Academic literature on the topic 'Oestradiol/progesterone'

ABSTRACT The main objective of the present study was to analyse the hormonal dependence of the metrial gland formed in pseudopregnant animals following massive decidualization. On day 13 of pseudopregnancy (when the metrial gland reaches its maximal development) animals were ovariectomized and given s.c. implants of oestradiol and/or progesterone. A new implant technique for oestradiol delivery is described which provides circulating concentrations of oestradiol in the physiological range. In addition, we extended our previous work concerning oestradiol receptor and progesterone receptor concentrations in the metrial gland of pseudopregnant rats. The low oestradiol receptor concentration which we previously reported up to day 17 was maintained until the end of pseudopregnancy (day 21–1·5 fmol/μg DNA), whereas the progesterone receptor concentration remained raised (≃3·5 fmol/μg DNA) from day 13 to day 19 and then decreased on day 21. The correlation of metrial gland weight and kinetics of the tissue oestradiol and progesterone receptors contents with the circulating oestradiol and progesterone concentrations lead to the following conclusions. First, the maintenance of the metrial gland is strictly progesterone-dependent. It is unlike the deciduoma which regresses spontaneously, even in the presence of progesterone. Secondly, the production of oestradiol receptor, but not of progesterone receptor, appears to be repressed in the metrial gland under the influence of progesterone. Thus, the tissue retains its ability to respond to progesterone because of a high concentration of progesterone receptor. It is difficult to attribute this high tissue progesterone receptor concentration to oestradiol stimulation since, even at low levels, oestradiol induces tissue regression. We suggest that the high progesterone receptor concentration could be due to constitutive (basal) progesterone receptor production. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 120, 465–472

ABSTRACT The effects of oestradiol and progesterone on LH-subunit mRNA levels were investigated in ovariectomized rats. Four weeks after ovariectomy, rats were implanted with silicone elastomer capsules containing oestradiol and/or injected daily with progesterone in oil (5 mg/rat) for 8 days. The levels of pituitary mRNA encoding α and LH-β were determined using direct hybridization with specific [32P]cDNA probes. After oestradiol implantation in ovariectomized rats, both α and LH-β mRNA decreased with time, with maximum inhibition after 6–8 days of treatment. Progesterone injected alone did not show any effect on α and LH-β mRNA. Cytosolic progesterone receptors, determined using [3H]methyl-17α-progesterone as ligand, were undectable in control ovariectomized rats. In contrast, 2 days after oestradiol implantation, the number of receptors increased to 287·5 ± 35·4 (s.e.m.) fmol/pituitary and reached a plateau of 400 ± 21·8 fmol/pituitary after 4 days. The effects of progesterone were therefore examined by first implanting ovariectomized rats with oestradiol to induce progesterone receptors and then injecting progesterone daily for a further period of 6 days. As a result of this treatment, progesterone induced a decrease in the pituitary gland contents of both α and LH-β mRNAs, and LH release was significantly greater than that observed in the group receiving oestradiol alone. Moreover, the mRNA levels in the animals treated with oestradiol plus progesterone were lower after 8 days of treatment than those observed in ovariectomized rats treated with a tenfold higher dose of oestradiol alone. These data demonstrate that progesterone, together with oestradiol, is capable of negatively regulating the mRNAs encoding subunits in vivo, provided that progesterone receptors are present in the pituitary gland.

This study describes progesterone receptor (PR) location within uterine cells and associated morphological changes to the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium in seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums treated with oestradiol and/or progesterone. Twenty-four adult female possums (n = 6/group) were treated with oestradiol, progesterone, oestradiol followed by progesterone or with the oil vehicle alone for 6-day periods. Uterine tissue was recovered, weighed and processed for light and transmission electron microscopy and for immunohistochemistry for PRs. Stereological techniques were used to quantify epithelial cell and constituent volumes for both luminal and glandular tissues. Plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Mean uterine wet weights were significantly heavier (P < 0.001) following oestradiol/progesterone treatment and maximum gland dilation, cellular and stromal growth, maximum cell height, and cell and constituent volumes were recorded after this treatment regimen. Cell nuclei and debris were commonly observed in gland lumina, and nuclear PRs were found predominantly in stromal cells following oestradiol-only treatment. Sequential treatment with oestradiol and then progesterone caused a decline in the number of positively stained cells. Epithelial cells contained extensive secretory organelles and degenerating cells were common within the glands. Oestradiol treatment induced cell and cell constituent growth and promoted PR formation in anoestrous possum uterine tissue. Subsequent exposure to progesterone stimulated uterine tissues to reach maximum wet weights and led to the cellular maturation necessary to remodel the uterus in preparation for pregnancy.

Important vascular proteins such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) promote the development of cardiovascular diseases. Oestrogen, and perhaps progesterone, prevent the development of vascular disease in women through incompletely understood cellular mechanisms. We hypothesized that oestradiol or progesterone might regulate the production of ET-1 as a potential novel mechanism. We found that serum and angiotensin II (AII) significantly stimulated ET-1 secretion from cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells, inhibited 50-75% by oestradiol or by progesterone. Serum and AII stimulated ET-1 mRNA levels, inhibited at least 70% by oestradiol and by progesterone. Serum stimulated ET-1 transcription mainly through the first 43 nucleotides of the ET-1 promoter, but oestradiol and progesterone did not inhibit this. In contrast, AII stimulated ET-1 transcription through nucleotides -143 to -98, specifically involving an activator protein-1 (AP-1) site at -102. Oestradiol and progesterone caused a 60-70% inhibition of AII-stimulated wild-type construct -.143ET-1/CAT activity (CAT is chloramphenicol acyltransferase). AII-stimulation of ET-1 transcription was critically dependent on stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (erk) activity, inhibited by oestradiol and progesterone. In summary, we found that sex steroids inhibit AII-induced erk signalling to the ET-1 transcriptional programme. This novel mechanism of negative transcriptional regulation by oestradiol and progesterone decreases the production of ET-1, potentially contributing to the vascular protective effects of these steroids.

ABSTRACT Free oestradiol-17β, free+conjugated oestradiol-17β (total oestradiol-17β) and progesterone in milk, and free oestradiol-17β and progesterone in plasma were measured in 16 cyclic cows injected with FSH to induce superovulation during the treatment and periovulatory periods. The patterns of steroid secretion were the same in milk as in plasma but at different concentrations. Among oestrogens, the highest concentrations were measured for total oestradiol-17β in milk, followed by free oestradiol in plasma and free oestradiol in milk. Progesterone concentrations in milk were higher than in plasma. The peak concentrations of oestrogens were related to ovulation rate: Spearman Rank Correlation coefficient (r.s.) = 0·87 (P < 0·001), 0·78 (P < 0·001) and 0·69 (P < 0·001) for total oestradiol, free oestradiol in milk and free oestradiol in plasma respectively. The increase in progesterone concentrations in milk between the beginning of treatment and prostaglandin injection was negatively correlated with the percentage of viable embryos among those recovered (r.s. = −0·68; P < 0·001). This was not observed for progesterone in plasma. These results therefore show that the steroid pattern in milk gives a better indication as to the ovarian response to a superovulatory treatment than does the steroid pattern in plasma. In addition the fact that milk samples are easier to obtain and handle than blood plasma have led us to conclude that, to follow the effect of gonadotrophin stimulation, it would be more informative to assay oestradiol-17β and progesterone in milk rather than in plasma. J. Endocr. (1985) 107, 259–264

Abstract. The influence of steroids on protein synthesis in cervical and uterine tissue obtained from early and term pregnant women was studied by measuring the incorporation of labelled amino acids into total protein. It was found that oestradiol-17β and progesterone significantly reduced the incorporation of [3H]proline. Androstenedione and cortisol had no significant effect on the incorporation of [3H]proline even at high concentrations. The protein synthesis inhibitors puromycin and cycloheximide blocked the incorporation of [3H]proline to 80–85%. However, there was no further reduction in the incorporation in the presence of oestradiol. Oestradiol was found to reduce the incorporation of [14C]glycine but not that of [3H]serine. The results indicate that oestradiol and progesterone reduce protein synthesis in human cervical and uterine tissue and that this reduction, at least partially, involves collagen synthesis. Oestradiol and progesterone were equipotent under in vitro experimental conditions. The tissue concentration of progesterone in the pregnant uterus is, however, much higher than that of oestradiol. It seems therefore probable that progesterone rather than oestradiol restricts unopposed synthesis of proteins, presumably mainly collagen.

ABSTRACT Plasma samples were obtained at weekly intervals from the peripheral circulation of 12 women in the last 2–7 weeks of pregnancy. The concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone (isolated by chromatography) were measured by radioimmunoassay; the proportion of each hormone which was not bound to protein was measured by steady-state gel filtration. From these, the apparent concentration of the non-protein-bound form of each hormone was calculated. The mean proportion of oestradiol not bound to protein varied from 0·84 to 2·71% in the different subjects, but within each subject variation was within experimental error. For progesterone, the mean proportion not bound to protein in the different subjects varied from 1·76 to 2·77%; within individuals the proportion remained essentially constant. There was no consistent, recognizable trend as labour approached in (i) the concentration of oestradiol; (ii) the concentration of progesterone; (iii) the concentrations of non-protein-bound oestradiol or non-protein-bound progesterone; (iv) the ratio of the concentrations of progesterone and oestradiol; (v) the ratio of the concentrations of non-protein-bound progesterone and oestradiol. In nine out of 12 subjects, the ratio of the concentration of non-protein-bound progesterone to that of non-protein-bound oestradiol was greater than the corresponding ratio based on total hormone concentrations. These results therefore provide no support for the hypothesis that human labour is preceded by alteration in the progesterone to oestradiol ratio which can be detected by measurement of these hormones in peripheral blood. J. Endocr. (1985) 104, 7–15

ABSTRACT It is well established that oestradiol and progesterone modulate gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced LH secretion from cultured rat pituitary cells. Short-term oestradiol and long-term progesterone treatment exert inhibition, while short-term progesterone and long-term oestradiol treatment lead to enhancement of GnRH-stimulated LH secretion. There are several lines of evidence to suggest that the steroid effects might be mediated via a mechanism involving modulation of the GnRH signal-transduction system. To evaluate the role of arachidonic acid, which serves as an intracellular signal transducer by itself or its lipoxygenase metabolites, in the mediation of oestradiol and progesterone actions, we examined their effects on melittin (activator of phospholipase A2)-stimulated LH secretion. When pituitary cells from adult female rats were treated for 48 h with 1 nmol oestradiol/l or 1 nmol oestradiol/l plus 100 nmol progesterone/l, GnRH (1 nmol/l)-induced LH secretion was stimulated or inhibited respectively. However, melittin (10–300 nmol/l)-stimulated LH secretion remained unaffected after such treatment. Short-term treatment with oestradiol inhibited GnRH-induced LH secretion while progesterone treatment of oestradiol-primed cells led to a stimulatory effect. Interestingly, melittin-stimulated LH secretion was influenced in the same way after the short treatment paradigm. Perifusion studies were performed to assess the kinetics of these acute steroid actions further. Four separate perifusion chambers were continuously perifused with medium and stimulated for 2 min with 1 nmol GnRH/l or 1 μmol melittin/l every 50 min in a pulsatile fashion. When 1 nmol oestradiol/l was added to the perifusion medium after the application of an initial control pulse, GnRH- and melittin-stimulated LH secretion were inhibited by 69 and 61% respectively. This effect was present after 50 min. When oestradiol-primed cells were treated with 100 nmol progesterone/l starting after the initial GnRH or melittin pulse, an acute stimulatory effect was observed in response to both stimuli after 50 min. LH release was enhanced by up to 279 (GnRH) or 419% (melittin) compared with the control pulse. The kinetics of inhibited or stimulated pulsatile LH secretion were virtually identical when GnRH or melittin were used as stimuli. These results demonstrate that short-term oestradiol or progesterone treatment modulate arachidonic acid-mediated LH secretion in a similar fashion to GnRH-induced LH secretion, while long-term oestradiol or progesterone treatment only affected GnRH-induced LH secretion. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 251–259

Abstract The present study examined the association between hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axes. HPA activity determined by plasma levels of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone (B) was assessed in intact female rats as a function of oestrous cycle stage under resting conditions and after exposure to a 20 min restraint stress. To delineate the roles of oestradiol and progesterone in HPA axis modulation, plasma concentrations of ACTH and B were determined in ovariectomised (OVX) animals treated with oestradiol and/or progesterone under resting conditions and during exposure to the stress of a novel environment. The effects of these steroid treatments on the transcription and/or binding properties of the two corticosteroid receptors, the mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors, were also examined in hippocampal tissue. (i) Fluctuations in basal and stress-induced plasma ACTH and B concentrations were found during the oestrous cycle with highest levels at late pro-oestrus. (ii) In OVX steroid-replaced animals, basal and stress-induced activity was enhanced in oestradiol and oestradiol plus progesterone-treated animals compared with OVX controls. (iii) Cytosol binding assays revealed an oestradiol-induced decrease in hippocampal MR capacity. This decrease appears to be due to an effect of the steroid on MR transcription as in situ hybridisation analysis of MR mRNA showed an oestradiol-induced decrease in MR transcript in all hippocampal subfields. (iv) Treatment of oestradiol-primed animals with progesterone reversed the oestradiol-induced decrease in hippocampal MR capacity. Data from MR mRNA hybridisation in situ experiments indicate that this reversal may be due to an antagonism of the oestradiol effect on MR transcription. (v) Progesterone treatment with or without prior oestradiol-priming induced a significant decrease in the apparent binding affinity of hippocampal MR. We show that progesterone and its 11 β-hydroxylated derivative have a high affinity for the hippocampal MR. (vi) Neither oestradiol nor progesterone affected GR binding parameters in the hippocampus. In conclusion, we find that sex steroids modulate HPA activity and suggest that the observed effects of these steroids on hippocampal MR may underlie their concerted mechanism of action in inducing an enhanced activity at the period of late pro-oestrus. Journal of Endocrinology (1995) 144, 311–321

Abstract The regulation of oxytocin, oestradiol and progesterone receptors in different uterine cell types was studied in ovariectomized ewes. Animals were pretreated with a progestogen sponge for 10 days followed by 2 days of high-dose oestradiol to simulate oestrus. They then received either low-dose oestradiol (Group E), low-dose oestradiol plus progesterone (Group P) or low-dose oestradiol, progesterone and oxytocin (via osmotic minipump; Group OT). Animals (three to six per time-point) were killed following ovariectomy (Group OVX), at oestrus (Group O) or following 8, 10, 12 or 14 days of E, P or OT treatment. In a final group, oxytocin was withdrawn on day 12 and ewes were killed on day 14 (Group OTW). Oxytocin receptor concentrations and localization in the endometrium and myometrium were measured by radioreceptor assay, in situ hybridization and autoradiography with the iodinated oxytocin receptor antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Tyr-NH29]-vasotocin. Oestradiol and progesterone receptors were localized by immunocytochemistry. Oxytocin receptors were present in the luminal epithelium and superficial glands of ovariectomized ewes. In Group O, endometrial oxytocin receptor concentrations were high (1346 ± 379 fmol [3H]oxytocin bound mg protein−1) and receptors were also located in the deep glands and caruncular stroma in a pattern resembling that found at natural oestrus. Continuing low-dose oestradiol was unable to sustain high endometrial oxytocin receptor concentrations with values decreasing significantly to 140 ± 20 fmol mg protein−1 (P<0·01), localized to the luminal epithelium and caruncular stroma but not the glands. Progesterone treatment initially abolished all oxytocin receptors with none present on days 8 or 10. They reappeared in the luminal epithelium only between days 12 and 14 to give an overall concentration of 306 ± 50 fmol mg protein−1. Oxytocin treatment caused a small increase in oxytocin receptor concentration in the luminal epithelium on days 8 and 10 (20 ± 4 in Group P and 107 ± 35 fmol mg protein−1 in Group OT, P<0·01) but the rise on day 14 was not affected (267 ± 82 in Group OT and 411 ± 120 fmol mg protein−1 in Group OTW). In contrast, oestradiol treatment was able to sustain myometrial oxytocin receptors (635 ± 277 fmol mg protein−1 in Group O and 255 ± 36 in Group E) and there was no increase over time in Groups P, OT and OTW with values of 61 ± 18, 88 ± 53 and 114 ± 76 fmol mg protein−1 respectively (combined values for days 8–14). Oestradiol receptor concentrations were high in all uterine regions in Group O. This pattern and concentration was maintained in Group E. In all progesterone-treated ewes, oestradiol receptor concentrations were lower in all regions at all time-points. The only time-related change occurred in the luminal epithelium in which oestradiol receptors were undetectable on day 8 but developed by day 10 of progesterone treatment. Progesterone receptors were present at moderate concentrations in the deep glands, caruncular stroma, deep stroma and myometrium in Group O. Oestradiol increased progesterone receptors in the luminal epithelium, superficial glands, deep stroma and myometrium. Progesterone caused the loss of its own receptor from the luminal epithelium and superficial glands and decreased its receptor concentration in the deep stroma and myometrium at all time-points. There was a time-related loss of progesterone receptors from the deep glands of progesterone-treated ewes between days 8 and 14. These results show differences in the regulation of receptors between uterine regions. In particular, loss of the negative inhibition by progesterone on the oxytocin receptor by day 14 occurred only in the luminal epithelium, but is unlikely to be a direct effect of progesterone as no progesterone receptors were present on luminal epithelial cells between days 8 and 14. The presence of oxytocin receptors in the luminal epithelium of ovariectomized ewes suggests that oestradiol is not essential for oxytocin receptor synthesis at this site. Oestradiol was able to sustain its own receptor at all sites, but high circulating progesterone was always inhibitory to oestradiol receptors. In general, oestradiol stimulated progesterone receptors in epithelial cells whereas progesterone abolished its own receptor from epithelial cells over a period of time, but had a lesser effect on stromal cells. The concentration of all three receptors is therefore differentially regulated between different uterine cell types, suggesting the importance of paracrine effects which remain to be elucidated. Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 151, 375–393

Endometriosis and breast cancer are sex hormone dependent diseases characterised by the local production of high levels of 17β-oestradiol. The relationship between prostaglandins and sex steroid hormones is one of the focal questions in endometriosis, breast cancer and other sex steroid hormone related disorders. Therefore, the main hypothesis was that the aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C isoenzymes are responsible for controlling the availability of 17β-oestradiol, progesterone and prostaglandins in the microenvironment of the endometrium, and surrounding adipose tissues of endometriotic lesions and breast tumours. This was investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for measuring the gene expression of AKR1C1-3 enzymes, and prostaglandin E (1-4) and F receptors in the endometrium, and surrounding adipose tissues of endometriotic lesions and breast tumours. This was then followed by investigating the role of one of the AKR1C enzymes - AKR1C3 - by inhibiting its catalysis using bimatoprost, followed by using PGE2 as one of the main candidates acting as a transcription factor for upregulating the expression of AKR1C3 which in turn upregulates the production of the local 17β-oestradiol. The gene expression of AKR1C1 was significantly higher in endometriotic lesions compared to eutopic endometrium of endometriosis patients. However, there was no significant difference in the gene expression of AKR1C (1-3) enzymes in the surrounding adipose tissues of endometriotic lesions between patients with or without endometriosis. Also, there was no significant difference in the gene expression of AKR1C (1-3) enzymes in the breast adipose tissues of patients with breast tumours, regardless of the oestrogen or progesterone receptor status. The gene expression of prostaglandin E (EP) receptor subtype 3 was significantly higher in the endometriotic lesions compared to eutopic endometrium of endometriosis patients. In the omental adipose tissue, there was no significant difference in the gene expression of EP1-4 and FP receptors between endometriosis and non-endometriosis patients. In the breast adipose tissue, there was also no significant difference in the gene expression of EP1-4 and FP receptors in patients with breast cancer regardless of the oestrogen or progesterone receptor status. The inhibitory constant (Ki) of bimatoprost was determined using oestrone as a substrate: Ki = 2.9µM and αKi = 0.7µM. Bimatoprost also significantly inhibited the production of 17β-oestradiol and inhibited the production of 9α,11β PGF2 in a dose dependent manner in the human endometrial cells. The effect of PGE2 on the expression of AKR1C1 and AKR1C3 was assessed in the human endometrial cells. The EP4 receptor agonist, L-902688, increased the gene expression of AKR1C1 and AKR1C3. Despite gene expression elevation, L-902688 did not increase the production of 17β-oestradiol. In conclusion, the results were contradictory and highlighted the need for further investigation into the relationship between prostaglandins and sex steroid hormones in the microenvironment of the endometrium, and surrounding adipose tissues of endometriotic lesions and breast tumours.

Dans l'etiologie de l'osteoporose, les oestrogenes et la progesterone semblent jouer un role important. C'est pourquoi nous avons etudie le role de ces steroides sexuels sur l'activite des cellules osseuses au cours du vieillissement chez la ratte. Des rattes lou de 30 mois ainsi que des femelles wistar agees de 6, 12 et 30 mois ont ete ovariectomisees (ovx), supplementees ou non en 17-oestradiol (e : 10g/kg pv/48 h), progesterone (p : 140g/kg pv/48 h), et 17-oestradiol + progesterone (ep : memes doses), ou pseudo-operees (sh). La duree de la carence oestrogenique et des differents traitements est respectivement de 30 et 60 jours selon que les animaux sont de souche lou ou wistar. Chez nos rattes wistar agees de 30 mois, l'excretion urinaire de ca et pi est deux fois plus elevee que celle mesuree chez les animaux de 6 et 12 mois. Simultanement les coefficients de retention et d'utilisation digestive apparente du ca et du pi sont tres diminues. Chez les lou ovx, e et ep, ainsi que chez les wistar adultes et senescents, nous observons une augmentation parallele des taux d'arnm calcitonine et de la calcitoninemie. En ce qui concerne l'hormone parathyroidienne, l'augmentation de l'hormone au niveau systemique est parallele a une baisse de la calcemie dans les groupes e, p et ep mais uniquement chez les lou. L'age s'accompagne d'une accentuation des concentrations plasmatiques de pth. Enfin, l'ovx augmente alors que les traitements e et ep reduisent la somatomedinemie des rattes wistar agees de 6, 12 et 30 mois. Les marqueurs du turnover osseux, mesures chez nos animaux de 6 et 12 mois, sont eleves apres ovx et retournent a des valeurs proches de celles des temoins apres l'administration d'oestrogene seul ou combine a la progesterone. Quant aux animaux de 30 mois, et contrairement aux lou, apres deux mois de carence oestrogenique, e et ep corrigent totalement aussi bien l'osteocalcinemie que l'excretion urinaire des agents de pontage du collagene. La senescence ainsi que l'ovx s'accompagnent d'une reduction significative de la bmc (bone mineral content) et de la bmd (bone mineral density) distales. L'administration d'e ameliore la bmc et la bmd distales ainsi que l'aire, le perimetre et l'epaisseur des trabecules osseuses des rattes wistar quel que soit leur age. Ep corrige aussi la bmc et la bmd distales des wistar et la bmd distale des rattes lou. L'administration d'ep est le seul traitement qui ameliore significativement la resistance osseuse des tibias de rattes wistar agees de 12 et 30 mois ainsi que ceux de souche lou. La force necessaire a la rupture des os de rattes lou augmente egalement apres supplementation oestrogenique. En conclusion, chez les rattes ovx agees de 30 mois, l'administration d'ep previent l'osteopenie induite par castration.

It is the first time in Lithuania that practical application of semen filtration by Sephadex G-15 for the needs of artificial insemination industry was assessed. The efficacy of semen filtration was assessed applying a battery of sperm quality assays to study bovine spermatozoa quality before and after filtration, as well as after cryopreservation. The estimation of effect of different concentrations of progesterone, oestradiol, heparin separately or in combination, on different functional parameters of bull spermatozoa after thawing was performed. These are the first published studies applying integrated approach to study the effects of sperm challenge with several biologically active substances.

Orientador: Cezinande de Meira
Resumo: Diferentes tratamentos hormonais com a utilização de estrógenos e progestágenos são comumente utilizados para aumentar a oferta de receptoras nos programas de TE. Porém, pouco se sabe sobre a ação destes hormônios na expressão gênica e proteica dos receptores endometriais de estrógeno e progesterona em éguas acíclicas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos de três tratamentos hormonais utilizados durante a preparação de éguas acíclicas sobre o edema, tônus uterino e expressão gênica e proteica de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona endometriais. Éguas em anestro foram divididas em três grupos: Dose Total 10 mg BE+P4, (n=7), Dose Total 5 mg BE+P4 (n=7), Priming Hormonal (n=7) e comparadas com o grupo de éguas cíclicas (n=7). Foram avaliados: a expressão proteica e gênica relativa dos transcritos para os receptores de estrógeno e progesterona presentes no endométrio por meio das técnicas de imunohistoquímica e RT-qPCR; e as características morfológicas do útero por palpação retal e ultrassonografia em modo B. Os tratamentos hormonais utilizados no presente estudo foram eficazes em promover edema e tônus uterinos semelhante ao que ocorre em éguas cíclicas. Adicionalmente, o grupo Priming Hormonal demonstrou induzir características uterinas similares as observadas nos grupos 5 mg BE+P4 e no grupo controle, após 14 dias de intervalo. O tratamento hormonal com dose total de 10 mg de BE+P4 LA utilizando para o preparo de éguas acíclicas, demonstrou ser similar ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Different hormonal treatments with the use of estrogen and progestogen are commonly used to increase the supply of receiving the TE programs. However, little is known about the effect of these hormones on gene and protein expression of endometrial receptors for estrogen and progesterone in non-cyclic mares. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three hormonal treatments used for the preparation of non-cyclic mares on the edema and uterine tone and gene and protein expression of estrogen and endometrial progesterone receptors. Mares anestrus were divided into three groups: total dose 10 mg EB + P4 (n = 7) total dose 5 mg EB + P4 (n = 7) Hormonal Priming (n = 7) and compared with the group of cyclic mares (n = 7). Were evaluated: protein expression and gene transcripts related to the estrogen and progesterone receptors present in the endometrium by the techniques of immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR; and the morphological characteristics of the uterus by rectal palpation and ultrasound in B mode. Hormonal treatments used in this study were effective in promoting edema and uterine tone similar to what occurs in cyclic mares. Additionally, the Hormonal Priming group demonstrated induce uterine similar characteristics observed in the groups 5 mg EB + P4 and control group, after 14 days apart. Hormonal treatment with a total dose of 10 mg EB + P4 LA using for the preparation of non-cyclic mares, was shown to be similar in tone and uterine edema, protein expression and relative... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a presença e a localização de receptores para hormônios esteróides e gonadotróficos, através da técnica de imunohistoquímica, pelo método de peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), nos diferentes tecidos que compõe o trato genital da égua e a variação de reatividade destes receptores durante o ciclo estral e no anestro fisiológico. Também se objetivou verificar se há diferença de reatividade em éguas com e sem endometrose. Foram coletadas amostras de útero, cérvice e oviduto, de 41 éguas sem raça definida e com histórico reprodutivo desconhecido, em um abatedouro. Quinze éguas se encontravam em estro, dezoito em diestro e oito éguas em anestro. Concluiu-se que a intensidade e a distribuição da coloração para os receptores de estrógeno (RE), progesterona (RP) e hormônio luteinizante (RLH) variaram de acordo com o tipo de célula e o estágio do ciclo estral. Nas amostras de endométrio observou-se imunorreatividade alta no epitélio luminal para RE e RP tanto no estro quanto no diestro; o epitélio glandular, estroma e miométrio mostraram reatividade moderada para os dois receptores durante as duas fases. Durante o anestro os resultados foram semelhantes aos encontrados durante a fase cíclica. Na avaliação da reatividade para RLH, durante o estro e diestro, o epitélio luminal mostrou reatividade de fraca a moderada, mas no diestro houve maior reatividade média. O epitélio glandular apresentou menor reatividade do que o luminal. No miométrio a coloração foi fraca durante todo o ciclo. Durante o anestro a reatividade foi fraca no epitélio luminal, ausente em quase todas as amostras no epitélio glandular e de fraca a ausente no miométrio. Neste experimento, não foi observada diferença significativa de reatividade entre os endométrios com e sem endometrose, mas as áreas afetadas mostraram coloração assíncrona para RE, RP e RLH. Na cérvice, foi observada imunorreatividade moderada a alta para RE e RP no epitélio luminal, no estroma e no músculo. A intensidade de coloração das células epiteliais e musculares variou pouco entre o estro e o diestro, mas durante o anestro houve maior reatividade no tecido muscular e no estroma. Foi observada reatividade para RLH no epitélio e camada muscular, sem variação significativa nas fases do ciclo. A intensidade de coloração foi de fraca a moderada no epitélio e fraca na camada muscular. No oviduto, observou-se imunorreatividade para RE e RP nos três tecidos, durante a fase cíclica e o anestro. No epitélio, os valores encontrados foram de moderados a altos, sem variação significativa nas três fases. A coloração das células epiteliais do oviduto foi nitidamente irregular, com o núcleo muito corado no que parecem ser células secretoras e pouco corado ou sem coloração nas células ciliadas, refletindo provavelmente as diferentes funções das células epiteliais neste órgão. No estroma a reatividade foi moderada durante a fase luteal, mostrando reatividade mais alta no estro e no anestro. A camada muscular apresentou reatividade máxima para RE no estro e no diestro. A reatividade para RLH no epitélio luminal foi de fraca a moderada durante todo o ciclo. No músculo também foi observada reatividade, porém bem mais fraca do que no epitélio. Durante o anestro somente três das oito amostras apresentaram reatividade no tecido muscular. No diestro foi observada maior reatividade do que no estro. Os resultados do presente estudo evidenciam, pela primeira vez, a presença de receptores para LH nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutor extragonadal da égua. Embora existam relatos da expressão e localização de RE e RP no endométrio equino, esta é a primeira vez que se utiliza a técnica de imunohistoquímica para localizar estes receptores na cérvice e no oviduto desta espécie. Foi observada variação individual bastante acentuada entre as amostras, em uma mesma fase cíclica. Provavelmente estes resultados sejam o reflexo da variação entre o dia do ciclo em que os animais se encontravam, bem como da complexidade dos mecanismos envolvidos na presença desses receptores. Os achados deste estudo indicam que tanto os hormônios gonadais quanto o LH atuam por meio de seus receptores nos diferentes tecidos do trato reprodutivo da égua, podendo servir para a elaboração de novas estratégias para melhorar a eficiência reprodutiva nesta espécie.
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the presence and localization of gonadotropic and steroid hormone receptors, in different tissues of the mare genital tract and the different reactivity to these receptors during the endometrial cycle and physiologic anestrus. Another objective was to compare the reactivity to theses receptors in mares with and without endometrosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique (PAP). Uterus, cervix and oviduct of 41 criollo mares were collected in an abattoir. There was variation in the intensity of the staining and distribution for estrogen receptors (PR), progesterone receptors (PR) and luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) with the endometrial cycle and different tissues. The endometrial surface epithelial cells were stained strongly for ER and PR in the estrous and dioestrus; glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells of the myometrium had moderate staining for ER and PR during these two phases and in anestrus too. The immunoreactive score for LHR in the surface epithelial cells during endometrial cycle was weak to moderate but, in general, strong staining was observed in dioestrus. More weak staining intensity was observed in the glandular epithelial cells than luminal epithelial cells. Smooth muscle cells of the myometrium showed weak staining for LHR throughout the endometrial cycle. During the anestrus, the immunoreactivity score was weak in the surface epithelial cells. In general, the glandular epithelium was not stained. Myometrium cells were weak to not staining for LHR, in this phase. In this study there was no significant difference in immunoreactive score for ER, PR and LHR in endometrium with or without endometrosis but fibrotic glands showed different expression patterns of ER, PR and LHR, could evidence for functionally glandular maldifferentiation in endometrosis. The cervical epithelial surface, stromal cells and smooth muscle cells were moderate to strongly staining for ER and PR, with little variation throughout the endometrial cycle but the immunorectivity was strongest during the anestrus in muscular and stromal cells. Surface epithelial cells of cervix were weak to moderate stained for LHR; smooth muscle cells showed weak staining for these receptors. There was no variation during cycle. In the oviduct, epithelial, stromal and muscle cells showed reactivity for RE and RP, during cycle and anestrus. Epithelial cells were moderate to strongly staining for these receptors, with evident irregularity in different types of cells. Apparently ciliated epithelial cells were stained but the intensity was much less than that observed in nonciliated epithelial cells, probably reflecting different functions of these cells. Stromal cells showed moderate staining during dioestrus and strongest reactivity in estrous and anestrus; muscle cells showed strong reactivity for ER throughout the cycle. The reactivity for LHR was weak to moderate throughout the cycle in the epithelial cells and weak in the muscle cells. During anestrus only three strains of muscle cells showed reactivity for LHR. In dioestrus the intensity was strongest. These findings evidence for the firs time the presence for LHR in extra-gonadal reproductive organs of mare. Though there were reports of ER and PR expression in equine endometrium, this is the first report of localization of these receptors in cervix and oviduct of mare using immunohistochemistry. It was found marked individual variation among the strains. These results probably were caused by the variation among the day of cycle and the complexity of mechanisms involved in the presence of these receptors. The findings of the present study allow us to infer that the ovarian steroid hormones nad LH function through their receptors in different tissues of mare reproductive tract, can help us to elaborate new strategies to improve the reproductive efficiency in this specie.

The ovary produces (1) gametes—germ cells in the ovary have undergone the first meiotic division to become oocytes in primordial follicles by the time of birth, with about 400 of these ovulating during reproductive life; and (2) hormones—oestradiol, progesterone, androgens, and two nonsteroidal glycopeptides, inhibin A and B....

Migraine is much more common in women than in men, especially during the reproductive years. Furthermore, the incidence of migraine attacks depends on hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menstruation or pregnancy, or in patients who use exogenously administered hormones. This chapter describes the role of ovarian hormones (primarily oestradiol and progesterone) on neurotransmission and vascular function. Furthermore, the treatment of different forms of hormonally related headaches is discussed.

Hormones, produced by glands or cells, are messengers which act locally or at a distance to coordinate the function of cells and organs. Types of hormone include: peptides (e.g. hypothalamic releasing factors) and proteins (e.g. insulin, growth hormone)—these generally interact with membrane receptors located on the cell surface, causing activation of downstream signalling pathways leading to alteration in gene transcription or modulation of biochemical pathways to effect a physiological response; steroids (e.g. cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, oestradiol) and other lipophilic substances (e.g. vitamin D, retinoic acid, thyroid hormone)—these act by crossing the plasma membrane to interact with intracellular receptors, with hormone action via nuclear receptors altering cellular gene expression directly.

Hormones, produced by glands or cells, are messengers which act locally or at a distance to coordinate the function of cells and organs. Types of hormone include (1) peptides (e.g hypothalamic releasing factors) and proteins (e.g. insulin, growth hormone)—these generally interact with membrane receptors located on the cell surface, causing activation of downstream signalling pathways leading to alteration in gene transcription or modulation of biochemical pathways to effect a physiological response; (2) steroids (e.g. cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, oestradiol) and other lipophilic substances (e.g. vitamin D, retinoic acid, thyroid hormone)—these act by crossing the plasma membrane to interact with intracellular receptors, with hormone action via nuclear receptors altering cellular gene expression directly....

This chapter discusses the female-specific endocrine system anatomy and function. It discusses reproductive physiology in terms of follicles and associated hormones, such as oestradiol and progesterone. The chapter investigates biochemical processes related to female endocrinology as well as singular genetic features, such as a karyotype for premature ovarian insufficiency and fragile X syndrome. It also describes female-specific endocrine disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, androgen secreting tumours, primary ovarian failure, and Turner syndrome, defining the disorders as well as outlining disorder prevalence, symptoms, biochemistry, and management. It relates endocrinology to menstrual function, documenting clinical features of menstrual disorders as one approaches menopause and suggesting treatments such as hormone replacement therapy (commonly abbreviated as HRT) and alternative methods.

A variety of laboratory assessment and imaging studies can be ordered to guide the management of patients with suspected endocrine abnormality. These are selected based on the clinical presentation. In this chapter, we thereby classify them into hormonal evaluation (e.g. β‎-hCG, oestradiol, progesterone, LH and FSH, androgens (testosterone, DHEAS), 17 α‎-hydroxyprogesterone (17 OHP), prolactin, growth hormone, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), thyroid hormone, cortisol), imaging studies (e.g. head, ovarian, adrenal, bone density, and thyroid), and other assessments (e.g. karyotype, fragile X testing, autoimmune testing, insulin resistance testing) that are helpful in diagnosing these conditions and evaluating for other associated abnormalities. A full references list and illustrative tables provide further reading and information.

Millions of women and their families around the world are affected by premenstrual disorders. These conditions cause significant impairment for women, resulting in emotional, somatic, and/or behavioural symptoms in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Following the recent International Society for Premenstrual Disorders (ISPMD) consensus, these disorders have been divided into core and variant premenstrual disorders. Diagnosis is complex as there are no objective tests. Use of a prospective symptom scoring chart, by women, to record their daily symptoms is recommended to support a definitive diagnosis in addition to a multidisciplinary team approach for management of women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Treatments are broadly divided into two categories, based on ovulation suppression and neuroendocrine manipulation. These include lifestyle modifications, cognitive behaviour therapy, combined oral contraception, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, oestradiol, and progesterone, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues and surgery (bilateral salpingo-ophorectomy and hysterectomy) as a last resort.