bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CIRCADIAN RHYTHM OF FREE OESTRADIOL IN RELATION TO PLASMA CORTISOL IN LATE HUMAN PREGNANCY
Authors: Reck G. , Noss U. , Breckwoldt M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The present study investigates the diurnal variations of free plasma oestradiol levels in late human pregnancy. The oestradiol levels are correlated to the maternal adrenal function as reflected by the plasma levels of cortisol.
According to the half life time of oestradiol, blood samples were collected at short time intervals of 30 and 60 min, respectively. Three pregnant women volunteered in the study.
Free oestradiol was measured by radioimmunoassay and cortisol was quantitated by a protein binding method.
All patients exhibited a circadian rhythm for free oestradiol with significantly higher values in the early morning (28.3 ± 7.2 ng/ml) than in the afternoon and early night (21.2 ± 3.6 ng/ml, P < 0.001). The course of oestradiol followed in a moderate but significant correlation plasma cortisol (r = 0.34, P < 0.001). During the period of increasing cortisol the oestradiol levels demonstrated the phenomenon of episodic secretion.
The results obtained suggest that the maternal adrenals predominantly regulate the diurnal rhythm of free oestradiol in late human pregnancy.
RESPONSE OF PLASMA NON-CONJUGATED OESTRADIOL TO MANIPULATED ADRENAL FUNCTION BY ACTH AND DEXAMETHASONE
Authors: Reck G. , Noss U. , Breckwoldt M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The present study is concerned with the regulation of free plasma oestradiol in relation to maternal adrenal function during late human pregnancy. Blood was collected in 9 patients at short time intervals of 30 min from 17 h to 3 h. In order to exclude endogenous ACTH-secretion 5 patients received 12 mg dexamethasone over 48 h. Between 20 h and 2 h 0.25 mg ACTH1-24 (Synacthen°) was infused into the subjects. Nonconjugated oestradiol was determined by radioimmunoassay and total plasma cortisol by protein binding method.
During the application of ACTH free oestradiol increased from 21.3 ± 5.7 to 25.5 ± 7.1 ng/ml (P < 0.025) in the patients without dexamethasone. The increase was moderately correlated to rising cortisol (r = 0.58, P < 0.001). Plasma oestradiol reached its maximum level after 90 min, followed by a tendency to decline despite persisting stimulation of maternal adrenals.
The patients receiving dexamethasone exhibited during ACTH-infusion a rise of oestradiol from 3.8 ± 1.9 to 7.8 ± 3.1 ng/ml (P < 0.001). Increasing oestradiol was strongly correlated to plasma cortisol (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). The phenomenon of earlier declining oestradiol levels did not occur. These results suggest that maternal adrenals predominantly regulate the formation of free oestradiol. Plasma cortisol indicating maternal precursor production balances the increase of oestradiol by suppressing foetal precursor supply.
SECRETION OF PROTEINS, ANDROGEN BINDING PROTEIN AND OESTRADIOL BY SERTOLI CELLS IN CULTURE: EFFECTS OF SERUM
Authors: Rommerts F. F. G. , Krüger-Sewnarian B. C. , Grootegoed J. A. , de Jong F. H. , van der Molen H. J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Effects of chicken- and foetal calf serum on secretion products of Sertoli cells have been investigated. At day 5 or 6 of culture, Sertoli cells incubated with 1 % chicken serum secreted significantly more androgen binding protein (ABP) than cells cultured in media without chicken serum. This effect of chicken serum was smaller than that of chicken serum together with FSH and testosterone. Addition of 1 % chicken serum or foetal calf serum stimulated the incorporation of [3H] leucine in secreted proteins by Sertoli cells. Secretion of oestradiol-17β (Oe2) was stimulated by addition of foetal calf serum. However, chicken serum did not stimulate the secretion of Oe2 even in the presence of extra added testosterone. The nature of the compounds in the sera responsible for these effects is unknown, but the effects cannot simply be explained by the presence of FSH or androgens. The results indicate that compounds other than FSH and androgens may influence Sertoli cell function. Evidence has been obtained that a serum component with a molecular weight of less than 5000 may be involved in the stimulation of Oe2 production.
WORK CAPACITY, CONTRACTILE PROTEIN AND QUANTITATIVE ELECTROMYOGRAM (EMG) CHANGES FOLLOWING EXERCISE OR NANDROLONE DECANOATE TREATMENT IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED MUSCLE DISUSE ATROPHY IN RATS
Authors: Madena-Pyrgaki A. , Pappas C. , Deligiannis A. , Apostolakis M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Anabolic steroid administration and planned exercise have been the two main methods applied to improve the function and morphology of atrophied muscle tissue. The effects of these two factors-specifically nandrolone decanoate administration and exercise by swimming on muscle weight, EMG activity, work capacity and on contractile protein content of rat gastrocnemius muscle, following experimentally induced atrophy by immobilization, were investigated. The results appear to support the conclusion that although both types of treatment obtain significant positive results exercise acts more effectively than the anabolic steroid in this respect.
BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE LUTEINIZING HORMONE (LH) IN PLASMA
Authors: Bártfai G. , Robertson D. M. , Diczfalusy E. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A comparison was made between an in vitro bioassay method and a radioimmunoassay (RIA) method for the assay of LH activity of male plasma. The in vitro bioassay was based on the LH-stimulated production of testosterone by interstitial cells obtained from mouse testes. The RIA procedure consisted of a non-equilibrium procedure employing an antiserum with high specificity and a well characterized iodinated hLH tracer. A highly purified hLH preparation (hLH 1st IRP imm.) was used as standard with both procedures.
Parallel line assays were performed with both methods on 36–38 plasma samples obtained over a 24 hour period from each of 7 normal male subjects. Significantly higher concentrations of bioactivity than immunoactivity were obtained with a biological: immunological (B/I) ratio for all subjects of 1.56 (1.34: 1.78) (geometric mean and 95% confidence limits in brackets). A regression analysis of the two activities for each subject indicated a close correlation (r = 0.90) and the 95% confidence limits of the regression line intercept obtained from all subjects included the origin. However, significant differences between subjects were observed with regard to the B/I ratios and regression coefficients.
A comparison of the B/I ratio for male plasma (1.56 (1.34: 1.78)) with that of a highly purified hLH preparation (1.39 (1.34: 1.44) suggests that the elevated ratios found in male plasma are in part attributable to the presence in the standard preparation of relatively high levels of immunologically active material which is biologically inactive. If so, a reference preparation with higher purity would result in more similar values of biological and immunological activity.
From this study it is concluded that with the use of suitable assay methods a close relationship can be shown between the biological and immunological activities in male plasma. However, the significance of the differences in the B/I ratios and the regression coefficients observed requires continued investigation.
CALCIUM AND PANCREATIC β-CELL FUNCTION
Authors: Hellman Bo 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Glucose is believed to stimulate incorporation of calcium into the secretory granules of the pancreatic β-cells. The mechanism of the glucose-stimulated accumulation of calcium in the granule pool was evaluated by measuring fluxes of 45Ca in β-cell-rich pancreatic islets microdissected from ob/ob-mice. The incorporation of lanthanum-nondisplaceable 45Ca in response to glucose differed from both the basal uptake and that seen in response to phosphate in being suppressed by 10 μm antimycin A, 0.3 mm 2,4-dinitrophenol or 1 mm N-ethylmaleimide. Exposure to each of these metabolic inhibitors also resulted in a protracted efflux of the glucose-sensitive 45Ca under conditions when neither the 45Ca incorporated in the presence of 3 mm glucose nor in response to phosphate was significantly affected. The glucose-stimulated intracellular 45Ca existed in a state allowing it to be washed out with the ionophore A-23187. The results suggest that the glucose-stimulated incorporation of calcium into the secretory granules is mediated by transport against a concentration gradient into the granule sac.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED INFUSIONS OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIN OR ANGIOTENSIN II UPON SERUM ALDOSTERONE CONCENTRATION AND THE CONVERSION OF CORTICOSTERONE TO ALDOSTERONE IN RATS
Authors: Komor Jan , Müller Jürg 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The temporal relation between alterations in serum aldosterone and in the conversion of labelled corticosterone to aldosterone by incubated adrenal tissue was studied in conscious rats receiving long-term infusions of KCl, ACTH or angiotensin II. When potassium-deficient rats were given KCl, a marked increase in serum aldosterone was observed only after 12 h, i.e. at a time when the conversion of corticosterone to aldosterone had become normal. After 24 h of ACTH infusion into sodiumand potassium-replete rats the serum aldosterone was markedly elevated, whereas the conversion of corticosterone to aldosterone was significantly decreased. After 48 h of continued ACTH infusion the serum aldosterone returned to normal and there was a further decrease in the conversion rate. A 24-h angiotensin II infusion into sodium- and potassium-replete rats induced significant increases in both the serum aldosterone and the conversion. After 48 h of continued angiotensin infusion the serum aldosterone returned to normal while the conversion and the blood pressure remained elevated. These results indicate that the activity of the enzymes involved in the final steps of aldosterone biosynthesis may become ratelimiting for the secretion of aldosterone during potassium deficiency and during prolonged ACTH treatment. On the other hand, the observed transiency of aldosterone stimulation by exogenous angiotensin II was not due to a suppression of the final steps of aldosterone biosynthesis and remains unexplained.
HORMONE BLOOD LEVELS AND THEIR INTER-RELATIONSHIPS IN NORMAL MEN AND MEN WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)
Authors: Bartsch W. , Becker H. , Pinkenburg F.-A. , Krieg M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
In 128 non-hospitalized men (age range 36–65 years) rectal palpation revealed in 54 cases an enlargement of the prostate (group II), which was very distinct in 20 cases (group III). The measurement of testosterone (T), 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol) oestradiol (Oe2), sex-hormone-binding-globulin binding capacity (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin (Prl) in the blood of normal men (group I) and those with BPH (group II or III) demonstrated no significant differences between the three groups when respective age ranges were compared. A significant increase of FSH and decrease of 3α-diol with age was seen in the normal group (I), which was similar but less pronounced in BPH (groups II and III). A distinct increase of DHT with age was found in BPH (group II), which was not so dominant in normal men (group I). From these data it is concluded that the conversion of DHT to 3α-diol might be reduced in older males independent from the occurrence of BPH and that the hyperplastic prostate possibly secretes significant amounts of DHT into the circulation. These results are discussed with respect to their possible role in the pathogenesis of BPH.
THE PLASMA FSH AND LH RESPONSE TO SYNTHETIC LH-RH IN NORMAL PRE-PUBERTAL AND EARLY PUBERTAL GIRLS – A RE-EVALUATION
Authors: Dickerman Zvi , Prager-Lewin Ruth , Laron Zvi 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A standard LH-RH test (50 μg/m2) given iv was carried out in 65 normal girls, 42 of them pre-pubertal aged from 47/12 to 11 years and 23 in the early stage of puberty, aged from 9 to 129/12 years.
The results indicate that in pre-pubertal girls the basal levels of the plasma gonadotrophins remain steady (LH 0.6 ± 0.1 mIU/ml; FSH 0.8 ± 0.1 mIU/ml, m ± sd) and that there is a small but significant response of LH to LH-RH (1.6 ± 0.2 mIU/ml). During this period the FSH response to LH-RH is very marked (8.0 ± 1.0 mIU/ml) with a gradual, significant decrease seen towards the onset of puberty (6.5 ± 0.9 mIU/ml, P < 0.001). These results support earlier reports that the LH-RH test is a useful tool to evaluate the secretion of pituitary LH and FSH in early childhood.
THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF THE HYPOTHALAMO-PITUITARY AXIS AFTER HIGH-DOSE OESTROGEN THERAPY IN EXCESSIVELY TALL GIRLS
Authors: Hanker J. P. , Schellong G. , Schneider H. P. G. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Sixteen excessively tall girls were treated with 0.3 mg of ethinyloestradiol daily and 10 mg of norethisterone for 5 days every 3 weeks for 7–26 months. The reduction of adult height varied from 0–12.3 cm, depending on the bone age (115/12–148/12) before treatment. The more advanced the bone age was the less final adult height was reduced.
The functional state of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis was assessed by standardized LH-RH testing immediately after termination of therapy as well as 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks thereafter. Basal levels of oestradiol and prolactin were recorded before each test. Absent LH-responses to LH-RH were observed in all girls when therapy was stopped. Four to eight weeks later the LH responses had normalized in 13 girls and 12 weeks after therapy normal LH responses were found in 14 girls.
Mean basal oestradiol levels were low (20 ± 9 pg/ml) (X̄ ± sd) at the end of therapy but increased significantly (P < 0.0025) to levels similar to different stages of the menstrual cycle after 4 weeks. In contrast mean basal prolactin levels were elevated (21±9 ng/ml) (X̄ ± sd) when therapy was stopped. Within one week a significant (P < 0.01) decrease to values averaging 13 ± 4 ng/ml (sd) was seen. A further but only moderate decline occurred until the 12th week after therapy. The decrease of prolactin paralleled to same extend the increase of endogenous oestradiol. All girls experienced spontaneous menstrual bleedings within 3 to 22 weeks after termination of therapy. In all cases but one menses have been regular since.
The data presented suggest that no major functional disturbance of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis has to be expected after long-term steroid treatment in excessively tall girls.
LUTEINIZING HORMONE LEVELS DURING THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE OF THE BABOON (PAPIO HAMADRYAS)
Authors: Goncharov N. , Antonichev A. V. , Gorluschkin V. M. , Chachundocova L. , Robertson D. M. , Diczfalusy E. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The peripheral plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) as measured by an in vitro bioassay method were determined in daily plasma samples collected throughout one menstrual cycle in 8 normally menstruating baboons (Papio hamadryas). In addition LH was measured in plasma at three hourly intervals throughout the day in the follicular, peri-ovulatory and luteal phases of the cycle in 7, 3 and 6 animals respectively. The plasma levels of progesterone and oestradiol were also determined in the same samples throughout the menstrual cycle and during the period of the midcycle LH surge.
The circulating LH profile measured throughout the cycle was characterized by a sharp mid-cycle surge (completed within one day) which was followed by a series of LH surges of varying intensity during the luteal phase of the cycle. The initial surge was considered to be pre-ovulatory as indicated by its relationship to the peak of plasma oestradiol and to the first significant increase in the levels of plasma progesterone above values found earlier in the follicular phase.
A circadian rhythm of LH was observed during the luteal phase of the cycle; a 3 fold rise in LH was noted during the hours 15.00 to 24.00. No differences were observed throughout the day in the follicular phase of the cycle.
The LH profile in three animals studied during the mid-cycle LH surge showed pronounced circadian changes with a major peak at 24.00 h. Plasma progesterone levels during this period rose sharply to values normally found in the mid-luteal phase of the cycle.
A comparison of plasma levels of biologically active LH during the menstrual cycle of the baboon with those found in normally menstruating women reveals that in the baboon the LH peak is of much shorter duration and the levels in the follicular and peri-menstrual phases are significantly lower than in the human.
INVESTIGATION OF BONE AND MINERAL METABOLISM IN HYPERTHYROIDISM BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT USING CALCITONIN, 47Ca AND BALANCE STUDIES
Authors: Hendriks J. Th. A. M. , Smeenk D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Seventeen normocalcaemic patients with severe hyperthyroidism were examined before therapy was initiated; 9 were re-examined about 1 year later. Studies with 47Ca under balance conditions and with calcitonin demonstrated a high rate of bone resorption in untreated patients. As a result of the increased bone turnover, the reaction to 6 MRC units of porcine calcitonin iv was more marked in the untreated than in the treated patients or the control group. In contrast to the normal diurnal pattern for PO4, it was found that during fasting the plasma PO4 level increases in the morning in patients with hyperthyroidism. This increase which was not suppressed by the administered dose of calcitonin developed in spite of an elevated urinary PO4 excretion.
After treatment, the serum Ca concentration as well as the urinary and faecal Ca excretion was decreased. The Ca balance improved; the rapidlyexchangeable Ca pool returned to normal. The slowly-exchangeable and the total Ca pools, however, remained enlarged. The rate of bone resorption normalized. The accretion rate on the other hand remained elevated. This is attributed to continued enhancement of bone formation to compensate for the previous loss of bony tissue.
COMPARISON OF TWO TESTS FOR HETEROZYGOSITY IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA (CAH)
Authors: Weil J. , Bidlingmaier F. , Sippell W. G. , Butenandt O. , Knorr D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The increase of plasma cortisol (F), androstenedione (A), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-P) and testosterone (T) was measured after iv administration of ACTH in heterozygotes for CAH and in controls under two different conditions:
Test 1: ACTH stimulation was performed without any particular preparation.
Test 2: 1.5 mg of dexamethasone (dex.) was given the evening before the ACTH stimulation.
Plasma F, A, 17-OH-P and T were measured by specific radioimmunoassays (RIA). Following ACTH stimulation, the increase of 17-OH-P was significantly higher in CAH-heterozygotes than in controls in both tests (P < 0.0005). Heterozygotes were characterized by a 17-OH-P increase after ACTH stimulation exceeding the +2 sd limit of the 17-OH-P increase found in controls. The detection of female heterozygotes was considerably improved by the administration of dex. before testing (test 2). In males, however, a better identification of heterozygotes was obtained without previous administration of dex. (test 1). By these tests, 100% of female (test 2) and 79% of male (test 1) CAH heterozygotes could be correctly identified.
There were no significant differences in the levels of F, A and T between heterozygotes and controls except for decreased T levels in test 1 (2P < 0.01) in most male heterozygotes after ACTH stimulation.
THE HISTOGENESIS OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX IN THE FOETAL SHEEP
Authors: Robinson Peter M. , Rowe Elisabeth J. , Wintour E. Marelyn 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The cortex of sheep foetal adrenal glands from 25 days gestation until newborn (term equals 147 ± 3 days) were examined by light and electron microscopy. Three stages of development are of particular importance in relating structure to function: 1) from 35 to 60 days, 2) from 60 to 120 days and 3) from 120 days to term.
Between 35 and 60 days one cortical cell type predominated. It contained mitochondria with lamellar and vesicular cristae, scattered long strands of granular endoplasmic reticulum and only small amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. After about 60 days two zones were apparent in the cortex and chromaffin cells became concentrated in the medulla. After 80 days the outer zone contained cells which resembled mature zona glomerulosa cells and the cells in the inner zone remained like those seen between 35 and 60 days, except they contained even less smooth endoplasmic reticulum. However, after about 90 days a small number of deep inner zone cells contained mitochondria with vesicular cristae which thus resemble mitochondria in the mature zona fasciculata. From about 120 days there was an increase in the number of cells in the inner zone that contained mitochondria with vesicular cristae. These cells also contained substantial quantities of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. At term most inner zone cells have this mature appearance.
Thus there is no "foetal cortex" in the sheep analogous to that found in human adrenal development, i. e. there is no prominent zone of cells containing large amounts of smooth endoplasmic reticulum which is present throughout most of the foetal period of development, and which regresses at birth. The structure of the cells present between 35 and 60 days was unexpected because it has been shown previously that sheep foetal adrenals of this age are capable of producing relatively large quantities of steroid hormones. However, the appearance of cells resembling mature zona glomerulosa cells at about 80 days correlates with the previously demonstrated ability of sheep adrenal glands of this age to produce relatively large quantities of aldosterone. The rapid development of numbers of mature cells in the last 3 weeks of gestation correlates with the previously described ability of near term sheep foetal adrenals to produce very large quantities of steroid hormones.
THE EFFECT OF SHORT-TERM TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT IN BOYS WITH DELAYED PUBERTY
Authors: de Lange W. E. , Snoep M. C. , Doorenbos H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Eight boys with severely delayed puberty without pathological cause were treated for 6 months with testosterone. This resulted in acceleration of skeletal maturation and a marked increase in height and weight. No adverse effects were found on hypothalamic-pituitary and gonadal maturation. Basal LH, FSH and testosterone levels rose to nearly adult values at follow-up within a year and pituitary responsiveness to LH-RH increased markedly.