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Biomedical subjects

L J Rodriguez-Rigau

Publications and source records attributed to L J Rodriguez-Rigau.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The relationship of serum androgens and ovulatory status to blood pressure in reproductive-age women.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between hyperandrogenemia and blood pressure in women with menstrual irregularities seen at an endocrinology clinic. Women with serum testosterone levels (T) > or = 30 ng/dL were more likely to have general obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 6.8, 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 2.2-27.2) and central obesity (OR = 14.5, 95% CI = 6.1-38.7) than euandrogenemic women. Hyperandrogenemic women (HA) had an OR of 2.4 (95% CI = 1.0-6.2) for elevated SBP and an OR of 2.7 (95% CI = 0.8-8.8) for elevated DBP, independent of age and ovulatory status. Obese HA had an OR of 4.7 (95% CI = 2.3-10.4) for elevated SBP and an OR of 2.9 (95% CI = 1.9-9.9) for elevated DBP. In conclusion, T is associated with an increased risk for obesity and central adiposity. T predicts BP elevation independent of age and ovulatory status. There was a synergistic relationship between obesity and androgens in their affect on BP.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1990

Glucocorticoid therapy in hyperandrogenism.

Hyperandrogenism is a common disorder in the reproductive age female. It is associated with cutaneous manifestations and ovulatory dysfunction. The degree of hyperandrogenaemia is directly related to the severity of ovulatory dysfunction. The ovulatory dysfunction frequently leads to infertility. The most common form of hyperandrogenism is idiopathic glucocorticoid-suppressible hyperandrogenism (IGSH). The management of this disorder involves appropriate use of physiological doses of glucocorticoids. This treatment leads not only to normalization of serum androgen levels but also to amelioration of cutaneous symptoms and improvement in ovulatory function. In infertile women with ovulatory dysfunction secondary to IGSH, occurrence of pregnancy after treatment with glucocorticoids is directly related to the degree of the suppression of serum androgen levels. In other words, this treatment does not 'induce ovulation', but its effectiveness in improving ovulatory function is a result of a correction of the hyperandrogenic state. At physiological doses glucocorticoid therapy does not appear to be associated with significant side-effects. With appropriate management, androgen levels can be maintained within the normal range indefinitely. Furthermore, in a majority of patients, androgen levels remain within the normal range for a long time (years) after discontinuation of chronic glucocorticoid therapy.

Androgens↗
PubMed1985

In vitro steroid secretion by intact bovine ovarian follicles in a superfusion system.

A superfusion system for single intact follicles is described. Bovine follicles were superfused for 5 to 10 hours. Progesterone and testosterone secretion was stable after an adaptation period of 150 min. A 5-minute stimulation with hCG resulted in a 2-fold increase in progesterone secretion. Superfusion for 450 minutes of 3 small follicles of similar size and in the same ovary next to each other showed different secretion patterns of progesterone and testosterone. Superfusion for 150 minutes of follicles obtained from 2 pairs of ovaries showed that follicular size is not a sufficient criterion to predict the progesterone and testosterone secretion pattern. Closeness of follicles (big or small) to a corpus luteum did not impair their ability to secrete progesterone and testosterone. It is concluded that a superfusion system as has been described in this report is an effective and desirable method to study the physiology and pathophysiology of single intact follicles.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Acne and hyperandrogenism.

Elevated serum androgen levels have been reported in patients with acne resistant to conventional dermatologic therapy. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum androgen levels and the presence of acne in an unselected population of women seen consecutively by a dermatologist for various dermatologic complaints. Elevated serum testosterone levels were associated with acne regardless of whether this was the presenting complaint or an incidental finding. Women with both acne and hirsutism had higher serum testosterone levels than those with acne alone. Higher incidence of irregular menstrual cycles was noted in women complaining of acne. Normal serum testosterone levels were found only in those patients with regular menstrual cycles and the absence of acne or hirsutism. In conclusion, this study suggests that elevated serum testosterone levels are related to the presence of acne. Attention is called to the possibility that acne may be a clinical manifestation of a disorder with systemic and reproductive consequences.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1984

Acne and hyperandrogenism: impact of lowering androgen levels with glucocorticoid treatment.

The impact of lowering androgen levels with glucocorticoid treatment in a group of consecutive female patients presenting to the Department of Reproductive Medicine and Biology, University of Texas, with a chief complaint of acne has been studied. One hundred fifty-eight patients, ages 16 to 40, who received prednisone at a maximum daily dose ranging from 7.5 to 15 mg for a period of at least 6 months were selected for the study. These patients were not taking other systemic medication affecting androgens or acne. Only thirty patients (19%) had pretreatment testosterone levels below the upper limits (40 ng/dl) of our normal range; while on treatment 146 patients (92.4%) had testosterone levels below 40 ng/dl. In sixty-three patients (39.9%) the acne completely cleared, in eighty patients (50.6%) it significantly improved, and in only fifteen patients (9.5%) was the acne not affected by the medication. There was a highly significant difference between the mean testosterone levels during treatment of those who cleared or improved, versus those who did not (p less than 0.05), the percentage drop in testosterone being greatest in those who cleared. Pretreatment testosterone levels were not significantly different in those who cleared, improved or did neither. It is concluded that glucocorticoid treatment frequently results in a lowering of androgen levels in hyperandrogenic women with acne and that this is associated with clearing or improvement of the acne.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1984

Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in hyperandrogenic women.

Serum levels of testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured in a group of 285 women with clinical signs of hyperandrogenism (hirsutism and/or acne). Levels of T were elevated in 75.8% of the patients, DHEA in 57.5%, and DHEA-S in 20%. Normal levels of all 3 androgens were found in 13.3%. Significant correlations were demonstrated among levels of all androgens. Only 7.7% of the patients had elevated levels of DHEA in the presence of normal T, and 3.2% had elevated DHEA-S and normal T levels. Subdivision of the study population on the basis of presence of acne, hirsutism, or both demonstrated no significant differences in androgen levels. Amenorrheic women had higher serum T levels than those with menstrual cycles. Women with laparoscopically demonstrated polycystic ovaries had significantly higher serum androgen levels than hyperandrogenic women with no laparoscopic evidence for polycystic ovarian disease. All 285 patients were treated with chronic low dose prednisone therapy. Overall suppression of all 3 androgens occurred in a large proportion of the patients. The pretreatment levels of DHEA or DHEA-S did not predict the responsiveness of T to chronic glucocorticoid therapy. On the other hand, a 2-day dexamethasone (DEX) suppression test quantitatively predicted the degree of T suppression achieved by chronic therapy. An overnight DEX suppression test was considerably less precise for this purpose. In conclusion, chronic low dose prednisone therapy resulted in suppression of serum T levels in a large proportion of women with hyperandrogenism of undetermined cause. The response to therapy could not be predicted on the basis of pretreatment serum DHEA or DHEA-S levels, but was predicted with a 2-day DEX suppression test.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1984

Effect of acute and chronic androgen suppression by glucocorticoids on gonadotropin levels in hirsute women.

Hirsute women may have increased serum LH levels and increased ratios of LH to FSH in serum as well as increased serum androgen levels. Glucocorticoid therapy lowers serum testosterone (T) levels in some hirsute women, but no significant effects on gonadotropin levels have been reported. Sixty hirsute women had serum T, LH, and FSH levels measured before and after acute and chronic glucocorticoid administration. Both acute and chronic treatment resulted in significant suppression of T levels. Serum LH levels significantly decreased after chronic therapy. Significant direct correlations were found between T and LH or T and the LH to FSH ratio, both before and after therapy. In 11 women with normal T levels, acute or chronic glucocorticoid treatment did not produce a significant change in LH levels or LH to FSH ratios. Women (n = 26) with elevated T levels that were suppressed more than 50% during treatment had significant decreases in their mean LH levels and LH to FSH ratios. No significant change in mean LH or LH to FSH ratio occurred in women (n = 23) with elevated T levels that were not suppressed by 50%. These results demonstrate that chronic, but not acute, glucocorticoid-induced suppression of T levels in hyperandrogenic hirsute women results in lowering of LH and LH to FSH ratios.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The prognostic value of acute adrenal suppression and stimulation tests in hyperandrogenic women.

A group of 106 consecutively seen hyperandrogenic women were subjected to an acute adrenal suppression and stimulation test. The results of these tests were analyzed with respect to androgen suppression achieved after chronic glucocorticoid therapy in the same patients. The data suggested that an acute dexamethasone test may identify the group of hyperandrogenic women who respond poorly to chronic glucocorticoid therapy. This group of patients were found to have elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios, suggesting the possibility of an LH-related hyperandrogenism. In patients whose elevated testosterone levels were suppressed by dexamethasone, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) induced a prompt return of the testosterone levels to baseline, suggesting an ACTH-dependent hyperandrogenism. In these patients, the degree of testosterone suppression after dexamethasone was not quantitatively related to the degree of testosterone suppression after chronic glucocorticoid therapy. In all cases chronic therapy resulted in a greater suppression of androgen levels than the acute dexamethasone test. In conclusion, an acute dexamethasone suppression test appears to be of clinical value in the management of the hyperandrogenic female, particularly in identification of women who will not respond to chronic glucocorticoid suppression therapy.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1982

Response of the adrenal to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in hyperandrogenic women treated chronically with low doses of prednisone.

A group of 43 women of reproductive age with clinical signs of hyperandrogenism was treated with a low dose (7.5 mg daily) of prednisone. An acute dexamethasone (DEX) suppression-adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed before and after a minimum of 2 months of prednisone administration. The therapy produced a significant decrease of plasma testosterone (T) levels in a majority of patients. During the treatment period DEX failed to induce further suppression, while ACTH caused a significant rise in plasma T levels. The cortisol (F) levels were suppressed during treatment, but their response to ACTH stimulation was similar to that observed prior to initiation of therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Testosterone metabolism by proximal and distal regions of the vas deferens from immature and mature rats.

The vas deferens, an androgen-dependent organ, may have physical importance in sperm maturation, yet very little is known about its steroid capabilities. To explore the steroid metabolic activities and their possible changes during sexual maturation, a comparative study of [14C]testosterone metabolism by the proximal (VDP) and distal (VDD) segments of the vas deferens from immature and mature rats was carried out in vitro. Approximately 50 mg of the VDP and VDD portions of the vas deferens, devoid of spermatozoa, were incubated in duplicates for 3 h at 37 degrees C with [14C]testosterone (53.5 microCi/mmol) and the essential cofactors. After the addition of appropriate 3H-labeled recovery tracers to the incubates, the steroids were extracted, separated by paper and thin-layer chromatography and crystallized to constant 3H/14C ratio in 3 consecutive crystals. The results showed that all tissues metabolized [14C]testosterone into 4 major steroids: dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha-17 beta diol (5 alpha-3 alpha-diol), delta 4-androstenedione and androsterone. The metabolites accounted for approximately 16% and approximately 6% of the conversion products in the immature and mature vas deferens respectively. There was no significant difference in [14C]testosterone metabolism when VDP and VDD were compared within either age group of animals. However, the immature vas deferens was significantly more active compared to mature vas deferens in the synthesis of these metabolites, indicating that the activities of 5 alpha-reductase, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase diminish during sexual maturation. The possible physiological significance of these changes during maturation of the vas deferens is discussed.

Aging↗
PubMed1982

The epidemiologic assessment of male reproductive hazard from occupational exposure to TDA and DNT.

Dinitrotoluene (DNT) and toluene diamine (TDA) are intermediates in the production of toluene diisocyanate and polyurethane plastics. Some reproductive effects in rodents have been reported; and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported probable reproductive toxic effect to humans after a preliminary survey. Accordingly, 84 workers exposed to DNT/TDA (classified by intensity and recency of exposure) and 119 nonexposed workers were studied at Olin's chemical complex at Lake Charles, La. Each worker was the subject of a physician's urogenital examination, a reproductive and fertility questionnaire, an estimation of testicular volume, an assessment of serum follicle-stimulating hormone, and an analysis of semen for sperm count and morphology. No differences were found between the exposed and control groups among any of these variables. Although both TDA and DNT are readily absorbed (percutaneous, inhalation, ingestion), they did not present detectable reproductive hazard to the workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Varicocele and the morphology of spermatozoa.

It is believed that varicocele is characteristically associated with specific abnormalities of spermatozoal morphology (increased numbers of tapered and amorphous forms). This report summarizes the results of a prospective study of spermatozoal morphology in 208 male partners of infertile couples seen consecutively during an 18-month period. After exclusion of 23 azoospermic males, sperm morphology in the remaining 56 patients with varicocele and 129 men without varicocele were compared. Although the incidence of abnormal spermatozoa was higher in patients with varicocele, no significant differences in the patterns of morphology were observed. In both groups of patients the percentage of normal spermatozoa was significantly correlated with the sperm count and with percentage motility. Sperm count and motility were significantly correlated with each other. The percentages of tapered and amorphous spermatozoa were inversely correlated with the motile sperm count. These results demonstrate that the pattern of spermatozoal morphology observed in men with varicocele is not characteristic or unique to this condition. It appears that abnormality of spermatozoal morphology is commonly associated with diminished sperm count and motility, regardless of the presence or absence of a varicocele.

Humans↗
PubMed1981

Quantitative analysis of testicle biopsy: determination of partial obstruction and prediction of sperm count after surgery for obstruction.

Twenty-one male patients without ductal obstruction were studied prospectively by a simplified method of quantitative testicle biopsy. The mean number of mature spermatids per tubule in the testicle biopsy correlated closely with the sperm count in all 21 cases. Patients with less than 10,000,000 sperm/ml always had less than 20 mature spermatids per seminiferous tubule. Patients with more than 10,000,000 sperm/ml always had more than 20 mature spermatids per tubule. In azoospermic patients with epididymal obstruction, the sperm count after vasoepididymostomy could be predicted correctly by testicle biopsy. In severely oligospermic patients (less than 10,000,000 sperm/ml) the presence of more than 20 mature spermatids per tubule indicated partial epididymal obstruction.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1981

The influence of ovulatory dysfunction and timing of insemination on the success of artificial insemination donor (AID) with fresh or cryopreserved semen.

The influence of ovulatory dysfunction and timing of insemination on the success of AID with either fresh or cryopreserved semen was investigated. A total of 238 patients were inseminated, resulting in 170 pregnancies during 1201 insemination cycles, an average of 5.0 cycles per pregnancy. Pregnancy rates were similar in those patients receiving either fresh or cryopreserved semen, but the number of cycles required for pregnancy to occur was doubled in the latter group. Ovulatory dysfunction further delayed the number of cycles before conception. The poorest results occurred in those patients with ovulatory dysfunction receiving cryopreserved semen. The timing of insemination was more important in patients receiving cryopreserved semen than those receiving fresh semen. With cryopreserved semen, pregnancy was not likely to occur unless the insemination was performed on the day of ovulation. These data suggest that frozen semen is less efficacious than fresh semen, a difference that is compounded by the presence of ovulatory dysfunction in the recipient. It is possible that an increase in the frequency of insemination from every other day to daily may improve the results of AID with cryopreserved semen.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1981

The menstrual cycle and plasma testosterone levels in women with acne.

A prospective study of the ovarian function and plasma testosterone levels was conducted in a group of 139 women presenting with a chief complaint of acne. In 90% of the patients the plasma testosterone levels were above the normal mean. Amenorrhea was present in 17.2%, anovulation in 18.4%, and variable degree of ovulatory dysfunction in 57.2% of the patients. The severity of ovarian dysfunction was directly proportional to the plasma testosterone levels. Age was inversely related to both plasma testosterone levels and severity of ovarian dysfunction. The results of this study suggest that acne may be associated not only with a hyperandrogenic state but also with ovarian dysfunction. They emphasize the need for a careful investigation of androgen levels and ovarian function in women with chief complaint of acne.

Acne Vulgaris↗