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Open Veterinary Journal Jan 2024Biostimulation is a management practice that improves the reproductive parameters, potentiates the desire, and improves the reproductive efficiency during the short...
BACKGROUND
Biostimulation is a management practice that improves the reproductive parameters, potentiates the desire, and improves the reproductive efficiency during the short breeding season in camels.
AIM
This study aims to investigate the concurrent changes in hormonal profiles in response to management and behavioral situations on camel farms in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia.
METHODS
A total of 10 male and 50 female camels were used in this study. The hormonal profile of male camels was evaluated weekly starting from December to August.
RESULTS
The results show that both serum testosterone and cortisol levels increased ( < 0.01) from December to March compared to April to August. A strong negative correlation was observed between testosterone levels and temperature ( = -0.81, < 0.05), and a similarly robust negative correlation was found between cortisol levels and temperature ( = -0.83, < 0.05). The dominant rutting males showed higher levels of testosterone than the submissive males. Serum testosterone levels increased ( < 0.01) in males out of rutting after hearing the sounds of other couples before and during mating.
CONCLUSION
Hearing sounds emitted during mating increases the testosterone output, and improves the libido of male camels during the nonrutting period. It is important to keep two individually housed males for mating purposes. One male joins the herd alone in winter (winter rutter), and the other joins in spring (spring rutter), this could keep the libido extended rutting and improve the reproductive performance in camel herds.
Topics: Male; Female; Animals; Testosterone; Camelus; Hydrocortisone; Reproduction
PubMed: 38633168
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i1.10 -
Journal of Community Hospital Internal... 2023Long-COVID refers to lasting unspecific symptoms like fatigue, decreased concentration and sleep issues after infection which persist for at least three months and...
BACKGROUND
Long-COVID refers to lasting unspecific symptoms like fatigue, decreased concentration and sleep issues after infection which persist for at least three months and cannot be attributed to other causes. Previous studies surveyed the association between inflammatory markers like C - reactive protein (CRP) at hospital admission and long-COVID symptoms in the preceding months. Post-COVID syndrome can affect one-third of patients. Thus early diagnosis can assist in reducing burdens on public health. We attempted to see any correlations between complete blood count (CBC) markers (like red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), etc.) at hospital admission and long COVID symptoms at a 6-month follow-up.
METHODS
167 patients (44.9% females, mean age 49 years old) answered semi-structural interviews through telemedicine which focused on the three prominent symptoms: fatigue, loss of concentration and decreased libido. : Two third of patients have symptoms of long COVID and others do not have. NLR in the symptomatic group was statically higher. Patients who underwent decreased libido at a 6-month follow-up had significantly more severe lymphopenia (p = 0.028) and higher NLR values (p-value = 0.007). Poor mental concentration is associated with high WBC in numbers and polymorphonuclear (PMN) count. Other symptoms do not correlate with blood markers.
CONCLUSION
Utilizing available data like CBC can help predict the upcoming symptoms of previously hospitalized patients and further measures like rehabilitation. Additional investigations should be done on the effect of COVID vaccination on converting long COVID. Different variants of the virus may have different results.
PubMed: 38596549
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1259 -
The European Journal of Contraception &... Jun 2024To correlate the sexual desire levels with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women taking different types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs)...
PURPOSE
To correlate the sexual desire levels with sexual hormone binding globulin and free androgen index in women taking different types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) containing ethinylestradiol (EE), oestradiol valerate (E2V), 17β-oestradiol (E2), or estetrol (E4), combined or in phasic formulation with different progestogens having antiandrogenic properties.
METHODS
Three hundred and sixty-seven women (age range 18-46) participated in the study. SHBG and total testosterone (TT) were measured, and the Free Androgen Index (FAI) was calculated. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) questionnaires were used to assess sexual function and distress, respectively.
RESULTS
The highest SHBG values and the lowest FAIs were obtained of women on HCs containing EE than those of women on HCs containing E2V/17β E2 or E4 ( < 0.001). Desire scores and FSFI total scores were lower in women on HCs with EE than in those using HCs containing E2V, 17β E2, or E4 ( ≤ 0.001). The women who were on HCs containing EE reported FSDS levels higher than those containing all the other types of oestrogen. Finally, sexual desire and FSFI total scores had a negative correlation with the SHBG values and a positive correlation with FAI percentage ( ≤ 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
A minority of women using HCs with EE might experience a decreased sexual desire. This was not observed in women on HCs containing E2V, 17 E2, or E4. To avoid HC discontinuation, due to sexual desire reduction, HCs having minor antiandrogenic effects could be taken into consideration.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Adult; Young Adult; Adolescent; Libido; Middle Aged; Testosterone; Androgens; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Estradiol; Ethinyl Estradiol; Estetrol; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sexual Behavior; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
PubMed: 38588444
DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2024.2332302 -
The Journal of Sexual Medicine May 2024Models depicting sexual desire as responsive to sexual arousal may be particularly apt for women experiencing arousal or desire difficulties, and the degree to which...
BACKGROUND
Models depicting sexual desire as responsive to sexual arousal may be particularly apt for women experiencing arousal or desire difficulties, and the degree to which arousal triggers desire may depend on the relationship context and desire target and timing-yet, these associations have not been directly tested among women with and without sexual interest/arousal disorder (SIAD).
AIM
To assess the role of SIAD status and relationship satisfaction in the associations between genital arousal and 4 types of responsive desire.
METHODS
One hundred women (n = 27 meeting diagnostic criteria for SIAD) in romantic relationships with men viewed a sexual film (pleasurable intimate depiction of oral sex and penile-vaginal intercourse) while their genital arousal was recorded via vaginal photoplethysmography (n = 63) or thermal imaging of the labia (n = 37). Partner and solitary desire was assessed immediately before and after the film (immediate desire) and 3 days later (delayed desire).
OUTCOMES
Outcomes consisted of genital response (z scored by method) and associations between genital response and responsive sexual desire.
RESULTS
The key difference between women with and without SIAD was not in their ability to experience genital arousal but in how their genital responses translated to responsive sexual desire. Women with SIAD actually exhibited greater genital arousal than unaffected women. Associations between genital arousal and desire were significant only for women with SIAD and depended on relationship satisfaction and desire type. For women with SIAD with low relationship satisfaction, higher arousal predicted lower immediate desire for a partner; for those with high relationship satisfaction, arousal was either positively related (vaginal photoplethysmography) or unrelated (thermal imaging of the labia) to immediate desire for a partner. Associations with other desire types were not significant.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Patterns of genital arousal and partner-specific responsive desire among women affected with SIAD were indicative of an avoidance model in response to heightened genital arousal, unless relationship satisfaction was high; attending to genital arousal sensations could be a means of triggering sexual desire for women with SIAD who are satisfied in their relationships.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
This is one of the first sexual psychophysiologic studies to connect relationship factors to patterns of sexual response. The differing arousal assessment procedures and lack of official diagnosis may have attenuated results. The homogeneous sample and in-person session requirement limit generalizability.
CONCLUSION
When compared with unaffected women, women affected by SIAD may exhibit stronger arousal responses with sufficiently incentivized sexual stimuli, and the connection between their genital arousal and responsive desire for their partners may be stronger and more dependent on relationship context.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sexual Arousal; Adult; Libido; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Photoplethysmography; Vagina; Young Adult; Personal Satisfaction; Sexual Partners; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 38582607
DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae036 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Jun 2024To systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of dienogest (DNG) in the prolonged conservative drug management of deep infiltrating... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of dienogest (DNG) in the prolonged conservative drug management of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). The findings from this study are intended to serve as a valuable reference for clinical decision-making regarding medication in the context of DIE.
METHODS
Following the PRISMA Statement, we searched EMBASE, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Medline databases for relevant literature published in the public domain from the date of establishment of the database until October 2023. Subsequently, all English publications on clinical studies using DNG for the treatment of DIE were included. Studies involving surgical intervention or drug therapy for postoperative recurrence were excluded. All literature included in the review underwent risk assessment of bias. Two evaluators independently screened the publications, conducted a quality assessment of each article and extracted data. We used Revman 5.4 for the meta-analysis of the included literature.
RESULTS
Our final analysis consisted of five clinical studies, involving a total of 256 patients. We found that there were significant improvements in the following indicators post-medication as compared to levels before taking the medication: dysmenorrhea (MD = 4.24, 95 % CI: 2.92-5.56, P < 0.00001), non-menstrual pelvic pain (MD = 3.11, 95 % CI: 2.34-3.88, P < 0.00001), dyspareunia (MD = 1.93, 95 % CI: 1.50-2.37, P < 0.00001), dyschezia (MD = 2.48, 95 % CI: 1.83-3.12, P < 0.00001), and rectosigmoid nodule size (MD = 0.32, 95 % CI: 0.18-0.46, P < 0.00001). Compared with pre-medication levels, the following indicators were significantly worse: headache (RR = 0.03, 95 % CI: 0.00-0.23, P = 0.0006), decreased libido (RR = 0.08, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.62, P = 0.02); and there was no significant improvement in dysuria (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION
DNG showed efficacy in relieving pain-related symptoms and significantly reducing the size of the lesions when used in the drug conservative treatment of DIE.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Nandrolone; Treatment Outcome; Hormone Antagonists
PubMed: 38579545
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.03.032 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2024Non-gestational choriocarcinoma, also known as primary choriocarcinoma, is extremely rare in men, manifesting with specific signs such as breast feminization, testicular...
BACKGROUND
Non-gestational choriocarcinoma, also known as primary choriocarcinoma, is extremely rare in men, manifesting with specific signs such as breast feminization, testicular atrophy, and loss of libido. The presentation typically includes elevated serum β-hCG levels, widespread metastatic disease, and a rapid progression of the condition.
CASE REPORT
We present a rare case of a 41-year-old man diagnosed with choriocarcinoma, exhibiting a unique combination of multiple metastases, including lung, brain, bone, and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases, as confirmed by F-FDG PET/CT imaging. The patient was treated with aggressive chemotherapy and pembrolizumab, and the prognosis remained poor. The patient's overall survival was a mere 5 months following diagnosis.
CONCLUSION
Non-gestational choriocarcinoma represents a rare entity in clinical practice and should be considered in young men presenting with gynaecomastia and elevated β-hCG levels alongside normal gonads. Thus, we advocate for a more comprehensive inquiry into medical history and a systematic examination. The F-FDG PET/CT examination not only visually delineates the lesion's location and extent but also serves as a cornerstone for clinical tumor staging, providing valuable support for treatment monitoring and subsequent follow-up.
PubMed: 38572155
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1382672 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Triple A syndrome, caused by autosomal recessively inherited mutations in the gene is characterized by alacrima, achalasia, adrenal insufficiency, and neurological...
OBJECTIVE
Triple A syndrome, caused by autosomal recessively inherited mutations in the gene is characterized by alacrima, achalasia, adrenal insufficiency, and neurological impairment. To the best of our knowledge, no patients of both sexes have been reported to have offspring. Our aim was to assess the causes of infertility in male patients with this multisystemic syndrome, and to present a female patient that spontaneously conceived a child.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study.
METHODS
Six males aged 19-48 years were included. Gonadotropins, testosterone, DHEAS, androstenedione, inhibin B, anti-Mullerian hormone measurements and testicular ultrasound were performed.
RESULTS
All six male patients had impaired general health and neurological symptoms including erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. None of them had an offspring. The only demonstrated cause of infertility in our male patients was erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction which precludes sexual intercourse. Our patients had normal libido but were sexually abstinent. Except for low adrenal androgen levels, the concentrations of all measured hormones as well as testicular ultrasound were normal which may indicate the possibility of spermatogenesis in male patients with triple A syndrome. Little is known about fertility in female patients, but based on our observations spontaneous pregnancies seem to be possible.
CONCLUSION
Our results contribute to still scarce knowledge on fertility in patients with Triple A syndrome and as well represents a foundation for further research on causes of infertility and possible treatment options.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Female; Esophageal Achalasia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adrenal Insufficiency; Infertility; Sexual Behavior; Fertility
PubMed: 38544685
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1357084 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2024Symptom distress and impaired psychological well-being after liver transplantation may lead to limitations in everyday activities and lowered health-related quality of...
INTRODUCTION
Symptom distress and impaired psychological well-being after liver transplantation may lead to limitations in everyday activities and lowered health-related quality of life. The aim of this nationwide, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was to explore self-reported symptom occurrence and distress, among Danish liver transplant recipients, and their association with self-reported psychological well-being as well as demographic, and clinical characteristics.
METHODS
Liver transplant recipients transplanted from 1990 to 2022 were included. All recipients were asked to complete the Organ Transplant Symptom and Wellbeing instruments consisting of two instruments measuring self-reported symptom occurrence and distress, respectively, as well as self-reported psychological well-being by the Psychological General well-being instrument.
RESULTS
Of 511 invited recipients 238 responded: 116 women and 122 men with a median post-transplant follow-up of 7.5 years (IQR 3.6-14.2 years). The most common single symptoms reported were decreased libido (18%), diarrhea (10%), and headache (8%). Sleep problems were the most common transplant-specific domain. 41% of the recipients reported poor psychological well-being, especially those who had undergone transplantation within the last 5 years, women, and younger recipients.
DISCUSSION
In the interest of equity, the fact that women reported a higher level of symptom distress than men requires attention. Research on symptom management support is warranted with interventions focusing on how to alleviate symptom distress, which might increase long-term survival, which has not improved in recent decades.
PubMed: 38544518
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1354706 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Feb 2024The impact of stroke on the sexual functioning of female survivors can arise from direct neurological effects or be triggered indirectly through various... (Review)
Review
The impact of stroke on the sexual functioning of female survivors can arise from direct neurological effects or be triggered indirectly through various psychophysiological processes. Although an increasing number of publications exist, the topic of sexuality remains seldom discussed in the stroke literature, even though patients have expressed a need for sexual rehabilitation services. A literature review on sexual functioning in post-stroke females examining existing rehabilitation programs addressing patients' sexuality and exploring the perspectives of nurses and caregivers on sexual issues constitutes a novel approach. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review to better investigate this hot topic. Studies were identified by searching Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsychINFO, and Embase databases. Current data indicates substantial connections between stroke and female sexual dysfunction (SD), including factors like desire/libido, sexual satisfaction, and sexual intercourse. Some intervention programs have been created to provide specific guidance to healthcare professionals in addressing patients' requirements for sexual recovery, although their adequacy remains uncertain. However, to date, there are neither specific rehabilitation programs for post-stroke female SD nor healthcare personnel trained to deal with post-stroke sexual issues adequately and efficiently. The incorporation of sexual rehabilitation into the overall rehabilitation process for stroke patients is crucial, ideally within an interdisciplinary framework. Despite being a fundamental aspect of post-stroke women's lives, sexuality remains taboo.
PubMed: 38541009
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14030267 -
Chemistry & Biodiversity May 2024The present study investigated the role of a commercial formulation constituted by herbal extracts from Rhodiola rosea, Undaria pinnatifida, Tribulus terrestris, and...
Neuromodulatory Effects Induced by the Association of Moringa oleifera Lam., Tribulus terrestris L., Rhodiola rosea Lam., and Undaria pinnatidifida Extracts in the Hypothalamus.
The present study investigated the role of a commercial formulation constituted by herbal extracts from Rhodiola rosea, Undaria pinnatifida, Tribulus terrestris, and Moringa oleifera. The formulation was analysed for determining the content in total phenols and flavonoids and scavenging/reducing properties. The formulation was also tested on isolated mouse hypothalamus in order to investigate effects on serotonin, dopamine, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and orexin A. The gene expression of gonadrotopin releasing hormone (GnRH) was also assayed. The formulation was able to reduce dopamine and serotonin turnover, and this could be related, albeit partially, to the capability of different phytochemicals, among which hyperoside and catechin to inhibit monoaminooxidases activity. In parallel, the formulation was effective in reducing the gene expression of NPY and orexin-A and to improve the gene expression of GnRH. In this context, the increased GnRH gene expression induced by the formulation may contribute not only to improve the resistance towards the stress related to ageing, but also to prevent the reduction of libido that could be related with a stimulation of the serotoninergic pathway. According to the in silico analysis, hyperoside could play a pivotal role in modulating the gene expression of GnRH. Regarding NPY and orexin A gene expression, no direct interactions between the formulation phytochemicals and these neuropeptides were anticipated; thus, suggesting that the pattern of gene expression observed following exposure of the hypothalamus to the formulation may be secondary to inhibitory effects of dopamine and serotonin turnover. Concluding, the present study demonstrated the efficacy of the formulation in exerting neuromodulatory effects at the hypothalamic level; thus, suggesting the potential to contrast stress and fatigue.
Topics: Animals; Hypothalamus; Mice; Plant Extracts; Tribulus; Moringa oleifera; Rhodiola; Serotonin; Molecular Docking Simulation; Male; Dopamine; Neurotransmitter Agents
PubMed: 38527165
DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202302075