OBJECTIVE: To observe the regulatory effects of moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the synthesis of extragonadal estradiol (E₂) and the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in ovariectomized rats, aiming to explore the mechanism of moxibustion treatment for perimenopausal syndrome. METHODS: Forty-eight SD female rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a model group and a moxibustion group, with 16 rats in each group. The model group and the moxibustion group underwent bilateral ovariectomy by the back incision method. Ten days after surgery, moxibustion was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4) in the moxibustion group, 30 min each time, once a day for 10 days. After intervention, in the 3 groups, the body mass and uterus weight were measured; the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and E₂, as well as the skin and hypothalamus levels of E₂ were detected by ELISA; the mRNA expression of aromatase (P450arom) in the skin and hypothalamus was detected by real-time PCR; the expression of ERα and ERβ in the hypothalamus, skin, and uterus was observed by immunofluorescence staining, and the density of positive cells was calculated using the Aipathwell digital pathology image analysis software. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the body mass was increased (P<0.01) and the uterus weight was decreased (P<0.001) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the body mass was decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.01). Compared with the sham-operation group, in the model group, the serum, hypothalamus and skin levels of E₂ were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the serum levels of FSH and LH were increased (P<0.01); the expression of ERα and ERβ in the skin, hypothalamus and uterus was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.001). Compared with the model group, in the moxibustion group, the serum levels of E₂ and LH, as well as the hypothalamus and skin levels of E₂ were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the mRNA expression of P450arom, as well as the expression of ERα and ERβ in the skin and hypothalamus were increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) reduces the body mass of ovariectomized rats by enhancing the synthesis of extragonadal E₂ and increasing the expression of ER in the skin and hypothalamus, yet it does not alleviate uterine atrophy.
Animals ; Female ; Moxibustion ; Rats ; Ovariectomy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics* ; Estrogens/metabolism* ; Estradiol/metabolism* ; Hypothalamus/metabolism* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Aromatase/genetics* ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood* ; Skin/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: By analyzing the hormone secretion of the adenohypophysis, thyroid glands, gonads, and adrenal cortex in patients with hematological diseases before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), this study aims to preliminarily explore the effect of HSCT on patients' hormone secretion and glandular damage. METHODS: The baseline data of 209 hematological disease patients who underwent HSCT in our hospital from January 2019 to December 2023, as well as the data on the levels of hormones secreted by the adenohypophysis, thyroid glands, gonads and adrenal cortex before and after HSCT were collected, and the changes in hormone levels before and after transplantation were analyzed. RESULTS: After allogeneic HSCT, the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and estradiol (E2) decreased, while the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH) increased. The T3 level of patients with decreased TSH after transplantation was lower than that of those with increased TSH after transplantation. In female patients, the levels of prolactin (PRL), progesterone (Prog), and testosterone (Testo) decreased after HSCT. Testo and PRL decreased when there was a donor-recipient sex mismatch, and the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (COR) decreased when the HLA matching was haploidentical. The levels of T3, FT3, and PRL decreased after autologous HSCT. In allogeneic HSCT patients, the levels of TSH, T4, T3, FT3, and ACTH in the group with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were significantly lower than those in the group without GVHD. Logistic regression analysis showed the changes in hormone levels after transplantation were not correlated with factors such as the patient's sex, age, or whether the blood types of the donor and the recipient are the same. CONCLUSION HSCT can affect the endocrine function of patients with hematological diseases, mainly affecting target glandular organs such as the thyroid, gonads, and adrenal glands, while the secretory function of the adenohypophysis is less affected.
Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Female ; Male ; Hematologic Diseases/blood* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Triiodothyronine/blood* ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood* ; Thyroid Gland/metabolism* ; Estradiol/blood* ; Thyrotropin/blood* ; Gonads/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/blood* ; Hormones/metabolism* ; Adrenal Cortex/metabolism* ; Prolactin

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical efficacy of Wenyang Lishui Formula (WYLSF) in preventing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and explore the suitable range of estradiol (E₂) on the human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) day in patients with OHSS using WYLSF. METHODS: Part I: eligible patients at high risk for OHSS undergoing ovulation induction between January and December, 2023 were randomized into 2 groups based on the actual treatment. The treatment group received 200 mL WYLSF formula twice daily for 5 days after oocyte retrieval in a combination of lifestyle coaching (LC) intervention including regular diet and exercise, whereas the LC group received LC intervention alone. The incidence of OHSS, OHSS self-assessment scales, changes in E₂ levels on HCG day and 5 days after oocyte retrieval, ovarian morphology changes, and menstrual recovery were compared between the two groups. Part II: patients at high risk for OHSS treated with WYLSF were studied. The optimal E₂ threshold on the HCG day was determined using the maximum selection test, and a multivariate analysis was adopted to compare the relationship between different E₂ levels on HCG day and hospitalization rate, incidence of moderate to severe OHSS, and self-assessment scales, to explore the preventive effect of WYLSF on OHSS in patients with varying E₂ levels. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included in the Part I analysis. The treatment group (60 cases) showed a significant reduction in the incidence, duration, and severity of abdominal distension, as well as the incidence of vomiting compared with the LC group (P<0.05). The post-retrieval E₂ levels in the treatment group decreased significantly more (P=0.032). Among 1,652 patients treated with WYLSF in the Part II, 90 patients with ⩽ 10092 pmol/L, 159 with >31074 pmol/L, and 1,403 in the middle range group were formed based on E₂ levels on HCG day in Part two analysis. Univariate and regression analyses showed that patients with E₂ levels >31073 pmol/L had a significantly higher incidence of moderate to severe OHSS compared to those with E₂ levels ⩽ 10092 pmol/L (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS WYLSF can effectively reduce specific symptoms in high-risk OHSS patients after ovulation induction and significantly lower E₂ levels. It may be more suitable for high-risk OHSS patients with E₂ levels <31073 pmol/L on HCG day. (Registration No. MR-11-23-032493, https://www.medicalresearch.org.cn/login ).
Humans ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome/blood* ; Female ; Adult ; Prospective Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Estradiol/blood* ; Ovulation Induction ; Chorionic Gonadotropin

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate how type I diabetes mellitus (T1D) affects the folliculogenesis and oocyte development, fertilization, and embryo development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative animal study was conducted using two different mouse models of T1D, a genetic AKITA model and a streptozotocin-induced diabetes model. Ovarian function was assessed by gross observation, immunoblot, immunohistochemistry, oocyte counting, and ELISA for serum hormones (insulin, anti-Mullerian hormone, estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone). Maturation and developmental competence of metaphase II oocytes from control and T1D animals was evaluated by immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical detection of biomarkers and in vitro fertilization. RESULTS: Animals from both T1D models showed increased blood glucose levels, while only streptozotocin (STZ)-injected mice showed reduced body weight. Folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and preimplantation embryogenesis were impaired in both T1D mouse models. Interestingly, exogenous streptozotocin injection to induce T1D led to marked decreases in ovary size, expression of luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor in the ovaries, the number of corpora lutea per ovary, oocyte maturation, and serum progesterone levels. Both T1D models exhibited significantly reduced pre-implantation embryo quality compared with controls. There was no significant difference in embryo quality between STZ-injected and AKITA diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that T1D affects folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and embryo development in mice. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying the observed reproductive effects of diabetes need to be further investigated.
Animals ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Corpus Luteum ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Estradiol ; Female ; Female ; Fertility ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lutein ; Mental Competency ; Metaphase ; Mice ; Oocytes ; Oogenesis ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; Reproduction ; Streptozocin ; Testosterone

Adult ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Gonadotrophs ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; surgery

ObjectiveTo screen out an effective substitute in the prescription of Shengjing Capsules (SJC), observe the effects of the redeveloped New SJC (NSJC) with cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia (CCM) substituted for the ingredient cordyceps sinensis in the treatment of spermatogenesis impairment (SI), and provide some experimental evidence for its application in the treatment of male infertility and sexual dysfunction.

METHODSWe equally randomized 192 male mice into 16 groups: normal saline control, SI model, high-, medium- and low-dose fermented cordycepin powder (FCP, 1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), high-, medium- and low-dose CCM (1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), high-, medium- and low-dose cordyceps mortierella mycelia (CMM, 1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), high-, medium- and low-dose fermented cordyceps sinensis (FCS, 1.60, 0.80 and 0.40 g/kg), SJC (0.80 g/kg), and vitamin E (VE, 0.25 g/kg), with the SI model established in all the mice and the normal controls injected intraperitoneally with cyclophosphamide at 60 mg/kg qd for 5 consecutive days. After intragastrical medication with respective drugs, we obtained the body mass index (BMI), sexual organ coefficient, sperm count, sperm motility, and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (MAS) of the mice. We also randomly divided 70 male rats into 7 groups of equal number: normal control, SI model, high-, medium- and low-dose NSJC (1.12, 0.56 and 0.28 g/kg), SJC (0.56 g/kg), and VE (0.18 g/kg), the SI model constructed in the latter 6 groups of rats by gavage of adenine at 200 mg/kg qd for 5 consecutive days. After intragastrical medication with respective drugs, we examined the BMI, coefficients of sexual and renal organs, levels of reproductive hormones, testicular morphology, and fertility of the animals.

RESULTSAfter medication, the mice in different groups showed different degrees of improvement in the cyclophosphamide-induced slow growth, significant increases in the testicular and epididymal coefficients, sperm count, motility and viability (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and a remarkable reduction in the percentage of MAS (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The effect was particularly significant in the CCM group and therefore CCM was chosen as the best substitute ingredient in the redeveloped NSJC. Compared with the rats in other groups, those treated with NSJC exhibited significant increases in the BMI, coefficients of sexual and renal organs and levels of serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), improvement of the pathologically damaged testicular morphology, elevation of the pregnancy rate and litter size, and recovery from adenine-induced SI.

CONCLUSIONSThe redeveloped New Shengjing Capsules with cordyceps cephalosporium mycelia substituted for the ingredient cordyceps sinensis can improve fertility and reverse spermatogenesis impairment in male rats. The new prescription may also be applied to the clinical treatment of male infertility and sexual dysfunction.

Acremonium ; Animals ; Capsules ; Cordyceps ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Epididymis ; Estradiol ; blood ; Fertility ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Infertility, Male ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Mycelium ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Species Specificity ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; anatomy & histology ; Testosterone ; blood

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation of the levels of reproductive hormones and oxidative stress in the seminal plasma with semen parameters in obese males.

METHODSBased on the body mass index (BMI), we divided 138 infertile men into three groups: normal (BMI <24 kg/m2, n = 48), overweight (24 kg/m2≤BMI<28 kg/m2, n = 47), and obesity (BMI ≥28 kg/m2, n = 43). We determined the concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in the serum by electrochemiluminescence and measured the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the seminal plasma by ELISA, compared the above indexes among the three groups, and analyzed their correlation with the semen volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS).

RESULTSThe semen volume was significantly lower in the obesity than in the normal group (［2.63 ± 0.74］ vs ［3.37 ± 1.00］ ml, P < 0.05), and so was the percentage of PMS in the overweight and even lower in the obesity than in the normal group (［47.91 ± 12.89］ and ［41.27 ± 15.77］ vs ［54.04 ± 13.29］%, P < 0.05). Compared with the normal group, both the overweight and obesity groups showed markedly decreased levels of serum T (［4.83 ± 1.42］ vs ［3.71 ± 1.22］ and ［3.49 ± 1.12］ ng/ml, P<0.05), T/LH ratio (1.53 ± 0.57 vs 1.19 ± 0.54 and 0.97 ± 0.51, P<0.05), SOD (［112.05 ± 10.54］ vs ［105.85 ± 6.93］ and ［99.33 ± 8.39］ U/ml, P<0.05), and GSTs (［31.75±6.03］ vs ［29.54±5.78］ and ［29.02±4.52］ U/L, P<0.05), but remarkably increased seminal plasma ROS (［549.93±82.41］ vs ［620.61±96.13］ and ［701.47±110.60］ IU/ml, P<0.05) and MDA (［7.46 ± 2.13］ vs ［8.72 ± 1.89］ and ［10.47 ± 2.10］ nmol/L, P<0.05). BMI was correlated positively with ROS and MDA, but negatively with the semen volume, PMS, T, T/LH, SOD and GSTs (P<0.05); LH negatively with sperm concentration, total sperm count and GSTs (P<0.05); PRL negatively GSTs (P<0.05); E2 positively with SOD (P<0.05); T positively with SOD (P<0.05) but negatively with MDA (P<0.05); T/LH positively with PMS and SOD (P<0.05) but negatively with ROS and MDA (P<0.05); SOD positively with semen volume, PMS and GSTs (P<0.05) but negatively with ROS and MDA (P<0.05); GSTs negatively with sperm concentration; total sperm count and MDA (P<0.05); ROS positively with MDA (P<0.01) but negatively with PMS (P<0.05); and MDA negatively with semen volume (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the independent factors influencing the semen volume were BMI and GSTs, those influencing the total sperm count were BMI and T, and those influencing PMS were BMI and MDA.

CONCLUSIONSIncreased BMI induces changes in the levels of male reproductive hormones and seminal plasma oxidative stress and affects semen quality, which may be associated with male infertility.

Body Mass Index ; Estradiol ; blood ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; blood ; classification ; metabolism ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Obesity ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Prolactin ; blood ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis ; Reproduction ; Semen ; metabolism ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Testosterone ; blood

A rapid decline in egg production of laying hens begins after 480 d of age. Such a rapid decrease results predominantly from the ovarian aging, accompanied by endocrine changes, decreased yolk synthesis and accumulation, and the reduction in follicles selected into the preovulatory hierarchy. In this study, hens at 90, 150, 280, and 580 d old (D90, D150, D280, and D580, respectively) were compared for yolk precursor formation in the liver to elucidate effects of aging on laying performance. The results showed that liver lipid synthesis increased remarkably in hens from D90 to D150, but decreased sharply at D580 as indicated by the changes in triglyceride (TG) levels. This result was consistent with the age-related changes of the laying performance. The levels of liver antioxidants and total antioxidant capacity decreased significantly in D580 hens and the methane dicarboxylic aldehyde in D580 hens was much higher than that at other stages. The serum 17β-estradiol level increased from D90 to D280, but decreased at D580 (P<0.05). The expression of estrogen receptor α and β mRNAs in the liver displayed similar changes to the serum 17β-estradiol in D580 hens. Expressions of the genes related to yolk precursor formation and enzymes responsible for fat acid synthesis were all decreased in D580 hens. These results indicated that decreased yolk precursor formation in the liver of the aged hens resulted from concomitant decreases of serum 17β-estradiol level, transcription levels of estrogen receptors and critical genes involved in yolk precursor synthesis, and liver antioxidant status.
Age Factors ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Chickens ; Egg Yolk ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Lipids ; biosynthesis ; Liver ; metabolism ; Oviposition ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with medication and medication alone for infertility patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSAccording to random number table, a total of 60 infertility patients with PCOS were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The patients in the control group were treated with diane-35 from the 3rd day into menstruation, and one menstrual cycle was taken as a session of treatment. At the same time of using diane-35, the patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Shenshu (BL 23), Pishu (BL 20), Weishu (BL 21) and Ganshu (BL 18) during non-menstruation period; the acupuncture was given once every two days, three treatments per week. The patients in both groups were treated for two sessions. The basic sex hormone and body mass index (BMI) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. After ovulation induction treatment, the endometrial thickness, amount of mature follicle, ovulation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, occurrence rate of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and the number of early spontaneous abortion were compared between the two groups during ovulation.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T) and BMI reduced in the observation group (all <0.05), while only LH reduced in the control group (<0.05). The reducing of estradiol (E), T and BMI in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group (all <0.05). The ovulation rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was higher than 80.0% (24/30) in the control group (<0.05). The rate of clinical pregnancy was 43.3% (13/30) in the observation group, which was higher than 33.3% (10/30) in the control group (<0.05). The differences of endometrial thickness, amount of mature follicle, occurrence rate of OHSS and number of early spontaneous abortion were not significant between the two groups (all >0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture as adjunctive treatment could improve BMI, reduce the levels of LH, E and T, increase ovulation reaction and effectively shorten reproduction cycles in infertility patients with PCOS.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Body Mass Index ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyproterone Acetate ; therapeutic use ; Drug Combinations ; Estradiol ; blood ; Ethinyl Estradiol ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy differences between acupuncture at back- points of five , Geshu (BL 17), Shenmen (HT 7) and regular medication for the treatment of menopausal insomnia.

METHODSA total of 128 female patients of menopausal insomnia were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 64 cases in each one. Four patients in the observation group and 2 patients in the control group dropped out during the treatment. The patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture at Feishu (BL 13), Xinshu (BL 15), Pishu (BL 20), Ganshu (BL 18), Shenshu (BL 23), Geshu (BL 17) and Shenmen (HT 7), once a day, and there was an interval of 2 days between every 5 days of treatment. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of alprazolam (0.4 mg or 0.8 mg) before sleep. Three-week treatment was taken as one course, and totally three courses were given in the two groups. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), levels of estradiol (E), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were observed before treatment and 30 days after treatment; the efficacy was evaluated 30 days after treatment.

RESULTSEach item score and total score of PSQI 30 days after treatment were lower than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all <0.05). The levels of E 30 days after treatment were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (both <0.05), but the level of FSH and LH 30 days after treatment were lower than those before treatment in the two groups; the level in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (all <0.05). The total effective rate was 98.3% (59/60) in the observation group, which was better than 95.2% (59/62) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Feishu (BL 13), Xinshu (BL 15), Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Geshu (BL 17), and Shenmen (HT 7) has better efficacy for menopausal insomnia than alprazolam.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Alprazolam ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Menopause ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome