{"title":"Clomiphene Citrate Effectively Increases Testosterone in Obese, Young, Hypogonadal Men.","authors":"S. Bendre, P. Murray, S. Basaria","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.1000155","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND\u0000Obesity has been associated with low testosterone (T) in adult males and in pubertal boys. Therapy for hypogonadism with exogenous T may lead to testicular atrophy and later infertility. Only a few studies have demonstrated that the Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM) clomiphene citrate (CC), an estrogen receptor antagonist, increases T in obese hypogonadal men while preventing testicular atrophy. No studies to date using CC have been done in younger obese post-pubertal hypogonadal males.\u0000\u0000\u0000OBJECTIVE\u0000To determine whether CC therapy is effective in increasing serum T levels in hypogonadal post-pubertal obese males 18-21 years.\u0000\u0000\u0000MATERIALS AND METHODS\u0000A retrospective chart analysis of records in obese men aged 18-21 years was done. Patients with early morning T level <350 ng/dl were given 25 mg CC on alternate days. Out of 18 patients found to have low T, 11 were analyzed. Baseline serum T, LH, FSH, weight and BMI were compared at baseline and after 3 months of CC treatment.\u0000\u0000\u0000RESULTS\u0000Baseline T level was 233 ± 66 ng/dl and increased to 581 ± 161 ng/dl (p<0.0001) after 3 months of CC treatment. Baseline LH levels increased from 3.3 ± 1.6 mIU/mL to 5.7 ± 1.7 mIU/mL (p=0.027). Similarly, baseline FSH levels increased from 2.8 ± 1.5 mIU/mL to 6.2 ± 3 mIU/mL after CC treatment (p=0.026). There was no correlation between baseline or post treatment weight or BMI and the T level, LH, or FSH level.\u0000\u0000\u0000CONCLUSION\u0000This is the first study reporting on CC therapy in obese, hypogonadal post-pubertal men 18-21 years. The SERM CC increased T in obese post-pubertal hypogonadal men, similar to efficacy of CC in adult hypogonadal men over the age 21 years. Larger randomized controlled studies to study the safety and potential use of CC to improve T in young obese HG men are needed.","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-11-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75810533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. L. Cerny, Maranda Van Fleet, Anatoly V. Slepenkin, E. Peterson, P. Bridges
{"title":"Differential Expression of mRNA Encoding Cytokines and Chemokines in the Reproductive Tract after Infection of Mice with Chlamydia trachomatis","authors":"K. L. Cerny, Maranda Van Fleet, Anatoly V. Slepenkin, E. Peterson, P. Bridges","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.1000152","url":null,"abstract":"Infection with Chlamydia trachomatis targets epithelial cells within the genital tract which respond by secreting chemokines and cytokines. Persistent inflammation can lead to fibrosis, tubal infertility and/or ectopic pregnancy; many infections are asymptomatic. Most studies have investigated the inflammatory response in the initial stages of infection, less is known about the later stages of infection, especially with a low, potentially asymptomatic, bacterial load. Our objective was to determine the inflammatory mediators involved in clearance of low-grade infection and the potential involvement in chronic inflammation. Six to eight week old C3H/HeJ mice were pretreated with 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate on day -10 and -3 before infection. Mice (n=3 for 28 d, n=3 for 35 d) were infected with 5 × 102 inclusion-forming units of C. trachomatis, serovar D; vaginal cultures were obtained weekly to monitor infection. Control mice (n=3 for 28 d, n=3 for 35 d) were sham infected. Mice were killed on day 28 (experiment 1) and day 35 (experiment 2) post-infection and vaginal tissue, uterine horns and oviducts collected for analysis of mRNAs encoding inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Total RNA was isolated and a superarray analysis performed using mouse Cytokines and Chemokines PCR arrays (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). Statistical differences in gene expression were determined using a paired Students t-test. At 28 days after infection, the expression of mRNA encoding 6, 35 and 3 inflammatory genes differed from controls in vaginal, uterine and oviductal tissues, respectively (P<0.05). At 35 days after infection, the expression of mRNA encoding 16, 38 and 14 inflammatory genes differed from controls in vaginal, uterine and oviductal tissues, respectively (P<0.05). Understanding the mechanisms involved in the inflammatory response at later stages of infection should aid in the development of treatment options that minimize the development of asymptomatic, chronic inflammation-induced infertility.","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91400144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Role of Male Factor Testing in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss or <i>In Vitro</i> Fertilization Failure.","authors":"Ryan Dickey, Ranjith Ramasamy","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000e122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.1000e122","url":null,"abstract":"The appropriate management for male partners of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) or recurrent implantation failure during in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains unclear. In particular, men with normal semen parameters are often ignored because the “bulk semen parameters” appear normal [1]. Despite normal semen parameters, male partners in couples with RPL or recurrent implantation failure could have underlying genetic abnormalities in sperm DNA that can be identified. There are a couple of diagnostic tests that we recommend in the evaluation of these men, the first being DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) and the second, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for evaluating sperm aneuploidy.","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4172/2161-038X.1000e122","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34117349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Should Men Take Prenatal Vitamins?","authors":"Jason M Scovell, Ranjith Ramasamy","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.1000139","url":null,"abstract":"Congenital abnormalities are the leading cause of infant mortalities in the United States (25%) and across the world [1]. Public health interventions have included reducing maternal disease, prenatal care of mothers, reduction of exposure to teratogens (agent that can disturb the development of an embryo or fetus), and nutritional interventions [2]. Potentially the most significant nutritional intervention has been the prenatal supplementation of folate, which has been shown to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects [3], limb malformations, urogenital abnormalities, cardiovascular malformations [4], and cleft lip or palate [5].","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4172/2161-038X.1000139","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33123123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Protein acetylation and spermatogenesis.","authors":"Aly Pang, Om Rennert","doi":"10.4172/2161-038x.s1-005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038x.s1-005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spermatogenesis refers to the developmental process of male germ cell formation from the spermatogonial stem cell to mature spermatozoa. The progression of male germ cells through the different phases of development, along with changes in cellular size and morphology, involves a coordinated change in their gene expression program at both the transcript and protein levels. It is well known that the stability, biological activity and cellular localization of proteins are regulated by post-translational modifications. In this review, we provide a brief update of current knowledge about the role of protein acetylation in mammalian spermatogenesis. Based on recent findings specific examples were cited to illustrate how these modifications are involved in controlling the different events that are important to the proper development of male germ cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201854/pdf/nihms502618.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"32761041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Neway G Fida, Michelle A Williams, Daniel A Enquobahrie
{"title":"Association of Age at Menarche and Menstrual Characteristics with Adult Onset Asthma among Reproductive Age Women.","authors":"Neway G Fida, Michelle A Williams, Daniel A Enquobahrie","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000111","DOIUrl":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Observations of increasing asthma incidence, decreasing age at menarche, and common risk factors have led investigators to hypothesize potential associations of age at menarche or menstrual characteristics with incidence of adult onset asthma. We evaluated these associations among reproductive age women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Study participants were selected from among women enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study. Information on age at menarche, menstrual characteristics, and history of asthma was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Adult onset asthma was defined as asthma first diagnosed after onset of menarche. Women who had no information on asthma and menstrual history and those who were diagnosed with asthma before menarche were excluded. A total of 3,461 women comprised the analytic population. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted relative risk (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) relating age at menarche and menstrual characteristics with adult onset asthma.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean age at menarche was 12.8 years (standard deviation=1.46). Among study participants, 7.5% were diagnosed with asthma after the onset of menarche. After controlling for potential confounders (age, race, body mass index, and socio-economic status), women who had early menarche (<12 years old) had 60% higher risk of being diagnosed with adult onset asthma as compared with women who did not have early menarche (≥ 12 years old) (aRR= 1.59, 95% CI 1.19 - 2.13). Menstrual irregularities or abnormal (short or long) cycle length were not associated with risk of adult onset asthma. In addition, no significant interaction was observed between age at menarche or menstrual characteristics with body mass index or physical activity (in adolescence) in relation to adult onset asthma.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Early menarche is associated with a higher risk of developing adult onset asthma among reproductive age women. Mechanisms for this association are potential areas of future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192656/pdf/nihms578531.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"32743111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Joshua Wheeler, Michael A Hauser, Natalie A Afshari, R Rand Allingham, Yutao Liu
{"title":"The Genetics of Keratoconus: A Review.","authors":"Joshua Wheeler, Michael A Hauser, Natalie A Afshari, R Rand Allingham, Yutao Liu","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.S6-001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.S6-001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Keratoconus is the most common ectatic disorder of the corneal. Genetic and environmental factors may contribute to its pathogenesis. The focus of this article is to summarize current research into the complex genetics of keratoconus. We discuss the evidence of genetic etiology including family-based linkage studies, twin studies, genetic mutations, and genome-wide association studies. The genes implicated potentially include <i>VSX1</i>, <i>miR-184</i>, <i>DOCK9</i>, <i>SOD1</i>, <i>RAB3GAP1,</i> and <i>HGF.</i> Besides the coding mutations, we also highlight the potential contribution of DNA copy number variants in the pathogenesis of keratoconus. Finally, we present future directions for genetic research in the understanding of the complex genetics of keratoconus and its clinical significance. As new functional, candidate genes for keratoconus are being discovered at a rapid pace, the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying keratoconus pathogenesis will advance our understanding of keratoconus and promote the development of a novel therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4172/2161-038X.S6-001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31621948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Localization of C-Fos-Induced Growth Factor (Figf) mRNA Expression in the Mouse Uterus during Implantation","authors":"Charles A. Scott, Kirsten Eckstrum, B. Bany","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.S1-003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.S1-003","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this study was to characterize the localization of Figf mRNA in the mouse uterus during embryo implantation. Strong Figf mRNA hybridization signals were seen in the primary decidual zone just after the onset of implantation from Days 4.5–6.5. On Day 7.5, this expression continued around the concept us, but in addition we observed high expression of Figf mRNA in the endothelial cells that line the forming vascular sinusoids in the lateral me some trial decidua. Interestingly, on Days 8.5 this high expression continued in the endothelial cells of sinusoids in the lateral me some trial decidual tissue but not in the decidual cells surrounding the concept us. As implantation and placental development finished, Figf mRNA expression remained in the endothelial cells of the sinusoids and spiral arterioles of the decidua basalis. Interestingly, Flt4 mRNA was localized to the endothelial cells lining the sinusoids that form during implantation. Since the endothelial cells of the me some trial sinusoids exhibit a high level of proliferation, we speculate that FIGF-FLT4 signaling may play a role in their formation and function during implantation. This work will provide a basis for further research on the potential role of FIGF-FLT4 signaling in endometrial angiogenesis during implantation in mice.","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82468767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel A Enquobahrie, Karin Hevner, Chunfang Qiu, Dejene F Abetew, Tanya K Sorensen, Michelle A Williams
{"title":"Differential Expression of HrtA1 and ADAM12 in Placentas from Preeclamptic and Normotensive Pregnancies.","authors":"Daniel A Enquobahrie, Karin Hevner, Chunfang Qiu, Dejene F Abetew, Tanya K Sorensen, Michelle A Williams","doi":"10.4172/2161-038X.1000110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-038X.1000110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>High temperature requirement factor A 1 (HtrA1) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 (ADAM12), which play roles in placental implantation and placental growth, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We investigated relative mRNA expression of both genes in placental tissues from women with preeclampsia (N=18) (average gestational age 36 weeks) and an equal number of women with normotensive pregnancies (average gestational age 39 weeks). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure mRNA extracted from term placental biopsies. Differential gene expression was evaluated using Student's T-test and fold change analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistically significant increases in placental HtRA1 (1.69-fold, p=0.030) and ADAM12 (1.48-fold, p=0.010) mRNA expression were observed among preeclamptic cases as compared with normotensive controls. HtrA1 expression was correlated with maternal age (p-value <0.01) among preeclampsia cases.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Increases in HtRA1 and ADAM12 placental gene expression in placentas from preeclamptic pregnancies are consistent with some earlier reports of altered serum protein concentrations in preeclamptic pregnancies. This adds to the literature suggesting that defects in placentation (e.g. involving trophoblast invasion) are of etiologic importance in preeclampsia.</p>","PeriodicalId":21113,"journal":{"name":"Reproductive system & sexual disorders : current research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031672/pdf/nihms-578447.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"32369627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}