芳香化酶抑制剂letrozole对赤点石斑鱼(Epinephelus akaara)性逆转的作用

在繁殖季节,采用腹部埋植方式,用非类固醇型芳香化酶抑制剂（aromatase inhibitor,AI）letrozole以5mg／kg体重的剂量处理2龄雌性赤点石斑鱼（每4周埋植1次,共埋植2次）,检查埋植后性腺组织结构、血清性类固醇激素以及脑和性腺芳香化酶活性的变化。结果显示：一次埋植AI即可有效诱导雌性赤点石斑鱼发生不同程度的性逆转;性腺成熟指数明显下降;性腺中卵细胞退化,精原细胞增殖,出现大量精母细胞和精子细胞;性逆转雄鱼的精巢在组织结构上与正常雄鱼精巢没有明显差异,部分鱼成为功能性雄鱼。第一次埋植AI后4周轻微挤压腹部有14．3％的鱼可排精,精子活力与正常雄鱼相同。第二次埋植后明显提高性逆转效果,排精率在第6、8周分别达到35．3％和48．4％。此外,埋植AI后性腺芳香化酶活性显著降低,化脑郝芳香化酶活性的变化不明显;血清11-酮基睾酮（11-ketotestosterone,11-KT）浓度显著增加,雌二醇（estradiol-17β,E2）水平显著降低,而睾酮（testosterone,T）含量无明显变化。这些结果表明,AI主要通过抑制内源性E2的产生并提高11-KT水平,从而诱导赤点石斑鱼由雌性转变为雄性。     

Electric organ discharge frequency and plasma sex steroid levels during gonadal recrudescence in a natural population of the weakly electric fish Sternopygus macrurus

1. Sternopygus macrurus were collected in Venezuela during the period of gonadal recrudescence in early or late dry season. Electric organ discharge (EOD) frequencies were recorded, blood samples were taken for analysis of steroid titers, and gonads were taken for determination of reproductive condition. 2. Mean EOD frequencies were significantly lower in males than in females in all samples. EOD frequency was inversely correlated with body length in males in late, but not early, dry season, and these parameters were never correlated in females. 3. Plasma levels of testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT), but not estradiol-17 beta (E2), were inversely correlated with EOD frequency in males. No 11-KT was observed in plasma of females, and plasma levels of T and E2 in females were comparable to those of males. Neither T nor E2 were correlated with EOD frequency in females. 4. Testes collected in late dry season were more mature than those from early dry season; androgen levels and EOD frequency were correlated with testicular maturity. Ovaries collected in early dry season were immature, while those from late dry season were more mature. There was no relationship between EOD frequency and stage of ovarian development. 5. These results suggest that plasma androgens modulate EOD frequency in males during the reproductive season and that plasma E2 has little relationship to EOD frequency in either sex.     

Effects of cocaine hydrochloride on the male reproductive system

The reproductive system effects of cocaine were studied in male rats. The analysis included measurements of circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The weights of the testes and sex accessory organs were also assessed and compared with control animals. Dosage level, duration of treatment, and interval between injection and sacrifice were the parameters examined. Following a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection, LH levels decreased over a 3-hour period. At a high dosage (40 mg/kg), cocaine caused a significant elevation in serum T followed by a significant depression of T for at least 2 hours. When administered chronically for 15 days, the low dose group (10 mg/kg) did not vary significantly from the vehicle controls. However, the high dose group had lower LH and T levels, as well as correspondingly lighter weight seminal vesicles and epididymis. No changes were noted in the weights of the ventral prostate or testes. This research suggests that cocaine acts primarily at the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis with a possible secondary action at the gonadal level.     

Serum levels of testosterone, 11‐ketotestosterone and oestradiol‐17β in three species of sturgeon during gonadal development and final maturation induced by hormonal treatment

Changes in serum concentrations of two androgens, testosterone (T) and 11‐ketotestosterone (11KT), and oestradiol‐17β(E2) in male and female giant sturgeon Huso huso , Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and stellate sturgeon Acipenser stellatus were studied at different stages of gonadal maturity and after final maturation induced by hormonal treatment. Both male and female fish displayed a distinct increase in serum steroid concentrations during gonadal development. 11KT levels were significantly higher in males than females, with a positive correlation detected between 11KT and T concentrations. In maturing males and females, higher values of both 11KT and T were observed in stellate sturgeon compared to giant and Russian sturgeons. Vitellogenesis and high E2 levels were correlated in maturing sturgeon females.     

腹腔镜卵巢囊肿剥除术中序贯式止血法对卵巢功能的影响研究

目的:探讨腹腔镜卵巢囊肿剥除术中序贯式止血法对卵巢功能的影响。方法:选取良性卵巢囊肿患者120例,随机分成对照组及观察组,每组60例,对照组术中采用传统的双极电凝止血法,观察组术中采用序贯式止血法。观察两组患者术前及术后3个月雌二醇(E2)、黄体生成素(LH)以及促卵泡激素(FSH)水平变化,采用kupperman改良评分法比较两组患者月经和妊娠情况,并且统计两组患者术前及术后3个月卵巢功能正常以及卵巢储备功能下降的发生率。结果:术后3个月对照组E2、LH及FSH水平较术前变化较大,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),而观察组E2、LH及FSH水平较术前变化较小,仅FSH差异有统计学意义(P0.05),术后3个月两组E2、LH及FSH水平差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组月经改变、围绝经期综合症的发生率与治疗后距妊娠时间均显著少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而妊娠率明显高于对照组患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);术后3个月观察组患者卵巢功能正常率显著高于对照组,并且卵巢储备功能下降率显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜卵巢囊肿剥除术中采用序贯式止血法对患者的卵巢功能影响较小,有利于患者术后正常生理功能的恢复,值得在临床上推广应用。     

Effects of suppressing gonadal hormones on response to novel objects in adolescent rats

Human adolescents exhibit higher levels of novelty-seeking behaviour than younger or older individuals, and novelty-seeking is higher in males than females from adolescence onwards. Gonadal hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol, have been suggested to underlie age and sex difference in response to novelty; however, empirical evidence in support of this hypothesis is limited. Here, we investigated whether suppressing gonadal hormone levels during adolescence affects response to novelty in laboratory rats. Previously, we have shown that male adolescent Lister-hooded rats (postnatal day, pnd, 40) exhibit a stronger preference than same-aged females for a novel object compared to a familiar object. In the current study, 24 male and 24 female Lister-hooded rats were administered with Antide (a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist), or with a control vehicle solution, at pnd 28. Antide provided long-term suppression of gonadal hormone production, as confirmed by ELISA assays and measurement of internal organs. Response to novel objects was tested at pnd 40 in Antide-treated and control subjects using a ‘novel object recognition’ task with a short (2-minute) inter-trial interval. In support of previous findings, control males exhibited a stronger preference than control females for novelty when presented with a choice of objects. Antide-treated males exhibited a significantly lower preference for novel objects compared to control males, whilst Antide-treated females did not differ significantly from control females in their preference for novelty. Antide treatment did not affect total time spent interacting with objects. We discuss how gonadal hormones might influence sex differences in preference for novelty during adolescence.     

Effect of prenatal stress and gonadal hormone condition on depressive behaviors of female and male rats

Whether prenatal stress (PNS) and gonadal hormones may influence depressive behavior of rats in the forced swim test was investigated. In Experiment I, adult diestrous female rats had increased immobility, which is indicative of depression, but did not show any significant difference in the duration of struggling compared to intact adult males. In Experiment 2, the behavior of adult intact, castrated, or castrated dihydrotestosterone (DHT)- or estrogen (E2)-replaced offspring of dams that were restrained under lights for 45 min on gestational day 18 (PNS) or were not subjected to gestational stress (non-PNS, control condition) were compared. There were no effects of PNS, but DHT and E2 produced anti-depressant effects on behavior of male rats. Castration decreased struggling and increased immobility compared to intact rats. DHT or E2 replacement was able to partially reinstate struggling and immobility behavior but not to levels of intact males. In Experiment 3, behavior of PNS or control rats that were in proestrus or were ovariectomized and DHT, E2, or vehicle-replaced were compared. Ovariectomy decreased struggling and increased immobility compared to that of proestrous rats. E2 or DHT to control females increased anti-depressant struggling behavior compared to ovariectomized control or PNS rats administered vehicle, which demonstrated greater duration of struggling than did E2-primed, PNS rats. E2 or DHT administration decreased immobility of PNS and control females. These findings suggest that E2 and DHT have some anti-depressant effects but that modest PNS may alter E2's ability to alleviate some depressive behavior in female, but not male rats.     

慢性乙型肝炎青年男性患者的勃起功能及性激素水平的研究

目的研究慢性乙型肝炎青年男性患者的勃起功能及性激素水平,探讨二者之间可能的关系。方法共有61例慢性乙型肝炎青年男性患者入选,其中轻度18例,中度22例,重度21例,20例健康男性志愿者作为对照,比较其国际勃起功能5项指数(IIEF-5)量表得分及睾酮、雌二醇和促泌乳素水平。结果慢性乙型肝炎青年男性患者均有不同程度的勃起功能障碍,明显高于正常对照组(P0.001),重度患者与轻中度患者比较IIEF-5评分较低,均数比较差异有显著性(P0.001～0.027),雌二醇/睾酮比值在4组间比较,差异无显著性(F=1.99,P=0.120),所有肝炎患者睾酮、雌二醇水平均较正常对照组升高(P0.01),中重度患者的促泌乳素水平较正常对照组高(P0.001)。结论慢性乙型肝炎青年男性患者的国际勃起功能指数明显降低,勃起功能障碍发生率明显升高,其机制可能与雌二醇及促泌乳素升高有关。     

Male effect in seasonally anovulatory lactating goats depends on the presence of sexually active bucks,but not estrous females

A study was conducted in subtropical northern Mexico (26 degrees N) to determine whether the presence of estrous females can improve the response of seasonally anovulatory goats to the introduction of bucks in the group. The induction of estrous activity was studied in three groups of anovulatory lactating goats during seasonal anestrus. These females were of the Mexican Creole breed. In the control group (sexually inactive (SI), n = 20), two control (SI) bucks exposed to normal seasonal daylength variations were used. In the second group (SI + E, n = 20 + 3), two control males were also used, but in addition, three females of the group were in estrus at the time of male introduction. In the third group (sexually active, SA + E, n = 19 + 4), anovulatory females were exposed to two bucks made sexually active by exposure to 2.5 months of long days (16L:8D) followed by two subcutaneous 18 mg melatonin implants, and four estrous females were also present when introducing the bucks. In all groups, males were introduced on 15 March and estrous detection was conducted twice daily for 15 days. The sexual activity of the bucks was observed from 08:00 to 10:00 h during the first five days of exposure to females. More females displayed estrous behavior in the first 15 days following the introduction of the males in the SA + E group (18/19) as compared with the SI or SI + E groups (2/20 and 0/20, respectively; P < 0.001). No difference was observed between the two latter groups. Thirteen females of SA + E group showed a second estrus between days 6 and 11 (short estrous cycle duration: 5.4 +/- 0.4 days). By contrast, in the SI group none showed a second estrus. The sexual behavior of the males in the SA + E group was greater as compared with that of the males in SI and SI + E groups (over 80% of the total sexual activity recorded in the three groups; P < 0.001). By contrast, no differences were found between SI and SI + E males. These results indicate that the presence of estrous females alone at the time of buck introduction is not sufficient to induce an adequate stimulation of seasonally inactive males. The use of sexually active bucks is necessary to induce reproductive activity in anovulatory females, whereas preparation of the bucks with long days followed by melatonin implants allows them to gain such a capacity.     

卵巢囊肿剥除术对卵巢囊肿患者术后卵巢储备功能的影响

目的:探究卵巢囊肿剥除术对卵巢囊肿患者术后卵巢储备功能的影响。方法:选取我院收治的卵巢囊肿患者42例,按照随机数字表法分为实验组和对照组。对照组20例,采用经腹卵巢囊肿剥除术;实验组22例,采用经腹腔镜下卵巢囊肿剥除术。对比两组术后6个月血清中的抗苗勒管激素(AMH)、卵泡刺激素(FSH)及雌二醇(E2)水平,超声下卵巢体积(Vol),窦状卵泡数(Fo)水平等。结果:治疗后,实验组总有效率为(95.5%)高于对照组总有效率(75.0%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);与治疗前相比,两组患者术后第6个月血清FSH、E2水平及Vol、Fo水平无明显变化,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与治疗前相比,两组患者血清AMH水平较低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),且组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,实验组术中出血量较低,手术时间较少,下床活动时间短(P0.05)。结论:卵巢囊肿剥除术对于卵巢储备功能的恢复具有积极作用,有利于保证育龄女性卵巢功能的完整,促进各基础性激素水平的恢复,尤其是采用腹腔镜卵巢囊肿剥除术出血少损伤小,病变清除彻底,术后恢复好。     

Apolipoprotein E phenotypes in patients with myocardial infarction

Summary The frequencies of genetic apo E isoforms E2, E3 and E4 were determined in 523 patients with myocardial infarction and compared to those in a control group (1031 blood donors). A significant difference in the frequency of apo E4 was noted between patients and controls (0.05> P>0.025). No differences in the frequencies of isoforms E3 and E2 were observed. In particular, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency of apo E2 homozygosity. a condition that is associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia. However, all E2 homozygote survivors of myocardial infarction had hyperlipoproteinemia type III (cholesterol 269±29 mg/dl; triglyceride 419±150 mg/dl; age 54±14 years; N=5). On the contrary, E2 homozygote controls (all apo E-2/2 blood donors and their apo E-2/2 relatives who were from the same age range as the patients) had primary dysbetalipoproteinemia but normal or subnormal plasma cholesterol concentrations (cholesterol 184±28 mg/dl; triglyceride 151±52 mg/dl; age 56±13 years; N=11). This indicates that E2 homozygotes with hyperlipoproteinemia type III who occur rarely in the population but comprise about 1% of myocardial infarction patients have a markedly increase risk for coronary atherosclerosis, whereas the risk for E2 homozygotes with normal or subnormal plasma cholesterol (=primary dysbetalipoproteinemia) may be considerably lower than for the general population. The data illustrate the complex relationship between apo E genes, lipid levels, and risk for atherosclerosis.     

Human chorionic gonadotropin-induced shifts in the electrosensory system of the weakly electric fish, Sternopygus

Sternopygus macrurus of both sexes were injected with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or saline. Electric organ discharge (EOD) frequency rose after hCG injections in females and gradually declined to baseline levels over the next few weeks. EOD changes in males were more complex and variable; most males showed an initial minor rise in EOD frequency followed by a larger decrease, or simply a decrease. hCG treatment also resulted in a rise in electroreceptor best frequency and shortened electric organ pulse duration in females, and had the opposite effect on these parameters in males. The saline-injected controls showed no changes in any of these parameters. Levels of testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone, but not estrogen (E), were elevated in males preceding the fall in EOD frequency, whereas neither T nor E changed significantly in females before EOD frequency increases. Saline injections caused a drop in T in the male control group and had no effect in the female control group. We presume that the effect of hCG on the electrosensory system of males is mediated via androgens. Whether the effects of hCG on females are mediated by slight increases in circulating levels of gonadal steroids, the release of hormones other than T or E, or are due to direct effects on the nervous system is not known.     

右美托咪定联合氯胺酮与咪达唑仑麻醉诱导用于困难气道插管中的价值分析

目的:探讨右美托咪定联合氯胺酮与咪达唑仑麻醉诱导在困难气道插管中的应用价值。方法:选取2016年1月至2018年10月我院收治的80例困难气道患者进行回顾性研究,根据插管顺序将受试者分为对照组和研究组两组,每组40例。对照组患者给予氯胺酮与咪达唑仑进行麻醉诱导,研究组患者在对照组的基础上联合右美托咪定进行麻醉诱导。比较两组麻醉前(T1)、纤支镜经过会厌时(T2)、声门时(T3)、插管即刻(T4)、插管后60 s(T5)、插管后180 s(T6)、插管后300 s(T7)时的平均动脉压(mean arterial pressure,MAP)、心率(Heart rate,HR)、血氧饱和度(Blood oxygen saturation,SpO_2)及Ramsay评分变化,并监测T1、T4及T6时间点去甲肾上腺素(Norepinephrine,NE)、肾上腺素(epinephrine,E)及皮质醇(Cortisol,Cor)水平及不良反应的发生情况。结果:两组不同时间点Sp O_2比较无统计学差异(P0.05),但研究组患者在T3-T7时间点的MAP、HR显著低于对照组,Ramsay评分显著高于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者T1时的NE、E及Cor水平比较无统计学差异(P0.05),但研究组T4及T6时NE、E及Cor水平均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。研究组患者呛咳、恶心、躁动及呼吸抑制的发生率均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:与氯胺酮联合咪达唑仑相比,右美托咪定联合氯胺酮与咪达唑仑对心血管系统影响小,安全性更高,患者应激反应较低,在困难气道插管麻醉诱导中具有较高的应用价值。     

Coenzyme Q, Vitamin E and Apo-E alleles in Alzheimer Disease

Neurodegenerative Diseases represent the most common cause of Dementia, about 5-10% of the population aged above 65 years and about 30% above 80 years. A study about Apo-E alleles, Coenzyme Q and Vitamins E as biological indicators was performed in plasma samples of patients aged from 30 to 85 years, affected by Neurodegenerative Diseases. The results were compared with control subjects of approximately the same ages as the reference group. A frequency of 21.7% of epsilon4 allele in control group was estimated, against 15.8% observed in patients. The frequency of epsilon2 and epsilon3 alleles was 13.0% and 65.2% in the control group against 10.5% and 73.7% in patients. No significant differences were observed between the frequency of epsilon3/epsilon3 genotype and epsilon3/epsilon4 genotype in the control group compared to patients' group. The frequencies observed in epsilon2/epsilon3 genotype groups were 8.7% vs 15.8% and of e2/e4 genotype 17.4% vs 5.3%. The epsilon2/epsilon2 and epsilon4/epsilon4 genotypes were not identified in any groups. Plasma CoQ10 concentrations were similar in patient and control groups and no differences were found even taking into account the distribution of male and female subjects in the two groups. Also, vitamin E did not provide evidence of any differences between groups and the analysis among sexes revealed that again vitamin E concentrations were similar in between subgroups.     

老年2型糖尿病患者血清促甲状腺激素水平及其与冠脉病变程度的相关性分析

目的:探讨老年2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平及其与患者冠脉病变程度的相关性。方法:回顾性分析2015年6月～2017年6月我院收治的88例老年T2DM患者(T2DM组)、50例健康体检者(对照组)的临床资料,根据血清TSH水平将T2DM组分为四个亚组,A组(0.45～1.49 m IU/L,n=18)、B组(1.50～2.49 m IU/L,n=23)、C组(2.50～3.49 m IU/L,n=22)、D组(≥4.5 m IU/L,n=25)。比较T2DM组与对照组TSH水平的差异,并根据计算机断层血管造影(CTA)结果计算Gensini评分,分析Gensini评分与血清TSH水平的相关性。结果:T2DM组血清TSH水平显著高于对照组,且随着血清TSH水平的升高,T2DM患者的年龄、TC、TG、LDL-C明显增加,而HDL-C、T3明显降低(P0.05)。C组病变支数显著多于A组,重度病变的比例明显升高,而D组病变支数、病变程度与A组、B组、C组比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。血清TSH水平与Gensini评分呈显著正相关(r=0.577,P0.05)。结论:老年T2DM患者血清TSH水平显著升高,且与患者冠脉病变严重程度呈显著正相关,血清TSH水平有助于评估老年T2DM患者冠脉病变的严重程度。     

Sex steroid hormone binding globulin levels and free 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone in cynomolgus monkeys during different reproductive states

The effect of differences in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels associated with reproductive status on free 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) was characterized in cynomolgus monkeys. Cycling female cynomolgus monkeys had higher SHBG levels than males, pregnant and lactating females (P less than 0.05). Ovariectomized females were not different than control females, suggesting no hypoestrogenic effect. The percentage of free T was elevated in pregnant animals (P less than 0.05) compared to normal males and females, but the percentage of free E2 was similar between these groups. Although a gender difference in the percentages of free E2 and T was not detected, there was a gender difference in the free T and E2 concentrations due to endogenous secretion. Increased free E2 concentrations during pregnancy were the result of endogenous secretion rather than the decreased binding capacity of SHBG; the increased percentage of free T during pregnancy significantly increased free T concentrations. These data suggest that the gender difference in SHBG levels in cynomolgus monkeys is due to androgenic influences and that estrogens have minimal influence. Furthermore, the decrease in SHBG levels during pregnancy and lactation may not be entirely dependent on these androgenic influences.     

Regulation of plasma gonadotropin II secretion by sex steroids, aromatase inhibitors, and antiestrogens in the protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli Bleeker

Plasma gonadotropin II (GTH II) concentrations were significantly higher (approx. 15-20-fold) in estradiol-17beta (E(2)) treated (1.0 microg or 2.5 microg g(-1) body weight) female black porgy from days 4 to 12 compared with the control. E(2) (1 microg g(-1) wt.) had a stronger stimulation on plasma GTH II in early recrudescent phase (low GSI) males (11-fold) than in high GSI and late spermiating males (2.6-fold, P< 0.05). No effect of androgens (testosterone, T; 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, DHT) on plasma GTH II levels was observed either sex. The levels of plasma GTH II were stimulated in 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD, 1 microg g(-1), 2 microg g(-1) body wt.) and fadrozole-treated (1 microg g(-1), 3 microg g(-1) body wt.) groups compared to control. Tamoxifen (1 microg g(-1), 3 microg g(-1) body wt.) but not enclomiphene could stimulate high GTH II levels in plasma. In another experiment of ATD in combination with T, T treatment further attenuated the ATD stimulation of plasma GTH II levels. We concluded that GTH II secretion is positively regulated by an estrogen-specific effect in female and male black porgy. Gonadal stage had significant effects on the responsiveness of GTH II to E(2) stimulation in males. A negative aromatase-dependent feedback control of plasma GTH II levels was also suggested in the protandrous black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli.     

Results of point stenting of extended coronary stenoses in patients with ischemic heart disease

The paper analyzes the immediate and long-term results of point stenting in patients with extended (more than 30 mm) coronary stenoses and compares them with those obtained by routine stenting. The study included 177 patients with varying extent stenoses who underwent traditional implantation of intracoronary stents. Thirty-seven patients undergone the so-called point stenting formed a separate group. There was no significant difference in clinical and angiographic success rates between the patients of all three groups. Significant difference was also absent in subacute stent thrombosis between the patients of Groups 2 and 3 and those of the point stenting group. Thus, acute or subacute stent thrombosis was noted in 4 (2.3%) patients from the routine stenting groups, all the patients being from Groups 2 and 3, and in 2 (5.4%) from the point stenting group. No significant difference was found in the incidence of recurrent angina pectoris (restenosis) between Groups 1 and 2 and between Groups 2 and 3. At the same time, recurrent angina (restenosis) significantly more frequently developed in the patients of Group 3 than those of Group 1. As compared with Groups 2 and 3 patients, there was no significant difference in the incidence of recurrent angina (restenosis).     

Gonadal histology and plasma sex steroid concentrations in maturing and mature spring migrants of Caspian lamprey Caspiomyzon wagneri in the Shirud River,southern Caspian Sea,Iran

Maturing degree-days, gonadal histology, and changes in serum sex steroids (progesterone, P; testosterone, T; and 17β-estradiol, E2) were examined in maturing and mature spring migrant Caspian lamprey Caspiomyzon wagneri (Kessler, 1870) in the Shirud River (southern Caspian Sea). Blood and gonad samples were collected from ten fish when they first entered the river (maturing stage) and from ten fish that showed spawning readiness after being held in cages in the river (mature stage). The maturing degree-days of Caspian lamprey from the start of upstream migration to maturation was 208–470°C.day. Serum P and E2 concentrations in maturing females were significantly higher than in maturing males, but in the mature stage, serum P and E2 concentrations of females were lower than males. In both stages, there were no differences in serum concentration of T between females and males. In both males and females, P increased significantly with maturation; T levels likewise appeared to increase, but the difference was not significant. E2 increased significantly with maturation in males, but females showed a significant decrease. Maturing females had similar stage gonads with the germinal vesicle in the polar position. Maturing males had testes that primarily contained secondary spermatocytes with an occasional occurrence of spermatozoa. These results suggest that males mature earlier than females, which is a pattern similar to that found in the sea lamprey.