To assess the correlation between the remaining serum testosterone and bone mineral density(BMD), and to determine the effect of exogenous testosterone on BMD in subjects with male hypogonadism, we evaluated the serum testosterone levels and BMDs of the femur neck, Ward's triangle and the spine(L1-4) in 20 subjects with Klinefelter's syndrome and 7 with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before and after testosterone replacement. BMDs of the femur neck, Ward's triangle and the spine were below the age-matched normal mean at 77.8%(21/20), 74.1%(20/27) and 88.9%(24/27), respectively. There were significant differences in serum testosterone levels and the spinal BMD between the two groups and the BMD of the spine closely correlated with the serum testosterone level (R = 0.63, p < 0.001). Following a mean 11.8 +/- 4.9 months of testosterone replacement, the BMD at all sites increased significantly and the pretreatment difference in spinal BMD between the two groups disappeared. We conclude that, although testosterone may increases the bone density, it has a site-specific effect of maintaining and increasing the bone mass especially at the spine in male hypogonadism.
Adult ; Bone Density/*drug effects/physiology ; Human ; Hypogonadism/blood/*metabolism ; Klinefelter Syndrome/blood/drug therapy/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Age ; Testosterone/blood/metabolism/*pharmacology

Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 60-80 g were given different dosages of soy isoflavones and/or lindane for four weeks. Soy isoflavones was added in feed and lindane was given by oral gavage. We found that soy isoflavones could reduce the level of lindane in rat's serum and brain, but might cause the uterus hyperplasia. Lindane could inhibit the effect of soy isoflavones on uterus and significantly decrease the level of estradiol and testosterone in serum. This study indicated that soy isoflavones could reduce the level of lindane in rat's body. Lindane could reduce the level of hormones and decreased the effect of soy isoflavones on rat's uterus.
Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Lindane ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Soybeans ; chemistry ; Testosterone ; blood ; Uterus ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways.

METHODSWe equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAndrogen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

Animals ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the androgenic and anti-androgenic effects of GH (growth hormone) transgenic carp in male rats.

METHODSHershberger assay was carried out in castrated male SD rats aged 4-5 weeks. Testosterone propionate (TP) (0.4 mg/kg BW) was administrated for a positive control, GH transgenic carp (3.0 g/kg BW)+TP (0.4 mg/kg BW), parental carp (3.0 g/kg BW) + TP (0.4 mg/kg BW), and flutamide (Flu) (3.0 g/kg BW) were used for negative controls, and vehicle was administered orally for a blank control. All groups were administrated for 10 consecutive days. At the end of the test, animals were anesthetized, then weights of accessory sex organ were measured. Serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels were detected.

RESULTSThe weights ratios of the accessory sex organs and body weights showed no significant differences between the solvent control and the GH transgenic carp-treated groups. Serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and T of the rats treated with GH transgenic carp + TP showed no significant changes, compared with those treated with TP only.

CONCLUSIONGH transgenic carp does not have any androgenic agonist or antagonist properties in vivo screening tests.

Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Carps ; genetics ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Genitalia, Male ; drug effects ; Growth Hormone ; genetics ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Rats ; Testosterone ; blood

Though an adequate volume of ethanol relieves nervousness and enhances sexual desire,long term and excessive intake of ethanol can induce sexual dysfunction. The reasons that ethanol results in sexual dysfunction are as follows: ethanol inhibits the hypothalamo-pituitary-testes axis and decreases serum testosterone level. The decline of smooth muscle, choline acetyltransferase and nitric oxide synthase in the penis may be responsible for it.
Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Ethanol ; pharmacology ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; drug effects ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Sexual Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood

AIMTo study the detrimental effects of cyclophosphamide on the testicular androgenic and gametogenic activities through endocrine inhibition and/or induction of oxidative stress in male albino rats and to evaluate the protective effect of ascorbic acid.

METHODSThe testicular D5, 3b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17b-HSD, peroxidase and catalase activities along with the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes in testicular tissue were measured for the evaluation of testicular oxidative stress. The plasma testosterone (T) level was measured by immunoassay. Various germ cells at stage VII of spermatogenic cycle were quantified from testicular stained sections.

RESULTSCyclophosphamide treatment results in a significant inhibition in the testicular D5, 3b-HSD and 17b-HSD activities, a decrease in plasma T level and a diminution in the counts of various germ cells. Moreover, this treatment was also associated with a significant inhibition of the peroxidase and catalase activities along with high levels of MDA and conjugated dienes in the testis. All these changes were reversed by ascorbic acid co-administration.

CONCLUSIONCyclophosphamide treatment at the dosage used caused testicular gametogenic and androgenic disorders as well as induced testicular oxidative stress that can be reversed by ascorbic acid co-administration.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid ; pharmacology ; Body Weight ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cyclophosphamide ; pharmacology ; Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ; metabolism ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mutagens ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YJZYD) on the serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), ovarian follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), steroid hormone acute regulator protein (StAR) mRNA expressions in female rats.

METHODSFifty PCOS rats were equally divided into 5 groups, i. e., the control group (C, normal PNA rats), the model group (M), the low dose YJZYD group (Y1), the medium dose YJZYD group (Y2), and the high dose YJZYD group (Y3), 10 in each. The levels of serum hormones were detected using radioimmunoassay. The morphological changes of the ovary were observed using HE method. The expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA were detected using RT PCR.

RESULTSCompared with Group C, serum T and 17-OHP significantly increased (P < 0.01), E2 significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA significantly decreased in Group M (P < 0.01). Compared with Group M, the serum T level significantly decreased (P < 0.01), 17-OHP decreased (P < 0.05), and E2 significantly increased in Group Y3 (P < 0.01). The expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA increased in Group Y1, Y2, and Y3. The increase was most obvious in Group Y3 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSYJZYD could lower the hyperandrogenemia of PCOS rats. It also could increase the ovarian expressions of FSHR, IGF-1, and StAR mRNA, improve the ovarian functions, and promote the follicular development.

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone ; blood ; Androgens ; blood ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, FSH ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of C. versicolor petroleum ether extracts (CVPE) on the adenohypophysis androgen receptor level in mature castrated male rats.

METHODAll the rats in experiment were anesthetized for bilateral testicular and epididymis removal under sterile condition. The rats were randomized into four groups on the 14 th day after operation. The first group was intragastric physiological saline for castratered control group. The second group was intragastric CVPE 2 g x kg(-1) for low-dose group. The third group was high-dose group by giving CVPE 4 g x kg(-1). The fourth group was injected hypodermic testosterone propionate for positive-effect drug treatment group. The drug was given orally to animals one time a day successively for 21 days. The androgen receptor (AR) in adenohypophysis of mature castrated male rats was determined by the immunohistochemistry method and the level of serum testosterone (T) were determined by the radio-immunoassay after ig CVPE for 21 days.

RESULTThe immunohistochemistry results showed that positive cell numbers of androgen receptor in positive control and each CVPE groups were more than those in the castrated control group. The serum T level was increased greatly in mature castrated male rats treated with CVPE compared with the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results show that CVPE can increase the adenohypophysis androgen receptor and serum T level in mature castrated male rats. It is indicated that CVPE has the effects on the hypophysis function.

Animals ; Lizards ; Male ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Orchiectomy ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of the water extract from Codonopsis thalictrifolia Wall (CTW) on the reproductive

METHODSWe divided 32 male SD infant rats into four groups of equal number to be treated intragastrical-system of male infant rats. ly with distilled water (control) and CTW at 10 g/kg (low dose) , 20 g/kg (medium dose), and 40 g/kg (high dose), respectively, twice a day for 2 weeks. Then we killed the rats, measured the levels of testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum, obtained the testis weight, body weight, testis visceral coefficient and sperm concentration, and detected sperm viability, sperm motility and the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the Leydig cells, followed by

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the low-dose, me-analysis of differences among different groups using the SPSS software. Medium-dose and high-dose CTW groups showed significant decreases in the serum T level ([3.09 +/-0.42] vs [1.22 +/-0. 32] , [1.06 +/- 0.29] and [0.57 +/-0.18] nmol/L, P<0.01), testis weight ([1.40 +/-0.16] vs [0.96 +/-0.09], [0.92 +/-0.11] and [0.91 +/- 0.08] g, P <0.01), and sperm concentration ([1.03 +/-0.16] vs [0.19 +/-0.07], [0.17 +/-0.08] and [0.16 +/-0.07] x 10(6)/ml, P <0.01), but a dramatic elevation in the testis visceral coefficient ([42.22 +/- 3.02] vs [51.39 +/- 3.09], [52.28 +/- 4.86] and [54.13 +/-6.06] mg/10 g, P <0.01); the medium- and high-dose CTW groups exhibited remarkable increases in the levels of serum LH ([13.62+/-0.89] vs [14.69 +/-0.12] and [14.93 +/-0.28] ng/L, P<0.01) and FSH ([4.32 +/-0.18] vs [4.77 +/-0.23] and [4.89 +/-0. 38] IU/L, P <0.05); all the three CTW groups showed markedly inhibited serum T secretion ([1.85 +/- 0.18] vs [1.42 +/-0.15], [1.12+/-0.18] and [0.88 +/-0.21] nmol/L, P<0.01) and intracellular cAMP ([5.51 +/-0.12] vs [4.39+/-0.06], [4.28 +/-0.07] and [4.11 +/- 0.10] nmol/L, P <0.01) in the Leydig cells.

CONCLUSIONThe water extract from CTW may reduce the synthesis of testosterone in the serum of male infant rats through the PKA pathway and consequently inhibit their testicular development and sperm production and affect the development of their reproductive system.

Animals ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Cyclic AMP ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urogenital System ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of dutasteride inhibiting fertility by studying its effects on the expressions of the epididymal epithelial junction proteins Claudin1 and β-catenin in rats.

METHODSSixteen 3-month-old SD male rats were equally divided into an experimental and a negative control group to be treated intragastrically with dutasteride at 40 mg/kg per day and the same dose of solvent, respectively, for 14 consecutive days. Then, the sperm motility and morphology of the rats were detected by computer-assisted sperm analysis, the serum levels of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) measured by ELISA, changes in the tight junction of epididymal cells observed under the transmission electron microscope, the protein and gene expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and the conception rate of the mated female rats calculated.

RESULTSDutasteride significantly suppressed the serum DHT level, sperm motility, and fertility of the rats (P <0.05). Interspaces between epididymal epithelial cell tight junctions were observed, the volume of epididymal fluid obviously increased, and the expressions of Claudin1 and β-catenin gene and protein remarkably downregulated in the experimental rats (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONDutasteride can significantly inhibit the fertility of male rats by reducing the serum DHT level, suppressing Claudin1 and β-catenin expressions, and damaging epididymal epithelial cell junctions.

Animals ; Azasteroids ; pharmacology ; Claudin-1 ; metabolism ; Dihydrotestosterone ; blood ; Dutasteride ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertility ; drug effects ; Humans ; Intercellular Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urological Agents ; pharmacology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism