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Showing papers on "Testosterone published in 1988"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that the drastic change in endocrine milieu following surgical menopause may have a direct, albeit modest, effect on aspects of cognitive functioning.

706 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Observations establish that P-450NF or a closely related enzyme is the major catalyst of steroid hormone 6 beta hydroxylation in human liver microsomes, and suggest that steroid 6beta hydroxyation may provide a useful, noninvasive monitor for the monooxygenase activity of this hepatic P- 450 form.

432 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This particular form of drug abuse stems from the convergence of several separate misconceptions about the effects of androgen misuse on muscle mass and lean body weight.
Abstract: Introduction ANDROGEN abuse by athletes constitutes only a portion of the problem of androgen misuse by the general population (1) and only a minor aspect of the doping of athletes with drugs presumed to enhance athletic ability (2, 3). Indeed, of the drugs banned by the International Olympic Committee, steroids account only for about 15% (4). This particular form of drug abuse stems from the convergence of several separate misconceptions. The first was the recognition that the administration of androgens to hypogonadal males causes an increase in nitrogen retention and an increase in muscle mass and lean body weight (5). It followed that the differences in muscle mass between men and women are largely due to differences in testosterone levels, and it was assumed that the administration of androgens in supraphysiological amounts to normal men would do even more than the normal amount. The second misconception was that the anabolic (muscle promoting) and androgenic (virilizing) actions of the hormone are e...

395 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Plasma obtained and frozen from 1,009 white men who have been followed for 12 years was examined for endogenous sex hormone levels according to prevalent or subsequent cardiovascular disease, and data do not support a causal role for elevated endogenous estrogen levels and heart disease.
Abstract: Plasma obtained and frozen in 1972-1974 from 1,009 white men (40-79 years old) who have been followed for 12 years was examined for endogenous sex hormone levels according to prevalent or subsequent cardiovascular disease. In these older men, no sex hormone measured (testosterone, androstenedione, estrone, or estradiol) was significantly associated with known cardiovascular disease at baseline or with subsequent cardiovascular mortality or ischemic heart disease morbidity or mortality. Sex hormone-binding globulin levels were also similar by disease status. Analyses of hormone:sex hormone-binding globulin ratios or of estrogen:androgen ratios showed a similar lack of association with cardiovascular disease. Testosterone levels were significantly inversely associated with levels of blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and triglyceride and body mass index. In contrast, the only significant estrogen risk factor associations were positive correlations of estrone with total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose. These data do not support a causal role for elevated endogenous estrogen levels and heart disease.

377 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Women who received both E2 and testosterone (T) felt more composed, elated, and energetic than those who were given E alone, confirming that mood covaries with circulating estradiol levels in generally healthy, nondepressed women.

271 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Direct immunoregulatory effects of specific sex steroids on human PBMC are demonstrated and support the idea that these hormones may have a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of some autoimmune disorders.
Abstract: Sex hormones have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune disorders, presumably through regulatory influences on the immune system. However, the mechanisms of sex steroid action on humoral and cellular immune responses are not precisely understood. In this study, the in vitro effects of physiologic concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone on the Ag non-specific differentiation of human PBMC were examined using optimal and sub-optimal doses, respectively, of PWM. In cultures of PBMC from 14 normal donors (7 men and 7 women, aged 25 to 45 yr), 17 beta-estradiol (0.5 to 30 ng/ml) enhanced PWM-induced generation of PFC by 46% (p less than 0.01), whereas testosterone (10 to 300 ng/ml) inhibited PFC generation by a mean of 36% (p less than 0.001). The enhancing and suppressing effects of the sex steroids on PBMC occurred early inasmuch as estradiol and testosterone had to be added to the cultures at their initiation (6 and 24 h, respectively) in order to observe their influence. Moreover, deletion of the hormones from the cultures after as short a period as 12 h did not obviate their effects. There was no alteration of the kinetics of the response to PWM or an effect on the number of spontaneous PFC generated in vitro in the absence of PWM. In addition, there was no difference among men and women in response to either sex steroid, and within the female group, no variation was observed on different days of the menstrual cycle. These studies demonstrate direct immunoregulatory effects of specific sex steroids on human PBMC and support the idea that these hormones may have a role in the pathogenesis and treatment of some autoimmune disorders.

239 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that IL-1 is a potent modulator of Leydig cell steroidogenesis and decreased testosterone formation may modulate the immune response and contribute to the catabolic changes occurring during infection.
Abstract: Inflammation and infection induce an acute phase response. The response is characterized by fever and production of interleukin-1 (IL-1). In the present study we evaluated the effects of interleukin-1 on Leydig cell function in primary culture. hCG-stimulated testosterone formation was markedly reduced by IL-1, with an ED50 of 1 U/ml. Basal testosterone production was slightly enhanced in the presence of low concentrations of IL-1, while high concentrations of IL-1 inhibited testosterone formation. Significant inhibition of hCG-stimulated testosterone formation was noted as early as 8 h after the addition of IL-1. IL-1 also inhibited hCG-stimulated cAMP formation, as well as 8-bromo-cAMP- and forskolin-stimulated testosterone synthesis. Furthermore, LH binding to Leydig cells was reduced by human IL-1. The inhibitory effects of IL-1 were reversed only partially by the addition of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (0.1 mM), even though prostaglandin E2 formation was completely blocked. This indicates that the observed effects of IL-1 are not completely mediated by increased PGE2 formation. The present study suggests that IL-1 is a potent modulator of Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Decreased testosterone formation may modulate the immune response and contribute to the catabolic changes occurring during infection.

208 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure inversely correlated with testosterone levels in men in the Rancho Bernardo population study, and no other hormone nor sex hormone-binding globulin showed a consistent relationship with blood pressure.
Abstract: Exogenous sex hormone use, including oral contraceptives, post-menopausal hormonal therapy and anabolic steroids, has been associated with blood pressure changes in both sexes, but little is known about the relationship between blood pressure and endogenous sex hormones. We examined this relationship in men in the Rancho Bernardo population study. Out of 1132 men aged 30-79 years, those with hypertension, categorically defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than 95 mmHg had significantly lower testosterone levels than non-hypertensives. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure inversely correlated with testosterone levels (r = 0.17, P less than 0.001 for systolic; r = -0.15, P less than 0.001 for diastolic) in the whole cohort. This association was present over the whole range of blood pressures and sex hormone levels with a stepwise decrease in mean SBP and DBP per increasing quartile of testosterone. Obesity accounted for some, but not all, of this relationship, which was reduced, but still apparent after adjusting for age and body mass index. No other hormone (androstenedione, estrone, estradiol) nor sex hormone-binding globulin showed a consistent relationship with blood pressure. The clinical and physiological significance of this relationship merits further investigation.

189 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Simultaneous implantation of intact Noble (Nb) rats with testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol (E2)-filled silastic capsules for 16 weeks caused atypical hyperplasia (dysplasia) and striking enlargement exclusively in the dorsolateral prostates (DLPs) of all animals, implicating estrogen as a key factor in the genesis of the proliferative lesion.
Abstract: Simultaneous implantation of intact Noble (Nb) rats with testosterone and 17 beta-estradiol (E2)-filled silastic capsules for 16 weeks caused atypical hyperplasia (dysplasia) and striking enlargement exclusively in the dorsolateral prostates (DLPs) of all animals. The dysplastic lesion may be preneoplastic since long-term administration of these steroids to Nb rats is known to induce a high incidence of adenocarcinoma in the DLP. Treatment of rats with nonaromatizable 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) for 16 weeks caused enlargement but not dysplasia, implicating estrogen as a key factor in the genesis of the proliferative lesion. Compared with controls, the testosterone plus E2 treatment caused a 2.5-fold increase in nuclear type II estrogen binding sites which were confined to the DLP. Neither treatment significantly altered androgen content or levels of androgen receptor in the ventral prostate or DLP. Organ cultures of enlarged DLP containing foci of dysplasia metabolized more [3H]DHT than control tissue, which resulted in increased formation of the 5 alpha-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol (3 beta-androstanediol) metabolite by these explants. Because 3 beta-androstanediol has previously been shown to displace [3H]E2 from cytosolic type I estrogen binding sites, the dysplasia may be caused by hyperstimulation of the DLP by the hormones and their normal metabolites produced in abnormal amounts.

185 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggested normal hypothalamic-pituitary function existed in the trained subjects, and prolactin and cortisol were not causative factors in the lowered resting testosterone and free testosterone levels.
Abstract: This study compares the resting reproductive hormonal profiles of untrained (N = 11) and endurance-trained (N = 11) males. Testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay in resting blood samples (8 h fast) collected every 60 min for 4 h. The endurance-trained group had been active for (mean +/- SE) 12.4 +/- 6.7 yr, 6.6 +/- 0.2 d.wk-1, 68.5 +/- 4.4 min.d-1, while the untrained group was sedentary. Neither group had histories of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular disorders. The overall 4 h mean testosterone and free testosterone levels were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in the trained group (4.99 +/- 0.46 vs 7.25 +/- 0.67 ng.ml-1, and 17.2 +/- 1.4 vs 23.6 +/- 0.6 pg.ml-1, for the trained and untrained groups, respectively). The LH of the endurance-trained group was higher (15.3 +/- 1.9 vs 11.7 +/- 1.2 mIU.ml-1, P = 0.06); however, LH pulse frequency and amplitude did not differ between groups. An enhanced estradiol feedback to the hypothalamus-pituitary could not account for the elevated LH, as estradiol levels were similar in the groups. Prolactin and cortisol levels were normal and did not differ between groups. The results suggested normal hypothalamic-pituitary function existed in the trained subjects, and prolactin and cortisol were not causative factors in the lowered resting testosterone and free testosterone levels. The findings indicate that chronic endurance training lowers testosterone and free testosterone in males possibly by impairing testicular function.

178 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the rat, a species having no significant secretion of adrenal androgens, plasma concentrations of DHEA and delta 4-dione maintained within the range of those found in adult men are efficiently converted into DHT and act as potent androgenic stimuli in prostatic tissue.
Abstract: In order to assess the androgenic potency of physiological plasma concentrations of the adrenal steroids dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (delta 4-dione) in the rat prostate, these two steroids were released from Silastic tubings of appropriate length and size in castrated male rats. Implants of DHEA led to plasma levels of DHEA and 5-androsten-3 beta,17 beta-diol covering the range of concentrations found in adult men while no significant change was observed in plasma levels of delta 4-dione, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). delta 4-Dione implants, on the other hand, led to a parallel increase in plasma delta 4-dione and testosterone levels at all doses used while plasma DHT only increased at supraphysiological doses of delta 4-dione. At plasma concentrations comparable to those found in adult men; delta 4-dione (0.8 ng/ml) and DHEA (3.4 ng/ml) stimulated prostate weight 3.7- and 2.1-fold, respectively. In the same groups, prostatic DHT levels were elevated at 4.48 +/- 0.05 and 2.70 +/- 0.73 ng/g tissue, respectively. A close parallelism was observed between prostatic DHT levels and prostatic weight in all groups. The present data show that in the rat, a species having no significant secretion of adrenal androgens, plasma concentrations of DHEA and delta 4-dione maintained within the range of those found in adult men are efficiently converted into DHT and act as potent androgenic stimuli in prostatic tissue. The castrated rat bearing Silastic implants releasing constant and predetermined amounts of adrenal steroids offers a good model to study the recently identified role of adrenal steroids in peripheral tissues.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Variations in testosterone metabolism, by regulating the quantity and quality of active hormone in close proximity to receptor sites, may be responsible for the changes in feedback sensitivity and behavioral responsiveness that are known to occur in seasonal breeders.
Abstract: Aromatization and 5α-reduction are known to be required for the full expression of testosterone actions in neuroendocrine tissues. Although aromatase and 5α-reductase activities in brain and pituitary can be experimentally manipulated by castration and steroid replacement, naturally occurring variations during seasonal reproductive cycles have not been examined in any species. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were selected for study because they exhibit exceptionally high levels of aromatase in both brain and pituitary, although 5α-reductase levels resemble the vertebrate norm. Four animals of each sex were tested monthly through three breeding seasons (2.5 yr). Using previously validated techniques, the enzymes were assayed by product formation from [3H]androstenedione in homogenates of anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area (AHPOA), remaining telencephalon (TEL), whole pituitary, ovary, and testis. Seasonal variations in aromatase were most dramatic in the AHPOA of female fish, exhibiting a peak in April and M...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Levels of testosterone in testosterone-supplemented rats differed little between testes collected in ice and liquid nitrogen, but in controls and rats treated with EDS alone, testosterone levels were overestimated by 75 and 27% respectively when comparing testes collection in ice with those collected in liquid nitrogen.
Abstract: The amount of testosterone required for quantitative maintenance of spermatogenesis has been re-evaluated using techniques aimed at minimizing the synthesis of testosterone after removal of the testis. Adult male rats were treated with ethane dimethane-sulphonate (EDS) to destroy the Leydig cells, and were supplemented with 25, 5 or 1 mg testosterone esters by injection every 3 days for 21 days. Serum hormone levels, testicular morphology and spermatogenesis were assessed and the intratesticular levels of testosterone compared in testes either removed under ether anaesthesia and placed in liquid nitrogen (right testis) or removed after collection of blood and placed in ice (left testis). Data for testosterone-supplemented rats were compared with those for control rats and rats treated with EDS alone. All doses of testosterone suppressed LH and FSH levels in serum to within the hypophysectomized range, and Leydig cell regeneration in EDS-treated rats was prevented completely. Treatment of EDS-injected rats with 25 or 5 mg testosterone maintained testicular weight, the number of germ cells and the diameter of seminiferous tubules at stage VII within or above the control range, although there was a significant increase in the number of degenerating pachytene spermatocytes at stage VII with 5 but not 25 mg testosterone; none of these parameters was maintained at control levels by a dose of 1 mg testosterone. Levels of testosterone in testosterone-supplemented rats differed little between testes collected in ice and liquid nitrogen, but in controls and rats treated with EDS alone, testosterone levels were overestimated by 75 and 27% respectively when comparing testes collected in ice with those collected in liquid nitrogen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that diminished testicular steroid biosynthesis might contribute to the serum testosterone deficiency observed in male RA patients.
Abstract: Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, 17 beta-estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol were examined in 14 men with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in age-matched osteoarthritis controls. Hypophyseal, adrenal, and testicular responses to stimulation with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, adrenocorticotropin, and human chorionic gonadotropin, respectively, were evaluated in 8 RA patients and in 8 age-matched healthy volunteers. Basal serum testosterone concentrations were significantly lower in male RA patients than in the osteoarthritis control subjects (P less than 0.01). After human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation, serum concentrations of testosterone were also lower in the RA patients than in normal healthy controls (P less than 0.05). These findings suggest that diminished testicular steroid biosynthesis might contribute to the serum testosterone deficiency observed in male RA patients.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The growth of LNCaP cells, derived from a lymph‐node carcinoma of the human prostate, was stimulated by different hormones and the number of EGF receptors per cell increased in a dose‐dependent manner upon treatment with various hormones.
Abstract: The growth of LNCaP cells, derived from a lymph-node carcinoma of the human prostate, was stimulated by different hormones. Optimal growth (3- to 4-fold increase in DNA content per culture versus controls) was observed at 0.1 nM R1881 (a synthetic androgen), 1 nM progesterone or 10 nM estradiol. Triamcinolone acetonide had no effect. Dihydrotestosterone maximally stimulated cell growth at 10 nM. When the culture medium was changed 4 times in 6 days instead of twice, optimal growth was observed at 1 nM dihydrotestosterone. This indicates that a rapid metabolism of dihydrotestosterone influenced growth response. LNCaP cells contained considerable amounts of androgen receptors (920 fmol/mg cytosol protein) while progestagen, estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors were absent. The affinity of steroids for the androgen receptor decreased in the order of: R1881 (relative binding affinity: 100.0) greater than dihydrotestosterone (67.7) greater than progesterone (29.4) greater than testosterone (23.8) greater than estradiol (4.3) greater than triamcinolone acetonide (less than 0.1). Effects on cell growth of these steroids paralleled their affinity for the androgen receptor. The number of EGF receptors per cell increased in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment with various hormones. Again the amount of steroid needed for maximal effects reflected the affinity of the steroid for the androgen receptor. An approximately 2-fold increase in EGF receptor number was observed within 24 hr and before an increase in growth could be detected. Actinomycin-D and cycloheximide inhibited the hormonally induced increase in EGF receptor numbers.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: At maximally effective doses the effects of interleukin-1 beta are additive with those of a number of other Leydig cell agonists: LHRH, epidermal growth factor, arginine vasopressin and Sertoli cell-derived factor(s), suggesting that these agonists act by mechanisms different from that of interalignment.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 form RLM2 is a testosterone 15 alpha-hydroxylase reported to be male-specific on the basis of purification studies and its adult male- specific expression is imprinted (programmed) in response to neonatal testosterone exposure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Perinatal androgen exposure may be important in humans, since girls born with congenital adrenal hyperplasia diagnosed and treated at birth still show male-like patterns of play and females on the other hand appear to spend less time play-fighting and spend more time waiting and competing for interactions with infants.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effects of postnatal (on day 1 (D1) after birth) male orchidectomy and female androgenization on the locus coeruleus (LC) are studied and testosterone treatment of females on D1 eliminates these differences.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results demonstrate that recombinant salmon growth hormone possesses steroidogenic and gonadotropic activity and rules out contamination by other pituitary hormones.

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between sex hormones and prostate cancer risk was investigated and none of these associations or that of the other hormones was strongly significant, however, further work is needed to clarify the relationship.
Abstract: Serum samples were obtained from 6860 men during their study examination from 1971 to 1975. After a surveillance period of about 14 years, 98 incident cases of prostate cancer were identified. Their stored sera and that of 98 matched controls from the study population were tested for the following: testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone, estradiol, and sex hormone globulin. There was a suggestion that serum dihydrotestosterone levels were lower and the testosterone/dihydrotestosterone ratios were higher in the prostate cancer cases compared with their controls. However, none of these associations or that of the other hormones was strongly significant. Further work is needed to clarify the relationship between sex hormones and prostate cancer risk.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: These experiments show that neonatal prostatic ductal morphogenesis is sensitive to, but does not require, chronic androgen stimulation.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Serum estrone levels were positively, and sex-hormone-binding globulin levels were negatively, related to body weight, and the greater weight of the cases is interpreted as suggesting that the underlying risk factor is an increased exposure to bioavailable estrogen.
Abstract: A case-control study was conducted in Los Angeles County, CA, of 75 male breast cancer cases aged 20-74 yr at diagnosis to investigate the role of a number of suspected risk factors. The study involved both interviews and laboratory measurements. Factors under study included fertility and marital history, obesity, alcohol and cigarette consumption, use of drugs known or suspected of causing gynecomastia, family history of breast cancer, history of radiation exposure to the upper body, sex chromatin analysis, serum levels of prolactin, testosterone, estrone, estradiol and sex-hormone-binding globulin, as well as urinary levels of estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Two patients versus no controls tested positive for sex chromatin and were excluded from further analyses. The only statistically significant risk factor identified was greater weight of the cases at age 30; a man who weighed 80 or more kg at age 30 had twice the risk of breast cancer of a man weighing less than 60 kg at that age. Serum estrone levels were positively, and sex-hormone-binding globulin levels were negatively, related to body weight, and we interpret the greater weight of the cases as suggesting that the underlying risk factor is an increased exposure to bioavailable estrogen. None of the differences observed between cases and controls for either the serum or urinary hormone levels was, however, statistically significant and there did not appear to be any large absolute excess of estrogens or deficit of testosterone in the cases. This apparent contradiction may be explained by the fact that there was little difference in weight between the cases and controls at the time of sampling.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown that granulosa cell steroidogenesis becomes increasingly sensitive to hFSH during preovulatory follicular development in marmosets, such that androgen acts in maturegranulosa cells to suppress hF SH-stimulated aromatase activity.
Abstract: Preovulatory changes in the steroidogenic function of primate granulosa cells were studied using the cyclic marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) as a model. Antral follicles (greater than or equal to 0.5 mm diameter) were dissected from mid-late follicular phase ovaries (7 days after prostaglandin-induced luteolysis) and classified by diameter as small (0.5-1.0 mm), medium (1.1-1.9 mm) or large (greater than or equal to 2.0 mm). Granulosa cells from follicles in each size category were isolated and pooled to assess steroid biosynthesis. The aromatase activity of freshly isolated granulosa cells from large follicles was 200 times greater than that of small follicles, confirming their relatively advanced preovulatory status. Granulosa cells were cultured for 48 h in the presence and absence of human (h) FSH (0.1 ng/ml), with and without 0.1 microM androgen (testosterone or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone), to assess basal and hormone-responsive steroidogenesis (progesterone accumulation in culture medium and aromatase activity in washed granulosa cell monolayers). Basal granulosa cell steroidogenesis increased with follicular size, and there was a development-related pattern of response to hFSH and androgen. hFSH responsiveness (maximum fold-stimulation induced by hFSH) declined with follicular size, being 2-6 times greater for granulosa cells from small vs. large follicles. On the other hand, hFSH sensitivity increased with follicular size; the dose of hFSH giving 50% of the maximum response (ED50) for cells from large follicles being 10-20 times less than that of cells from small follicles. For granulosa cells from small follicles, treatment with 0.1 microM androgen in the presence of hFSH led to dramatic (up to 16-fold) enhancement of steroidogenic responses to hFSH. In contrast, for granulosa cells from large follicles, the presence of androgen substantially inhibited aromatase activity stimulated by hFSH and had weak inhibitory effects on progesterone accumulation. These results show that granulosa cell steroidogenesis becomes increasingly sensitive to hFSH during preovulatory follicular development in marmosets. The marked ability of androgen to directly augment hFSH-responsive steroidogenesis in vitro is lost during preovulatory development, such that androgen acts in mature granulosa cells to suppress hFSH-stimulated aromatase activity. These observations are evidence of development-dependent changes in granulosa cell responses to FSH and androgens which may contribute to the control of preovulatory follicular development in primates.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study suggests that dietary intake affects plasma sex‐steroid levels in men and Androstanediol glucuronide, a steroid that reflects tissue formation of dihydrotestosterone, was inversely correlated with caloric intake, theobromine and caffeine.
Abstract: Dietary intake has been hypothesized as being associated with several hormonally related cancers including prostate, breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. Because diet may affect hormones directly, it is logical to examine the effects of dietary factors on hormone production and levels. Therefore, a set of 72 male MZ and 83 male DZ twin pairs was ascertained from the Utah birth certificates. A quantitative food frequency questionnaire was administered and blood samples were drawn for hormonal assays. Heritability estimates for hormonal levels were calculated indicating a range from no heritability for sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), estrone, and testosterone glucuronide to 70% for androstanediol glucuronide and luteinizing hormone. To examine nutritional factors, the difference in hormone and SHBG levels between each MZ twin and his co-twin were correlated with the difference in nutrient intake. Weight and obesity were significantly correlated with plasma testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone. Fat intake showed a significant association with testosterone. Androstanediol glucuronide, a steroid that reflects tissue formation of dihydrotestosterone, was inversely correlated with caloric intake, theobromine and caffeine. Testosterone glucuronide exhibited significant correlations with calories and vitamin A. This study suggests that dietary intake affects plasma sex-steroid levels in men.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The data suggest a differential, and possibly deleterious, influence of enzyme‐inducing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on sex hormone levels and suggestValproate may provide a useful alternative for male epileptic patients reporting sexual dysfunction.
Abstract: Impairment of libido and sexual potency are commonly reported by male epileptic patients. This may be partly a consequence of medication. Circulating hormones were measured in 53 postpubertal male epileptic patients less than 45 years of age and in an age-matched control group (n = 40), consisting of 14 untreated epileptic patients and 26 unmedicated healthy subjects. A subgroup also underwent a combined gonadotrophin- and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (LH-RH/TRH) pituitary stimulation test. Untreated patients did not differ from healthy subjects for any parameter, and their data were combined for comparison with the treated epileptic patients. Total testosterone (T), androstenedione, and basal follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were similar in all patient groups. Patients receiving more than one drug had higher sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (p less than 0.01) and lower free T and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) levels (both p less than 0.001) than controls. Carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy also reduced free T (p less than 0.05) and DHAS (p less than 0.001) and increased basal prolactin (p less than 0.01). In these two groups of patients, basal luteinising hormone (LH) was elevated (p less than 0.01), presumably as a pituitary response to increased T catabolism. There was a negative correlation between free T and circulating CBZ (r = -0.54, p less than 0.05) in the monotherapy patients. Phenytoin (PHT) was associated with a rise in SHBG (p less than 0.01) and a fall in DHAS (p less than 0.001). Basal LH was also elevated, but this just failed to reach statistical significance (p less than 0.1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was found that women who were smokers had lower MCRs for androstenedione (A), testosterone, estrone, and estradiol than those who were nonsmokers, but when the data were adjusted for body weight, the M CRs were not significantly different for any of the steroids between smokers and nonsmoker.
Abstract: To determine whether smoking affects androgen and estrogen production and metabolism we measured the MCRs, production rates (PB), androgen and estrogen interconversions, and percent peripheral aromatization in 88 pre- and postmenopausal women grouped as smokers or nonsmokers. These women were participating in an on-going study to determine the relationship between androgen and estrogen dynamics and osteoporosis. The dynamic measurements were done using constant infusions of [3H] androgen and [l4C]estrogen, and the plasma steroid concentrations were measured by RIA. We found that women who were smokers had lower MCRs for androstenedione (A), testosterone, estrone, and estradiol than those who were nonsmokers, but when the data were adjusted for body weight, the MCRs were not significantly different for any of the steroids between smokers and nonsmokers. The mean plasma A concentration was higher in the smokers than in the nonsmokers but plasma testosterone, estrone, and estradiol concentrations were not di...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Differences in body weight do not explain the male pattern of lipoprotein lipid concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, but the association of hyperandrogenism with lipop protein lipid abnormalities should be evaluated in regard to the influence of endogenous sex steroids on differences between the sexes in incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the elderly population, serum cortisol showed a clear circadian rhythm, although with some phase modification, whereas DHA-s secretion lost its circadian rhythmicity, demonstrating that ageing differently affects the two major adrenal functions, glucocorticoid and androgenic.
Abstract: The circadian rhythms of serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone (T), free testosterone (fT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), oestradiol, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHA-s) have been investigated in 5 normal male adults and 6 elderly men. Circadian rhythms were detected statistically significant (p less than 0.05) by population mean cosinor analysis, for T, fT, cortisol and DHA-s in the young group. In the elderly population, serum cortisol showed a clear circadian rhythm, although with some phase modification, whereas DHA-s secretion lost its circadian rhythmicity. This demonstrates that ageing differently affects the two major adrenal functions, glucocorticoid and androgenic; further, the data suggest that an independent adrenal androgen-regulating system could be selectively impaired in the older subjects. In the elderly group the loss of T circadian rhythm was confirmed, but a statistically significant circadian rhythm of fT was recorded. It was characterized by a marked phase advance and not related with the SHBG modifications found in elderly men. This finding leads us to reconsider the role of fT, which appears more sensitive than total T, in studying circadian rhythm of gonadal androgen secretion.

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TL;DR: In vitro studies of fetal testes at 18 and 22 days of gestation revealed that this in utero alcohol exposure regimen produced a marked insensitivity to rat LH stimulation of testosterone secretion compared to controls, and the response to ethanol was characterized by a long-lasting suppression of testosterone compared to a large increase observed in control testes.
Abstract: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a liquid alcohol diet (35% ethanol-derived calories), a pair-fed isocaloric diet, or dry food pellets beginning on Day 14 of gestation and continuing until parturition. Testosterone levels in male fetuses were measured on Days 17 through 20 of gestation. The normal surge of testosterone on Days 18 and 19 was present in controls, but notably absent in male fetuses exposed to alcohol. Light microscopic examination of the testes at birth revealed a reduction in the number of leydig cells in the alcohol exposed group and the presence of a large number of vacuoles in the seminiferous tubules. In vitro studies of fetal testes at 18 and 22 days of gestation revealed that this in utero alcohol exposure regimen produced a marked insensitivity to rat LH (10 ng/ml) stimulation of testosterone secretion compared to controls. The response to ethanol (160 mg/dl) in alcohol exposed testes was characterized by a long-lasting suppression of testosterone compared to a large increase observed in control testes. No differences in anogenital distance were observed among the groups. Together, these data may explain some of the long-term feminizing and demasculinizing effects on reproductive and nonreproductive sexually dimorphic behaviors observed in adult males prenatally exposed to alcohol.