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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Progesterone (PROG) and estrone (E) are typical reproductive hormones in dairy cows. Assessing the levels of these hormones in vivo can aid in estrus identification. In...
Progesterone (PROG) and estrone (E) are typical reproductive hormones in dairy cows. Assessing the levels of these hormones in vivo can aid in estrus identification. In the present work, the feasibility of the qualitative and quantitative detection of PROG and E using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and metamaterial technology was preliminarily investigated. First, the time domain spectra, frequency domain spectra, and absorption coefficients of PROG and E samples were collected and analyzed. A vibration analysis was conducted using density functional theory (DFT). Subsequently, a double-ring (DR) metamaterial structure was designed and simulated using the frequency domain solution algorithm in CST Studio Suite (CST) software. This aimed to ensure that the double resonance peaks of DR were similar to the absorption peaks of PROG and E. Finally, the response of DR to different concentrations of PROG/E was analyzed and quantitatively modeled. The results show that a qualitative analysis can be conducted by comparing the corresponding DR resonance peak changes in PROG and E samples at various concentrations. The best R for the PROG quantitative model was 0.9872, while for E, it was 0.9828. This indicates that terahertz spectral-metamaterial technology for the qualitative and quantitative detection of the typical reproductive hormones PROG and E in dairy cows is feasible and worthy of in-depth exploration. This study provides a reference for the identification of dairy cow estrus.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Progesterone; Female; Terahertz Spectroscopy; Estrone; Dairying
PubMed: 38792227
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102366 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder impairing cortisol synthesis due to reduced enzymatic activity. This leads to persistent...
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disorder impairing cortisol synthesis due to reduced enzymatic activity. This leads to persistent adrenocortical overstimulation and the accumulation of precursors before the blocked enzymatic step. The predominant form of CAH arises from mutations in , causing 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). Despite emerging treatment options for CAH, it is not always possible to physiologically replace cortisol levels and counteract hyperandrogenism. Moreover, there is a notable absence of an effective in vivo model for pre-clinical testing. In this work, we developed an animal model for CAH with the clinically relevant point mutation p.R484Q in the previously humanized mouse strain. Mutant mice showed hyperplastic adrenals and exhibited reduced levels of corticosterone and 11-deoxycorticosterone and an increase in progesterone. Female mutants presented with higher aldosterone concentrations, but blood pressure remained similar between wildtype and mutant mice in both sexes. Male mutant mice have normal fertility with a typical testicular appearance, whereas female mutants are infertile, exhibit an abnormal ovarian structure, and remain in a consistent diestrus phase. Conclusively, we show that the animal model has the potential to contribute to testing new treatment options and to prevent comorbidities that result from hormone-related derangements and treatment-related side effects in CAH patients.
Topics: Animals; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Disease Models, Animal; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase; Mice; Female; Male; Humans; Corticosterone; Aldosterone; Adrenal Glands; Mutation; Progesterone
PubMed: 38791102
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105062 -
Cells May 2024There are fewer investigations conducted on human primary endometrial epithelial cells (HPEECs) compared to human primary endometrial stromal cells (HPESCs). One of the...
There are fewer investigations conducted on human primary endometrial epithelial cells (HPEECs) compared to human primary endometrial stromal cells (HPESCs). One of the main reasons is the scarcity of protocols enabling prolonged epithelial cell culture. Even though it is possible to culture HPEECs in 3D over a longer period of time, it is technically demanding. In this study, we successfully established a highly pure, stable, and long-term viable human conditionally reprogrammed endometrial epithelial cell line, designated as eCRC560. These cells stained positive for epithelial markers, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and epithelial cell-cell contacts but negative for stromal and endothelial cell markers. Estradiol (ES) reduced the abundance of ZO-1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, in contrast to the dose-dependent increase with the progestin dienogest (DNG) when co-cultured with HPESCs. Moreover, ES significantly increased cell viability, cell migration, and invasion of the eCRC560 cells; all these effects were inhibited by pretreatment with DNG. DNG withdrawal led to a significantly disrupted monolayer of eCRC560 cells in co-culture with HPESCs, yet it markedly increased the adhesion of eCRC560 to the human mesothelial MeT-5A cells. The long-term viable eCRC560 cells are suitable for in vitro analysis of HPEECs to study the epithelial compartment of the human endometrium and endometrial pathologies.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometrium; Epithelial Cells; Progestins; Estrogens; Cell Survival; Cell Movement; Cell Line; Estradiol; Stromal Cells; Coculture Techniques; Time Factors; Cell Adhesion
PubMed: 38786035
DOI: 10.3390/cells13100811 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Jul 2024Vaginal drug delivery is often preferred over systemic delivery to reduce side effects and increase efficacy in treating diseases and conditions of the female...
Vaginal drug delivery is often preferred over systemic delivery to reduce side effects and increase efficacy in treating diseases and conditions of the female reproductive tract (FRT). Current vaginal products have drawbacks, including spontaneous ejection of drug-eluting rings and unpleasant discharge from vaginal creams. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a hypotonic, gel-forming, Pluronic-based delivery system for vaginal drug administration. The rheological properties were characterized with and without common hydrogel polymers to demonstrate the versatility. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to determine the Pluronic F127 concentration below the critical gel concentration (CGC) that was sufficient to achieve gelation when formulated to be hypotonic to the mouse vagina. The hypotonic, gel-forming formulation was found to form a thin, uniform gel layer along the vaginal epithelium in mice, in contrast to the rapidly forming conventional gelling formulation containing polymer above the CGC. When the hypotonic, gel-forming vehicle was formulated in combination with a progesterone nanosuspension (ProGel), equivalent efficacy was observed in the prevention of chemically-induced preterm birth (PTB) compared to commercial Crinone® vaginal cream. Further, ProGel showed marked benefits in reducing unpleasant discharge, reducing product-related toxicity, and improving compatibility with vaginal bacteria in vitro. A hypotonic, gel-forming delivery system may be a viable option for therapeutic delivery to the FRT.
Topics: Female; Animals; Administration, Intravaginal; Gels; Poloxamer; Drug Delivery Systems; Vagina; Progesterone; Rheology; Mice; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38782065
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.05.037 -
Domestic Animal Endocrinology Jul 2024The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) on ovarian cell...
The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) on ovarian cell functions. Rabbit ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without MCP-1 or PAI-1 (at 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml). Cell viability, proliferation, cytoplasmic apoptosis and release of progesterone and estradiol were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), BrdU incorporation, and cell death detection assays and ELISA. The addition of either MCP-1 or PAI-1 increased cell viability and proliferation and decreased apoptosis. MCP-1 promoted, while PAI-1 suppressed, progesterone release. Both MCP-1 and PAI-1 reduced estradiol output. The present results suggest that MCP-1 or PAI-1 can be physiological promoters of rabbit ovarian cell viability and proliferation, inhibitors of apoptosis and regulators of ovarian steroidogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Female; Rabbits; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Granulosa Cells; Chemokine CCL2; Apoptosis; Progesterone; Estradiol; Cell Survival; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38781776
DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2024.106856 -
American Journal of Physiology.... May 2024Oral contraceptive pills are used by approximately 250 million women worldwide, however a clear understanding of the concentrations of endogenous and exogenous hormones...
Oral contraceptive pills are used by approximately 250 million women worldwide, however a clear understanding of the concentrations of endogenous and exogenous hormones across a 28-day oral contraceptive pill pack is not well described. In our study of 16 female participants taking various monophasic oral contraceptive pills, we found significant fluctuations in endogenous and exogenous hormone levels throughout the pill cycle, challenging the previous assumption of hormonal stability in oral contraceptive users. The results from this study have wide ranging implications for research and treatment in women's health including: considerations in research design and interpretation for studies including women taking oral contraceptives, the potential for more precise and personalized methods of dosing to reduce unwanted side effects and adverse events, and the potential treatment of a variety of disorders ranging from musculoskeletal to neurological with exogenous hormones.
PubMed: 38775726
DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00418.2023 -
JBRA Assisted Reproduction Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Embryo Transfer; Luteal Phase; Corpus Luteum; Progesterone; Pregnancy
PubMed: 38775322
DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20240044 -
BMC Psychiatry May 2024Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) show abnormalities in glucolipid metabolism and reproductive hormone levels, which are of concern in women with BD. This study was...
BACKGROUND
Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) show abnormalities in glucolipid metabolism and reproductive hormone levels, which are of concern in women with BD. This study was dedicated to investigating the glucolipid and reproductive hormone levels of female patients, and to preliminarily investigating their relationships with cognition.
METHODS
A total of 58 unmedicated female BD patients, 61 stable-medicated female BD patients, and 63 healthy controls (HC) were recruited in this study. Serum glycolipid indexes and reproductive hormones were measured. Cognitive function was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and the Stroop Color-Word Test (Stroop test).
RESULTS
Patients with BD showed significant cognitive impairment (p < 0.05), which was not affected by medication. Triglycerides (TG), luteinizing hormone (LH), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were altered in stable-medicated BD patients. In addition, regression analysis showed that progesterone (PRGE) and prolactin (PRL) were negatively associated with cognitive performance in stable-medicated BD patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Female BD patients may have cognitive deficits and abnormal levels of glycolipids and reproductive hormones. And abnormal levels of glycolipids and reproductive hormones may be associated with cognitive dysfunction in female BD patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Bipolar Disorder; Adult; Glycolipids; Cognitive Dysfunction; Luteinizing Hormone; Prolactin; Progesterone; Triglycerides; Cholesterol, HDL; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 38773397
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05831-y -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... May 2024Endometriosis-related infertility is one of the most debated topics in reproductive medicine. In recent years, prolonged pre-cycle hormonal regimens gained attention as... (Review)
Review
Endometriosis-related infertility is one of the most debated topics in reproductive medicine. In recent years, prolonged pre-cycle hormonal regimens gained attention as a mean of improving the assisted reproduction technologies (ART) success rates in endometriosis patients. GnRH agonists, dienogest, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and aromatase inhibitors are the most studied medications. Conflicting results and a high risk of bias exist in almost all of the conducted studies in the field. However, current evidence suggests that pre-cycle treatment with GnRH agonists may be beneficial for patients with stage III/IV endometriosis. Dienogest and medroxyprogesterone acetate-based progestin-primed ovarian stimulation protocol was shown to be comparable to the prolonged GnRH agonists protocol. Finally, aromatase inhibitors seem to be of limited benefit to the assisted reproductive outcomes of endometriosis patients. Although it is challenging to draw any clinical conclusions, pre-cycle hormonal treatments seem to be best indicated in endometriosis patients who had previously failed ART treatment.
PubMed: 38772765
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2024.102500 -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... May 2024Ovarian stimulation and the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for triggering oocyte maturation in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) introduces...
BACKGROUND
Ovarian stimulation and the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for triggering oocyte maturation in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) introduces several differences in luteal phase hormone levels compared with natural cycles that may negatively impact on endometrial receptivity and pregnancy rates after fresh embryo transfer. Exogenous luteal phase support is given to overcome these issues. The suitability of a pragmatic approach to luteal phase support is not known due to a lack of data on early phase luteal hormone levels and their association with fertility outcomes during IVF with fresh embryo transfer. This study determined early luteal phase profiles of serum progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and hCG, and associations between hormone levels/hormone level profile after hCG trigger and the live birth rate in women undergoing IVF with fresh embryo transfer.
METHODS
This prospective single center, cohort study was conducted in Vietnam from January 2021 to December 2022. Women aged 18-38 years with normal ovarian reserve and undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol were included. Serum hormone levels were determined before trigger, at 12, 24 and 36 h after hCG, and daily from 1 to 6 days after oocyte pick-up. Serum hormone level profiles were classified as lower or upper. The primary outcome was live birth rate based on early luteal phase hormone level profile.
RESULTS
Ninety-five women were enrolled. Live birth occurred in 19/69 women (27.5%) with a lower progesterone profile and 13/22 (59.1%) with an upper progesterone profile (risk ratio [RR] 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-3.60), and in 6/31 (19.4%) versus 26/60 (43.3%) with a lower versus upper serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone profile (RR 2.24; 95% CI 1.03-4.86). Nearly 20% of women had peak progesterone concentration on or before day 3 after oocyte pick-up, and this was associated with significantly lower chances of having a life birth.
CONCLUSIONS
These data show the importance of proper corpus luteum function with sufficient progesterone/17-hydroxyprogesterone production for achievement of pregnancy and to maximize the chance of live birth during IVF.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
NCT04693624 ( www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov ).
Topics: Humans; Female; Luteal Phase; Fertilization in Vitro; Adult; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Progesterone; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy Rate; Young Adult; 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; Cohort Studies; Embryo Transfer; Adolescent; Birth Rate; Treatment Outcome; Live Birth
PubMed: 38769552
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01229-3