type III, and type V collagens. However, type V collagen predominates in the thick collagen fibrils, whereas it is almost absent of the thin collagen fibrils. The putative role of type V homotrimer in the rapid increase of the diameter of collagen fibrils of the mouse decidua is discussed. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of Body Condition and Protein Supplementation on LH Secretion and Luteal Function in SheepREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2007CA Meza-Herrera Contents In ruminants, nutrition is one of the exogenous inputs affecting reproductive function at different levels of the hypothalamic,hypophyseal,gonadal axis. However, the exact mechanisms or even the identification of the signalling metabolic compounds by which nutrition affects reproductive function still need further clarification. The role of static body condition (BC) and its interaction with a short-term protein supplementation (PL), on secretion of metabolic hormones [growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)], as well as on secretion of LH and progesterone (P4) was evaluated in sheep. Twenty-four Rambouillet ewes divided into two groups, with lower (LBC) and higher body condition (HBC), were randomly assigned within BC to one of two PL levels: low (LPL, 24% of crude protein; 14 g/animal/day), and high (HPL, 44% of crude protein; 30 g/animal/day). The secretion of GH, insulin, IGF-1 and LH was evaluated on day 10 of the oestrous cycle; appearance and timing of oestrous behaviour were previously detected using rams. Progesterone secretion was evaluated on day 13 of the same cycle. No differences were found (p > 0.05) between PL groups on serum GH concentrations during the sampling period (overall mean of 4.0 ± 0.3 ng/ml), but a trend for lower values in HBC sheep was found (3.6 ± 0.4 vs 4.4 ± 0.4 ng/ml, p = 0.06). A BC effect was observed (p < 0.05) on serum IGF-1 level, with higher values in HBC sheep (p < 0.05). Neither BC nor PL affected (p > 0.05) secretion of LH and the number of corpora lutea, nor serum P4 and insulin concentrations. Results indicate a predominance of the static component of nutrition on sheep metabolic hormone responses, GH and IGF-1, with no effect of short-term PL on secretion of pituitary and ovarian hormones as well as luteal number and activity. [source] Ultrasonography and Cystic Hyperplasia,Pyometra Complex in the BitchREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 3 2004E Bigliardi Contents Cystic endometrial hyperplasia,pyometra complex is the most frequent and important endometrial disorder encountered in bitches. The pathogenesis of the disease is related to the activity of progesterone [Feldman and Nelson, Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction (1996) W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia]. Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) is an abnormal response of the bitch's uterus to ovarian hormones [De Bosschere et al. Theriogenology (2001) 55, 1509]. CEH is considered by many authors to be an exaggerated response of the uterus to chronic progestational stimulation during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle, causing an abnormal accumulation of fluid within the endometrial glands and uterine lumen (De Bosschere et al. 2001). The resulting lesions of pyometra are due to the interaction between bacteria and hormones. The aim of this study was to evaluate if transabdominal uterine ultrasonography can be a useful and reliable diagnostic method to confirm Dow's [Veterinary Record (1958) 70, 1102] and De Bosschere's histopathological classification of CEH,pyometra complex. The study was carried out on 45 bitches with pyometra, 10 purebreeds and 35 crossbreeds, 1,15 years old, 20% of which had whelped at least once. None of these animals had received exogenous oestrogen or progesterone treatment. On admission the 45 animals were in the luteal phase of the oestrus cycle. Clinical signs, blood parameters, uterine ultrasonography, bacterial swabs and uterine histopalogical results were recorded. Results suggest that ultrasonographic examination is a useful and reliable tool for the diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia. [source] Dynamics of circulating concentrations of gonadotropins and ovarian hormones throughout the menstrual cycle in the bonnet monkey: role of inhibin A in the regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone secretionAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2009P.S. Suresh Abstract In higher primates, increased circulating follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels seen during late menstrual cycle and during menstruation has been suggested to be necessary for initiation of follicular growth, recruitment of follicles and eventually culminating in ovulation of a single follicle. With a view to establish the dynamics of circulating FSH secretion with that of inhibin A (INH A) and progesterone (P4) secretions during the menstrual cycle, blood was collected daily from bonnet monkeys beginning day 1 of the menstrual cycle up to 35 days. Serum INH A levels were low during early follicular phase, increased significantly coinciding with the mid cycle luteinizing hormone (LH) surge to reach maximal levels during the mid luteal phase before declining at the late luteal phase, essentially paralleling the pattern of P4 secretion seen throughout the luteal phase. Circulating FSH levels were low during early and mid luteal phases, but progressively increased during the late luteal phase and remained high for few days after the onset of menses. In another experiment, lutectomy performed during the mid luteal phase resulted in significant decrease in INH A concentration within 2,hr (58.3±2 vs. 27.3±3,pg/mL), and a 2- to 3-fold rise in circulating FSH levels by 24,hr (0.20±0.02 vs. 0.53±0.14,ng/mL) that remained high until 48,hr postlutectomy. Systemic administration of Cetrorelix (150,µg/kg body weight), a gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor antagonist, at mid luteal phase in monkeys led to suppression of serum INH A and P4 concentrations 24,hr post treatment, but circulating FSH levels did not change. Administration of exogenous LH, but not FSH, significantly increased INH A concentration. The results taken together suggest a tight coupling between LH and INH A secretion and that INH A is largely responsible for maintenance of low FSH concentration seen during the luteal phase. Am. J. Primatol. 71:817,824, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Stimulation of Uterine Cell Cytokine Production By Ovarian HormonesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2000J.A. DELOIA PROBLEM: Although leukocytes do not possess significant numbers of ovarian steroid hormone receptors, their numbers in the endometrium vary consistently, relative to the menstrual cycle. The possibility that cell types within the endometrium express leukocyte-attracting genes in response to ovarian hormones was investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: Endometrial biopsies were collected 10 days post-leutinizing hormone surge; the cell types were separated and cultured individually for 5 days in the presence of increasing amounts of estrogen or progesterone. Following culture, RNA was collected from cells and reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine relative levels of gene expression of monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP)-1, -2, and -3, and interleukin (IL)-12p35 and p40. RESULTS: Although both endometrial stroma and glands were able to make MCP mRNA, steady-state levels of gene expression did not vary significantly relative to hormone treatment. The same was found for the p35 molecule of the IL-12 gene; however, differences were observed for the p40 subunit. CONCLUSIONS: Within the human endometrium, chemokines other than MCP and IL-12 are most likely responsible for cycle-related leukocyte recruitment. [source] GS26P ABDOMINAL WALL ENDOMETRIOMA FOLLOWING CAESAREAN SECTIONANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 2007R. J. Whitfield Purpose Endometriosis is defined as the presence of aberrant endometrial tissue outside of the uterus that responds to stimulation by ovarian hormones. A large, circumscribed mass of such tissue is commonly termed an endometrioma. Abdominal wall endometriomas in association with caesarean section scars have been reported repeatedly in the obstetrics and gynaecology literature, but rarely in general surgical journals. Methodology In this paper, six patients are reviewed who presented between 2001 and 2006 with painful, tender nodules in and around caesarean section scars. Of these, four reported exacerbation of symptoms during, or just prior to menstruation. One patient had experienced 12 years of symptoms, previously attributed to intra-abdominal adhesions. Results All patients had their scar nodules excised. Five procedures were performed electively. One patient underwent emergency exploration of her caesarean scar for possible incarcerated incisional hernia. Ectopic endometrial tissue was seen in the histological specimens of all patients. Four patients reported resolution of their symptoms following surgery. One patient had ongoing symptoms post-operatively, with an additional mass lesion seen on ultrasound consistent with a second endometrioma. One patient did not attend follow-up. Conclusion General surgeons are commonly required to assess and manage abdominal wall masses, and should have an awareness of endometrioma in the differential diagnosis when such a lesion is seen in association with a caesarean section scar. Wide excision is usually very effective at alleviating symptoms of abdominal wall endometrioma. [source] Variations in blood lipid profile, thrombotic system, arterial elasticity and psychosexual parameters in the cases of surgical and natural menopauseAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Volkan TUNA In this study, comparing four different parameters in women with surgical menopause because of ovariectomy in reproductive age and in women with natural menopause, the effect of withdrawal of ovarian hormones on both groups was investigated. The patient groups in this study were constituted of 100 women in reproductive age who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy + bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 50 women with natural menopause referred to out-patient's clinic within the same period. The findings for four different parameters were recorded one day before the surgery and at 3rd month post-operatively in surgical menopause group and at the day of referral to outpatient clinic in natural menopause group. The parameters planned to be recorded were blood lipid profile, thrombotic system, arterial elasticity and psychosexual variations. Post-operative high-density lipoprotein level in surgical menopause group was found lower than that of natural menopause group (47.08 vs 52.44 mg/dL, P < 0.05). Post-operative very low density lipoprotein level in surgical menopause group was increased more than that in natural menopause group (27.74 vs 23.58 mg/dL, P < 0.05). An increase was observed in post-operative carotid artery Pulsality Index and Resistive Index levels of surgical menopause group compared with natural menopause group (1.44 vs 1.33, P < 0.001 and 0.73 vs 0.68, P < 0.001 respectively). In surgical menopause group, the differences between pre- and post-operative values of bleeding time (1.15 vs 1.24, P < 0.0001), clotting time (5.9 vs 6.08, P < 0.0001) and fibrinogen level (422 vs 395, P < 0.0001) were found statistically significant. While bleeding time and clotting time were increased post-operatively, fibrinogen level was decreased. A significant increase was observed in post-operative mean Kupperman Index levels of surgical menopause group compared with that of natural menopause group (23.89 vs 9.94, P < 0.001). It was concluded that the ovaries should be considered as important organs impacting women's quality of life with their hormones produced also in the period of menopause; that disadvantages of oophorectomy during hysterectomy should be considered and that an attempt to conserve ovaries during surgery except pre-cancerous events would benefit women. [source] Gender-specific vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption in rats: a role for inducible nitric oxide synthaseBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 3 2008C R Tirapelli Background and purpose: Epidemiological data suggest that the risk of ethanol-associated cardiovascular disease is greater in men than in women. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying gender-specific vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption in rats. Experimental approach: Vascular reactivity experiments using standard muscle bath procedures were performed on isolated thoracic aortae from rats. mRNA and protein for inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and for endothelial NOS (eNOS) was assessed by RT-PCR or western blotting, respectively. Key results: In male rats, chronic ethanol consumption enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction in both endothelium-intact and denuded aortic rings. However, in female rats, chronic ethanol consumption enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction only in endothelium denuded aortic rings. After pre-incubation of endothelium-intact rings with L -NAME, both male and female ethanol-treated rats showed larger phenylephrine-induced contractions in aortic rings, compared to the control group. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not affected by ethanol consumption. The effects of ethanol on responses to phenylephrine were similar in ovariectomized (OVX) and intact (non-OVX) female rats. In the presence of aminoguanidine, but not 7-nitroindazole, the contractions to phenylephrine in rings from ethanol-treated female rats were greater than that found in control tissues in the presence of the inhibitors. mRNA levels for eNOS and iNOS were not altered by ethanol consumption. Ethanol intake reduced eNOS protein levels and increased iNOS protein levels in aorta from female rats. Conclusions and implications: Gender differences in the vascular effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption were not related to ovarian hormones but seemed to involve the upregulation of iNOS. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 468,479; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707589; published online 26 November 2007 [source] | |||||||||||||