Vasectomy and Photoperiodic Regimen Modify the Protein Profile, Hormonal Content and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity of Ram Seminal Plasma

This work aimed to determine the contribution of the testis and epididymis and the effect of the photoperiodic regimen on ram seminal plasma (SP). Semen was collected from 15 mature rams located in an equatorial (Colombian Creole and Romney Marsh, eight intact and two vasectomized) or a temperate climate (Rasa Aragonesa, three intact and two vasectomized). SP proteins were analyzed by Bradford, SDS-PAGE and difference gel electrophoresis (DIGE). Melatonin and testosterone concentrations were quantified by ELISA, and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRD), and catalase by enzymatic assays. Vasectomy increased protein concentration and the intensity of high molecular weight bands (p < 0.001), with no differences between breeds. DIGE revealed the absence of six proteins in vasectomized rams: angiotensin-converting enzyme, lactotransferrin, phosphoglycerate kinase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase and epididymal secretory protein E1. Vasectomy also decreased melatonin concentrations in seasonal rams, and testosterone in all of them (p < 0.001), but did not affect antioxidant enzyme activity. Equatorial rams showed lower melatonin and testosterone concentration (p < 0.01) and catalase, but higher GPx activity (p < 0.05). In conclusion, vasectomy modifies the protein profile and hormonal content of ram seminal plasma, whereas the exposure to a constant photoperiod affects hormonal concentration and antioxidant enzymes activity.

The Comparison of Total Cholesterol Level in DMPA and Combination Injection Contraception Users

Introduction: Hormonal injection contraception is the most widely used method of contraception in Indonesia. In long-term use, one of the side effects of injection contraception is changes in lipid metabolism in the body caused by the accumulation of hormones in the body. Two types of injectional contraception are widely used in Indonesia, namely combined injection and DMPA injection; different hormonal content has various side effects on the lipid profile. This study aimed to compare the total cholesterol level between acceptors of DMPA injection and combined injection.Methods: This study used an observational analytic method with a cross-sectional approach. The sample size is 60 respondents, including 30 DMPA injection acceptors and 30 combination injection acceptors. The sampling method uses a purposive sampling technique The independent variable in this study was the total cholesterol level of the acceptor, and the dependent variable was the acceptor of DMPA injection and the combination injection acceptor. Analysis of research data used the Independent T-test with α=0.05.Results: The results of the bivariate analysis found significant differences in total cholesterol levels in the DMPA injection contraception acceptor and combination injection with p= 0.037. It was found that overall cholesterol levels of DMPA injection acceptors were higher.Conclusion: There is a difference in total cholesterol levels in the DMPA injection contraception acceptor with a combination injection contraception acceptor.

Can the Presence of Ovarian Corpus Luteum Modify the Hormonal Composition of Follicular Fluid in Mares?

The hypothesis of this study was to investigate if the presence of corpus luteum (CL) in one ovary could modify the hormonal content of follicular fluid (FF) in the follicles. Sixty ovaries were taken after the slaughter of 30 clinically healthy mares. In relation to the sizes, the follicles were classified into three different categories, as small (20–30 mm), medium (31–40 mm) and large (≥41 mm). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of mares before their slaughter, and then the FF samplings were extracted from each single follicle. The ovaries that were collected were classified into two groups, according to the presence (CL-bearing) or absence (non-CL-bearing) of CL. The serum and FF samples were analysed for progesterone (P4), oestradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Intrafollicular P4 concentrations in large follicles of CL-bearing groups were lower than for non-CL-bearing ones. Intrafollicular E2 concentrations increased with the increase of the follicle diameter in both groups, CL-bearing and non-CL-bearing. However, in the FF with a large and medium follicle size, E2 concentrations were significantly higher in non-CL-bearing groups than in CL-bearing groups. T and A4 significantly increased in the large and medium follicle sizes when compared to the small follicle sizes in both groups, but higher concentrations in the non-CL-bearing group were obtained. Intrafollicular DHEA significantly decreased with the increase of the follicular diameter in both groups. Steroid hormones in FF dynamically changed, according to the presence or not of CL in the ovary. This study brings new knowledge on the role of the CL in the follicular hormonal composition in mares.

Toward the molecular understanding of the action mechanism of Ascophyllum nodosum extracts on plants

The importance of biostimulants, defined as plant growth-promoting agents that differ notably from fertilizers, is increasing steadily because of their potential contribution to a worldwide strategy for securing food production without burdening the environment. Based on folkloric evidence and ethnographic studies, seaweeds have been useful for diverse human activities through time, including medicine and agriculture. Currently, seaweed extracts, especially those derived from the common brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum, represent an interesting category of biostimulants. Although A. nodosum extracts (abbreviated ANEs) are readily used because of their capacity to improve plant growth and to mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses, fundamental insights into how these positive responses are accomplished are still fragmentary. Generally, the effects of ANEs on plants have been attributed to their hormonal content, their micronutrient value, and/or the presence of alga-specific polysaccharides, betaines, polyamines, and phenolic compounds that would, alone or in concert, bring about the observed phenotypic effects. However, only a few of these hypotheses have been validated at the molecular level. Transcriptomics and metabolomics are now emerging as tools to dissect the action mechanisms exerted by ANEs. Here, we provide an overview of the available in planta molecular data that shed light on the pathways modulated by ANEs that promote plant growth and render plants more resilient to diverse stresses, paving the way toward the elucidation of the modus operandi of these extracts.

Immunohistomorphometric Changes of The Pituitary Gonadotropic Cells After Testosterone Application in a Rat Model of the Andropause

Andropause, the culminating phase of male ageing, is characterized by deregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis and low circulating free testosterone. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistomorphometric characteristics of the pituitary gonadotropic i.e. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) producing cells after testosterone application in a rat model of the andropause. Middle-aged Wistar rats were divided into orchidectomized (ORX; n=8) and testosterone treated orchidectomized (ORX+T; n=8) groups. Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg b.m./day) was administered for three weeks, while the ORX group received the vehicle alone. Immunohistochemically stained FSH and LH cells underwent morphometric and optical density-related analysis, while circulating concentrations of the sex steroids were measured by immunoassays. Serum concentrations of testosterone and estradiol were significantly (p<0.05) increased by 24 and 2.7 fold respectively, compared to the ORX group. The volume of FSH and LH cells was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by 51.3% and 56.6% respectively, in comparison with ORX rats. Relative volume density of FSH and LH cells was also significantly (p<0.05) decreased by 54.0% and 72.8% respectively, compared to the ORX group. Results related to the optical density of gonadotropic cells (reflecting their hormonal content) were in line with the morphometric findings i.e. this parameter of FSH and LH cells was significantly (p<0.05) decreased by 25.7% and 16.2% respectively, in comparison with ORX rats. Conclusion: In conclusion, applied testosterone increased the serum concentrations of sex steroids, as well as it decreased morphometric parameters and optical density of gonadotropic cells in ORX rats.

Growth Pattern, Biochemical and Physiological Characteristics to Determine Harvesting Time of Big White Ginger Rhizome Seeds

<p>The use of young seed rhizomes became one of the obstacles in large white ginger (JPB) cultivation. Young ginger rhizomes rapidly shrank and decrease their viability. The experiment was aimed to study growth patterns, biochemical changes, and physiology of ginger plants to produce good quality rhizome seeds. JPB rhizome seeds used were 9 months old, have been stored for 2 weeks after harvest, weighed 30-40 g with 2-3 buds, healthy, and given seed treatment. The rhizomes were planted in growth medium in polybags (60 cm x 60 cm). The study was conducted by direct observation, repeated 4 times, consisting of 50 plants per replication. Observations were made on the plant growth patterns (plant height, stem length, tillers number, leaves number); rhizome development (fresh weight, branch rhizomes number, moisture content, and dry weight during growth); starch and hormonal content (IAA, gibberellin, ABA and cytokinin) of the rhizomes; and viability of rhizome seeds (growth rate, seed height, and dry weight). The results showed that the rhizomes of the 7-month-old ginger after planting (MAP) has entered the ripening phase, the rhizome morphology was optimal, and the starch content was not different from the rhizome seeds at 8 and 9 MAP. In addition, physiologically, the rhizome's growth potential was maximal (100%), growth rate (4.3% etmal^-1), and seed height (33.8 cm) were better than 8 MAP (80%, 2.9% etmal^-1, 33.7 cm) and 9 MAP (70%, 2.3% etmal^-1, 29.4 cm). This study indicated that ginger rhizomes harvested from 7 months old plants can be used for seeds.</p>

Sex steroids, sex-binding globulin, and prolactin in tissues of adenocarcinoma and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

79 Background: Some researchers suggest that squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (ACE) are characterized by different pathogenesis, epidemiology and tumor biology, and therefore require different therapeutic strategies. The purpose of the study was to analyze local hormonal status in malignant esophageal tumors and surrounding tissues depending on the histogenesis. Methods: Levels of sex steroids – free testosterone (fT), estrone (E1), estriol (E3), prolactin (PRL) and sex steroid-binding globulin (SSBG) were studied by the standard ELISA methods in tumor tissue, perifocal zone and resection line of 39 patients aged 58-74 years: 27 SCC, 12 ACE, stage II, G2, pT1-2N1M0. Results: Differences were found in local hormonal content in all studied samples dependint on the tumor histotype. Levels of SSBG, PRL and E1 in ACE were higher than in SCC by 1.3, 3.3 and 1.4 times, respectively, while fT concentration was 2.4 times lower. Levels of PRL, E1 and E3 in perifocal zone of ACE compared to SCC were higher by 2.8, 3.3 and 3.1 times, and fT was 1.3 times lower. Resection line of ACE differed from that of SCC by higher tissue concentrations of SSBG – by 1.3 times, PRL – by 1.5 times, E1 – by 1.3 times, E3 – by 1.7 times and a lower level of fT – by 1.5 times. As a result, fT/E1 ratios in ACE and surrounding tissues were on average 3 times lower than in corresponding SCC samples. Conclusions: Levels of hormones in esophageal tumors and surrounding tissues depend on the histogenesis. ACE was characterized by hyperestrogenism in esophageal tissues along with a high prolactin concentration, while SCC – by hyperandrogenism with a low PRL level. Different pathogenesis of SCC and ACE was demonstrated by the fact that hormonal profile in both tumor and resection line depended on the tumor histology.

Contraceptive Methods

The prevention of pregnancy remains an important part of the practice of medicine. Contraception can occur at a number of points in the basic reproductive biological process and through a number of contraceptive product options. Pharmacists are health care providers appropriately positioned to assist patients in suitable contraceptive product selection based on their personal situations and lifestyles. This article provides an overview of available products for prevention of pregnancy and associated risks and benefits. Contraceptive products are categorized by their hormonal content and method of action. Hormonal options include oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive patch, implants, injection, intravaginal, and intrauterine devices. Barrier products prevent pregnancy by creating a physical obstacle to the successful fertilization of an egg by sperm. All products and methods are associated with benefits and potential complications that must be considered as patients, and health care providers select the most satisfactory option.

Pattern of growth and 14C-assimilates distributions in relation to photosynthesis in radish plants treated with growth substances

In a series of radish plants, with very thin hypocotyl and with a normal storage organ, the rates of photosynthesis, photorespiration and dark respiration did not differ. Therefore, the conclusion may be advanced, that translocation to the swollen hypocotyl is not determinated by the photosynthetic productivity, but rather the by storage capacity. To check it this is connected with an unbalanced hormonal content, plants were treated with lanoline paste, with IAA, GA₃, zeatin and all three in mixture or with injections of GA₃-water solution into the swollen hypocotyl. In young radish plants, with high rate of growth of aerial parts, treatment with the above mentioned substances stimulated ¹⁴CO₂-assimilation and increased retention of assimilates in ¹⁴C-donors, probably owing to retardation of their senescence. It increased the competition for photosynthates between shoot and storage organ. In older plants, in the stage of accumulation of nutrients in the swollen hypocotyl, IAA +GA₃+zeatin did not affect ¹⁴CO₂-assimilation, but in plants treated with growth regulators separately, assimilation decreased; IAA and GA₃ stimulated transport and accumulation of labelled substances in the swollen hypocotyl. On the basis of experimental data the conclusion may be advanced that responsiveness of the particular organs and processes to growth regulators depends on the stage of plant development. Phytohormone did not changed quantitatively the pattern of ¹⁴C-assimilates distribution. They stimulated processes with preference for particular stages of development.