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Biomedical subjects

H L Judd

Publications and source records attributed to H L Judd.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Changes in circulating steroids with aging in postmenopausal women.

to examine the possible effects of aging on circulating steroid hormones in postmenopausal women, blood samples were drawn from 155 women, aged 34 to 83 years, with spontaneous ovarian failure. The C-21 steroids, pregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone; the delta 4 progestins, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone; and cortisol did not change with age and were similar in concentration to the levels measured during the follicular phase of premenopausal women. The delta 5 androgens, dehydropiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, declined significantly (P less than .001) with age, whereas no change was noted in the delta 4 androgens, androstenedione and testosterone. The levels of estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) were strongly correlated with percent ideal weight but did not change with age. The authors conclude that 1) The production of progestins does not change with age in normal adult women, other than that resulting from the loss of secretion associated with ovarian corpus luteum function. 2) The decline of delta 5 androgens without corresponding changes in their precursors suggests an age-related change of adrenal 17,20 desmolase activity. 3) The levels of E2 and E1 reflect an effect of body size but not of age on peripheral aromatization of precursor androgens.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗
PubMed1981

Long-standing virilism in a woman with hyperplasia and neoplasia of ovarian lipidic cells.

A woman with bilateral hyperplasia of ovarian hilar cells, stromal lipidic cells (hyperthecosis), and unilateral adenoma of Leydig cells is described. Her clinical course was characterized by long-standing virilism with a recent exacerbation suggesting growth of a tumor from the hyperplastic stromal lipidic cells. Evidence for this hypothesis included similar light and electron microscopic features of the hyperplastic and neoplastic cells and identical patterns of secretion of steroid hormones. Comparison of the in vivo steroid biosynthesis of the hyperplastic lipidic cells with that of testicular Leydig cells showed several similarities. These included 1) secretion of 5 and delta 4 steroids; 2) greater secretion of the delta 4 hormones, progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, than of the delta 5 steroids, pregnenolone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone; 3) prominent secretion of testosterone but not androstenedione; and 4) limited secretion of estrogens, with estradiol as the principal estrogen. These findings support prior microscopic evidence that ovarian lipidic cells and testicular Leydig cells represent cells of common function and, likely, common origin.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1981

Objective techniques for the assessment of postmenopausal hot flashes.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate objective methods of monitoring postmenopausal hot flashes. Continuous recordings of finger and core temperature and sternal skin conductance were carried out in 8 postmenopausal and 4 premenopausal women. Four postmenopausal patients were studied a second time following 30 days of daily oral administration of ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg. One hundred twenty flashes were subjectively noted and recorded during 104 hours of study in the postmenopausal women. Eighty-two, 98, and 81% of subjective flashes were associated with changes in finger temperature, skin conductance, and core temperature, respectively. The rate of occurrence and magnitude of changes of physiologic markers were significantly greater (P less than .01) in postmenopausal than premenopausal women. Estrogen replacement therapy not only eliminated the subjective sensations but also significantly reduced (P less than .02) the frequency and magnitude of the changes in physiologic function measured by finger temperature. Measurement of skin conductance changes was the single most sensitive and specific indicator of hot flashes. The simultaneous change of both skin conductance and finger temperature, although less sensitive, was a very specific indicator of a hot flash. These results support the concept that the measurement of physiologic changes can be used to assess objectively the occurrence of this symptom complex.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Serum androgens and estrogens in postmenopausal women with and without endometrial cancer.

Thirty-five consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and an equal number of control subjects matched to the cancer patients for age and percentage of ideal weight were studied prospectively. In the cancer patients, the mean +/- SE serum androstenedione, testosterone, estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) levels were 503 +/- 34 pg/ml, 224 +/- 22 pg/ml, 38.7 +/- 3.6 pg/ml, and 14.5 +/- 0.9 pg/ml, respectively. Similar concentrations were found in the control subjects. Body weight and percentage of ideal weight showed highly significant correlations (P less than 0.001) with E1 and E2 but not with the androgen concentrations in either group. The heavier patients had higher E1 and E2 levels. Age and years since menopause did not correlate with any of the hormonal levels. The cancer patients with overt diabetes tended to be more obese and have higher estrogen levels than did the nondiabetic subjects. Those with a history of prior estrogen usage were more slender and had lower endogenous estrogens than the nonusers. Twenty-three of the cancer patients (66%) had a presumed risk factor(s) for the development of this tumor, that is, excess body weight, high endogenous estrogen levels, or a history of prior estrogen usage. These data support the concept that conditions which lead to continued, unopposed estrogen stimulation may be associated with malignant transformation of the endometrium.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1980

Postmenopausal hot flushes: a disorder of thermoregulation.

The changes in cutaneous and body temperature and cutaneous conductance during hot flushes in eight postmenopausal women were studied. The vasomotor changes occurred approx. 45 sec after the patients experienced the initial subjective symptoms of the attacks. The rise in skin conductance appeared to be a more reliable index of the flushing episode than did the change in skin temperature. On the basis of the changes recorded it is suggested that the hot flush syndrome may represent a specific thermoregulatory disorder rather than being due to a non-specific central autonomic discharge. The episodes may be triggered by a neuroendocrine imbalance following the disruption of ovarian function and fall in estrogen production. In assessing the frequency and severity of hot flushes, and the effects of treatment, objective measurements of skin and core temperature and skin conductance should replace subjective criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Effects of human serum on transport of testosterone and estradiol into rat brain.

The effect in vivo of the plasma proteins in human serum on the transport of [3H]testosterone (T), [3H]-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and [3H]estradiol (E2) through the brain capillary wall, i.e., the blood-brain barrier, was studied in anesthetized rats using a tissue-sampling-single-injection technique, In the absence of plasma proteins, approximately 90% of plasma T, DHT, or E2 was transported into brain on a single pass after a bolus carotid injection of labeled hormone. Serum was obtained from 57 patients in seven different clinical conditions: pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, thin and obese postmenopausal, follicular phase female, hirsutism, and normal male; the level (mean +/- SD) of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) varied from 17 +/- 5 nM (hirsutism) to 323 +/- 83 nM (pregnancy). When the carotid injection solution was made 67% serum, the amount of T, DHT, or E2 transported into brain was inhibited in proportion to the concentration of SHBG. Among the patient groups, an overall linear inverse correlation between the mean SHBG level and the mean extraction of unidirectional influx of testosterone (r = 0.99) and estradiol (r = 0.98) was observed. These studies indicate that a) the undirectional clearance by brain of both testosterone and estradiol is inversely related to the SHBG level and b) the fraction of hormone transported into brain greatly exceeds the free (dialyzable) moiety and is essentially equal to the albumin-bound fraction of plasma testosterone or estradiol.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Relationship of fasting urinary calcium to circulating estrogen and body weight in postmenopausal women.

Circulating estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), adrostenedione, and testosterone levels were measured in 40 normal postmenopausal women of widely varying body weights. The fasting urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (Ca:Cr) was also quantitated as an index of bone resorption. Significant positive correlations of E2 and E1 were found with body weight and correlations of E2 and E1 were found with body weight and percent ideal weight but not with height, age, or years since menopause. No correlations were observed between circulating androstenedione and testosterone levels and any of these characteristics. Significant negative correlations were noted between Ca:Cr and percent ideal weight and between Ca:Cr and E2 and E1 concentrations. Administration of 10 micrograms ethinyl E2 to 10 postmenopausal subjects for 30 days reduced Ca:Cr to the level observed in 20 premenopausal women. These data suggest that body weight can influence urinary calcium excretion. It is possible that the reduced amounts of endogenous estrogen found in conjunction with low body weight may be a factor contributing to the greater loss of urinary calcium and the more frequent occurrence of osteoporosis in slender postmenopausal women.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Age-related changes of calcitonin secretion in females.

Calcitonin secretion was studied in 50 normal females from 20--69 yr of age, with 10 subjects in each decade. Hormone measurements were made by RIA during response to a 10-min infusion of calcium (as the chloride salt) at 3 mg/kg BW. There was a progressive decrease of the calcium-stimulated plasma calcitonin with age. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant (P less than 0.05) negative correlation (r = 0.29) between calcitonin response and age. Postmenopausal females had a significantly (P less than 0.01) smaller calcitonin response than premenopausal females. The time of maximum calcitonin response progressively shifted from 10 min in the younger subjects to 20 min in the older subjects. These studies demonstrated that calcitonin secretion decreases with age in females. This decrease may play some role in the pathogenesis of the progressive loss of bone mass which occurs with aging in females.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Biological effects of various doses of conjugated equine estrogens in postmenopausal women.

To determine which dosage of estrogen might provide physiological replacement and also avoid possible harmful side effects, 21 postmenopausal women were studied before and after the oral administration of conjugated equine estrogens. The dosages studied were 0.15, 0.30, 0.625, and 1.25 mg/day, with each being given for 6 weeks. Fifteen premenopausal women were also studied, and their values were presumed to reflect normal physiological function. Variable responses of the different biochemical and biological markers of the action of estrogen were observed. Both LH and FSH levels showed stepwise decreases with increasing amounts of estrogen, but even 1.25 mg/day did not suppress these hormones to the range found in premenopausal women, suggesting a subphysiological response. The lower dosages of conjugated estrogen had minimal effects on vaginal cytology, with only the 1.25-mg dose changing the maturation index to values similar to those found in premenopausal subjects. The 0.3-mg dose of conjugated estrogen was the lowest amount that resulted in a significant reduction (P < 0.05) of the urinary calcium to creatinine ratio (an index of bone resorption). Liver protein synthesis was the most sensitive parameter to the action of estrogen. Hepatic resoponses were variable depending on which protein was assessed. These data indicate that the oral administration of conjugated equine estrogens results in inconsistent effects. All doses exerted subphysiological, physiological, and pharmacological responses at the different sites of action.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Ovarian and adrenal steroidogenesis in a virilized patient with gonadotropin-resistant ovaries and hilus cell hyperplasia.

A 26-year-old woman with secondary amenorrhea, temporal balding, and clitoromegaly was found to have both the gonadotropin-resistant ovary syndrome and hilus cell hyperplasia. Simultaneous sampling of peripheral and ovarian venous blood revealed excess ovarian testosterone secretion to be the probable cause of the patient's virilism. The marked response of the ovary to stimulation by luteinizing hormone (LH) coupled with the lack of ovarian follicular development suggested that an isolated resistance of the ovarian follicle to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was present in this patient. The administration of a daily pharmacologic dose of dexamethasone for 14 days was followed by the patient's first menstrual period in 13 years, raising the possibility that autoimmunity may have been involved in this patient's ovarian resistance to FSH stimulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Elevations in skin temperature of the finger as an objective index of postmenopausal hot flashes: standardization of the technique.

The present study was designed to validate and standardize a technique of continuous recording of skin temperature of the finger as an objective index of hot flashes. Significant skin temperature rises (greater than 1 degree C) were recorded in close temporal relationship to 69% of subjective hot flashes experienced by seven postmenopausal women. The temperature elevations occurred at an interval of 54 +/- 10 minutes (mean +/- standard error) and lasted an average of 31 minutes. The mean increase was 2.7 degrees +/- 0.2 degrees C. The extent of the temperature elevations found in the postmenopausal subjects was significantly greater than in premenopausal control subjects (P less than 0.05) and was reduced by estrogen treatment (P less than 0.02). This study substantiates that the recording of skin temperature changes of the finger provides an objective index of hot flashes. This should assist in the investigation of the underlying disturbance and provide more accurate evaluation of modes of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

LH, FSH and skin temperaure during the menopausal hot flash.

Six postmenopausal women, who were experiencing frequent hot flashes, had an 8 h continuous recording of skin temperature over the dorsum of the finger as an objective index of hot flashes. Frequent blood samples were obtained during the time of the recording for the measurement of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. During the 48 h of recording 34 significant temperature elevations were recorded and 32 were associated with a subjective hot flash. 3l pulses of LH release were also observed with 26 occurring simultaneously with the temperature rises. Correlation analysis of simultaneous skin temperature and circulating LH levels showed a significant positive correlation (p less than 0.01). FSH levels showed no consistent relationship with skin temperature. These data suggest that LH or the factors that trigger its pulsatile release are related to the mechanism responsible for the initiation of hot flashes.

Climacteric↗
PubMed1979

Inhibition of peripheral aromatization of androstenedione to estrone in postmenopausal women with breast cancer using delta 1-testololactone.

To determine if delta 1-testololactone can inhibit the peripheral aromatization of androstenedione (delta), nine postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer were studied before and after 2 weeks of therapy with 250 mg of the drug, given every 6 h by mouth. The conversion ratio of delta to estrone (E1) was significantly reduced (P less than 0.005) from a mean (+/-SE) of 0.0098 +/- 0.0025 before to 0.0009 +/- 0.0005 after treatment. The drug's effect on the metabolism of delta seemed to be specific since significant changes in the MCR of delta and in the conversion ratio to testosterone were not observed. That this inhibition of peripheral aromatization had an effect on E1 metabolism was shown by the significant decrease (P less than 0.01) of mean serum E1 levels from 22 +/- 3 pg/ml before to 12 +/- 1 pg/ml after treatment. Serum estradiol levels rose slightly from 8 +/- 0.8 to 12 +/- 4 pg/ml. Serum delta and testosterone levels were unchanged by therapy. These data are consistent with the concept that delta 1-testololactone is a potent inhibitor of peripheral aromatization of delta to E1. This mechanism could explain the antitumor properties of this compound.

Aged↗