Prenatal testosterone exposure leads to hypertension that is gonadal hormone-dependent in adult rat male and female offspring

Prenatal testosterone exposure impacts postnatal reproductive and endocrine function, leading to alterations in sex steroid levels. Because gonadal steroids are key regulators of cardiovascular function, it is possible that alteration in sex steroid hormones may contribute to development of hypertension in prenatally testosterone-exposed adults. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether prenatal testosterone exposure leads to development of hypertension in adult males and females and to assess the influence of gonadal hormones on arterial pressure in these animals. Offspring of pregnant rats treated with testosterone propionate or its vehicle (controls) were examined. Subsets of male and female offspring were gonadectomized at 7 wk of age, and some offspring from age 7 to 24 wk received hormone replacement, while others did not. Testosterone exposure during prenatal life significantly increased arterial pressure in both male and female adult offspring; however, the effect was greater in males. Prenatal androgen-exposed males and females had more circulating testosterone during adult life, with no change in estradiol levels. Gonadectomy prevented hyperandrogenism and also reversed hypertension in these rats. Testosterone replacement in orchiectomized males restored hypertension, while estradiol replacement in ovariectomized females was without effect. Steroidal changes were associated with defective expression of gonadal steroidogenic genes, with Star, Sf1, and Hsd17b1 upregulation in testes. In ovaries, Star and Cyp11a1 genes were upregulated, while Cyp19 was downregulated. This study showed that prenatal testosterone exposure led to development of gonad-dependent hypertension during adult life. Defective steroidogenesis may contribute in part to the observed steroidal changes.     

Gestational exposure to ethane dimethanesulfonate permanently alters reproductive competence in the CD-1 mouse

Although the adult mouse Leydig cell (LC) has been considered refractory to cytotoxic destruction by ethane dimethanesulfonate (EDS), the potential consequences of exposure during reproductive development in this species are unknown. Herein pregnant CD-1 mice were treated with 160 mg/kg on Gestation Days 11-17, and reproductive development in male offspring was evaluated. Prenatal administration of EDS compromised fetal testosterone (T) levels, compared with controls. EDS-exposed pups recovered their steroidogenic capacities after birth because T production by hCG-stimulated testis parenchyma from prepubertal male offspring was unchanged. However, prepubertal testes from prenatally exposed males contained seminiferous tubules (STs) devoid of germ cells, indicating a delay in spermatogenesis. In adults, some STs in exposed males still contained incomplete germ cell associations corroborating observed reductions in epididymal sperm reserves, fertility ratios, and litter size. Morphometry revealed an EDS-induced increase in interstitial area and a concomitant decrease in ST area, but stereology revealed an unexpected decrease in the number and size of the LCs per testis in exposed males. Paradoxically, there was an increase in both serum LH and T production by adult testis parenchyma, indicating that the LCs were hyperstimulated. These data demonstrate permanent lesions in LC development and spermatogenesis caused by prenatal exposure in mice. Thus, although adult mouse LCs are insensitive to EDS, EDS appears to have direct action on fetal LCs, resulting in abnormal testis development.     

钙网质蛋白在多囊卵巢综合征大鼠子宫内膜的表达及意义

目的：研究钙网质蛋白（CRT）在PCOS大鼠子宫内膜中的表达及生物学意义。方法：60只雌性SD大鼠随机分为PCOS组和对照组,每组各30只。给模型组24日龄大鼠皮下埋植左旋甲基炔诺酮硅胶棒3mm／只,3d后BID皮下注射人绒毛膜促性腺激素1．5IU。给对照组皮下注射等体积生理盐水。注射9d后观察大鼠卵巢形态学（HE染色）,化学发光法测定性激素水平。结果：模型组大鼠卵巢重量和体积均显著高于对照组（P〈0．01）。模型组大鼠卵巢出现类多囊卵巢综合征的改变。模型组卵巢各级发育期卵泡及黄体少见,卵泡多呈囊性扩张。模型组大鼠血清孕激素、睾酮、空腹胰岛素、空腹血糖水平均显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）;卵泡刺激素（FSH）水平显著低于对照组（P〈0．05）。LH／FSH比值显著高于对照组（P〈0．05）。采用免疫组织化学方法及灰度值测定,定量分析CRT在PCOS组和对照组的子宫内膜中表达。CRT在两组中的子宫内膜中均有表达。PCOS组子宫内膜上皮CRT表达显著低于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论：避孕硅胶棒联合hCG诱导SD大鼠多囊卵巢综合征模型是较好的PCOS模型。CRT与PCOS的发病密切相关．     

Altered expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in follicles within dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovaries in rats

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by hyperandrogenaemia, hirsutism, oligo- or amenorrhea, insulin resistance and anovulation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the balance between the ovarian expression of Bax (proapoptotic protein) and Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic protein) is altered in a PCOS model developed in rats by DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) administration. In addition, the ovarian morphology and the circulating progesterone levels were evaluated. Histological studies confirmed the presence of follicular cysts, atretic follicles and the absence of corpora lutea in the ovaries from the PCOS group and a significant decrease in circulating progesterone levels. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were mainly localized in granulosa cells of AFs (antral follicles) in both groups. Bax expression was greater in preantral and AFs from PCOS ovarian sections than in the controls. In contrast, intense Bcl-2 immunostaining was observed in the control AFs, while Bcl-2 protein was either absent in PFs (preantral follicles) or weakly expressed in AFs from PCOS rats. These results were partially confirmed by Western studies. Data revealed that the ovarian level of Bcl-2 protein was lower in PCOS than in the control and that there were no differences in Bax ovarian levels between groups. However, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was significantly higher in PCOS group than in the control group. In conclusion, an increase in ovarian apoptosis through an imbalance among the Bcl-2 family members may be involved in the transformation of growing follicles in cystic follicles in the ovaries from DHEA-induced PCOS rats.     

Investigation of the effects of vitamin D treatment on the ovarian AMH receptors in a polycystic ovary syndrome experimental model: an ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effects of vitamin D treatment on ultrastructural changes and AMHR2 expression in the ovary in PCOS rat model. A total of 24 female prepubertal rats were divided into 3 groups. In group 1, sesame oil was injected and used as control group. In group 2, PCOS was created by the injection of 6 mg/kg/day DHEA. In group 3, PCOS was created and 120 ng/100 g 1,25 (OH)₂D3 treatment was performed. At the end of the 28^th day, the blood samples were collected. The ovarian tissues were obtained for electron microscopic and immunohistochemical examinations.Serum AMH, testosterone, FSH, LH levels and LH/FSH ratios were higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group and decreased in the treatment group compared to the PCOS group. AMHR2 expression was increased in atretic and premature luteinizate antral follicles in the PCOS group compared to the control group, and decreased in the treatment group compared to the PCOS group. PCOS group electron micrographs showed degenerative changes in developing follicles, cystic follicles characterised with granulosa cell layer attenuation and thickening of the theca cell layer, and lipid accumulation in the interstitial cells. Structural changes observed in the PCOS group were improved with vitamin D treatment.As a result, there is an interaction between PCOS, AMH serum levels and AMHR2 in the ovarian follicles. Vitamin D has a positive effect on hormonal and structural changes in the PCOS group. We concluded that vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial in PCOS patients.     

Postnatal developmental consequences of altered insulin sensitivity in female sheep treated prenatally with testosterone

Prenatally testosterone (T)-treated female sheep exhibit ovarian and endocrinological features that resemble those of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which include luteinizing hormone excess, polyfollicular ovaries, functional hyperandrogenism, and anovulation. In this study, we determined the developmental impact of prenatal T treatment on insulin sensitivity indexes (ISI), a variable that is affected in a majority of PCOS women. Pregnant ewes were treated with 60 mg testosterone propionate intramuscularly in cottonseed oil two times a week or vehicle [control (C)] from days 30 to 90 of gestation. T-females weighed less than C-females or males (P < 0.05) at birth and at 5 wk of age. T-females had an increased anogenital ratio. An intravenous glucose tolerance test followed by an insulin tolerance test conducted after an overnight fast at 5, 20, and 30 wk of age (n = 7-8/group) revealed that ISI were higher at 5 than 30 wk of age in C-females, reflective of a developing insulin resistance associated with puberty. T-females had higher basal insulin levels, higher fasting insulin-to-glucose ratio, and higher incremental area under the insulin curve to the glucose challenge. The ISI of T-females was similar to that of males. No differences in ISI were evident between groups at 20 and 30 wk of age. Mean basal plasma glucose concentrations and glucose disappearance and uptake did not differ between groups at any age. Our findings suggest that prenatal T treatment leads to offspring with reduced birth weight and impaired insulin sensitivity in early postnatal life.     

Unilateral sectioning of the superior ovarian nerve of rats with polycystic ovarian syndrome restores ovulation in the innervated ovary

The present study tested the hypothesis that if polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results from activating the noradrenergic outflow to the ovary, unilaterally sectioning the superior ovarian nerve (SON) will result in ovulation by the denervated ovary, and the restoration of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) normal serum level. A single 2 mg dose of estradiol valerate (EV) to adult rats results in the development of a syndrome similar to the human PCOS. Ten-day old rats were injected with EV or vehicle solution (Vh) and were submitted to sham surgery, unilateral or bilateral sectioning of the SON at 24-days of age. The animals were sacrificed at 90 to 92 days of age, when they presented vaginal estrus preceded by a pro-estrus smear. In EV-treated animals, unilateral sectioning of the SON restored ovulation by the innervated ovary and unilateral or bilateral sectioning of the SON normalized testosterone and estradiol levels. These results suggest that aside from an increase in ovarian noradrenergic tone in the ovaries, in the pathogenesis of the PCOS participate other neural influences arriving to the ovaries via the SON, regulating spontaneous ovulation. Changes in P4, T and E2 serum levels induced by EV treatment seem to be controlled by neural signals arising from the abdominal wall and other signals arriving to the ovaries through the SON, and presents asymmetry.     

Activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary ovarian axis in hypothyroid rats with or without triiodothyronine replacement

The hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis in adult female rats with 131-I induced hypothyroidism was studied before and after triiodothyronine (T3) replacement. Forty days after 131-I, hypothyroid (H) rats showed irregular cycles with predominantly diestrous vaginal smears, atrophied and underweight ovaries, and decreased serum T3, T4, LH and estradiol (E2). T3 replacement restored normal cycles and ovary weight and increased serum E2 levels above control values, while LH levels remained below the limit of detection of the RIA. The GnRH stimulation test performed on the day that the rats exhibited diestrous vaginal smears elicited a greater increase in FSH than in LH in H rats and a greater increase in LH than in FSH in both H-T3 treated and control rats. The data suggest that the lack of thyroid hormones in adult female rats seems to produce a reversion of sexual hormones to a prepubertal pattern, while T3 treatment restored normal estrous cycles and ovarian function.     

Developmental programming: impact of prenatal testosterone excess on ovarian cell proliferation and apoptotic factors in sheep

Prenatal testosterone (T) excess leads to reproductive dysfunctions in sheep, which include increased ovarian follicular recruitment and persistence. To test the hypothesis that follicular disruptions in T sheep stem from changes in the developmental ontogeny of ovarian proliferation and apoptotic factors, pregnant Suffolk sheep were injected twice weekly with T propionate or dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHT; a nonaromatizable androgen) from Days 30 to 90 of gestation. Changes in developmental expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), BCL2, BAX, activated CASP3, and FAS/FASLG were determined at Fetal Days 90 and 140, 22 wk, 10 mo, and 21 mo of age by immunocytochemisty. Prenatal T treatment induced changes in expression of proliferative and apoptotic markers in a follicle-, age-, and steroid-specific manner. Changes in BAX were evident only during fetal life and PCNA, BCL2, and CASP3 only postnatally. Prenatal T and not DHT increased PCNA and decreased BCL2 in granulosa/theca cells of antral follicles at 10 and 21 mo but decreased CASP3 in granulosa/theca cells of antral follicles at 22 wk (prepubertal) and 10 and 21 mo. Both treatments decreased BAX immunostaining in granulosa cells of Fetal Day 90 primordial/primary follicles. Neither treatment affected FAS expression at any developmental time point in any follicular compartment. Effects on BAX appear to be programmed by androgenic actions and PCNA, BCL2, and CASP3 by estrogenic actions of T. Overall, the findings demonstrate that fetal exposure to excess T disrupts the ovarian proliferation/apoptosis balance, thus providing a basis for the follicular disruptions evidenced in these females.     

Androgen threshold to activate copulation differs in male rats prenatally exposed to alcohol, stress, or both factors.

Few male rats prenatally exposed to a combination of alcohol and stress copulate spontaneously. This study determined adult sensitivity to testosterone (T) in males prenatally exposed to alcohol, to stress, or to both factors. Sexually naive males were tested with receptive females following castration and implantation of 20-, 30-, or 45-mm Silastic T-filled capsules. Serum T levels provided by these implants were measured. The behavior shown by males exposed only to prenatal alcohol did not differ from untreated control animals at any T dosage. Prenatal stress alone diminished the copulatory potential below control levels only when the intermediate T dosage was provided. Few males exposed to both alcohol and stress copulated under the lowest or the intermediate dose of adult T replacement, but most ejaculated normally when the largest capsule was implanted. The threshold to the sexual behavior-activating-properties of adult T exposure was moderately raised by prenatal stress but was severely affected when prenatal stress was combined with alcohol. We conclude that a diminished sensitivity to androgen in adulthood underlies some copulatory deficits resulting from treatments that alter fetal T levels. Such deficits may be concealed when behavior is evaluated in gonadally intact animals.     

Transient prenatal androgen exposure produces metabolic syndrome in adult female rats

Androgen exposure during intrauterine life in nonhuman primates and in sheep results in a phenocopy of the reproductive and metabolic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Such exposure also results in reproductive features of PCOS in rodents. We investigated whether transient prenatal androgen treatment produced metabolic abnormalities in adult female rats and the mechanisms of these changes. Pregnant dams received free testosterone or vehicle injections during late gestation, and their female offspring were fed regular or high-fat diet (HFD). At 60 days of age, prenatally androgenized (PA) rats exhibited significantly increased body weight; parametrial and subcutaneous fat; serum insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and hepatic triglyceride content (all P < 0.0125). There were no significant differences in insulin sensitivity by intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test or insulin signaling in liver or skeletal muscle. HFD had similar effects to PA on body weight and composition as well as on circulating triglyceride levels. HFD further increased hepatic triglyceride content to a similar extent in both PA and control rats. In PA rats, HFD did not further increase circulating insulin, triglyceride, or cholesterol levels. In control rats, HFD increased insulin levels, but to a lesser extent than PA alone ( approximately 2.5- vs. approximately 12-fold, respectively). We conclude that transient prenatal androgen exposure produces features of the metabolic syndrome in adult female rats. Dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis appear to be mediated by PA-induced increases in adiposity, whereas hyperinsulinemia appears to be a direct result of PA.     

Effect of prenatal hypoxia on heat stress-mediated cardioprotection in adult rat heart

Fetal programming has profound effects on cardiovascular function in later adult life. We tested the hypothesis that chronic hypoxic exposure during fetal development downregulates endogenous cardioprotective mechanisms in adult rats. Time-dated pregnant rats were divided between normoxic and hypoxic (10.5% O2 from days 15 to 21 of gestation) groups. The male progeny were studied at 2 mo of age. Rats were subjected to heat stress (42 degrees C for 15 min). After 24 h, hearts were excised and subjected to 30 min of global ischemia and 1 h of reperfusion. Prenatal hypoxia did not change adult rat body weight and heart weight, but significantly increased the cross-sectional area of a left ventricular (LV) myocyte. Heat stress significantly improved postischemic recovery of LV function in normoxic control rats, but not in prenatally hypoxic rats. The infarct size in the LV resulting from ischemia-reperfusion was reduced by the heat stress pretreatment in control rats, but not in prenatally hypoxic rats. In accordance, heat stress significantly increased LV myocardial content of heat shock protein 70 only in normoxic control rats. In addition, there was a significant decrease in the LV myocardial content of the PKC-epsilon isoform in prenatally hypoxic rats compared with control rats. We conclude that prenatal hypoxia causes in utero programming of hsp70 gene in the LV, leading to an inhibition of its response to heat stress and a loss of cardioprotection in later adult life.     

Mouse models to study polycystic ovary syndrome: A possible link between metabolism and ovarian function?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of female infertility affecting 6–8% of women worldwide. PCOS is characterized by two of the following three criteria: clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, oligo- or amenorrhea, and polycystic ovaries (PCO). In addition, women with PCOS are often obese and insulin resistant, and are at risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The etiology of PCOS remains unknown. Therefore, several animal models for PCOS have been generated to gain insight into the etiology and development of the PCOS-associated phenotypes. Androgens are considered the main culprit of PCOS, and therefore, androgenization of animals is the most frequently used approach to induce symptoms that resemble PCOS. Prenatal or prepubertal androgen treatment results in many characteristics of human PCOS, including anovulation, cyst-like follicles, elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, increased adiposity, and insulin insensitivity. However, PCOS has a heterogeneous presentation, and therefore it is difficult to generate a model that exactly reproduces the reproductive and metabolic phenotypes observed in women with PCOS. In this review, we discuss several mouse models for PCOS, and compare the reproductive and/or metabolic phenotypes observed in several androgen-induced models as well as in several genetic models.     

血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2与多囊卵巢综合征患者胰岛素抵抗、性激素和卵巢间质血流的关系研究

摘要 目的：分析血清骨钙素（OC）、血小板反应蛋白-1（TSP-1）、血管生成素样蛋白2（ANGPTL2）与多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）患者胰岛素抵抗（IR）、性激素和卵巢间质血流的关系。方法：选取2020年1月～2022年4月内蒙古自治区人民医院收治的125例PCOS患者（PCOS组）,根据稳态模型评估（HOMA）-IR分为IR组68例和非IR组57例,另选取同期67例体检健康成年女性（对照组）。收集研究对象HOMA-IR和性激素、卵巢间质血流指标,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2水平。比较PCOS组与对照组、IR组与非IR组之间性激素、卵巢间质血流指标、血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2水平的差异。采用Pearson/Spearman相关性分析法分析PCOS患者血清OC、TSP-1、ANGPTL2水平与HOMA-IR、性激素和卵巢间质血流指标的相关性。结果：PCOS组HOMA-IR、黄体生成素（LH）、LH/促卵泡生成素（FSH）、睾酮（T）、收缩期峰值速度（PSV）、ANGPTL2水平高于对照组,搏动指数（PI）和阻力指数（RI）、OC、TSP-1水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）。IR组LH、LH/FSH、T、PSV、ANGPTL2水平高于非IR组,PI、RI、OC、TSP-1水平低于非IR组（P＜0.05）。Pearson/Spearman相关性分析显示,PCOS患者血清OC、TSP-1水平与HOMA-IR、LH、LH/FSH、T、PSV呈负相关,与PI、RI呈正相关（P＜0.05）;血清ANGPTL2水平与PCOS患者HOMA-IR、LH、LH/FSH、T、PSV呈正相关,与PI、RI呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：血清OC、TSP-1在PCOS患者血清中低表达,ANGPTL2在PCOS患者血清中高表达,三者与PCOS患者IR、性激素和卵巢间质血流密切相关。     

Molecular mechanisms of a novel selenium-based complementary medicine which confers protection against hyperandrogenism-induced polycystic ovary

The objective was to evaluate ovarian functionality and oxidative response in hyperandrogenism-induced polycystic ovary (PCO) and the protective effects of immunomodulator drug (IMOD), an electromagnetically-treated, selenium-based, herbal medicine. Daily oral administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days induced ovarian cysts in female rats. An effective dose of IMOD (30 mg/kg per day) was given intraperitoneally for 21 days. Biomarkers of ovarian function, serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and ovarian prostaglandin-E (PGE), were analyzed. To determine the role of oxidative stress (OS) in hyperandrogenism-induced PCO, concentrations of cellular lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), peroxynitrite (ONOO), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α as a marker of inflammation and apoptosis were measured in serum and ovaries. Letrozole-induced PCO resulted in significant increases in concentrations of lipid peroxidation and peroxynitrite in serum and ovary, but significantly decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Serum concentrations of testosterone and TNF-α, and ovarian prostaglandin-E were increased (P < 0.001) in animals with cysts versus control, whereas estradiol and progesterone were decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). When compared with controls, letrozole induced irregular cycles and PCO characterized by a high incidence of subcapsular ovarian cysts with a diminished granulosa cell layer, luteinized granulosa cells in the cyst wall, significantly more atretic preantral and antral follicles, and absence of CL. There were almost no intact primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles in PCO rats. All end points assessed were significantly improved by IMOD and reached close to normal levels. In conclusion, the present study provided evidence that toxic free radicals and TNF-α were involved in the pathogenesis of PCO; furthermore, IMOD prevented ovarian histopathologic, endocrine, and biochemical alterations induced by hyperandrogenism.     

黄连素对PCOS模型大鼠LPS /NF-κB、MAPK信号通路的影响*

目的: 探讨黄连素对多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)模型大鼠糖脂代谢、性激素结合蛋白和脂联素(LPS)以及NF-κB、MAPK信号通路的影响。方法: 将SD雌性大鼠随机分成空白组、PCOS模型组、黄连素组(0.216 g/kg)、二甲双胍组(0.135 g/kg)和达英-35(0.18 mg/kg)组,每组10只。PCOS模型组用来曲唑(1 mg/(kg·d))连续灌胃3周,随后药物干预28 d,检测大鼠体重、卵巢和子宫指数,HE染色观察大鼠卵巢卵泡数量变化,用ELISA法检测血清性激素水平、空腹葡萄糖和胰岛素、甘油三酯和胆固醇、性激素结合蛋白和脂联素水平以及用蛋白印迹法检测卵巢组织p38-MAPK、c-Jun和NF-κB蛋白表达。结果: 与空白组比较,模型组大鼠体重显著增加(P＜0.05),子宫指数显著降低(P＜0.05),囊状卵泡数量显著增加(P＜0.05),血清黄体生成素(LH)、睾酮(T)水平和LH/FSH比值显著升高(P＜0.05),卵泡刺激素(FSH)水平显著下降(P＜0.05),总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、空腹胰岛素和胰岛素指数(HOMA)显著增加(P＜0.05),性激素结合蛋白(SHBG)含量显著减少以及脂联素(LPS)含量显著增加(P＜0.05),卵巢组织p38-MAPK、c-Jun和NF-κB蛋白表达上调(P＜0.05)。与模型组比较,黄连素能显著增加子宫指数(P＜0.05)、次级卵泡数量(P＜0.05),显著降低血清促黄体生成素(LH)水平、睾酮(T)水平和LH/FSH比值(P＜ 0.05),显著下调卵巢组织p38-MAPK和NF-κB蛋白表达(P＜0.05),作用类似达英-35;黄连素能明显降低血清甘油三酯(TG)、胰岛素水平和胰岛素指数(P＜0.05),升高血清SHBG水平,降低LPS水平(P＜0.05),作用类似二甲双胍。结论: 黄连素通过下调卵巢组织p38-MAPK和NF-κB蛋白表达,降低血清LPS含量,起到调控PCOS大鼠性激素紊乱和胰岛素抵抗(IR)的作用。     

Management of hyperandrogenism in adolescent girls.

Hyperandrogenism in adolescent girls can be a troubling problem because of the difficulty in establishing a diagnosis and in prescribing appropriate therapy. Androgen excess in adolescent patients encompasses a spectrum of clinical presentations, including acne, hirsutism, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, virilism, and ovarian cysts. Androgen excess is a clinical and chemical feature of idiopathic hirsutism, late-onset forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and polycystic ovarian disease; in some cases, functional hyperandrogenism is discussed. We recommend screening for hyperandrogenism by measuring blood levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and delta 4-androstenedione, while others propose a first dexamethasone suppression test for evaluation of free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and cortisol. Treatment will be chosen according to particular symptoms such as acne, hirsutism, obesity, or oligomenorrhea.     

Hypertension caused by prenatal testosterone excess in female sheep

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility, affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age. The etiology and pathophysiology of PCOS are poorly understood. PCOS is multifaceted and includes reproductive abnormalities and components of the metabolic syndrome such as insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Exposure to excess testosterone (T) during the prenatal period may predispose individuals to PCOS phenotype. The goal of this study was to determine whether hypertension and dyslipidemia occur in a well-characterized model of PCOS produced by prenatal treatment of sheep with T. Radiotelemetry was used to measure blood pressure over a 24-h period in conscious, undisturbed animals. To normalize circulating estradiol levels across treatment, control (n = 4) and prenatal T-treated (100 mg T propionate im twice weekly from days 30 to 90 of fetal life, n = 4) 2-yr-old females were ovariectomized, instrumented with a radiotelemetry transmitter, and clamped with early follicular phase levels of estrogen using an implant. Six days later, a 24-h recording period commenced. Prenatal T-treated sheep were hypertensive compared with control sheep, and heart rate tended to be higher. T-treated sheep had hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypernatremia, and hyperchloremia, and both total and LDL cholesterol tended to be higher. Plasma aldosterone and epinephrine were significantly lower in T-treated sheep, whereas norepinephrine was unchanged. This first-ever use of radiotelemetric blood pressure recordings in sheep demonstrates that mild hypertension, a risk factor reported in some women with PCOS, is also a feature of the sheep model of PCOS produced by prenatal T treatment.     

青少年多囊卵巢综合征的临床、超声和生化特征及其诊断意义

青春期多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)的诊断具有一定的临床挑战性。迄今未有报道青少年人群PCOS的患病率以及临床、超声和生化特征。为了评估PCOS的临床和生化特征在14~16岁月经初潮女孩中的普遍程度,确定内循环雄激素水平在卵泡期早期的正常范围。本研究进行了一项前瞻性群组研究,研究群组是244名未经选择的月经初潮后的女孩,平均年龄在15.2岁。从一个大的以人口为基础的出生群组(Raine队列)中招募受试者。临床高雄激素血症(HA)使用Ferriman-Gallwey评分进行量化。在卵泡期的初期(第2~第6天),本研究使用免疫法测定循环雄激素和性激素结合球蛋白,并通过经腹部超声检查来评估卵巢形态,得到了青少年女性群体卵泡期初期的雄激素的正常范围。循环游离睾酮水平的前5%和10%分别为45.6 pmol/L和34.5 pmol/L。51%的女孩报告月经不规律。临床HA是罕见的,仅观察到3.5%的女孩罹患此病。平均卵巢体积大于其他报道中成年妇女的卵巢体积,35%的女孩在经腹超声时显示有多囊卵巢形态。按照游离睾酮数值排序,取前5%作为HA。42名女孩(18.5%)符合PCOS的Rotterdam标准,11个女孩(5%)雄激素超出社会标准。本研究表明,月经不规律在青春期是常见的,不涉及临床或生化HA。卵巢体积和形态的PCOS诊断在青春期可能有局限性。     

Cryptotanshinone reverses reproductive and metabolic disturbances in prenatally androgenized rats via regulation of ovarian signaling mechanisms and androgen synthesis

This trial explores 1) prenatally androgenized (PNA) rats as a model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 2) reproductive and metabolic effects of cryptotanshinone in PNA ovaries. On days 16-18 of pregnancy, 10 rats were injected with testosterone propionate (PNA mothers) and 10 with sesame oil (control mothers). At age 3 mo, 12 female offspring from each group were randomly assigned to receive saline and 12 cryptotanshinone treatment during 2 wk. Before treatment, compared with the 24 controls, the 24 PNA rats had 1) disrupted estrous cycles, 2) higher 17-hydroxyprogesterone (P = 0.030), androstenedione (P = 0.016), testosterone and insulin (P values = 0.000), and glucose (P = 0.047) levels, and 3) higher areas under the curve (AUC) for glucose (AUC-Glu, P = 0.025) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, P = 0.008). After treatment, compared with vehicle-treated PNA rats, cryptotanshinone-treated PNA rats had 1) improved estrous cycles (P = 0.045), 2) reduced 17-hydroxyprogesterone (P = 0.041), androstenedione (P = 0.038), testosterone (P = 0.003), glucose (P = 0.036), and insulin (P = 0.041) levels, and 3) lower AUC-Glu (P = 0.045) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.024). Western blot showed that cryptotanshinone reversed the altered protein expressions of insulin receptor substrate-1 and -2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85α, glucose transporter-4, ERK-1, and 17α-hydroxylase within PNA ovaries. We conclude that PNA model rats exhibit reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of human PCOS and that regulation of key molecules in insulin signaling and androgen synthesis within PNA ovaries may explain cryptotanshinone's therapeutic effects.