• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.213-220
• /
• 2023

Previously, we showed that a chronic-low-dose nonylphenol (NP) exposure resulted in histological changes with sexually dimorphic pattern in rat adrenal glands. We hypothesized that such structural changes are closely related to the hormonal secretory patterns. To test this hypothesis, we developed the short-term adrenal incubation method, and measured the levels of catecholamines and cortical steroids using the high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The norepinephrine (NE) levels in media from NP-treated female adrenal, except 100 pM NP, were significantly increased [control (CTL) vs 1 nM NP, p<0.001; vs 10 nM NP, p<0.05; vs 100 nM NP, p<0.001; vs 1 µM NP, p<0.01]. The NE secretion from male adrenal was higher when treated with 100 nM and 1 µM NP (CTL vs 100 nM NP, p<0.05; vs 1 µM NP, p<0.05, respectively). The aldosterone level in the female adrenal media treated with 100 pM NP was significantly decreased, on the other hand, that of media treated with 10 nM NP was significantly increased (CTL vs 100 pM NP, p<0.05; vs 10 nM NP, p<0.01). In male adrenal media, the aldosterone levels of 10 nM, 100 nM and 1 µM NP-treated media were significantly declined (CTL vs 10 nM NP, p<0.001; vs 100 nM NP, p<0.001; vs 1 µM NP, p<0.001). These results showed the NP treatment altered secretory pattern of aldosterone from adrenals of both sexes, showing sexual dimorphism. It may be helpful for understanding possible adrenal pathophysiology, and endocrine disrupting chemicals-related sexually dimorphic phenomena in adrenals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.788-793
• /
• 1999

To determine the interrelationship between thyroid status and the reparitioning action of clenbuterol (CLE) in broilers, two-week-old female chickens were fed diets containing an antithyroid substance, propylthiouracil (PTU, 0 or 0.3%), CLE (0 to 1 mg/kg), or both for 18 days in a $2{\times}2$ factorial design experiment. Muscle weights (breast muscle, gastrocnemius and peroneus longus) increased only in the normal chickens fed CLE. As absolute mass, protein of leg muscle quantitatively increased in the CLE-fed normal birds. In contrast, inhibition of the CLE-induced protein accretion, especially of peroneus longus, occurred in the PTU group. A quantitative increase in DNA was observed in leg muscles of the normal chickens, but no DNA response to CLE was shown in the PTU-treated chickens. The decreased RNA in leg muscles of the PTU group was more reduced by CLE feeding. Although not statistically significant, the reduced degradation rate of whole muscle protein in normal chickens fed CLE was not confirmed in the PTU-fed group. The present study, therefore, concluded that metabolic action of thyroid hormones was a prerequisite for the hypertrophic effect of ${\beta}$-agonist in broilers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.4411-4416
• /
• 2014

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females all over the world with approximately one million new cases each year as well as one of second leading causes of death among females. In Pakistan, the most frequently diagnosed cancer among females is also breast cancer, accounting for nearly one in nine female patients. Its incidence in Pakistan is 2.5 times higher than that in neighboring countries like Iran and India. The risk factors associated with breast cancer are age, family history, early menarche, intake of combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormones, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, low socioeconomic status and lack of awareness regarding the disease. This mini-review article aims to provide awareness about breast cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2015

The gonadosomatic index (GSI), gonadal development and changes in hormones in plasma level of the indoor cultured grunt (Hapalogenys nitens) were investigated by histological study from August 2011 to October 2012. The GSI showed similar trends with gonad developmental stages during the culture periods. Changes in plasma level of estradiol-$17{\beta}$ of female H. nitens reached the highest value before the spawning period, and seasonal changes in plasma level of estradiol-$17{\beta}$ were similar in trends of oocyte developments and GSI changes. Testosterone levels of male H. nitens reached the highest value before and after the spent stage. Ovarian developmental stages of H. nitens could be classified into early growing stage, late growing stage, mature stage, ripe and spawning stage, recovery and resting stage. The testicular developmental stages could be divided into growing stage, mature stage, ripe and spent stage, and recovery and resting stage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.55-59
• /
• 1998

To study the effect of induced hypothyroidism on fertility status of male Black Bengal goats, 10 adult healthy mature males were divided into control and treated groups. Hypothyroidism was induced successfully by injecting thiourea subcutaneously initially for 15 days at the rate of 100 mg/kg body weight, followed by 66.7 mg/kg body weight for the subse quent 15 days. This resulted in a decrease (p < 0.01) in plasma tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine and testosterone levels, with increasing duration of thiourea treatment. It also adversely affected semen quality, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility and viability. Live percentage declined to 75% for treated and control remained at 90%. Artificial insemination fo female goats with semen of thiourea-treated goats, resulted in failure of conception. However, females inseminated with semen of male goats of control group showed 100% conception. These observations indicate that, thyroid hormones play a key role in maintaining the normal reproductive processes of male goats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.874-880
• /
• 1996

The effects of an anabolic steroid, nandrolone phenylpropionate(NPP), on body weight gain and body protein, and muscle protein metabolism were inestigated in adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH)-treated male and female rats. Daily injections of 100ug/day of ACTH for 7-8 days caused a cessation of growth in females and a net loss of body weight in males which were associated with significant reductions in body protein content. However, food intake was not affected by ACTH in either sex. The weight, protein content and fractional rate of protein synthesis, measured in vivo, of gastrocnemius muscle were all significantly reduced in both sexes. NPP at a dose of 4mg/kg body weight prevented the reduction in body weight gain in ACTH-treate females but not in males. However, boy protein content was increased by NPP in both sexes which was associated with increases in the weight, protein content and fractional rate of protein synthesis of gastrocnemius muscle. ACTH treatment caused a marked increase in plasma concentrations of corticosterone in both sexes. NPP suppressed much of the increases in corticosterone concentrations in both sexes. The results of the present study suggest that NPP exerts at least part of its anabolic effect by reducing plasma concentrations of catabolic glucocorticoid hormones, through suppressing the response of the adrenals to ACTH.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.1180-1186
• /
• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.293-298
• /
• 2010

Several risk factors for osteoporosis are known relatively well. Some nutrients are directly or indirectly needed for metabolic processes related to bone. Recently, an increased prevalence of osteoporosis has been reported in patients with hemochromatosis, an iron overload disease. Thus, the aim of this study was to find out if there was any relationship between serum ferritin and T-score of bone mineral density in healthy women. We recruited 1,101 subjects females aged between 39 and 85 years. We measured serum ferritin, glucose tolerance indices, lipid profiles, inflammatory indices, hormones, calcium, alkaline phosphatase. Also, anthropometric, blood pressure, and bone mineral density measurements were performed. T-score was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.425; P<0.01), systolic (r=-0.109; P<0.01) and diastolic (r=-0.093; P<0.01) pressure, follicular stimulation hormone (r=-0.190; P<0.01), alkaline phosphatase (r=-0.235; P<0.01), and serum ferritin (r=-0.090; P<0.05) and positively with body mass index (r=0.050; P=0.01), HDL-cholesterol (r=0.314; P<0.01), and estradiol (r=0.200; P<0.01). After adjustment for age, alkaline phosphatase, body mass index, HDL-cholesterol, estradiol, and follicular stimulation hormone, serum ferritin was independently inversely correlated with T-score (${\beta}$=-0.001; P<0.05). It is possible that an increase of serum ferritin in females be risk to osteoporosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.95-106
• /
• 2012

It has been revealed that multiple cohorts of tertiary follicles develop during some animal estrous cycle and the human menstrual cycle. To reach developmental competence, oocytes need the support of somatic cells. During embryogenesis, the primordial germ cells appear, travel to the gonadal rudiments, and form follicles. The female germ cells develop within the somatic cells of the ovary, granulosa cells, and theca cells. How the oocyte and follicle cells support each other has been seriously studied. The latest technologies in genes and proteins and genetic engineering have allowed us to collect a great deal of information about folliculogenesis. For example, a few web pages (http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov; http://mrg.genetics.washington.edu) provide access to databases of genomes, sequences of transcriptomes, and various tools for analyzing and discovering genes important in ovarian development. Formation of the antrum (tertiary follicle) is the final phase of folliculogenesis and the transition from intraovarian to extraovian regulation. This final step coordinates with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. On the other hand, currently, follicle physiology is under intense investigation, as little is known about how to overcome women's ovarian problems or how to develop competent oocytes from in vitro follicle culture or transplantation. In this review, some of the known roles of hormones and some of the genes involved in tertiary follicle growth and the general characteristics of tertiary follicles are summarized. In addition, in vitro culture of tertiary follicles is also discussed as a study model and an assisted reproductive technology model.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2003.05a
• /
• pp.103-104
• /
• 2003

The incidence of liver cancer is markedly sex-differentiated epidemiologically, with a much higher frequency in men than in women. In experimental animals, male have higher incidence of liver tumors than female in carcinogen-induced tumors as well as spontaneous ones. Our studies were investigated to examine the modifying effects of sex hormones in the proneoplastic lesions of liver on diethylnitrosamine (DEN) - induced hepatocarcinogenesis. (omitted)