Biomedical subjects

A R Genazzani

Publications and source records attributed to A R Genazzani.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Serum macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

The preoperative macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels were measured in serum samples from 56 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and 68 patients with benign ovarian disease who had undergone laparotomy. M-CSF values were significantly higher in the former (median, range: 2.18, 0.70-10.00 ng/ml versus 1.19, 0.17-5.54 ng/ml, P < 0.0001), and were not significantly related to stage, histology, grade of differentiation, age, and residual disease after first surgery. M-CSF concentrations were also measured in 163 serum samples drawn from patients with stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer at different times since the first surgery. M-CSF values were higher in the 81 samples from patients with clinically evident disease than in the 82 samples from patients with no clinical evidence of disease (median, range: 2.13, 0.60-10.00 ng/ml versus 1.05, 0.40-10.00 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). M-CSF levels before second-look laparotomy were similar in the 18 patients who showed persistent disease at surgical reevaluation and in the 11 patients who achieved pathological complete response (median, range: 1.26, 0.70-3.27 ng/ml versus 0.94, 0.46-4.23 ng/ml, P = NS). M-CSF concentrations were raised (> or = 1.70 ng/ml) only in 1 (14.3%) of the 7 samples from patients with clinically evident disease and serum CA125 < 35 U/ml, and only in 5 (38.5%) of the 13 samples from patients with positive second-look findings and serum CA125 < 35 U/ml. In conclusion, serum M-CSF levels correlated with the clinical status of disease in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. However, the concomitant determination of serum M-CSF seems to add little to the CA125 assay alone in the monitoring of patients with this malignancy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Peritoneal fluid levels of immunoreactive corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP) in healthy and endometriosic women.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a 41-amino acid neurohormone involved in the neuroendocrine response to stress, also playing a role in cell-mediated immune functions and in inflammation. In the light of recent evidence showing an association between endometriosis and altered cellular immunity factors, the present study investigates immunoreactive (ir) CRF in the peritoneal fluid of healthy women, and in patients with pelvic adhesions and endometriosis. In addition, peritoneal fluid concentrations of CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP), a 37-kDA protein of 322 amino acids able to modulate central and peripheral CRF functions, were evaluated. Peritoneal fluid samples (n = 35) were collected from healthy women (n = 12), from patients with intrapelvic adhesions (n = 8), and from women with endometriosis (n = 15). In the control group a specimen of blood was collected. Peritoneal fluid and plasma CRF levels were measured by a two-site immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), and CRF-BP levels were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA). CRF and CRF-BP levels in peritoneal fluid were lower than plasma values, and independent of the phase of the menstrual cycle: in particular, in healthy women there was no significant difference between peritoneal fluid and plasma CRF-BP levels during two phases of the menstrual cycle. Peritoneal fluid levels of CRF and CRF-BP were similar in healthy patients and women with pelvic adhesions or with endometriosis, and when patients with adhesions or with endometriosis were considered as single group, no difference in CRF and CRF-BP levels was noted in comparison to the control group. In patients with endometriosis, no significant differences in peritoneal fluid CRF or CRF-BP levels were recorded, although in patients with stage 2 and stage 3 of the disease peritoneal fluid CRF-BP levels were higher than in healthy patients or in those with a lower grade of the disease. These results suggest that the peritoneal concentration of these hormones may reflect the circulating levels: the absence of any significative variations in peritoneal fluid CRF levels according to the degree of the endometriosis, suggests a limited role of CRF in the immunological changes related to the disease

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Serum levels of dimeric activin A are not a marker of placental tumors in the course of chemotherapy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether serum activin A levels may represent, in addition to intact human chorionic gonadotrophin, a marker of placental tumors in the course of chemotherapy. Serial determinations of serum levels of activin A were performed in women with hydatidiform mole (n = 2) or choriocarcinoma (n = 3). Serum activin A levels were measured by using a new specific two-site enzyme immunoassay (EIA) able to detect the dimeric, bioactive, form of the protein. Serum hCG concentrations in samples taken after evacuation before starting chemotherapy were greater than in healthy non-pregnant women (p < 0.001) and decreased following chemotherapy. Activin A serum levels in women with trophoblastic disease after evacuation were significantly higher than in healthy non-pregnant women, but chemotherapy did not significantly affect circulating levels. No correlation was found between changes of activin A and total hCG serum concentrations. Measurement of activin A by ELISA in presence of persistent molar tumor does not seem to be of clinical interest in the follow-up of disease, resulting activin A concentrations after chemotherapy in the range of values occurring throughout menstrual cycle. These evidences suggest that hCG determination is still the most valid for follow-up, because only intact hCG could detect the persistence of trophoblast tissue.

Activins↗

PubMed1998

Hypothalamic amenorrhea and cardiovascular hormones: changes of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide levels.

Typical modifications of cardiovascular activity and water and salt homeostasis throughout female reproductive life are well known. Differences in plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have been observed in conditions characterized by different estrogenic levels, suggesting a correlation between female reproductive function and these cardiovascular hormones. The aim of our study was to investigate in hypothalamic amenorrhea the relationship between estrogen deficiency and plasma ANP and CGRP response to adaptive tests (saline infusion test and upright posture test, respectively). Women with hypothalamic amenorrhea (aged 18-28 years) (n = 6) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 6) underwent both functional tests. Plasma CGRP and ANP levels were measured by specific radioimmunoassays before and in course of the tests. Basal plasma CGRP levels of amenorrheic patients did not significantly differ from those of normal women, while basal plasma ANP levels were significantly higher compared to controls (p < 0.01). In amenorrheic women, plasma CGRP levels showed a significant increase in response to upright posture test, though lower than the increase observed in normal women. In contrast, saline infusion test determined a significant increase in plasma ANP levels only in control subjects. In women with hypothalamic amenorrhea, the altered response of CGRP and ANP to adaptive stimuli indicates a partial derangement in the control of the secretion of these cardiovascular hormones. Nevertheless, the differences between such modifications and those observed in other conditions of altered estrogenic levels, suggest that in amenorrheic women hypogonadism is not the major factor influencing CGRP and ANP response to adaptive stimuli.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Changes in vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women enrolled in an in vitro fertilization program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate plasma and follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation to establish the possible role of this growth factor as a predictive marker of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital infertility unit. PATIENT(S): Fifteen women at risk of OHSS and 15 controls. INTERVENTION(S): An IM injection of hCG was administered; plasma and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-38 hours after administration of hCG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): VEGF levels in plasma and in follicular fluid. RESULT(S): VEGF levels increased after hCG administration in the patients at risk of developing OHSS and in those who developed OHSS. Further, on the day of the oocyte retrieval the increase in the VEGF levels in the plasma of the patients who developed OHSS was statistically significant compared with the increase in the levels in the women who did not. On the same day, the levels of VEGF in follicular fluid were 10 times greater than those in plasma. CONCLUSION(S): Plasma levels of VEGF peak after hCG administration and are related to the risk of developing OHSS.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Low levels of serum inhibin A and inhibin B in women with hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and evidence of high levels of activin A in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: To examine serum levels of inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A in women with secondary hypergonadotropic or hypothalamic amenorrhea. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Universities of Udine, Pisa, and Modena in Italy, and of Wien in Austria. PATIENT(S): Forty women with idiopathic premature ovarian failure (POF), 23 women with hypogonadotropic hypothalamic amenorrhea, 40 healthy postmenopausal women, and 40 age-matched women with normal ovarian function (controls). INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples were collected between 8 and 9 AM. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum levels of inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A. RESULT(S): Women with POF had lower concentrations of serum inhibin A and inhibin B than women with hypothalamic amenorrhea and fertile controls, and the difference between these concentrations was statistically significant. Levels of inhibin A and inhibin B were low in postmenopausal women and were no different than in women with POF. Serum levels of activin A were not significantly different among women with POF, fertile controls, and postmenopausal women. Women with hypogonadotropic hypothalamic amenorrhea had higher activin A values than did controls. No significant correlation was found between the level of inhibin A or inhibin B and the length of amenorrhea or the level of FSH. CONCLUSION(S): Low levels of circulating inhibins A and B, but not activin A, reflect ovarian failure in women with POF, whereas women with hypogonadotropic hypothalamic amenorrhea have normal levels of inhibins A and B and high levels of activin A.

Activins↗

PubMed1998

Acute infusion of naloxone, an opioid receptor antagonist, does not modify serum leptin concentrations in amenorrheic and healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the opioidergic system is involved in the modulation of leptin secretion in healthy and amenorrheic subjects. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, Modena, Italy. PATIENT(S): Healthy subjects (n = 8) and patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea (n = 17) or hyperandrogenism (n = 7) and low body mass index (BMI). INTERVENTION(S): Acute infusion of naloxone (4-mg bolus) and blood sampling 15 minutes before infusion; at time of infusion; and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 minutes after infusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Plasma leptin, LH, FSH, E2, and cortisol concentrations. RESULT(S): Plasma leptin concentrations were lower (P <.01) in both hypothalamic and hyperandrogenic amenorrheic subjects than in healthy controls. In all groups of subjects, no significant changes in leptin levels were observed after infusion of naloxone. A significant correlation was found between leptin concentrations and BMI when all subjects were considered together (P <.05) but was not found in the single groups. CONCLUSION(S): The present data do not support the hypothesis that opioidergic receptors are involved acutely in the modulation of leptin release in healthy and amenorrheic women.

Amenorrhea↗

PubMed1998

Paracrine regulation of human placenta: control of hormonogenesis.

There is much evidence indicating that the human placenta plays a very important role in modulating the endocrinology of pregnancy. Placental tissue produces cytokines, hormones and growth factors that are essential in the regulation of the feto-maternal unit. The production of these substances is regulated by a network of interactions within and between intra-uterine through paracrine and/or autocrine mechanisms. Communication between the gestational intra-uterine tissues is critical for successful pregnancy, from the earliest stage of implantation until the expulsive phase of delivery. This is confirmed by the demonstration that the human placenta directly controls the release of substances such as hCG, hPL, steroid hormones and prostaglandins. Furthermore, there is evidence that intra-uterine tissues also can regulate ACTH release and have effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The set of data reported in this article confirms that the placenta must be considered an organ that is essential for the initiation, maintenance and successful conclusion of pregnancy and that an imbalance between the complex network of placental regulating systems may cause serious gestational disorders.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1998

Evaluation of FHIT gene alterations in ovarian cancer.

The FHIT gene, recently cloned and mapped on chromosome 3p14.2, has frequently been found to be abnormal in several established cancer cell lines and primary tumours. As alterations of chromosome 3p are common events in ovarian cancers with breakpoint sites at 3p14.2, we decided to investigate the role of FHIT in human ovarian tumorigenesis. Fifty-four primary ovarian carcinomas were studied by reverse transcription of FHIT mRNA followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of products. The same tumours and matched normal tissues were also investigated for loss of heterozygosity using three microsatellite markers located inside the gene. We found an abnormal transcript of the FHIT gene in two cases (4%) and allelic losses in eight cases (15%). Twelve (22%) of the 54 tumours investigated belonged to young patients with a family history of breast/ovarian cancer. In none of these cases was the FHITgene found to be altered. Our results indicate that FHITplays a role in a small proportion of ovarian carcinomas.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗

PubMed1998

Somatotropic axis and body weight in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women: evidence for a neuroendocrine derangement, in absence of changes of insulin-like growth factor binding protein concentrations.

The altered function of the somatotropic axis observed in perimenopause may underlie the changes in body weight and fat distribution. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women with body mass index (BMI) > or = or <25, the basal plasma levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and -II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1 and -3, and the response of GH and IGFBP-1 and -3 to GH releasing hormone (GHRH) and GHRH plus arginine tests. GH and IGF-I basal concentrations were significantly higher in pre-menopausal than in post-menopausal women, while IGF-II, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations did not vary significantly. IGFBP-1, but not IGFBP-3, concentrations were higher in lean than in obese patients. Insulin concentrations were significantly higher in obese patients, while no differences were observed between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. In all subjects, GH concentrations increased significantly during GHRH test; pre-menopausal and lean women showed a higher response compared to post-menopausal and obese women. The GHRH plus arginine test stimulated GH response in all women, irrespective of age and BMI. IGFBP-1 and -3 concentrations did not vary in response to GHRH or GHRH plus arginine tests. The somatotropic axis undergoes modifications in post-menopausal women, apparently not involving IGFBP-1 and -3. Arginine infusion restores the response of GH to GHRH, in both post-menopausal and obese subjects. A somatostatinergic hyperactivity at the climateric period may underlie the changes both in body weight and somatotropic axis.

Arginine↗

PubMed1998

Healthy women and patients with endometriosis show high concentrations of inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A in peritoneal fluid throughout the menstrual cycle.

Inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A are growth factors which play local autocrine/paracrine roles in reproductive tissues. Since peritoneal fluid hormone content may reflect in part ovarian and endometrial secretory activities, the present study aimed to evaluate: (i) whether inhibin alpha-, activin betaA- and betaB-subunits, and activin receptor type II and type IIB mRNA are expressed in peritoneal tissues; (ii) expression and secretion of inhibin A and B, and activin A in cultured endometriotic cells; and (iii) concentrations of inhibin A and B, and activin A in serum and in peritoneal fluid in healthy women and in patients with endometriosis throughout the menstrual cycle. A group of women (n = 72) was recruited at laparoscopy for infertility investigation and divided into two groups: (i) control healthy women (n = 35), (ii) women with endometriosis (n = 37). Both groups were subdivided according to the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. At the time of laparoscopy, specimens of peritoneal tissues were collected from three healthy women, while endometriotic tissue samples were collected and cultured from three women with endometriosis. Peritoneal tissues and cultured endometriotic cells expressed inhibin alpha-, activin betaA-, and betaB-subunits, and activin receptors mRNAs; in addition, inhibin-related proteins were measurable in culture medium. In healthy women, inhibin A and B, and activin A concentrations in peritoneal fluid were significantly higher than in serum (P < 0.001), at both phases of the menstrual cycle. Peritoneal inhibin A and B, and activin A concentrations were not significantly different between healthy women and patients with endometriosis, either when evaluated according to the degree of the disease and/or to the phase of the menstrual cycle. In conclusion, the findings that high concentrations are present in peritoneal fluid and that menstrual cycle-related changes occur suggest that reproductive organs may contribute to inhibin-related proteins in peritoneal fluid.

Activins↗

PubMed1998

Expression and secretion of inhibin and activin in normal and neoplastic uterine tissues. High levels of serum activin A in women with endometrial and cervical carcinoma.

Inhibins and activins are growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta) family and are known to influence cell proliferation and differentiation. Because transforming growth factor-beta is involved in physiological and tumoral changes of uterine tissues, the present study aimed to evaluate whether human normal and neoplastic endometrial and cervical epithelial cells express and secrete inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A. To test this hypothesis, different approaches were used. By RT-PCR, the expression of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for the inhibin alpha, activin betaA and betaB subunits, and activin receptor type II and type IIB was investigated: 1) in primary cultures of endometrial (stroma and epithelium) or cervical (epithelium) cells from healthy women; and 2) in specimens of endometrial or cervical carcinoma. To demonstrate a possible secretion of the proteins, dimeric inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A were measured in culture medium of normal epithelial or stromal endometrial cells and in uterine washing fluid of healthy women or patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma. Levels of the proteins were also measured in serum of women with endometrial or cervical carcinoma. Cultured endometrial stromal or epithelial cells and epithelial cervical cells expressed inhibin alpha, activin betaA and betaB, and activin receptor type II and type IIB mRNAs. The same finding was obtained in specimens of endometrial or cervical carcinomas. Dimeric inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A were measured in culture medium of both endometrial and cervical cells. In particular, resulting activin A levels were significantly higher in epithelial than in stromal cultured endometrial cells (P < 0.01). Dimeric proteins were also detected in the washing fluid of the uterine cavities of healthy women (controls) and with endometrial adenocarcinoma, in which higher activin A levels were found (P < 0.01 vs. controls). Women with endometrial carcinoma showed serum activin A levels significantly higher than healthy controls (P < 0.01), which significantly decreased after surgical removal of endometrial or cervical tumors (P < 0.01). The present study, for the first time, showed that inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A, as well as activin receptors, are expressed in normal and neoplastic human uterine tissues. A secretion of activin A from tumoral cells into systemic circulation is suggested by the observation that the high levels in serum of patients with endometrial or cervical carcinoma decreased after the surgical removal of the tumor.

Activin Receptors↗

PubMed1998

Circulating levels of allopregnanolone in humans: gender, age, and endocrine influences.

Allopregnanolone is a neuroactive steroid involved in modulating behavioral functions, stress, and neuroendocrine axes in rats. Changes in plasma allopregnanolone levels throughout the menstrual cycle have been reported in healthy women, but there exists no information on the possible gender or age-related changes or on the source(s) of circulating allopregnanolone. The aim of the present study was to assess serum allopregnanolone concentrations according to gender, menstrual cycle, age, and menopause in normal men and women; serum progesterone (P) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were evaluated in the same specimens. In addition, the possible source of circulating allopregnanolone in fertile women was investigated by using stimulatory and inhibitory endocrine tests acting on the ovary and/or adrenal cortex. The present study included 189 fertile women, 112 postmenopausal women, and 46 men. Serum steroid levels were determined after extraction, using specific RIAs. Allopregnanolone levels in fertile women in the follicular phase were similar to those in age-matched men; no significant difference was found between fertile women in the follicular phase and postmenopausal women. The highest levels were found in fertile women during the luteal phase (P < 0.01). An age-related decrease was observed in men (P < 0.01), but not in women. P and DHEA levels were significantly higher in women than in men and were higher in fertile women than in postmenopausal women (P < 0.01). Both P and DHEA showed an age-related decrease in men and women (P < 0.01). Serum allopregnanolone and P, but not DHEA, significantly increased in response to a GnRH test, whereas corticotropin-releasing factor and ACTH tests elicited a significant increase in allopregnanolone, P, and DHEA levels (P < 0.01). The suppression of adrenal steroidogenesis by dexamethasone markedly reduced both allopregnanolone and DHEA serum levels (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that although men show an age-related decrease, serum allopregnanolone levels in women do not change with age and correlate with P levels during the menstrual cycle and in response to endocrine tests. Ovary and adrenal cortex may be major sources of circulating allopregnanolone in fertile women.

Adrenal Cortex↗

PubMed1998

Quantitative bone ultrasonometry in climacteric women.

Quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS) measurement is an emerging technique in the assessment of osteoporosis risk. In this study, bone mineral density (BMD) (mg/cm2) of lumbar vertebrae, neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter were measured by DXA and the phalanx amplitude dependent speed of sound (AD-SOS) was measured by QUS in climacteric (n = 1025) women. The relationship between AD-SOS and BMD values at different skeletal sites was significant, even if the analysis showed poor correlation coefficients. These data seem to indicate that QUS can detect bone characteristics in addition to density. The AD-SOS was higher in premenopausal than in perimenopausal women. The AD-SOS further decreases in postmenopausal women without hormone replacement. The age at menopause is relevant for predicting the AD-SOS in the postmenopausal years. Conversely, the maintenance of a regular menstrual function is associated with higher AD-SOS. Thus, the early impairment and cessation of ovarian function can lead to an earlier and/or sharper decline in bone homeostasis that can be detected by QUS. In conclusion, AD-SOS is a valuable index in detecting menopausal bone loss, and could be used for the patient follow-up during menopausal transition and in therapeutic trials.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Aging is associated with changes in allopregnanolone concentrations in brain, endocrine glands and serum in male rats.

OBJECTIVE: Allopregnanolone is a potent neuroactive steroid hormone produced in the brain and in peripheral endocrine glands. The present study investigated possible age-related variations in allopregnanolone content in brain areas, endocrine glands and serum of male rats. DESIGN: Wistar male rats were categorized into 5 groups (6 rats in each) according to age: 6, 12, 16, 18 and 20 months respectively. METHODS: Allopregnanolone content in acidic homogenates of brain cortex, hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals and gonads was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. Serum allopregnanolone, corticosterone and testosterone were also assayed by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Brain cortex allopregnanolone content decreased significantly with age, while hypothalamic allopregnanolone content remained constant until 18 months and increased significantly at 20 months. Pituitary content showed a significant age-related reduction. Adrenal allopregnanolone content remained constant until 18 months, and was significantly higher at 20 months. Testis and serum allopregnanolone contents showed significant age-related increases. Serum testosterone levels showed an age-related decrease, while no age-related variation in serum corticosterone was found. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed a significant impact of aging on allopregnanolone contents in brain, endocrine glands and serum, showing an age-related decrease in brain cortex and pituitary, and an age-related increase in testes, adrenals and serum.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1998

Influence of age and sex on serum concentrations of total dimeric activin A.

Several studies have shown that activin A is secreted in substantial amounts into the systemic circulation. The changes that occur during menstrual cycle and pregnancy suggest a correlation with reproductive function. At present, however, no definitive evidence has confirmed this pattern throughout adult life; moreover, neither the origin nor the physiological implications of this circulating growth factor have been clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether circulating concentrations of activin A change in adult men and women according to age and sex, and to examine the possible correlation with serum concentrations of FSH. Total dimeric activin A was measured using a specific two-site enzyme immunoassay in serum specimens collected from a cohort of normal individuals enrolled in an epidemiological survey. A group of men (n = 106) and one of women (n=151) were subdivided into six age groups (20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 60-70 and 70-90 years). In a small group of 8 men and 11 women, serum concentrations of activin A were evaluated twice, in specimens collected at an interval of 10 years. Serum FSH concentrations were also measured in all specimens. Serum concentrations of activin A were not significantly different in men and women and showed an age-related progressive increase between 20 and 50 years of age (P<0.01, those aged 40-50 compared with those aged 20-30 years). After the age of 50 years, activin A concentrations remained in the same range of values in women, whereas they increased significantly in men, reaching peak values between 70 and 90 years (P<0.01 compared with the group aged between 20 and 50 years). From the age of 50 years, activin A concentrations were significantly greater in men compared with those in women in the corresponding age groups (P<0.001). Activin A concentrations correlated with age in men, but not in women. No significant correlation between concentrations of activin A and FSH was found in either sex. Activin A concentrations in specimens collected 10 years apart showed an increase in seven of eight men, but not in women. Finally, no significant variations of activin A concentrations were observed when fertile and postmenopausal women were compared. The present data indicate that circulating concentrations of activin A vary according to age; furthermore, men older than 50 years have greater concentrations than women. These changes, which occur irrespectively of FSH concentrations, indicate that circulating activin A is not a hormone of the reproductive axis.

Activins↗

PubMed1998

High levels of serum allopregnanolone in women with premature ovarian failure.

The endocrine characteristics of patients with premature ovarian failure (POF) have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether steroidogenic activity in women with POF is different with respect to fertile and postmenopausal subjects. In particular, circulating levels of allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid involved in modulation of reproductive function in rats, have been evaluated and correlated with serum levels of delta 4 precursor (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)), delta 5 intermediates (androstenedione, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), progesterone) and final products (estradiol and testosterone) of androgens. Levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were also determined. In all cases specific radioimmunological assays were used. Women with POF showed statistically significantly lower concentrations of 17-OHP, androstenedione and testosterone when compared to fertile controls, while no differences were found between women with POF and postmenopausal women. Serum DHEAS levels were similar in POF patients and in fertile controls and higher with respect to postmenopausal women. Serum allopregnanolone levels were significantly higher in women with POF than in postmenopausal and in fertile women. A significant inverse correlation between allopregnanolone levels and menopausal age in patients with POF was observed while no significant correlation was found between allopregnanolone and progesterone, androstenedione, 17-OHP and testosterone levels. In conclusion, allopregnanolone is scarcely influenced by the reduction of ovarian and adrenal activity observed in POF.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Correlation between the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone administered and plasma and follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability and it is strongly implicated in angiogenesis, stimulating endothelial cell proliferation as well as capillary permeability. We studied 30 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs and evaluated, on the day of oocyte retrieval, VEGF levels in plasma and follicular fluid and related such concentrations to the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administered. Furthermore, the correlation between the number of oocytes retrieved and the VEGF concentrations both in plasma and in follicular fluid were also investigated. Results indicate that follicular fluid VEGF concentrations and the amount of pure FSH administered were directly proportional (p < 0.05). On the day of oocyte retrieval, the VEGF plasma concentrations and the number of oocytes collected were directly proportional (p < 0.05). VEGF plasma levels increased after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (30.37 +/- 18.60 pg/ml up to 52.62 +/- 43.63 pg/ml). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the doses of pure FSH administered to women undergoing IVF cycles have a crucial role in hCG-dependent VEGF production.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗