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PubMed1996

The demography of menopause.

Menopause marks a time of dramatic hormonal and often social change for women. Both risk factors and health needs are likely to change as women pass through menopause. This paper examines the demographic characteristics of the world population of menopausal and post-menopausal women, and also examines the implication of menopause for mortality risks. The numbers of women involved are large. Using age 50 as a proxy for menopause, about 25 million women pass through menopause each year, and we estimate that in 1990 there were 467 million post-menopausal women in the world, with an average age of about 60 years. By 2030, the world population of menopausal and postmenopausal women is projected to increase to 1.2 billion, with 47 million new entrants each year. The mortality implications of menopause are also substantial. Ratios of female to male mortality risks from all causes and from all major cause groups except neoplasms decline to low levels around menopause or shortly thereafter, and then rise again to near unity. This pattern is taken as evidence that the female reproductive period is broadly protective of health, but that this protection disappears after menopause. The main protective effect is through reduced risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, partially offset by increased risks of cancer mortality, particularly of the breast and endometrium.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Age-related protein changes in the banana fruitfly.

Protein analyses from head and body revealed changes in content and electrophoretic banding pattern during aging of the banana fruitfly, Zaprionus paravittiger. Total protein content of head and body increased during the first 13 days of post-emergent life, followed by decline with advancing age. Electrophoretic studies indicate that certain proteins present in newly emerged flies disappeared with the advancing age while a few specific proteins appear and accumulate as the total protein content decreases during post-reproductive period.

Aging↗

PubMed1986

Changes in total and mitochondrial nucleic acid content in aging Caryedon serratus Oliver (Coleoptera).

Aging in the beetle Caryedon serratus was accompanied by a decline in total DNA content (9.28% in males and 9.79% in females). Mitochondrial DNA remained constant until the 11th day of age and then decreased gradually with advancing age in both sexes. RNA content and the RNA/DNA ratio showed similar changes in whole body as well as mitochondrial fractions. The two parameters decreased continuously and significantly (p less than 0.001) in males whereas in females an initial rise during the reproductive period was followed by decline until death. The observations suggest that there is a loss of mitochondria in the senescent period and a decline in the total nucleic acid content and protein synthetic capacity of C. serratus.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

Non-invasive faecal steroid monitoring of ovarian and adrenal activity in farmed blue fox (Alopex lagopus) females during late pregnancy, parturition and lactation onset.

In the semi-domesticated blue fox, handling stress may influence reproductive performance and increase perinatal pup loss. Ovarian and adrenal steroids were analysed in faecal samples collected from mid-gestation through the first week of lactation in 40 female blue foxes to characterize hormone patterns during this important reproductive period. Daily faecal samples were collected from 40 foxes during 30 pregnancies, one late abortion and nine bred-matched non-pregnancies. Mean concentrations of faecal progestagens over the 10 days before birth were significantly higher in pregnant compared to non-pregnant females (51+/-1.50 microg/g versus 36+/-3.72 microg/g, respectively; P < 0.01). From 10 to 3 days before whelping, total faecal oestrogen concentrations also were higher (P < 0.01) in pregnant (1082+/-41.69 ng/g) than non-pregnant (628+/-72.43 ng/g) foxes, before declining to non-pregnant values (402+/-24.88 ng/g) after parturition. Overall mean faecal corticoid concentrations from 3 to 20 days before whelping differed between pregnant and non-pregnant foxes (128+/-3.11 ng/g versus 103+/-5.86 ng/g, respectively; P < 0.01). Furthermore, in pregnant foxes, corticoid excretion increased further from 2 days before to 3 days after whelping (216+/-13.71 ng/g; P < 0.01). Thereafter, corticoid concentrations were similar between pregnant and non-pregnant females (P > 0.05). In sum, the faecal steroid hormone patterns for oestrogens and progestagens were similar to those previously obtained by analyses of fox serum hormones, with both steroids being higher in pregnant than non-pregnant foxes at the end of gestation. The elevation in corticoid concentrations in pregnant females suggests that adrenal activation is involved in the initiation of parturition in the blue fox. Thus, faecal steroid analyses can be used to monitor ovarian activity during pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in farmed blue fox females.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2007

Bacterial flora of the female genital tract: function and immune regulation.

The use of non-culture gene amplification techniques has improved our understanding of the composition of the vaginal bacterial ecosystem. In most healthy women in the reproductive period the predominant vaginal bacteria are one or more of the following species of Lactobacillus: L. crispatus, L. iners and L. gasseri. However, in other apparently healthy women lactobacilli may be deficient or absent, being replaced by other lactic-acid-producing bacteria: Atopobium, Megasphaera and/or Leptotrichia species. Infection and/or proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina is suppressed by lactic acid production, bacteria-generated antimicrobial products, and the local activities of the innate and cell-mediated immune systems. Vaginal epithelial cells produce a range of compounds with antimicrobial activities. These cells also possess membrane-bound Toll-like receptors that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Recognition leads to pro-inflammatory cytokine production and antigen-specific immunity. Local production of IgG and IgA antibodies can also be initiated in the endocervix and vagina in response to infection.

Female↗

PubMed2004

Possible vascular-bed-specific role of interleukin-6 in young women with a history of myocardial infarction, lacunar cerebral infarction and deep vein thrombosis.

The level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine with prothrombotic properties, and its associations with metabolic, coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters were investigated in 68 young women (23-49 years, mean 40 years old) six months to six years after myocardial infarction (MI, N=22), lacunar cerebral infarction (LACI, N=16) and deep vein thrombosis (VT, N=30); all women were in the reproductive period, aged <45 years at the time of acute thrombotic event. Forty-seven age-matched women comprised a control group. Basic and multivariate analysis disclosed different patterns of IL-6 increase in all three groups of patients. In the MI group IL-6 was significantly elevated independently of factors known to increase IL-6 levels; the increase was most pronounced in patients with high lipoprotein(a). This result suggests a prothrombotic association of lipoprotein(a) with IL-6. In the whole LACI group IL-6 was not significantly increased. However, patients with elevated levels of IL-6 had abdominal obesity and elevated fibrinogen, suggesting the possibility that this combination might represent a specific risk profile. In VT group elevated IL-6 level was found in the group of previous users of oral contraceptives (OC). This might be relevant, since it is known that OC could importantly increase (previously elevated) IL-6 level in selected women. Our results suggest the hypothesis that the role of IL-6 might be vascular-bed-specific and further propose that increased IL-6 level might represent a novel, non-classical risk factor for development of MI, LACI and VT in specific subgroups of young women, which have to be clarified in further studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Effect of suppression of plasma prolactin on luteinizing hormone concentration, intersequence pause days and egg production in domestic hen.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of suppression of plasma prolactin (PRL) concentration on circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P(4)), estradiol (E(2)beta), pause days and egg production in birds later in the reproductive period. Twenty-four White Leghorn birds of same age group were divided into two groups of 12 in each. Birds of each group were administered s/c either with placebo (control group) or equal volumes of anti PRL agent (2-bromo-alpha-ergocriptine) solution containing at 100 microg/kg body weight/hen/week (treated group) from 72 to 82 weeks of age. Egg production and inter sequence pauses were recorded daily from both the groups. Plasma PRL, LH, E(2)beta and P(4) concentrations were estimated in blood samples collected at weekly intervals. At 77th weeks of age, blood samples from treated and control birds were obtained every 3h for 36h to study the surges of LH. It was found that plasma PRL concentration was lower (p<0.01) in bromocriptine treated birds with high concentrations of LH, its 3h LH surges, E(2)beta and P(4) in plasma. Higher egg production, less pause days in treated birds may be the result of low PRL concentration, associated with positively correlated responses of high concentrations of LH (with regular interval and duration of LH surges), E(2)beta and P(4) concentration required for completion of egg formation and oviposition. In conclusion, bromocriptine administration decreased (p<0.01) PRL concentration increased (p<0.01) steroid hormones and LH surges, for egg formation and oviposition and enabled the birds to lay more eggs even later in the productive period with the available resources under normal husbandry practices.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

Colonisation of a Zn, Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox Wulfen with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal mixture induces changes in heavy metal and nutrient uptake.

Plants of the Zn, Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator Thlaspi praecox Wulfen (Brassicaceae) inoculated or not with indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal mixture were grown in a highly Cd, Zn and Pb contaminated substrate in order to evaluate the functionality of symbiosis and assess the possible impact of AM colonisation on heavy metal uptake and tolerance. The results suggest AM development in the metal hyperaccumulating T. praecox is favoured at elevated nutrient demands, e.g. during the reproductive period. AM colonisation parameters positively correlated with total soil Cd and Pb. Colonised plants showed significantly improved nutrient and a decreased Cd and Zn uptake as revealed by TRXRF, thus confirming the functionality of the symbiosis. Reduced heavy metal uptake, especially at higher soil metal contents, indicates a changed metal tolerance strategy in colonised T. praecox plants. This is to our knowledge the first report on AM colonisation of the Zn, Cd and Pb hyperaccumulator T. praecox in a greenhouse experiment.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2005

Evidence of endocrine alteration in the red mullet, Mullus barbatus from the NW Mediterranean.

Red mullet (Mullus barbatus) were collected from different sampling sites (NW Mediterranean) in spring and autumn, with the aim of assessing potential alterations of the endocrine system. Alkylphenols were measured in fish bile as an indicator of estrogenic exposure. Key enzymatic activities involved in both synthesis (ovarian 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and P450 aromatase) and metabolism of steroids were assessed together with histological alterations of the gonads. During the spring sampling, delayed gamete maturation, intersexuality, fibrosis, and depressed ovarian P450 aromatase activity were observed in organisms from the most polluted sites. During the autumn sampling, those effects were less evident, indicating that fish might be more susceptible to endocrine disrupting chemicals during the reproductive period. Nonetheless, enhanced glucuronidation of testosterone and estradiol was observed. Overall, this work provides first evidences of significant alterations in the endocrine system of red mullet from highly impacted areas in the NW Mediterranean.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Estimation of the mtDNA mutation rate in aging mice by proteome analysis and mathematical modeling.

The accumulation of mitochondria containing mutated genomes was proposed to be an important factor involved in aging. Although the level of mutated mtDNA has shown to increase over time, it is currently not possible to directly measure the mtDNA mutation rate within living cells. The combination of mathematical modeling and controlled experiments is an alternative approach to obtain an estimate for the mutation rate in a well-defined system. In order to judge the relevance of mitochondrial mutations for the aging process, we used a mouse model to study age-related alterations of the mitochondrial proteins. Based on these experimental data we constructed a mathematical model of the mitochondrial population dynamics to estimate mtDNA mutation rates. Mitochondria were isolated from mouse brain and liver at six different ages (newborn to 24-months). A large-gel 2D-electrophoresis-based proteomics approach was used to analyze the mitochondrial proteins. The expression of two respiratory chain complex I subunits and one complex IV subunit decreased significantly with age. One subunit of complex III and one subunit of complex V increased in expression during aging. Together, these data indicate that complex I and IV deficiency in aged tissues might be accompanied by feedback regulation of other protein complexes in the respiratory chain. When we fitted our experimental data to the mathematical model, mtDNA mutation rate was estimated to be 2.7x10(-8) per mtDNA per day for brain and 3.2x10(-9) per mtDNA per day for liver. According to our model and in agreement with the mitochondrial theory of aging, mtDNA mutations could cause the detrimental changes seen in mitochondrial populations during the normal lifespan of mice, while at the same time ensure that the mitochondrial population remains functional during the developmental and reproductive period of mice.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

Anti-Mullerian hormone in premenopausal women and after spontaneous or surgically induced menopause.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in menopausal women, and (2) to confirm the source of AMH in cycling women and its disappearance after the removal of the source. METHODS: An observational and prospective study was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 47 women were recruited for the study. The study population consisted of the following groups of patients: (A) women of late reproductive age (n = 24; mean age +/- SD, 44 +/- 2.8 years); (B) menopausal women (n =14; mean age, 56 +/- 4 years); and (C) regularly cycling women undergoing surgical menopause (n = 9; mean age, 43 +/- 4 years). Blood samples were obtained from all patients. In patients undergoing surgery, blood samples were obtained before and after surgery. AMH was undetectable in 13 of 14 postmenopausal women, whereas it was undetectable in only two of 24 women of late reproductive age. A significant negative correlation has been found between AMH and age or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in women of late reproductive age. In women who were candidates for oophorectomy, samples were obtained 3-5 days after surgery. AMH was undetectable after the surgery in all women. CONCLUSIONS: We found that AMH levels decreased in women in the late reproductive period and that menopause and ovariectomy in regularly cycling women are associated to undetectable AMH in serum. These observations confirm that the ovary could be the only source of AMH in women and that it is a novel marker for ovarian aging.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

XsiAMT1.1a was identified as a novel ammonium uptake functional gene and its overexpression combined with GA4 application significantly increased yield in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nitrogen (N) is a key limiting factor for plant yield. Ammonium is one of the main N forms absorbed by plants. Overexpression of ammonium uptake functional genes, such as ammonium transporter (AMT), can increase yield. However, the AMTs reported to enhance yield significantly is still limited. No researches have focused on the effect of overexpressing AMT combined with hormone application on yield improvement. In this study, we first investigated the role of XsiAMT1.1a, a potential ammonium uptake functional gene in an ammonium preference plant Xanthium sibiricum, in ammonium uptake by the analysis of bioinformatics, gene expression and subcellular localization, and the determination of ammonium uptake rate in endogenous silencing and heterologous overexpression plants. Subsequently, the effect of XsiAMT1.1a overexpression combined with hormone application on yield increase was further investigated in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results showed that XsiAMT1.1a shared the same conserved domains with AtAMT1 subfamily members and localized on the plasma membrane. XsiAMT1.1a was induced by N deficiency and highly expressed during the reproductive period. XsiAMT1.1a endogenous silencing and heterologous overexpression significantly decreased and increased ammonium uptake rates in X. sibiricum and A. thaliana, respectively. Overexpression of XsiAMT1.1a significantly improved total N accumulation, biomass and yield in A. thaliana, while XsiAMT1.1a overexpression combined with GA4 application had a stronger promoting effect on the above indicators. Our research identified a novel ammonium uptake functional gene, XsiAMT1.1a, and provided a new yield-increasing strategy which was verified in A. thaliana.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2006

Fish intake and serum levels of organochlorines among Japanese women.

This study evaluates background serum levels of selected organochlorine compounds among Japanese women of reproductive age and investigates whether lifestyle factors, especially dietary factors, may be associated with these levels. A cross-sectional study was performed on 80 Japanese women, aged 26-43 years, who complained of infertility and were confirmed not to have endometriosis. The serum levels of total toxic equivalency (TEQ), 18 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), 4 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (cPCBs), 36 ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 13 chlorinated pesticides or their metabolites were measured and data were collected on the women's age, residence, occupation, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol habit and 6 dietary intakes (fish, meats, rice, vegetables, fruits and dairy products). The serum median level of total TEQ was 25.1 pg TEQ/g lipid, that of PCDDs/PCDFs/cPCBs was 11.5 pmol/g lipid, that of PCBs was 0.46 nmol/g lipid, and that of total pesticides was 1.32 nmol/g lipid. The serum levels of total TEQ, PCDDs/PCDFs/cPCBs, PCBs and pesticides were positively associated with age (P for trend=0.003, 0.01, 0.005 and 0.01, respectively) and frequent fish consumption (P for trend=0.002, 0.003, 0.0003 and 0.006, respectively). Other lifestyle factors were not associated with serum organochlorine levels. The present study suggests that Japanese women who consume fish frequently in their reproductive period tend to accumulate organochlorines in their bodies.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor in the testis of Bufo arenarum: seasonal changes in its binding parameters.

Glucocorticoids (GC) are the hormonal mediators of stress. In mammals, high levels of GC have negative effects on reproductive physiology. For instance, GC can inhibit testicular testosterone synthesis by acting via glucocorticoid receptors (GR), the extent of the inhibition being dependent on GC levels. However, the effect of GC on testicular function and even the presence of GR in amphibians are still unclear. The purpose of this work was to characterise testicular cytosolic GR in Bufo arenarum, determining the seasonal changes in its binding parameters as well as the intratesticular localisation. The binding assays were performed in testis cytosol with [3H]dexamethasone (DEX) and [3H]corticosterone (CORT). Binding kinetics of DEX and CORT fitted to a one-site model. Results were expressed as means +/- standard error. Apparent number of binding sites (Bapp) was similar for both steroids (Bapp DEX = 352.53 +/- 72.08 fmol/mg protein; Bapp CORT = 454.24 +/- 134.97 fmol/mg protein) suggesting that both hormones bind to the same site. Competition studies with different steroids showed that the order of displacement of [3H]DEX and [3H]CORT specific binding is: DEX approximately RU486 approximately deoxycorticosterone (DOC) > CORT > aldosterone > RU28362 > progesterone >>> 11-dehydroCORT. The affinity of GR for DEX (Kd = 11.2 +/- 1.5 nM) remained constant throughout the year while circulating CORT clearly increased during the reproductive season. Therefore, testis sensitivity to GC action would depend mainly on inactivating mechanisms (11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2) and CORT plasma levels. Since total and free CORT are higher in the reproductive than in the non-reproductive period, the magnitude of GC actions could be higher during the breeding season. The intratesticular localisation of the GR was determined after separation of cells by a Percoll density gradient followed by binding assays in each fraction. DEX binds to two different fractions corresponding to Leydig and Sertoli cells. In conclusion, in the testis of B. arenarum GC could regulate the function of both cellular types particularly during breeding when CORT reaches the highest plasma concentration.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Thoracic endometriosis syndrome: new observations from an analysis of 110 cases.

PURPOSE: To determine the demographics, clinical presentations, pathological findings, and the effectiveness of treatment in 110 patients with thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES). METHODS: Retrospective analysis based on data published in the English medical literature. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation of TES was 35 +/- 0.6 years (+/- standard error of the mean) with a range from 15 to 54. The trends of age-specific incidence for pelvic endometriosis and TES were similar. The peak incidence for pelvic endometriosis occurred between 24 and 29 years, whereas the peak incidence for TES was between 30 and 34 years. Pneumothorax was the most common presentation, occurring in 80 of 110 (73%), followed by hemothorax in 15 (14%), hemoptysis in 8 (7%), and lung nodules in 7 (6%). The right hemithorax was involved in more than 90% of all manifestations except for nodules. Hemothorax was more often associated with presence of pleural and pelvic endometriosis compared with other manifestations (P < 0.003, P < 0.02). Compared with hormonal treatment, surgical pleurodesis resulted in low recurrence rate for pneumothorax or hemothorax among patients treated with danazol or oral contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between the presence of pelvic endometriosis and TES, with the latter occurring approximately 5 years later. Pneumothorax is the most common manifestation. The most plausible explanation for pathogenesis involves peritoneal-pleural movement of endometrial tissue through diaphragmatic defects and microembolization through pelvic veins. Diagnosis is established on clinical grounds in most cases. Surgical pleural abrasion is superior to hormonal treatment in the long-term management of pneumothorax. Earlier diagnosis and effective therapy of TES can decrease the morbidity of this disease in women during their reproductive period.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Female fertility following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of distal ureteral calculi.

This study was prompted by a spontaneous abortion in a 21-year-old woman following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL ) of a distal ureteral calculus. To our knowledge, it is the first clinical retrospective study on the possible adverse effects of ESWL to the female reproductive tract. We analyzed treatment data and radiation exposure of 84 women in the reproductive period, and surveyed the patients by questionnaire, to which 67 (79.8%) responded. After ESWL 57 women (85.1%) practiced some form of contraception, while 10 childless women attempted to become pregnant. Overall 7 children with no malformations or chromosomal anomalies were born to 6 patients. Miscarriages were noted in 3 patients (4.5%) but they occurred at least 1 year after ESWL. Our data suggest that ESWL of lower ureteral calculi is a safe and effective procedure, and does not affect female fertility or lead to increased teratogenic risk.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed2000

Mature cystic teratomas of the ovary: case series from one institution over 34 years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bilaterality, complications and malignant changes of mature cystic teratomas of the ovary. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of 501 patients operated at Hacettepe University Hospital between the years of 1964 and 1998. RESULTS: The median age was 35 years (range 13-76). One hundred and six cases (21.1%) were asymptomatic. The mean tumor diameter was 7.0+/-4.5 cm. The decision for cystectomy or oophorectomy was related with the patient age, gravidity and parity. The bilaterality rate when both ovaries were evaluated histopathologically was 13.2% (44/331). Total complication rate was 10.7%, torsion being the most frequent (4.9%). The rate of malignant transformation was 1.4%. CONCLUSION: Ovarian mature cystic teratomas are common tumors especially during the reproductive period with low rates of covert bilaterality, complications and malignant transformation. The treatment should be directed on the basis of age, fertility desire or presence of another pelvic pathology rather than the size or bilaterality.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Changes in exploration from courtship to the breeding state in red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus).

Animals explore their environment to gather information about feeding areas, resting places, or suitable territories for reproduction. During the annual cycle seasonal variation in exploration occurs at least in some species. In this study, exploratory behaviour of red-rumped parrots (Psephotus haematonotus) was investigated during part of the reproductive period including courtship and incubation. On 2 test days 14 pairs in either the courtship or the breeding state were confronted with three unknown objects in their familiar aviary for 6 h on each of 2 days. Test days were separated by a 2-day pause. Exploration by the males did not change from courtship to breeding, whereas in females latency to first contact increased, and duration of exploration and the number of objects touched decreased from courtship to breeding state. Considering the pair as a unit, the total duration of exploration was shorter in breeding pairs than in pairs during courtship. Changes in exploration from the first to the second day of object exposure occurred in both sexes. Males explored longer on the second day, females contacted the objects significantly later on the second day but showed no significant changes in duration of exploration. The changes in exploration might be due to changed cost/benefit considerations during courtship and breeding.

Journal Article↗