Serum ferritin estimation in blood donors subject to apheresis on IBM 2997 cell separator

The serum ferritin concentration was tested in blood donors selected for apheresis on IBM Cell Separator. Of 41 donors, 28 were males and 13 females. All donors exhibited normal hemoglobin and RBC. The mean value of serum ferritin was 90.93 ng/ml in males and 48.38 ng/ml in females. In males--often with repeated blood donations--a low value of serum ferritin suggesting reduced Fe stores in organism was found in one individual only. In contrast, reduced serum ferritin levels were observed in 4 females who, before apheresis, regularly donated blood or had several pregnancies in their anamnesis. The obtained results point to prelatent or latent sideropenia. Serum ferritin concentration was measured in 18 donors selected for apheresis. The examination of ferritin was performed prior to, immediately after, and one week post separation. No significant changes in serum ferritin concentrations due to the separation procedure were observed. Preventive tests of serum ferritin in multiple blood donations and in women with previous pregnancies are recommended.     

The course of serum ferritin in blood donors

In the course of 18 months there occurred a decrease in the serum ferritin concentration from 58 +/- 2 micrograms/l to 32 +/- 1 micrograms/l in male donors after 5-6 donations of 400 ml of blood each. Female permanent donors showed a constantly lowered content of an average of 15 +/- 1 micrograms/l. Female first donors attained the serum ferritin level of permanent female donors with the fourth donation, whereas it was not until the fifth donation that male first donors declined to the level of permanent donors. This decrease of serum ferritin content in blood donors points to a depletion of iron stores. This process should be counteracted by exerting an increased influence on nutritional habits supported by oral iron substitution and diminishing the frequency of donation, particularly for female blood donors.     

Iron stores in female blood donors evaluated by serum ferritin

Iron stores were evaluated by serum ferritin determinations in 948 menstruating and 141 non-menstruating female blood donors. Blood donation was associated with a decrease in ferritin. First-time donors (n = 163) had a geometric mean ferritin of 24 micrograms/l and multiple-time donors a value of 19 micrograms/l (p less than 0.01). In the donating population 31.5% had ferritin values less than 15 micrograms/l (i.e. depleted iron stores). Menstruating donors had lower mean serum ferritin than non-menstruating donors (p less than 0.001), and a higher frequency of ferritin values less than 15 micrograms/l (p less than 0.05). There was no relationship between ferritin levels and the number of pregnancies. The frequency of donations was more predictive of ferritin levels than the number of donations. Mean ferritin displayed a moderate fall up to the 2nd donation, and was hereafter relatively constant, whereas an increase in donation frequency was accompanied by a significant decrease in ferritin. Female donors, especially when phlebotomised greater than or equal to 3 times per year, should have their iron status checked at appropriate intervals by measurement of serum ferritin and should be advised regular iron supplementation.     

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in elephant serum and temporal gland secretions

Serum and temporal gland secretions (TGS) were obtained from mature wild African (Loxodonta africana) and captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Samples were obtained from five cows and eight bulls culled for management purposes in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and from four females and two males residing at the Washington Park Zoo, Portland, Oregon. Our purpose was to describe the levels of the androgens, testosterone (T), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and to correlate these observations with sex, species and behavioral status. Male-female differences in serum T were pronounced in the Asian species, whereas male and female concentrations overlapped in the African elephant serum. Serum T concentrations in African females were greater than in Asian females. Serum DHT reflected T levels, except that the striking elevation of testosterone in Asian bulls during musth was not paralleled by equal increases in DHT levels. A species difference observed among males was higher serum T levels in nonmusth Asian bulls (1.84-5.35 ng/ml) compared to the levels in African bulls (0.38-0.68 ng/ml), except for one dominant African bull (6.64 ng/ml). This single African value was still considerably lower than the serum T values of the Asian males during musth. These musth values were the highest serum androgen concentrations: T was between 19 and 40 ng/ml (average 26.10 ng/ml). The TSG values of T and DHT were much higher than serum levels except in the Asian female. T/DHT ratios in TGS were more similar than in serum. One dominant African bull had a T TGS value of 78 ng/ml, which was much higher than the rest of the African males or females, but considerably lower than as Asian bull in musth (547 ng/ml). It seems apparent that a change in androgen status as reflected in serum and TGS levels of T and DHT precedes or is concomitant with overt alteration in behavior in the Asian male. The temporal gland appears to actively concentrate androgens in both African males and females, but in the Asian male the gland secretes only during musth when the greatest concentration of both T and DHT were observed. The apparent difference in the degree of temporal gland secretory activity between the two species suggests a more specific communicative function within the Asian male.     

Sex-related differences in hematological values. A study on the erythrocyte and granulocyte count, plasma iron and iron-binding proteins in human transsexuals on contrasexual hormone therapy

Hematological data known or supposed to be influenced by individual sex hormones were evaluated in 18 untreated transsexuals (TS) and in 20 castrated or non-castrated TS on androgen and estrogen treatment, respectively. Profiting from a situation of clinically controlled hormonal sex-transformation it was tested, whether the circulating erythrocyte and granulocyte mass and iron metabolism are linked to a male and female sex-hormone constellation. The erythrocyte and granulocyte counts were significantly higher in untreated males and treated female-to-male TS than in untreated females and treated male-to-female TS. The unexpected finding of sex hormone-dependent granulocyte fluctuations was corroborated by parallel concentration changes of lactoferrin, a granulocyte-derived plasma protein. Iron metabolism as judged from plasma iron, total iron-binding capacity and serum ferritin was unaffected by sexual transformation. Plasma iron and the total iron-binding capacity did not differ significantly in untreated and treated TS of either type. The serum ferritin concentration, however, was significantly lower in untreated as well as in virilized females than in untreated and in feminized males, but was not significantly changed by long-term androgen or estrogen treatment. The present study demonstrates the potential of human transsexualism as a model for the study of sex-related biological processes.     

Usefulness of erythrocyte ferritin analysis in hereditary hemochromatosis.

A study was carried out to determine the usefulness of erythrocyte ferritin analysis in identifying homozygotes and heterozygotes in families affected with hereditary hemochromatosis, an autosomal recessive disorder. To select the subjects the genotypes of 60 people from 26 affected families were determined by HLA-A and HLA-B haplotyping. In addition, data for 12 homozygotes for whom erythrocyte ferritin values were available from the literature were included. Likelihood analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of erythrocyte ferritin analysis alone and in combination with serum ferritin testing. An erythrocyte ferritin value of 150 ag/cell or higher combined with a serum ferritin level above the 90th percentile indicated homozygosity, whereas a value of less than 150 ag/cell and a serum ferritin level at or below the 90th percentile indicated that homozygosity could be ruled out with a high degree of confidence. The probability of heterozygosity rose to 92% when the erythrocyte ferritin value was between 29 and 149 ag/cell and to 98% when this result was combined with a serum ferritin level at or below the 90th percentile. Erythrocyte ferritin analysis in combination with serum ferritin testing is useful for identifying homozygotes and a proportion of heterozygotes in families affected with hemochromatosis.     

Prostaglandin production by human epidermal cells in vitro: a model for studying pharmacologic inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis

Blood prostaglandin A levels were measured in 10 healthy subjects under different conditions of collection and storage. Plasma levels ranged from 1.20 to 1.81 ng/ml (M + or - SE=1.50 + or - 0.10) in 5 females, to 1.23 to 1.68 ng/ml (1.45 + or - 0.09) in 5 males, when centrifuged and frozen immediately after collection. Storage at 4 degrees Centigrade (C) for varying times up to 24 hours and at 22 degrees C (room temperature) up to 4 hours did not affect mean plasma concentrations significantly, but increased the range obtained to 1.00 to 2.47 ng/ml for both male and female groups. Serum concentrations differed in males and females and were lower than corresponding mean plasma values for males and higher for females. Mean serum concentrations were 1.77 + or - 0.08 ng/ml in females and 1.18 + or - 0.05 ng/ml in males and did not change significantly up to 24 hours of storage at 4 decrees C. These results suggest that prostaglandin A assayed in both plasma and serum under the conditions described is stable and should allow for greater flexibility in sampling under different experimental conditions.     

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.     

Blood prostaglandin A (PGA) levels in normal human subjects

Blood prostaglandin A levels were measured in ten healthy subjects under different conditions of collection and storage.Plasma levels ranged from 1.20 to 1.81 ng/ml (M ± SE = 1.50 ± 0.10) in 5 females to 1.23 to 1.68 ng/ml (1.45 ± 0.09) in 5 males, when centrifuged and frozen immediately after collection. Storate at 4°C for varying times up to 24 hours and at 22°C (room temperature) up to 4 hours did not affect mean plasma concentrations significantly, but increased the range obtained to 1.00 to 2.47 ng/ml for both male and female groups.Serum concentrations differed in males and females and were lower than corresponding mean plasma values for males and higher for females. Mean serum concentrations were 1.77 ± 0.08 ng/ml in females and 1.18 ± 0.05 ng/ml in males and did not change significantly up to 24 hours of storage at 4°C.These results suggest that prostaglandin A assayed in both plasma and serum under the conditions described is stable and should allow for greater flexibility in sampling under different experimental conditions.     

Iron stores in Chinese eligible male plateletpheresis donors

Plateletpheresis donors may become iron deficient, particularly if donating at the maximum suggested interval of every 2 weeks. This study aimed to evaluate iron stores in male Chinese plateletpheresis donors. Serum samples were collected from 445 male plateletpheresis donors and serum ferritin (SF) levels were measured. There were 16 repeat donors (3.6%) with iron deficiency (SF<10 ng/mL), but none was found in first time donors. About 63 (14.2%) had depleted iron stores (SF<30 ng/mL), including two first time donors (0.4%). Repeat donors had lower mean SF levels than the first donors. There was a positive correlation between iron deficiency/depletion prevalence, lower hemoglobin level and number of platelet donations. Donation interval, age and ABO blood groups were not associated with iron status. Iron status needs to be monitored in repeat platepheresis donors and donors with Hb<130 g/L, especially when the number of donations are between 10 and 30. For these individuals, SF measurement and iron supplementation are recommended.     

Effects of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist on gonadotrophin secretion and gonadal development in neonatal pigs

Male (N = 8) and female (N = 8) pigs were assigned to receive saline or a potent GnRH antagonist ([Ac-D2Nal1,D4-Cl-Phe2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6, D-Ala10]- GnRH*HOAc; 1 mg/kg body weight) at 14 days of age. The GnRH antagonist caused LH to decline (P less than 0.01) from 1.7 ng/ml at 0 h to less than 0.5 ng/ml during 4-32 h in males and females. Concentrations of FSH in gilts declined slowly from 75 +/- 8 to 56 +/- 5 ng/ml (P less than 0.05) at 32 h. In males FSH was low (5.7 +/- 0.5 ng/ml) at 0 h and did not change significantly. To observe the effect of long-term treatment with GnRH antagonist, 10 male and 10 female pigs, 3 days of age, were treated with saline or 1 mg GnRH antagonist per kg body weight every 36 h for 21 days. Concentrations of LH were reduced (P less than 0.01) to 0.2-0.4 ng/ml throughout the experimental period in male and female piglets treated with GnRH antagonist. Plasma FSH increased in control females, but remained suppressed (P less than 0.001) in females treated with GnRH antagonist. Treatment with the GnRH antagonist suppressed FSH levels in males on Days 8 and 16 (P less than 0.05), but not on Day 24. Treatment of females with the GnRH antagonist did not influence (P greater than 0.10) oestradiol-17 beta concentrations. Administration of GnRH antagonist to males suppressed testosterone and oestradiol-17 beta values (P less than 0.01) and reduced testicular weight (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Baseline pulmonary physiologic values for the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

Baseline pulmonary physiologic values were determined on 43 (421-910 g) male and 47 (425-604 g) female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus). Respiratory rate was found to be 55 +/- 1.9 (SE) breaths per minute for males and 58 +/- 1.7 breaths per minute for females. Tidal volume was 8.9 +/- 0.37 ml for males and 7.5 +/- 0.28 ml for females. Airway resistance for the male was 0.052 +/- 0.006 cm H2O/ml/second; while for the female it was 0.086 +/- 0.011 cm H2O/ml/second. Dynamic compliance was found to be 1.78 +/- 0.15 ml/cm H2O for males and 1.48 +/- 0.124 ml/cm H2O for females. An index of distribution of ventilation was 48 +/- 2.5 breaths for males and 42 +/- 1.7 breaths for females.     

Feedback regulation of gonadotropic hormone secretion in neonatal pigs

The effect of castration and of administration of charcoal-treated porcine follicular fluid (pFF) containing inhibin-like activity on plasma concentration of gonadotropic hormones was studied in neonatal pigs. Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration averaged 25.1 +/- 1.5 ng/ml (mean +/- SEM) in 1-wk-old females and gradually declined to 20.2 +/- 0.7 ng/ml 6 wk later. Ovariectomy did not significantly influence plasma FSH concentration. In males, concentration averaged 8.0 +/- 0.7 ng/ml before castration but rose significantly within 2 days after castration. Injection of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) did not influence plasma FSH concentrations in intact males, but did in females and in 7-wk-old males castrated at 1 wk. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations in 1-wk-old females (2.2 +/- 0.4 ng/ml) gradually declined and were not influenced by castration. Concentrations of plasma LH in 1-wk-old male piglets (2.8 +/- 0.7 ng/ml) were not significantly influenced by castration within 2 days but were significantly higher 6 wk later. LHRH induced a significant rise in plasma LH concentrations in all animals. Injection of pFF resulted in a decline of plasma FSH concentrations in intact and castrated males and in intact females, but did not influence plasma LH concentrations. These data demonstrate a sex-specific difference in the control of plasma FSH, but not in plasma LH concentration in the neonatal pig. Plasma FSH concentrations, but not plasma LH concentrations, are suppressed by testicular hormones in 1-wk-old piglets. Plasma FSH concentrations can be suppressed in both neonatal male and female pigs by injections of pFF.     

Paternal investment directly affects female reproductive effort in an insect

Female reproductive effort can be influenced by the quality of her mate. In some species, females increase their reproductive effort by differentially allocating resources after mating with high-quality males. Examination of female reproductive effort in relation to male quality has implications for estimating the evolvability of traits and for sexual-selection models. Accurate quantification of reproductive investment is not possible in many species. Butterflies are an exception, as most nectar-feeding species emerge with almost intact reproductive resources, and in some species males provide nutrients at mating that enhance female fecundity. By manipulating male donations and using radioactive isotopes, we quantified the effect of variation in nutrient provisioning on female reproductive effort in two butterfly species. In the greenveined white butterfly, Pieris napi, females increased their reproductive effort after receiving large male donations. By contrast, in the speckled wood, Pararge aegeria, where males do not provide nutrients, female reproductive effort was independent of male ejaculate. Increased reproductive effort in Pieris napi resulted from the production of more eggs, rather than from investing more resources per egg. In this species donating ability is heritable; hence females laying more eggs after mating with high-donating males benefit both through higher fecundity and through the production of high-donating sons.     

Hypothyroidism in reproductively inhibited prairie deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi) from laboratory populations

Several thyroid function parameters were compared between reproductively inhibited prairie deer mice of both sexes taken from laboratory populations and corresponding reproductively capable controls. The results of these experiments indicated the following: 1) prairie deer mice females had a statistically significant daily variation in mean serum thyroxine concentration and males displayed a similar trend; 2) total serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine were significantly lower in both male and female reproductively inhibited population animals compared with reproductively capable controls; 3) several morphometric characteristics of the thyroid of male and female population prairie deer mice were significantly different from that of control males and females, suggesting functional hypothyroidism in both sexes; 4) thyroid histology of male population deer mice was different from that of female population animals. In males, the data suggested that thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation was deficient due to some undetermined secondary hypothyroidism. In females, reduced serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations were observed due to primary hypothyroidism of unknown origin. The interrelationship between thyroid and adrenal function is discussed here and it is concluded that each of the systems may contribute to the observed reproductive inhibition. In particular, it was noted that the mechanism of response between population males and females may be quite different. No conclusive data are available to suggest whether one or the other system is the primary controller of the reproductive inhibition.     

Whole blood and serum zinc levels in relation to sex and age

The zinc content in whole blood and serum was determined in 239 healthy males and 217 healthy females by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean level of zinc obtained in whole human blood from males was 607.0 +/- 105.3 micrograms/100 ml and in females 585.2 +/- 122.9 micrograms/100 ml. The mean level of zinc in serum was 116.6 +/- 55.2 micrograms/100 ml and 105.2 +/- 66.9 micrograms/100 ml in males and females respectively. The zinc concentration in whole blood and serum in males proved to be slightly higher than in females though the difference is not statistically significant. For the males a positive correlation was found between age and the zinc level in whole blood and serum; this is only statistically significant in whole blood. In females, the zinc level in whole blood showed a positive correlation with age which was not statistically significant, while in serum this correlation was negative and statistically significant.     

Elevated F2-isoprostanes in thalassemic patients

This study was aimed at investigating oxidative stress in thalassemic patients by measurement of the oxidative damage biomarker, F₂-isoprostanes (F₂-IsoPs), using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the mean value of urinary F₂-IsoPs, normalized with creatinine, in the thalassemic group was significantly higher than that from healthy subjects (3.38 ± 2.15 ng/mg creatinine vs 0.86 ± 0.55 ng/mg creatinine, respectively), and the mean value of plasma total F₂-IsoPs in the thalassemic group was also significantly higher than that from healthy subjects (0.39 ± 0.15 ng/ml vs 0.18 ± 0.03 ng/ml, respectively). Serum ferritin, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, and TBARS levels after treatment of erythrocytes with H₂O₂ were also investigated, and serum ferritin and erythrocyte SOD levels were significantly higher in thalassemic patients. Our findings are consistent with oxidative stress in thalassemia patients.     

Gender-dependent differences in serum profiles of insulin and leptin in caloric restricted rats

In the present study, we have investigated whether differences between male and female rats described in response to 40% caloric restriction (CR) were influenced by circulating level variations of sex hormones and/or insulin and leptin. Body weights (BW), organ weights, and adipose depot weights (ADW) were also measured. The most affected tissues by CR were the fat depots. Metabolically active organs were the least affected, especially more in females than in males (male weight lost: 24.3% vs. female: 17.3%). Testosterone and estradiol circulating levels did not show changes by CR. Insulin levels were decreased by CR in both genders, but was more evident in female rats than males. Leptin serum levels were higher in male rats than in females, and CR caused a circulating leptin level reduction only in males. In conclusion, our results indicate that leptin and insulin could be one of the keys of the different hormonal control of energy homeostasis in response to CR between female and male rats. In this sense, leptin serum levels correlated statistically with BW and with individual ADW only in male rats, whereas insulin serum levels correlated statistically with BW and with any of the ADW studied only in females.     

Anogenital distance and umbilical cord testosterone level in newborns in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

The anogenital distance (AGD) is the distance between the anus and the base of the penis in males and anus to fourchette (AF) distance in females and is a sexually dimorphic index that, on average, is twice as great in males as in females, so it is used as an indicator of appropiate masculine development. In this study, the anogenital distance (AGD) and anthropometric measurements such as birth weight, birth length, head circumference and placenta weight of 200 newborns (100 male, 100 female) were taken and umbilical cord serum was assayed for testosterone concentration using Radioimmunoassay (Microwell). Data obtained were analysed using Student t-test and Pearson's Correlation Analysis as applicable. Results revealed that mean total anogenital distance was 22.53±0.70mm, and it was significantly higher in males: 31.11±0.64mm than in females: 13.89±0.26mm and we observed that there was positive correlation between birth weight and AGD in females. In males head circumference correlated positively with AGD. The mean cord testosterone concentration was 2.78±0.30ng/ml in males and 2.09±0.22ng/ml in females and did not have any significant correlation with anogenital distance. It was concluded that AGD of the population studied, though high was not significantly higher than AGD in other parts of the world and umbilical cord testosterone level did not have any significant effect on AGD. Keywords: Anogenital distance, Ethnicity, Umbilical cord testosterone, Anthropometry.     

Sex-linked differences in activity of enzymes in the blood of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl.

Few data are available on enzyme activity in amphibian plasma or erythrocytes. We measured the activity of several blood enzymes in the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl reared under standard laboratory conditions. In subsequent experiments, we will estimate and compare the physiological and biochemical conditions of P. waltl when reared under extreme temperature or microgravity conditions. The enzymes selected were glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. In fresh plasma samples, enzyme activity in females was higher than in males, except for aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, which were equivalent in females and males. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was higher in males than in females. In female erythrocytes, the activity of all enzymes was higher than in male erythrocytes. We have also studied the storage conditions of samples and observed that for most enzymes, the activity in freshly isolated plasma and erythrocyte preparations decreased after storage at -18 or +4 degrees C.