The B chromosome polymorphism of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans in North Africa. IV. Transmission of rare B chromosome variants

In addition to the principal B chromosome (B(1)) in Moroccan populations of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans, nine B chromosome variants appeared at low frequency. The transmission of five of these rare B chromosome variants through females was analysed in three natural populations. Sixteen controlled crosses provided useful information on the transmission of B(M2), B(M6) and B(M7) in Smir, B(M3) and B(M6) in SO.DE.A. (Société de Développement Agricole lands near Ksar-el-Kebir city), and B(M2) and B(M10) in Mechra, all located in Morocco. Since six female parents carried two different B variants, a total of 22 progeny analyses could be studied. Intraindividual variation in B transmission rate (k(B)) was observed among the successive egg pods in 26.7 % of the females, but this variation did not show a consistent temporal pattern. Only the B(M2) and B(M6) variants in Smir showed net drive, although variation was high among crosses, especially for B(M2). These two variants are thus good candidates for future regenerations (the replacement of a neutralized B, B(1) in this case, by a new driving variant, B(M2) or B(M6)) in Smir, the northern population where the B polymorphism is presumably older. The analysis of all crosses performed in the three populations, including those reported previously for the analysis of B(1) transmission, showed that the largest variance in k(B) among crosses stands at the individual level, and not at population or type of B levels. The implications of these findings for the occurrence of possible regeneration processes in Moroccan populations are discussed.     

Maintenance of a "Parasitic" B Chromosome in the Grasshopper MELANOPLUS FEMUR-RUBRUM

About 10-15% of the males and females of the grasshopper Melanoplus femur-rubrum collected near Rochester, New York, possessed a supernumerary B chromosome. The frequency of the B chromosome remained fairly constant during the years 1971-1974. The B chromosome was shown previously to be transmitted at a rate of about 0.5 and 0.8 by 1B males and females, respectively. This study was designed to determine the forces preventing the B chromosome from increasing in frequency due to the high rate of transmission by the females. Eighty inseminated females collected in the wild were analyzed cytologically together with their embryos (10-20 per female). Ten of the 80 females had a B chromosome, and they transmitted it at a rate of about 0.75. Among the 983 embryos analyzed, 0.141 had one B, 0.007 had two, and the mean number of B chromosomes per embryo was 0.155. The frequency of the B chromosome in the sperm pool (0.061) was consistent with a 0.5 rate of transmission. Individuals with two B chromosomes apparently have low viability, because about six were expected, but none was found among 851 adult males and females examined. The data suggest that the viability of the 1B individuals was only about 0.86 that of the OB individuals. There was no evidence that the B chromosome increased the fecundity of either the 1B males or females. It was concluded, therefore, that the B chromosome reduced the fitness of all the individuals carrying it and was thus "parasitic," and that it was maintained in the population only because of its high transmission rate. The maintenance of other B chromosomes with high transmission rates is reviewed.     

Analyse de la transmission des chromosomes surnuméraires chez Locusta migratoria migratorioides R. et F. (Orthoptera,Acrididae)

In a African grasshopper population of Locusta migratoria migratorioides reared in the laboratory, B chromosome transmission is analysed in progeny of pairs taken at random from the population. An accumulation mechanism of Bs exists in the females which presumably results from preferentiel segregation of the Bs in the female pronucleus. The analysis also shows B chromosome elimination during embryonic and larval development by means of mitotic non-disjunction: these non-disjunctions induce interfollicular variations in the number of Bs but all the cells of a follicle have the same number of Bs. The frequency of animals with B chromosome rises from 34% to 75% as the diurnal temperature rises from 27° C to 35° C. Thus frequency is controlled by genetic and environmental factors.     

Influence of age and sex in serum osteocalcin levels in thoroughbred horses.

In this study, we assessed the potential value of free serum osteocalcin or bone gla protein (BGP), the most abundant non collagenous matrix protein found in bone and dentin, to reflect changes of bone turnover in thoroughbred horses. Levels of osteocalcin were analyzed in serum samples of 54 clinically normal animals divided into three groups (A, B, C) according to age: 8, 16-18 and 24-36 months, in order to determine the standard for young horses of different age and sex. Serum BGP was measured by an in-house developed double antibody radioimmunoassay using bovine antigen. The mean BGP levels (ng/ml) were 45.65 +/- 11.69; 33.65 +/- 16.65; 15.08 +/- 6.70 respectively for groups A, B and C; statistically significant differences were found between groups (A vs B and C; Bvs C). Difference between males and females was found significant in group C with higher values in the females: 18.75 +/- 5.00 against 14.43 +/- 10.47 i n the males. This can be considered a sex related effect on BGP serum levels after the onset of puberty. Correlation coefficient between age and serum BGP for females and males were r 5 20.598 ( P < 0.001) and r 5 200.807 (P < 0.001) respectively. A significant negative linear relationship could be established between these two parameters in males during the growth period. The regression equation between serum BGP and age for males was (month of age = 65.14-1.68. BGP). In the female group the gestation and lactation are variables that lower the correlation coefficient between age and serum BGP levels. These results suggest that serum BGP decreases in thoroughbred horses during the growth period, and significant differences between sexes were found only after the onset of puberty.     

Genotypes Suppressing Meiotic Drive of a B Chromosome in the Mealybug, PSEUDOCOCCUS OBSCURUS

The rate of transmission (k) of a supernumerary B chromosome in male mealybugs is shown to depend strongly on the chromosome set of maternal origin. When both parents came from an isofemale line in which the frequency of the B chromosome increased rapidly and stabilized at a mean of more than 4.0 B chromosomes per individual, k was 0.92 and 0.95 in two series of crosses. However, when the female parent came from one of two isofemale lines in which the frequency of the B chromosome decreased from 2.0 to 0 in a few generations, k ranged from 0.53 to 0.78. The high ks, which represent a strong meiotic drive, are apparently responsible for the observed increase in the frequency of the B chromosome in several lines from a mean of about 0.5 to more than 4.0 in about 20 generations. The rapid loss of the B chromosome in other lines is attributed to genetic factors which caused the reduction in the rate of transmission of the B chromosome.     

Transmission analysis of B chromosomes in Rattus rattus from Northern Africa

Traditionally, B chromosomes have been classified as parasitic or heterotic, depending of whether or not they show selfish behaviour. Nevertheless, experimental evidence has been found supporting the idea that supernumerary chromosomes may evolve from parasitism to neutrality. In this work, B chromosome transmission in Rattus rattus has been analysed by performing several crosses between individuals carrying different numbers of supernumerary chromosomes. Our results demonstrated a Mendelian transmission rate through males, but slight accumulation of the Bs through females. This parasitic behaviour is shared in populations as distant as Asia and Africa, and even in a related species in Australia, suggesting the possibility of an ancient origin of these supernumerary chromosomes.     

Trichogramma exiguum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) releases in North Carolina cotton: evaluation of heliothine pest suppression

Field studies were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to reevaluate the use of augmentative releases of Trichogramma wasps for heliothine management in cotton. In 1996, nine releases of Trichogramma exiguum Pinto & Platner, spaced 3-4 d apart, were made into three 0.4-ha cotton plots. Six weekly releases were made in 1997, each containing two T. exiguum cohorts developmentally staggered by 45 degrees C degree-days. Field release rates, estimated from laboratory and field quality control data, averaged 108,357 T. exiguum female female per hectare per cohort per release in 1996 and 193,366 female female per hectare per cohort per release in 1997. In 1996, mean +/- SD adult emergence under laboratory conditions for released cohorts was 92 +/- 7%; 62 +/- 5% of emerged adults were females, 3 +/- 2% of females displayed brachyptery (nonfunctional wings), mean female longevity under laboratory conditions was 15 +/- 4 d, and mean +/- SD field emergence was 97 +/- 2%. Quality control measurements were similar in 1997. In 1996, mean +/- SD percent parasitism of heliothine eggs in field plots on the sampled dates ranged from 67 +/- 4 to 83 +/- 5% in T. exiguum release plots and 25 +/- 9 to 55 +/- 8% in control plots. In 1997, parasitism levels ranged from 74 +/- 4 to 89 +/- 5% in T. exiguum release plots and 18 +/- 18 to 69 +/- 11% in control plots. Despite increased parasitism levels in T. exiguum release plots, there were no significant differences in density of fifth instars, boll damage, or yield between T. exiguum release and control plots. Therefore, it is concluded that Trichogramma augmentation is not an effective heliothine management tool in North Carolina cotton.     

Somatomedin levels in the diagnosis and therapy of growth hormone deficiency

Serum somatomedin-C (SM-C) and somatomedin (SM) concentrations were measured by, respectively, radioimmuno (SM-C RIA) and radioreceptor assays (SM RRA) in 3 groups of children with short stature. The patient population was different from previously reported series in that it was urban Brazilian, low income, and significantly older. Group A consisted of 6 male and 3 female children, aged 7.7-16.0 years, whose average peak plasma immunoreactive growth hormone (GH) was above 10 ng/ml. Group B contained 8 male and 5 female untreated GH-deficient patients, ranging in age from 9.5 to 21.0 years. In Group C there were 4 male and 1 female GH-deficient subjects treated with I.M. injections of GH (0.1 U/kg) from 1 month to 7 years. The mean +/- SE basal RIA SM-C (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly lower in groups B (34.2 +/- 8.8) and C (43.8 +/- 13.7) than A (214.3 +/- 42.7): A X B, P less than 0.001 and A X C, P less than 0.02. Likewise the mean +/- SE basal RRA SM (ng/ml) concentrations were significantly lower in groups B (78.9 +/- 17.6) and C (90.8 +/- 19.3) than group A (316.3 +/- 43.0): A X B, P less than 0.001 and A X C, P less than 0.002. A significant linear correlation was observed between RIA and RRA in group B (r = 0.84; P less than 0.001) and C (r = 0.96; P less than 0.01), but not for A (r = 0.61; P greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Trypanosoma vivax in Glossina palpalis gambiensis do not appear to affect feeding behaviour, longevity or reproductive performance of the vector

Feeding behaviour of Glossina palpalis gambiensis Vanderplank infected with Trypanosoma vivax Ziemann was studied and compared with that of uninfected control tsetse. The parameters measured were: total number of probes into the ear-skin of rabbits; rate of bloodmeal engorgement; weight of freshly ingested blood; survival; and mean weight of pupae. The results showed that the rosettes of T.vivax parasites in the labrum did not interfere with the feeding behaviour of the vectors. Furthermore, mean survival of T. vivax-infected males was significantly higher (82.2 +/- 4.2 days) compared with that of uninfected ones (70.5 +/- 3.1 days). However, with the female tsetse, mean survival of those infected was lower (98.8 +/- 4.0 days) compared to the uninfected controls (102.2 +/- 5.6 days), but the difference was not significant. A few infected males and females lived a little longer than the uninfected ones. Fecundity of the female tsetse remained unaffected by the infection, and furthermore the mean weight of pupae from the infected females was not significantly different from that of pupae from the uninfected control group. Thus the physiology of pregnant female tsetse in terms of nourishment of intra-uterine larva was unaffected by T.vivax infection. Two successive probes into the skin of two different goats followed by feeding on a third goat by each of four infected tsetse resulted in successful transmission of the infection to eleven out of twelve goats. Thus probing alone into the skin of this host can result in the transmission of T.vivax infection.     

Chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes from healthy subjects as detected in first cell division

Baseline frequencies of chromosomal aberrations were analysed in human peripheral lymphocytes and the influence of age, sex and smoking habits was considered. From 53 healthy subjects (29 males, 24 females) 54,689 exclusively first division cells (M1) were scored. The frequencies of chromosome aberrations per 1000 cells were 1.15 +/- 0.15 dicentrics (dic), 2.6 +/- 0.3 excess acentric fragments (ace) and 7.0 +/- 0.6 chromatid breaks (crb). An age dependency could only be established for ace. Between males and females no differences in any of the aberration types were observed. For heavy smokers (> 30 cigarettes per day) a significant increase was only found for dic (2.5 +/- 0.6 per 1000 cells). Dicentric frequency was compared with background levels of other studies in which results were reported also from exclusively M1 cells. Despite cell cycle control, differences between laboratories can be observed which may be partly influenced by environmental conditions. But on the other hand the mean frequency of dic (excluding heavy smokers) of 0.95 per 1000 cells reported here is consistent for more than one decade. Since such a consistency of the mean frequency of dic is reported also from another laboratory, the conclusion is drawn that especially for the detection of low-level exposures, each laboratory should establish its own base line data, otherwise, the interpretation of the findings is dependent on the selected background level from the literature.     

X-linked hypophosphatemia: the mutant gene is expressed in teeth as well as in kidney.

Mutation at a locus (HPDR) on the X chromosome (McKusick 30780 [HPDR1]; 30781 [HPDR2]) causes impaired renal phosphate transport, hypophosphatemia, and an associated impairment in the process of mineralization in bone and teeth (X-linked hypophosphatemia [XLH]). We measured the dental pulp profile area (PRATIO [= pulp area/tooth area]) and serum phosphorus (Pi) values in uniformly treated XLH patients (six males, 81 teeth, 1,457 Pi values; 11 females, 129 teeth, 1,439 Pi values). Serum Pi values, reflecting the metabolic environment of tooth development, were obtained by repeated measurement between 1 mo and 26 years of age during treatment. PRATIO values calculated from standardized Rinn radiographs were used as outcome measurements of tooth development in XLH patients and in age-matched controls (12 males, 100 teeth; 27 females, 275 teeth). Age-dependent serum Pi values were not different in the treated XLH males and females. In teeth forming primary dentin there was no gene dosage effect on PRATIO values apparent in subjects below 15 years of age. However, in teeth forming secondary dentin a gene dosage was found in the subjects aged 15 to 25 years: XLH male teeth (n = 65) mean +/- SD = 0.163 +/- 0.046; XLH female teeth (n = 75) mean +/- SD = 0.137 +/- 0.039; control teeth (n = 209) mean +/- SD = 0.116 +/- 0.023; (higher PRATIO values mean less development or mineralization of secondary dentin); differences in these PRATIO values (males vs. female and XLH vs. control) were significant by mixed-model analysis of variance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A skeletochronological study of age and growth in relation to adult size in the water frog Rana epeirotica

The age and growth of individuals in a population of the water frog Rana epeirotica, from northwestern Greece, were studied in 1998 and 1999 using skeletochronology. Analysis of the age structure was based on the enumeration of Lines of Arrested Growth (LAGs) in phalanges. Ages ranged from 1-5 years among 145 males and from 1-5 years among 173 females. The mean snout-vent length was 72.74 +/- 7.96 mm in males and 83.63 +/- 11.73 mm in females. The difference between the sexes in age and size was significant. Endosteal resorption may have eroded away the first LAG in only 9% of the studied individuals and was more frequent in females. Growth of adults was fitted by the Bertalanffy model. The growth coefficient (K) was 0.88 in males and 0.49 in females, reflecting faster male growth between metamorphosis and maturation.     

Blood testosterone levels in Italian Mediterranean buffalo bulls managed in two different breeding conditions

In Italian buffalo cows the spontaneous cyclic ovarian activity is mainly high in autumn, while during spring and early summer it is very low. However many farmers separate males from females in the October-February period to obtain births in winter-spring. In order to verify if blood testosterone concentration in adult buffalo bulls is affected by season and by different management of the contact with females, 20 adult buffalo males, bred in central Italy were submitted to monthly blood sampling for 1 year, from September to August. The bulls were kept together with females all the time (group A; n=9) or were held separated from cows from October to February (group B; n=11). The mean (+/-S.E.M.) serum testosterone concentrations were higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter in group B (2.07+/-0.1 ng/mL versus 0.99+/-0.08 ng/mL, P<0.01) but in group A the seasonal difference was not significant (2.09+/-0.13 versus 1.48+/-0.28). The management of the contact with females affected testosterone values (P<0.01): in the separation period (October-February) the mean serum concentration in group B was lower than in March-September, when the cows were together with the bulls (0.94+/-0.09 ng/mL versus 1.95+/-0.1 ng/mL, P<0.05). This is not true for group A (1.49+/-0.20 ng/mL versus 2.00+/-0.13 ng/mL, NS). It is concluded that contact with females exerted a major stimulus for the testicular androgen secretion in buffalo bulls, even if other seasonal factors (climate, food intake) may affect control of gonadal activity.     

Radioimmunoassay of 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol in plasma and in breast cyst fluid

A simple and reliable radioimmunoassay for the determination of 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol in peripheral plasma and in breast cyst fluid, after a chromatography on Celite microcolumn has been described and evaluated. The antiserum used was raised in rabbits injected with dehydroepiandrosterone-15 alpha-(O-carboxymethyl)-bovine serum albumin. In men below 40 years of age the levels ranged from 0.85 to 2.80 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM: 1.52 +/- 0.11; n = 24) and from 0.50 to 2.20 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM: 0.93 +/- 0.09; n = 20) in men aged between 41 and 62 years. The mean level was significantly different (P less than 0.001) between the 2 groups. A significant correlation (r = -0.56; P less than 0.01) was demonstrated between age and all male levels. In females the mean plasma level was in the follicular phase: 0.81 +/- 0.07 ng/ml (range: 0.40-1.50; n = 17; age: 19-41 years) and in the luteal phase: 0.83 +/- 0.05 ng/ml (range: 0.40-1.30; n = 29; age: 18-43 years). No cyclical change and no correlation with age could be evidenced. A significant difference (P less than 0.001) was shown between females and the young male group. In breast cyst fluid the levels ranged from 0.05 to 13.70 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM: 2.36 +/- 0.86; n = 20) whereas the sulfate concentrations ranged from 75 to 7500 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM: 1891 +/- 565; n = 15), thus demonstrating very wide inter-individual variations.     

Serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine radioimmunoassay values in the normal ferret

The European ferret, Mustela putorius furo, has become increasingly popular as an animal model in biomedical research. However, certain important normal clinical data have not been established for the ferret. In this study, serum thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) values were obtained from ferrets by the use of commercial radioimmunoassays. Sera from 44 animals, 31 males (27 intact and 4 castrated) and 13 females (10 intact and 3 spayed) were assayed. Serum T4 values ranged from 1.01-8.29 micrograms/dl for males (mean = 3.24 +/- 1.65 micrograms/dl), and 0.71-3.43 micrograms/dl for females (mean = 1.87 +/- 0.79 micrograms/dl). Serum T4 values of adult female ferrets, juvenile ferrets (less than 1 year old) of either sex, and castrated males were similar to the normal T4 values of the cat, 1.20-3.80 micrograms/dl. Intact adult male ferrets had higher serum T4 values which were more comparable to those of the normal dog 1.52-3.60 micrograms/dl. Serum T3 values ranged from 0.45-0.78 ng/ml for males (mean = 0.58 +/- 0.09 ng/ml), and 0.29-0.73 ng/ml for females (mean = 0.53 +/- 0.13 ng/ml). These values are comparable to those of dogs and cats which are 0.50-1.50 ng/ml.     

Constitutive heterochromatin polymorphism and chromosome damage in viral hepatitis

The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were scored in relation to constitutive heterochromatin in 100 patients with viral hepatitis B, 100 patients with viral hepatitis A and 100 age- and sex-matched normal controls. 23.4%, 15% and 4% of the cells showed chromosomal aberrations in patients with hepatitis B, hepatitis A and normal controls respectively. Non-random involvement of chromosomal aberrations were also noted in chromosome 1 of patients with hepatitis B and A as compared to normal controls. The frequencies of SCEs (mean +/- S.D.) were found to be 10.40 +/- 2.83 in hepatitis B and 8.70 +/- 2.34 in hepatitis A. These values were significantly higher than the SCE frequency (mean +/- S.D.) of 5.88 +/- 2.25 observed in normal controls (P less than 0.001). The intra-chromosomal distribution of SCEs revealed a relatively increased incidence of SCEs in chromosome 1 of patients with hepatitis B and A as compared to normal controls. Analysis of constitutive heterochromatin polymorphism showed chromosome 1 qh+ to be the most frequent variant in patients with hepatitis B and A as compared to normal controls. The increased involvement of C-band variant 1 qh+ in patients with hepatitis B and A as compared to normal controls may indicate that extra heterochromatin offers additional sites for viral integration.     

Transmission analysis of mitotically unstable B chromosomes in Locusta migratoria.

Seventeen controlled crosses in which the mitotically unstable B chromosome of Locusta migratoria was carried by one parent only have provided evidence that B chromosomes are significantly eliminated during sexual transmission in males, at a mean rate that almost counteracts the premeiotic accumulation derived from mitotic instability during germ line development. On the other hand, B chromosomes are significantly accumulated in females, presumably by their preferential migration to the secondary oocyte during the first meiotic division. These results substantially change the current knowledge about this B chromosome system, because the main B accumulation occurs in females and not in males, as was hitherto thought. Furthermore, this case shows that the maintenance of a single B system in natural populations may be the result of many different forces and mechanisms acting for and against B chromosomes.     

Effects of B chromosomes and supernumerary segments on morphometric traits and adult fitness components in the grasshopper, Dichroplus elongatus (Acrididae)

The South American species, Dichroplus elongatus, is polymorphic for B chromosomes and supernumerary segments in chromosome pairs M6 (SS6), S9 (SS9) and S10 (SS10). Both forms of supernumerary heterochromatin shape chiasma frequency and distribution and B chromosomes also affect male fertility. Here, we analysed the effects of these polymorphisms on morphometric traits (total, 3rd femur, 3rd tibia, thorax and tegmen lengths) and several adult fitness components, including male and female mating success, and female reproductive potential. B chromosomes tend to decrease, and SS6 segments to increase the body size of carriers. The analysis of reproductive potential suggested that B chromosome carrying females have higher numbers of embryos per clutch and ovarioles per ovary. The uni- and multivariate analysis of mating success revealed that sexual selection favours larger individuals of both sexes and males with standard karyotype. B chromosomes may have accumulation mechanisms, which involve preferential transmission of B chromosomes to germ cells or functional gametes. The maintenance of Bs might be explained by interactions among accumulation mechanisms and trade-offs between detrimental and favourable effects on different fitness components.     

Oviposition diapause and other factors affecting the egg-laying of Phlebotomus papatasi in the laboratory

Stimuli which modulate oviposition of P. papatasi were investigated to improve insectary breeding efficiency. Oviposition and survival of gravid females were observed weekly during April-December 1987, in plastic cages at 28 +/- 1 degrees C with L:D 17:7. Oviposition of controls was subject to seasonal variation despite the relatively uniform insectary conditions. From April to mid-October (summer), mean weekly oviposition ranged from 11.6 to 18.6 eggs per fly, dropping to 1.4 eggs/fly in November (winter). Monthly yields of eggs were found to correlate with the seasonal cycle of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight. This was attributed to an endogenous rhythm since the flies were not normally exposed to UV under insectary conditions. Short exposure to UV sources of 254 nm and 312 nm, but not white light, raised the low rate of oviposition in October-November from 1.4 to 16.8-29.6 eggs/female/week, but female mortality also increased highly significantly. It is suggested that the seasonal oviposition cycle of P.papatasi is set by levels of UV irradiation. In the warm season oviposition was promoted, as compared to controls, by furrows in plaster of Paris lining the bottom of cages (29.6 v. 10.2 eggs/female) and by cow manure in the cages (39.7 v. 18.2 eggs/female), but the combination of both stimuli gave no greater fecundity (40.9 v. 20.9 eggs/female). Oviposition decreased when larvae were present (3.9 v. 15.0 eggs/female) and in half-volume cages (3.9 v. 12.5 eggs/female/week). Under standard insectary conditions, mean weekly mortality-rates of P.papatasi females were 18.3 +/- 4.8% in October-November and 36.5-59.1% during the warmer months. None of the experimental conditions yielded any significant improvement in survival-rates.     

17beta-estradiol regulation of human growth hormone (hGH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) axis in hypoestrogenic, hypergonadotropic women

OBJECTIVE: Ovarian hormonal function may be as important contributing factor to hGH-IGF-I-IGFBP-3 axis as age. AIM: To examine plasma hGH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels in women with premature ovarian failure compared to healthy normal controls and postmenopausal ones. PATIENTS: Group A-15 women with premature ovarian failure (POF) (mean: age 38.9+/-5.2 years, FSH 101.4+/-29.0 IU/l; 17beta-estradiol 22.5+/-14.6 ng/l). Group B consisted of 15 menopausal women (mean: age 54.7+/-2.7 years; FSH 81.9+/-32.1 IU/l; 17beta-estradiol 17.1+/- 8.0 ng/l). Group C - controls - 15 normally menstruating women (mean: age 37.1+/-9.0 years; FSH 6.2+/-1.0 IU/l; 17beta-estradiol 144.8+/-117.1 ng/l). METHODS: Body mass and BMI were measured. Basic fasting plasma hGH, IGF-I, IGFBP-3, insulin, testosterone and LH as well as prolactin (PRL), FSH and estradiol were assessed by RIA kits. Statistical analysis. Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney u-test, Spearman rang correlation coefficient, stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Mean serum IGF-I level was the lowest (p<0.005) in group B (172.0+/-54.6 microg/l) and the highest in group C (273.6+/-109.0 microg/l). The mean plasma IGF-I level in group A was similar (NS) (208.3+/-66.5 microg/l) to that found in group B and lower (p<0.02) compared with that in group C. The lowest (p<0.005) serum IGFBP-3 level was found in group B (3.1+/-0.7 microg/l) compared to group C (4.4+/-0.3 microg/l). The mean plasma IGFBP-3 level (3.1+/-1.0 microg/l) in group A was lower than in group C (p<0.005) but identical as in group B. No statistically significant differences between groups were observed in mean hGH levels. Women in group A and C were younger (p<0.001) than those in group B. The lowest mean estradiol level was found in groups A and B. The highest was in group C (p<0.001). Mean plasma LH and FSH levels were higher (p<0.001) in groups A and B vs group C. In group C there were links between IGF-I and age (r=-0.60; p=0.014) The IGF-I/age relation disappeared in the groups A and B (rA=-0.26; rB=0.10; NS). The same regards IGFBP-3/ age link (rA=-0.44, NS; rB=0,31;NS). Estradiol level was related to hGH levels in group C (r=-0.54; p<0.05). In none of groups hGH/IGF-1 as well as IGFBP-3/hGH relations were found. Prolactin accounted for 69% of the variance in IGF-I level in the group B (p=0.003) and for 24% in group A (NS). Testosterone accounted for 88% (p=0.004) of the variance in IGF-I level in group B and IGFBP-3 was responsible for 86% (p=0.038) of the variance in IGF-I level in group C. Again IGFBP-3 was responsible for 47% (p=0.023) in group A and for 49% (p=0.04) in group B of the hGH variance. CONCLUSIONS: 17b-estradiol may be as important contributor to insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plasma level as age in hypoestrogenic, hypogonadotropic women.