1
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Zhao B, Wang Z, Liu D, Zhang S. Genetically predicted serum testosterone and risk of gynecological disorders: a Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1161356. [PMID: 38075074 PMCID: PMC10710168 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1161356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Testosterone plays a key role in women, but the associations of serum testosterone level with gynecological disorders risk are inconclusive in observational studies. Methods We leveraged public genome-wide association studies to analyze the effects of four testosterone related exposure factors on nine gynecological diseases. Causal estimates were calculated by inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger and weighted median methods. The heterogeneity test was performed on the obtained data through Cochrane's Q value, and the horizontal pleiotropy test was performed on the data through MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO methods. "mRnd" online analysis tool was used to evaluate the statistical power of MR estimates. Results The results showed that total testosterone and bioavailable testosterone were protective factors for ovarian cancer (odds ratio (OR) = 0.885, P = 0.012; OR = 0.871, P = 0.005) and endometriosis (OR = 0.805, P = 0.020; OR = 0.842, P = 0.028) but were risk factors for endometrial cancer (OR = 1.549, P < 0.001; OR = 1.499, P < 0.001) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (OR = 1.606, P = 0.019; OR = 1.637, P = 0.017). dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a protective factor against endometriosis (OR = 0.840, P = 0.016) and premature ovarian failure (POF) (OR = 0.461, P = 0.046) and a risk factor for endometrial cancer (OR= 1.788, P < 0.001) and PCOS (OR= 1.970, P = 0.014). sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a protective factor against endometrial cancer (OR = 0.823, P < 0.001) and PCOS (OR = 0.715, P = 0.031). Conclusion Our analysis suggested causal associations between serum testosterone level and ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, endometriosis, PCOS, POF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Songling Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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2
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Zhao M, Lv H, Zhang Y, Zhao H, Qin H. Associations between genetically predicted sex and growth hormones and facial aging in the UK Biobank: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1239502. [PMID: 37916150 PMCID: PMC10616234 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1239502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aging is an inescapable process, but it can be slowed down, particularly facial aging. Sex and growth hormones have been shown to play an important role in the process of facial aging. We investigated this association further, using a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Methods We analyzed genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the UK Biobank database comprising facial aging data from 432,999 samples, using two-sample Mendelian randomization. In addition, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and sex steroid hormones were obtained from a GWAS in the UK Biobank [SHBG, N = 189,473; total testosterone (TT), N = 230,454; bioavailable testosterone (BT), N = 188,507; and estradiol (E2), N = 2,607)]. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the major algorithm used in this study, and random-effects models were used in cases of heterogeneity. To avoid errors caused by a single algorithm, we selected MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode as supplementary algorithms. Horizontal pleiotropy was detected based on the intercept in the MR-Egger regression. The leave-one-out method was used for sensitivity analysis. Results SHBG plays a promoting role, whereas sex steroid hormones (TT, BT, and E2) play an inhibitory role in facial aging. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels had no significant effect on facial aging, which is inconsistent with previous findings in vitro. Conclusion Regulating the levels of SHBG, BT, TT, and E2 may be an important means to delay facial aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjian Zhao
- Graduate School, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Huiyun Lv
- Department of Oncology, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Yunshu Zhang
- Clinical Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Hongliang Zhao
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Miyun Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongzhi Qin
- Graduate School, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
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3
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Akkaliyev M, Aukenov N, Massabayeva M, Apsalikov B, Rakhyzhanova S, Kuderbaev M. Genetic regulation of testosterone level in overweight males from the Kazakh population and its association with hypogonadism. J Med Life 2023; 16:1343-1349. [PMID: 38107722 PMCID: PMC10719783 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-0203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Male hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction in different populations are associated with excess body weight. A key aspect in most studies is the metabolism of sexual hormones, primarily testosterone. At the same time, the binding protein sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) can play a large role, as it determines the ratio of total and bioavailable testosterone in blood, i.e. both the hormone content and level of its production. Recent research has identified common mutations that affect SHBG levels, such as the rs727428 polymorphic locus, which is associated with alterations in histone protein function, affecting the regulation of ribonucleic acid (RNA) protein SHBG synthesis. Similar relationships have been observed for prevalent mutations, including rs5934505 and rs10822184, in diverse populations. This study involved 300 individuals of Kazakh nationality from the Eastern Kazakhstan region, examining three polymorphic variants of the SHBG gene (rs727428, rs5934505, and rs10822184). The participants were categorized into three groups: individuals with hypogonadism and obesity (group 1, n=85), those with excess body weight but no hypogonadism (group 2, n=70), and individuals with neither excess body weight nor hypogonadism (group 3, n=145). The frequency of mutant gene alleles impacting GPS (SHBG) synthesis in the Kazakh population was notably high, comparable to European and South-East Asian populations. However, the association between excess body weight and these mutations exhibited varying patterns. Hypogonadism was linked to decreased GPS levels, strongly correlating with total testosterone but not bioavailable testosterone. The retention of sexual functions in overweight men was not always directly related to BMI levels and GPS concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merkhat Akkaliyev
- Department of Surgical Disciplines, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurlan Aukenov
- Department of Health and Human Resources, Ministry of Health, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
| | - Meruyert Massabayeva
- Center of Scientific Research Laboratory, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Bakytbek Apsalikov
- Department of Family Medicine, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Saule Rakhyzhanova
- Department of Normal Physiology, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Muratkhan Kuderbaev
- Department of Surgical Disciplines, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
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4
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Yuan S, Wang L, Sun J, Yu L, Zhou X, Yang J, Zhu Y, Gill D, Burgess S, Denny JC, Larsson SC, Theodoratou E, Li X. Genetically predicted sex hormone levels and health outcomes: phenome-wide Mendelian randomization investigation. Int J Epidemiol 2022; 51:1931-1942. [PMID: 35218343 PMCID: PMC9749729 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone and oestradiol have been associated with many diseases in observational studies; however, the causality of associations remains unestablished. METHODS A phenome-wide Mendelian randomization (MR) association study was performed to explore disease outcomes associated with genetically proxied circulating SHBG, testosterone and oestradiol levels by using updated genetic instruments in 339 197 unrelated White British individuals (54% female) in the UK Biobank. Two-sample MR analyses with data from large genetic studies were conducted to replicate identified associations in phenome-wide MR analyses. Multivariable MR analyses were performed to investigate mediation effects of hormone-related biomarkers in observed associations with diseases. RESULTS Phenome-wide MR analyses examined associations of genetically predicted SHBG, testosterone and oestradiol levels with 1211 disease outcomes, and identified 28 and 13 distinct phenotypes associated with genetically predicted SHBG and testosterone, respectively; 22 out of 28 associations for SHBG and 10 out of 13 associations for testosterone were replicated in two-sample MR analyses. Higher genetically predicted SHBG levels were associated with a reduced risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, diabetic complications, coronary atherosclerotic outcomes, gout and benign and malignant neoplasm of uterus, but an increased risk of varicose veins and fracture (mainly in females). Higher genetically predicted testosterone levels were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary atherosclerotic outcomes, gout and coeliac disease mainly in males, but an increased risk of cholelithiasis in females. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that sex hormones may causally affect risk of several health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yuan
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lili Yu
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yimin Zhu
- Department of Big Data in Health Science, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dipender Gill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen Burgess
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, Cambridge Institute of Public Health, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joshua C Denny
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Susanna C Larsson
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Medical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Xue Li
- Corresponding author. School of Public Health and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China. E-mail:
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5
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Schooling CM, Zhao JV. Investigating the association of testosterone with survival in men and women using a Mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14039. [PMID: 34234209 PMCID: PMC8263740 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93360-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Life expectancy in the developed West is currently stagnated and remains shorter in men than women. Well-established evolutionary biology theory suggests lifespan trades-off against reproductive success, possibly sex-specifically. We examined whether a key driver of reproductive success, testosterone, affected survival using a Mendelian randomization longevity study in the UK Biobank to obtain unbiased estimates, along with control exposures. We applied published genetic instruments for testosterone to obtain inverse variance weighted estimates of associations with survival to (i.e., age at) recruitment, in 167,020 men and 194,174 women. We similarly obtained estimates for a positive control (smoking initiation), and a negative control (absorbate), a marker of vitamin C metabolism. Testosterone was associated with poorer survival (0.10 years younger at recruitment per effect size of testosterone, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.004 to 0.20). As expected, smoking initiation was also associated with poorer survival (0.37 years younger, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.50), but not absorbate (0.01 years younger, 95% CI - 0.09 to 0.11). Several aspects of a healthy lifestyle (low animal fat diet) and several widely used medications (statins, metformin, dexamethasone and possibly aspirin) may modulate testosterone. Explicitly designing interventions sex-specifically based on these insights might help address stagnating life expectancy and sexual disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Schooling
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 1/F, Patrick Manson Building (North Wing), 7 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
- Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
| | - J V Zhao
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 1/F, Patrick Manson Building (North Wing), 7 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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6
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Giovanelli L, Quinton R. Androgenicity-not serum testosterone-correlates best with COVID-19 outcome in European males. EBioMedicine 2021; 66:103286. [PMID: 33752130 PMCID: PMC7979138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Giovanelli
- Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Richard Quinton
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK; Translational & Clinical Research Institute, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
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7
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Hess RA, Sharpe RM, Hinton BT. Estrogens and development of the rete testis, efferent ductules, epididymis and vas deferens. Differentiation 2021; 118:41-71. [PMID: 33441255 PMCID: PMC8026493 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen has always been considered the female hormone and testosterone the male hormone. However, estrogen's presence in the testis and deleterious effects of estrogen treatment during development have been known for nearly 90 years, long before estrogen receptors (ESRs) were discovered. Eventually it was learned that testes actually synthesize high levels of estradiol (E2) and sequester high concentrations in the reproductive tract lumen, which seems contradictory to the overwhelming number of studies showing reproductive pathology following exogenous estrogen exposures. For too long, the developmental pathology of estrogen has dominated our thinking, even resulting in the "estrogen hypothesis" as related to the testicular dysgenesis syndrome. However, these early studies and the development of an Esr1 knockout mouse led to a deluge of research into estrogen's potential role in and disruption of development and function of the male reproductive system. What is new is that estrogen action in the male cannot be divorced from that of androgen. This paper presents what is known about components of the estrogen pathway, including its synthesis and target receptors, and the need to achieve a balance between androgen- and estrogen-action in male reproductive tract differentiation and adult functions. The review focuses on what is known regarding development of the male reproductive tract, from the rete testis to the vas deferens, and examines the expression of estrogen receptors and presence of aromatase in the male reproductive system, traces the evidence provided by estrogen-associated knockout and transgenic animal models and discusses the effects of fetal and postnatal exposures to estrogens. Hopefully, there will be enough here to stimulate discussions and new investigations of the androgen:estrogen balance that seems to be essential for development of the male reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rex A Hess
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL, 61802 USA and Epivara, Inc., Research Park, 60 Hazelwood Dr., Suite 230G, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA.
| | - Richard M Sharpe
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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8
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Pimentel I, Chen BE, Lohmann AE, Ennis M, Ligibel J, Shepherd L, Hershman DL, Whelan T, Stambolic V, Mayer I, Hobday T, Lemieux J, Thompson A, Rastogi P, Gelmon K, Rea D, Rabaglio M, Ellard S, Mates M, Bedard P, Pitre L, Vandenberg T, Dowling RJO, Parulekar W, Goodwin PJ. The Effect of Metformin vs Placebo on Sex Hormones in Canadian Cancer Trials Group MA.32. J Natl Cancer Inst 2021; 113:192-198. [PMID: 33527137 PMCID: PMC7850529 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaa082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin has been associated with lower breast cancer (BC) risk and improved outcomes in observational studies. Multiple biologic mechanisms have been proposed, including a recent report of altered sex hormones. We evaluated the effect of metformin on sex hormones in MA.32, a phase III trial of nondiabetic BC subjects who were randomly assigned to metformin or placebo. METHODS We studied the subgroup of postmenopausal hormone receptor-negative BC subjects not receiving endocrine treatment who provided fasting blood at baseline and at 6 months after being randomly assigned. Sex hormone-binding globulin, bioavailable testosterone, and estradiol levels were assayed using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Change from baseline to 6 months between study arms was compared using Wilcoxon sum rank tests and regression models. RESULTS 312 women were eligible (141 metformin vs 171 placebo); the majority of subjects in each arm had T1/2, N0, HER2-negative BC and had received (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy. Mean age was 58.1 (SD=6.9) vs 57.5 (SD=7.9) years, mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.3 (SD=5.5) vs 28.9 (SD=6.4) kg/m2 for metformin vs placebo, respectively. Median estradiol decreased between baseline and 6 months on metformin vs placebo (-5.7 vs 0 pmol/L; P < .001) in univariable analysis and after controlling for baseline BMI and BMI change (P < .001). There was no change in sex hormone-binding globulin or bioavailable testosterone. CONCLUSION Metformin lowered estradiol levels, independent of BMI. This observation suggests a new metformin effect that has potential relevance to estrogen sensitive cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Pimentel
- Vall d`Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bingshu E Chen
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen’s University–Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Lois Shepherd
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen’s University–Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Dawn L Hershman
- Herbert Irving Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy Whelan
- Juravinski Cancer Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Vuk Stambolic
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ingrid Mayer
- Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Julie Lemieux
- CHA-Hopital Du St-Sacrement, Hopital Enfant Jesus Site, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | - Priya Rastogi
- National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Karen Gelmon
- BCCA–Vancouver Cancer Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel Rea
- Institute of Cancer Research, Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit, Sutton, UK
| | | | - Susan Ellard
- BCCA-Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Mihaela Mates
- Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Philippe Bedard
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Ryan J O Dowling
- University Health Network, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Wendy Parulekar
- Canadian Cancer Trials Group , Queen’s University–Cancer Research Institute, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Pamela J Goodwin
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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9
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Khawar MB, Liu C, Gao F, Gao H, Liu W, Han T, Wang L, Li G, Jiang H, Li W. Sirt1 regulates testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells via modulating autophagy. Protein Cell 2021; 12:67-75. [PMID: 33048320 PMCID: PMC7815870 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Babar Khawar
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Fengyi Gao
- School of Biotechnology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, China
| | - Hui Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wenwen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Tingting Han
- The MOH key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lina Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guoping Li
- The MOH key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Andrology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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10
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Jeuthe S, Kemna J, Kemna CP, Zocholl D, Klopfleisch R, Palme R, Kirschbaum C, Thoene-Reineke C, Kammertoens T. Stress hormones or general well-being are not altered in immune-deficient mice lacking either T- and B- lymphocytes or Interferon gamma signaling if kept under specific pathogen free housing conditions. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239231. [PMID: 32997686 PMCID: PMC7526874 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
It is controversially discussed whether immune-deficient mice experience severity in the absence of infection. Because a comprehensive analysis of the well-being of immune-deficient mice under specific pathogen free conditions is missing, we used a multi-parametric test analyzing, corticosterone, weight, nest building and facial expression over a period of 9 month to determine the well-being of two immune-deficient mouse lines (recombination activating gene 2- and interferon gamma receptor-deficient mice). We do not find evidence for severity when comparing immune-deficient mice to their heterozygous immune-competent littermates. Our data challenge the assumption that immune-deficiency per se regardless of housing conditions causes severity. Based on our study we propose to use objective non-invasive parameters determined by laboratory animal science for decisions concerning severity of immune-deficient mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jeuthe
- Animal Facility of the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josephine Kemna
- Department of Gene Therapy and Molecular Immunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Charité Campus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Dario Zocholl
- Institut für Biometrie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Christa Thoene-Reineke
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Kammertoens
- Department of Gene Therapy and Molecular Immunology, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Immunology, Charité Campus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
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11
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Syed AAS, He L, Shi Y. The Potential Effect of Aberrant Testosterone Levels on Common Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11070721. [PMID: 32610558 PMCID: PMC7397292 DOI: 10.3390/genes11070721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone has historically been linked to sexual dysfunction; however, it has recently been shown to affect other physical and mental attributes. We attempted to determine whether changes in serum testosterone could play a role in chronic or degenerative diseases. We used two separate genetic instruments comprising of variants from JMJD1C and SHBG regions and conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization for type II diabetes (T2D), gout, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. For the JMJD1C locus, one unit increase in log transformed testosterone was significantly associated with RA (OR = 1.69, p = 0.02), gout (OR = 0.469, p = 0.001) and T2D (OR = 0.769, p = 0.048). Similarly, one unit increase in log transformed testosterone using variants from the SHBG locus was associated with depression (OR = 1.02, p = 0.001), RA (OR = 1.32, p < 0.001) and T2D (OR = 0.88, p = 0.003). Our results show that low levels of serum testosterone levels may cause gout and T2D, while higher than normal levels of testosterone may result in RA and depression. Our findings suggest that fluctuations in testosterone levels may have severe consequences that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Alamdar Shah Syed
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China; (L.H.); (Y.S.)
- Correspondence: ; +86-156-1825-6391
| | - Lin He
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China; (L.H.); (Y.S.)
- Shanghai Center for Women and Children’s Health, 339 Luding Road, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yongyong Shi
- Bio-X Institutes, Key Laboratory for the Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China; (L.H.); (Y.S.)
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12
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Kraus S, Krüger O, Guenther A. Zebra finches bi-directionally selected for personality differ in repeatability of corticosterone and testosterone. Horm Behav 2020; 122:104747. [PMID: 32217065 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Consistent between-individual differences in behaviour have been documented across the animal kingdom. Such variation between individuals has been shown to be the basis for selection and to act as a pacemaker for evolutionary change. Recently, equivocal evidence suggests that such consistent between-individual variation is also present in hormones. This observation has sparked interest in understanding the mechanisms shaping individual differences, temporal consistency and heritability of hormonal phenotypes and to understand, if and to what extent hormonal mechanisms are involved in mediating consistent variation in behaviour between individuals. Here, we used zebra finches of the fourth generation of bi-directionally selected lines for three independent behaviours: aggression, exploration and fearlessness. We investigated how these behaviours responded to artificial selection and tested their repeatability. We further tested for repeatability of corticosterone and testosterone across and within lines. Moreover, we are presenting the decomposed variance components for within-individual variance (i.e. flexibility) and between-individual variance (i.e. more or less pronounced differences between individuals) and investigate their contribution to repeatability estimates. Both hormones as well as the exploration and fearlessness but not aggressiveness, were repeatable. However, variance components and hence repeatability differed between lines and were often lower than in unselected control animals, mainly because of a reduction in between-individual variance. Our data show that artificial selection (including active selection and genetic drift) can affect the mean and variance of traits. We stress the importance for understanding how variable a trait is both between and within individuals to assess the selective value of a trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Kraus
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Germany.
| | - Oliver Krüger
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Germany.
| | - Anja Guenther
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany.
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13
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Holt R, Juel Mortensen L, Harpelunde Poulsen K, Nielsen JE, Frederiksen H, Jørgensen N, Jørgensen A, Juul A, Blomberg Jensen M. Vitamin D and sex steroid production in men with normal or impaired Leydig cell function. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 199:105589. [PMID: 31953167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Production of testosterone is under tight control by human chorion gonadotropin (hCG) during fetal life and luteinizing hormone (LH) in adulthood. Several animal and human studies have linked vitamin D status with sex steroid production although it is not clear whether there exist a direct or indirect involvement in androgen production. Few studies have investigated this crosslink in young healthy men and putative direct or synergistic effect of activated vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) and LH/hCG on sex steroid production in vitro. Here, we present cross-sectional data from 300 young men and 41 hCG-stimulated men with impaired Leydig cell function combined with data from an ex vivo culture of human testicular tissue exposed to 1,25(OH)2D3 alone or in combination with hCG. Serum 25-OHD was positively associated with SHBG (β:0.002; p = 0.023) and testosterone/estradiol-ratio (β:0.001; p = 0.039), and inversely associated with free testosterone (%) (free testosterone/total testosterone) (β:-0.002; p = 0.016) in young men. Vitamin D deficient men had higher total and free estradiol concentrations than men with higher vitamin D status (19% and 18%, respectively; p < 0.01). Interestingly, men with impaired Leydig cell function and vitamin D deficiency had a significantly lower hCG-mediated increase in total and free testosterone compared with vitamin D sufficient men (p < 0.05). Accordingly, testicular tissue exposed to 100 nM 1,25(OH)2D3 had a 15% higher testosterone release into the media compared with vehicle treated specimens (p = 0.030). In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is associated with lower testosterone/estradiol ratio in young men and lower Leydig cell sensitivity after hCG-stimulation in men with impaired gonadal function. The significant effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on testosterone production in a human testis model supports that the stimulatory effect at least in part may be direct. Larger placebo-controlled studies are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation can influence testosterone production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rune Holt
- Group of skeletal, mineral and gonadal endocrinology, Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Li Juel Mortensen
- Group of skeletal, mineral and gonadal endocrinology, Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Harpelunde Poulsen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - John Erik Nielsen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Hanne Frederiksen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Anne Jørgensen
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark and International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Martin Blomberg Jensen
- Group of skeletal, mineral and gonadal endocrinology, Dept. of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Bone Health and Mineral Research, HSDM, Harvard University, Boston, USA.
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14
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Chen X, Li C, Chen Y, Ni C, Chen X, Zhang L, Xu X, Chen M, Ma X, Zhan H, Xu A, Ge R, Guo X. Aflatoxin B1 impairs leydig cells through inhibiting AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy flux pathway. Chemosphere 2019; 233:261-272. [PMID: 31176127 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potential endocrine disrupter, has been shown to induce hepatotoxicity in animal models, but the effects of AFB1 on Leydig cell function are unclear. In this study, in vivo exposure to AFB1 at 15 and 150 μg/kg/day lowered serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, reduced Leydig cell number, and down-regulated the expression of testosterone biosynthesis-related genes. In vitro study showed that AFB1 (10 μM) significantly increased ROS levels, and decreased T production in Leydig cells by suppressing certain T-biosynthesis gene expressions. Moreover, AFB1 induced Leydig cell apoptosis through lowering pAMPK/AMPK ratio and increasing pmTOR/mTOR ratio, and then further up-regulating autophagy and apoptosis proteins, LC3, BECLIN 1, and BAX, as well as down-regulating autophagy flux protein P62 and anti-apoptosis protein BCL-2. AFB1-induced toxicity in Leydig cells was characterized by inhibiting T-biosynthesis gene expression, reducing Leydig cell number, promoting ROS production, and inducing cell apoptosis via suppressing AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy flux pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianwu Chen
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chao Li
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaobo Ni
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiuxiu Chen
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linlei Zhang
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuni Xu
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Min Chen
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyi Ma
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huilu Zhan
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Aoyu Xu
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoling Guo
- Center of Scientific Research, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; The Second Clinical Medical School of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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15
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Huang H, Zou X, Zhong L, Hou Y, Zhou J, Zhang Z, Xing X, Sun J. CRISPR/dCas9-mediated activation of multiple endogenous target genes directly converts human foreskin fibroblasts into Leydig-like cells. J Cell Mol Med 2019; 23:6072-6084. [PMID: 31264792 PMCID: PMC6714237 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, Leydig cell (LC) transplantation has been revealed as a promising strategy for treating male hypogonadism; however, the key problem restricting the application of LC transplantation is a severe lack of seed cells. It seems that targeted activation of endogenous genes may provide a potential alternative. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether targeted activation of Nr5a1, Gata4 and Dmrt1 (NGD) via the CRISPR/dCas9 synergistic activation mediator system could convert human foreskin fibroblasts (HFFs) into functional Leydig-like cells. We first constructed the stable Hsd3b-dCas9-MPH-HFF cell line using the Hsd3b-EGFP, dCas9-VP64 and MS2-P65-HSF1 lentiviral vectors and then infected it with single guide RNAs. Next, we evaluated the reprogrammed cells for their reprogramming efficiency, testosterone production characteristics and expression levels of Leydig steroidogenic markers by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. Our results showed that the reprogramming efficiency was close to 10% and that the reprogrammed Leydig-like cells secreted testosterone rapidly and, more importantly, responded effectively to stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin and expressed Leydig steroidogenic markers. Our findings demonstrate that simultaneous targeted activation of the endogenous NGD genes directly reprograms HFFs into functional Leydig-like cells, providing an innovative technology that may have promising potential for the treatment of male androgen deficiency diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xiangyu Zou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Liang Zhong
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yanping Hou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jin Zhou
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaoyu Xing
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical CenterShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
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16
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Smeeth DM, Dima D, Jones L, Jones I, Craddock N, Owen MJ, Rietschel M, Maier W, Korszun A, Rice JP, Mors O, Preisig M, Uher R, Lewis CM, Thuret S, Powell TR. Polygenic risk for circulating reproductive hormone levels and their influence on hippocampal volume and depression susceptibility. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 106:284-292. [PMID: 31039525 PMCID: PMC6597945 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Altered reproductive hormone levels have been associated with the pathophysiology of depressive disorders and this risk may be imparted by their modulatory effect upon hippocampal structure and function. Currently it is unclear whether altered levels of reproductive hormones are causally associated with hippocampal volume reductions and the risk of depressive disorders. Here, we utilize genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from a GWAS focusing on reproductive hormones, consisting of 2913 individuals. Using this data, we generated polygenic risk scores (PRS) for estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone in the European RADIANT cohort consisting of 176 postpartum depression (PPD) cases (100% female, mean age: 41.6 years old), 2772 major depressive disorder (MDD) cases (68.6% female, mean age: 46.9 years old) and 1588 control participants (62.5% female, mean age: 42.4 years old), for which there was also a neuroimaging subset of 111 individuals (60.4% female, mean age: 50.0 years old). Only the best-fit PRS for estradiol showed a significant negative association with hippocampal volume, as well as many of its individual subfields; including the molecular layer and granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus, subiculum, CA1, CA2/3 and CA4 regions. Interestingly, several of these subfields are implicated in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. When we tested the same estradiol PRS for association with case-control status for PPD or MDD there was no significant relationship observed. Here, we provide evidence that genetic risk for higher plasma estradiol is negatively associated with hippocampal volume, but this does not translate into an increased risk of MDD or PPD. This work suggests that the relationship between reproductive hormones, the hippocampus, and depression is complex, and that there may not be a clear-cut pathway for etiology or risk moderation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demelza M Smeeth
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Danai Dima
- Department of Psychology, School of Arts and Social Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK; Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lisa Jones
- Institute of Health & Society, University of Worcester, Worcester, UK
| | - Ian Jones
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Nick Craddock
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael J Owen
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Division of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Maier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ania Korszun
- Barts and The London Medical School, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - John P Rice
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ole Mors
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Martin Preisig
- University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rudolf Uher
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Cathryn M Lewis
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Sandrine Thuret
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Timothy R Powell
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
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17
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Luo S, Au Yeung SL, Zhao JV, Burgess S, Schooling CM. Association of genetically predicted testosterone with thromboembolism, heart failure, and myocardial infarction: mendelian randomisation study in UK Biobank. BMJ 2019; 364:l476. [PMID: 30842065 PMCID: PMC6402044 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.l476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether endogenous testosterone has a causal role in thromboembolism, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. DESIGN Two sample mendelian randomisation study using genetic variants as instrumental variables, randomly allocated at conception, to infer causality as additional randomised evidence. SETTING Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) randomised controlled trial, UK Biobank, and CARDIoGRAMplusC4D 1000 Genomes based genome wide association study. PARTICIPANTS 3225 men of European ancestry aged 50-75 in REDUCE; 392 038 white British men and women aged 40-69 from the UK Biobank; and 171 875 participants of about 77% European descent, from CARDIoGRAMplusC4D 1000 Genomes based study for validation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Thromboembolism, heart failure, and myocardial infarction based on self reports, hospital episodes, and death. RESULTS Of the UK Biobank participants, 13 691 had thromboembolism (6208 men, 7483 women), 1688 had heart failure (1186, 502), and 12 882 had myocardial infarction (10 136, 2746). In men, endogenous testosterone genetically predicted by variants in the JMJD1C gene region was positively associated with thromboembolism (odds ratio per unit increase in log transformed testosterone (nmol/L) 2.09, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 3.46) and heart failure (7.81, 2.56 to 23.8), but not myocardial infarction (1.17, 0.78 to 1.75). Associations were less obvious in women. In the validation study, genetically predicted testosterone (based on JMJD1C gene region variants) was positively associated with myocardial infarction (1.37, 1.03 to 1.82). No excess heterogeneity was observed among genetic variants in their associations with the outcomes. However, testosterone genetically predicted by potentially pleiotropic variants in the SHBG gene region had no association with the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Endogenous testosterone was positively associated with thromboembolism, heart failure, and myocardial infarction in men. Rates of these conditions are higher in men than women. Endogenous testosterone can be controlled with existing treatments and could be a modifiable risk factor for thromboembolism and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Luo
- School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shiu Lun Au Yeung
- School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jie V Zhao
- School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Stephen Burgess
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - C Mary Schooling
- School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, 55 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
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18
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Nethander M, Vandenput L, Eriksson AL, Windahl S, Funck-Brentano T, Ohlsson C. Evidence of a Causal Effect of Estradiol on Fracture Risk in Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:433-442. [PMID: 30215726 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-00934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Observational studies indicate that serum estradiol (E2) is more strongly associated with bone mineral density (BMD) than serum testosterone (T) is, whereas both E2 and T associate with fracture risk in men. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the possible causal effect of serum E2 and T on fracture risk in men. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was undertaken using individual-level data on genotypes, BMD as estimated by quantitative ultrasound of the heel (eBMD), fractures (n = 17,650), and relevant covariates of 175,583 unrelated men of European origin from the UK Biobank. The genetic instruments for serum E2 and T were taken from the most recent large-scale genome-wide association study meta-analyses on these hormones in men. RESULTS MR analyses demonstrated a causal effect of serum E2 on eBMD and fracture risk. A 1 SD (or 9.6 pg/mL) genetically instrumented decrease in serum E2 levels was associated with a 0.38 SD decrease in eBMD (P value: 9.7 × 10-74) and an increased risk of any fracture (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.18, 1.55), nonvertebral major osteoporotic fractures (OR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.27), and wrist fractures (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.62, 3.16). These causal effects of serum E2 levels on fracture risk were robust in sensitivity analyses and remained unchanged in stratified analyses for age, body mass index, eBMD, smoking status, and physical activity. MR analyses revealed no evidence of a causal effect of T levels on fracture risk. CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence of a robust causal effect of serum E2, but not T, on fracture risk in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nethander
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Liesbeth Vandenput
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna L Eriksson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sara Windahl
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Thomas Funck-Brentano
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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19
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Salais-López H, Agustín-Pavón C, Lanuza E, Martínez-García F. The maternal hormone in the male brain: Sexually dimorphic distribution of prolactin signalling in the mouse brain. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208960. [PMID: 30571750 PMCID: PMC6301622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Research of the central actions of prolactin is highly focused on females, but this hormone has also documented roles in male physiology and behaviour. Here, we provide the first description of the pattern of prolactin-derived signalling in the male mouse brain, employing the immunostaining of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (pSTAT5) after exogenous prolactin administration. Next, we explore possible sexually dimorphic differences by comparing pSTAT5 immunoreactivity in prolactin-supplemented males and females. We also assess the role of testosterone in the regulation of central prolactin signalling in males by comparing intact with castrated prolactin-supplemented males. Prolactin-supplemented males displayed a widespread pattern of pSTAT5 immunoreactivity, restricted to brain centres showing expression of the prolactin receptor. Immunoreactivity for pSTAT5 was present in several nuclei of the preoptic, anterior and tuberal hypothalamus, as well as in the septofimbrial nucleus or posterodorsal medial amygdala of the telencephalon. Conversely, non-supplemented control males were virtually devoid of pSTAT5-immunoreactivity, suggesting that central prolactin actions in males are limited to situations concurrent with substantial hypophyseal prolactin release (e.g. stress or mating). Furthermore, comparison of prolactin-supplemented males and females revealed a significant, female-biased sexual dimorphism, supporting the view that prolactin has a preeminent role in female physiology and behaviour. Finally, in males, castration significantly reduced pSTAT5 immunoreactivity in some structures, including the paraventricular and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei and the septofimbrial region, thus indicating a region-specific regulatory role of testosterone over central prolactin signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Salais-López
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Carmen Agustín-Pavón
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular i de Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Enrique Lanuza
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular i de Biologia Funcional, Facultat de Ciències Biològiques, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Fernando Martínez-García
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
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20
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Tseng WH, Lin JW, Lou CH, Lee KH, Wu LS, Wang TY, Wang FY, Irschick DJ, Lin SM. Opsin gene expression regulated by testosterone level in a sexually dimorphic lizard. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16055. [PMID: 30375514 PMCID: PMC6207759 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34284-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Expression of nuptial color is usually energetically costly, and is therefore regarded as an 'honest signal' to reflect mate quality. In order to choose a mate with high quality, both sexes may benefit from the ability to precisely evaluate their mates through optimizing visual systems which is in turn partially regulated by opsin gene modification. However, how terrestrial vertebrates regulate their color vision sensitivity is poorly studied. The green-spotted grass lizard Takydromus viridipunctatus is a sexually dimorphic lizard in which males exhibit prominent green lateral colors in the breeding season. In order to clarify relationships among male coloration, female preference, and chromatic visual sensitivity, we conducted testosterone manipulation with mate choice experiments, and evaluated the change of opsin gene expression from different testosterone treatments and different seasons. The results indicated that males with testosterone supplementation showed a significant increase in nuptial color coverage, and were preferred by females in mate choice experiments. By using quantitative PCR (qPCR), we also found that higher levels of testosterone may lead to an increase in rhodopsin-like 2 (rh2) and a decrease in long-wavelength sensitive (lws) gene expression in males, a pattern which was also observed in wild males undergoing maturation as they approached the breeding season. In contrast, females showed the opposite pattern, with increased lws and decreased rh2 expression in the breeding season. We suggest this alteration may facilitate the ability of male lizards to more effectively evaluate color cues, and also may provide females with the ability to more effectively evaluate the brightness of potential mates. Our findings suggest that both sexes of this chromatically dimorphic lizard regulate their opsin expression seasonally, which might play an important role in the evolution of nuptial coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hsuan Tseng
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Jhan-Wei Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Han Lou
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Ko-Huan Lee
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
| | - Leang-Shin Wu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Tzi-Yuan Wang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 115, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Yu Wang
- National Applied Research Laboratories, Taiwan Ocean Research Institute, Kaohsiung, 801, Taiwan.
| | - Duncan J Irschick
- Department of Biology, 221 Morrill Science Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Si-Min Lin
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan.
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21
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Khajehnasiri N, Khazali H, Sheikhzadeh F. Various responses of male pituitary-gonadal axis to different intensities of long-term exercise: Role of expression of KNDYrelated genes. J Biosci 2018; 43:569-574. [PMID: 30207304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The essential role of regular physical activity has been emphasized for maintaining a healthy life. However, unfortunately, during the last few decades, the lifestyle of people has led to a decrease in physical activity. Research studies have shown that exercise of different intensities is applied on reproductive performance indices, luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T), with different effects. Nevertheless, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying its function are not completely understood. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the role of kisspeptin, neurokinin-B and pro-dynorphin (KNDY) gene-expression changes located in the upstream of GnRH neurons in transferring the effects of different long-term exercise intensities on male reproductive axis. Twenty-one adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, 6-month regular moderate exercise (RME-6) and 6-month regular intensive exercise (RIE-6). In moderate and intensive exercise groups, rats were treated 5 days a week for 60 min, at 22 and 35 m/min, respectively. Finally, the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus was isolated and the relative gene expression of kisspeptin (Kiss1), neurokinin-B (Nkb), pro-dynorphin (Pdyn) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gnrh) genes were measured by realtime polymerase chain reaction method. The results showed that RIE-6 treatment decreased Gnrh and increased Pdyn mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus. Furthermore, although RME-6 treatment decreased Nkb and increased Pdyn mRNA levels, the Gnrh mRNAwas not affected. Regarding the Gnrh mRNA levels and serum concentrations of reproductive indices (LH and T), moderate exercise did not impose harmful effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis than intensive exercise. The different impacts of diverse long-term exercise intensities on the male pituitary-gonadal axis maybe relay by the various changes in hypothalamic Nkb and Pdyn gene expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Khajehnasiri
- Department of Animal Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Warrington NM, Shevroja E, Hemani G, Hysi PG, Jiang Y, Auton A, Boer CG, Mangino M, Wang CA, Kemp JP, McMahon G, Medina-Gomez C, Hickey M, Trajanoska K, Wolke D, Ikram MA, Montgomery GW, Felix JF, Wright MJ, Mackey DA, Jaddoe VW, Martin NG, Tung JY, Davey Smith G, Pennell CE, Spector TD, van Meurs J, Rivadeneira F, Medland SE, Evans DM. Genome-wide association study identifies nine novel loci for 2D:4D finger ratio, a putative retrospective biomarker of testosterone exposure in utero. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:2025-2038. [PMID: 29659830 PMCID: PMC5961159 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ratio of the length of the index finger to that of the ring finger (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic and is commonly used as a non-invasive biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure. Most association studies of 2D:4D ratio with a diverse range of sex-specific traits have typically involved small sample sizes and have been difficult to replicate, raising questions around the utility and precise meaning of the measure. In the largest genome-wide association meta-analysis of 2D:4D ratio to date (N = 15 661, with replication N = 75 821), we identified 11 loci (9 novel) explaining 3.8% of the variance in mean 2D:4D ratio. We also found weak evidence for association (β = 0.06; P = 0.02) between 2D:4D ratio and sensitivity to testosterone [length of the CAG microsatellite repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) gene] in females only. Furthermore, genetic variants associated with (adult) testosterone levels and/or sex hormone-binding globulin were not associated with 2D:4D ratio in our sample. Although we were unable to find strong evidence from our genetic study to support the hypothesis that 2D:4D ratio is a direct biomarker of prenatal exposure to androgens in healthy individuals, our findings do not explicitly exclude this possibility, and pathways involving testosterone may become apparent as the size of the discovery sample increases further. Our findings provide new insight into the underlying biology shaping 2D:4D variation in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Warrington
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Enisa Shevroja
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gibran Hemani
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Adam Auton
- 23andMe, Inc., Mountain View, CA 94061, USA
| | - Cindy G Boer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Massimo Mangino
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Carol A Wang
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - John P Kemp
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - George McMahon
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Carolina Medina-Gomez
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martha Hickey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Katerina Trajanoska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dieter Wolke
- Department of Psychology and Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV47AL, UK
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Grant W Montgomery
- Queensland Brain Institute and Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margaret J Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute and Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Vincent W Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | | | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Craig E Pennell
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Tim D Spector
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Joyce van Meurs
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Fernando Rivadeneira
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sarah E Medland
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - David M Evans
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
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23
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Warrington NM, Shevroja E, Hemani G, Hysi PG, Jiang Y, Auton A, Boer CG, Mangino M, Wang CA, Kemp JP, McMahon G, Medina-Gomez C, Hickey M, Trajanoska K, Wolke D, Ikram MA, Montgomery GW, Felix JF, Wright MJ, Mackey DA, Jaddoe VW, Martin NG, Tung JY, Davey Smith G, Pennell CE, Spector TD, van Meurs J, Rivadeneira F, Medland SE, Evans DM. Genome-wide association study identifies nine novel loci for 2D:4D finger ratio, a putative retrospective biomarker of testosterone exposure in utero. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:2025-2038. [PMID: 29659830 PMCID: PMC5961159 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy121 10.1093/hmg/ddy121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The ratio of the length of the index finger to that of the ring finger (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic and is commonly used as a non-invasive biomarker of prenatal androgen exposure. Most association studies of 2D:4D ratio with a diverse range of sex-specific traits have typically involved small sample sizes and have been difficult to replicate, raising questions around the utility and precise meaning of the measure. In the largest genome-wide association meta-analysis of 2D:4D ratio to date (N = 15 661, with replication N = 75 821), we identified 11 loci (9 novel) explaining 3.8% of the variance in mean 2D:4D ratio. We also found weak evidence for association (β = 0.06; P = 0.02) between 2D:4D ratio and sensitivity to testosterone [length of the CAG microsatellite repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) gene] in females only. Furthermore, genetic variants associated with (adult) testosterone levels and/or sex hormone-binding globulin were not associated with 2D:4D ratio in our sample. Although we were unable to find strong evidence from our genetic study to support the hypothesis that 2D:4D ratio is a direct biomarker of prenatal exposure to androgens in healthy individuals, our findings do not explicitly exclude this possibility, and pathways involving testosterone may become apparent as the size of the discovery sample increases further. Our findings provide new insight into the underlying biology shaping 2D:4D variation in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole M Warrington
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Enisa Shevroja
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gibran Hemani
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Pirro G Hysi
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Adam Auton
- 23andMe, Inc., Mountain View, CA 94061, USA
| | - Cindy G Boer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Massimo Mangino
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Carol A Wang
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - John P Kemp
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - George McMahon
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Carolina Medina-Gomez
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martha Hickey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Katerina Trajanoska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dieter Wolke
- Department of Psychology and Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV47AL, UK
| | - M Arfan Ikram
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Grant W Montgomery
- Queensland Brain Institute and Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margaret J Wright
- Queensland Brain Institute and Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - David A Mackey
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Vincent W Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | | | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Craig E Pennell
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Tim D Spector
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King’s College London, London SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Joyce van Meurs
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Fernando Rivadeneira
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, South Holland, The Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sarah E Medland
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - David M Evans
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK
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24
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Grotzinger AD, Briley DA, Engelhardt LE, Mann FD, Patterson MW, Tackett JL, Tucker-Drob EM, Harden KP. Genetic and environmental influences on pubertal hormones in human hair across development. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 90:76-84. [PMID: 29454168 PMCID: PMC5864552 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Puberty is a complex biopsychosocial process that can affect an array of psychiatric and medical disorders emerging in adolescence. Although the pubertal process is driven by neuroendocrine changes, few quantitative genetic studies have directly measured puberty-relevant hormones. Hair samples can now be assayed for accumulation of hormones over several months. In contrast to more conventional salivary measures, hair measures are not confounded by diurnal variation or hormonal reactivity. In an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 1286 child and adolescent twins and multiples from 672 unique families, we estimated genetic and environmental influences on hair concentrations of testosterone, DHEA, and progesterone across the period of 8-18 years of age. On average, male DHEA and testosterone were highly heritable, whereas female DHEA, progesterone, and puberty were largely influenced by environmental components. We identified sex-specific developmental windows of maximal heritability in each hormone. Peak heritability for DHEA occurred at approximately 10 years of age for males and females. Peak heritability for testosterone occurred at age 12.5 and 15.2 years for males and females, respectively. Peak heritability for male progesterone occurred at 11.2 years, while the heritability of female progesterone remained uniformly low. The identification of specific developmental windows when genetic signals for hormones are maximized has critical implications for well-informed models of hormone-behavior associations in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel A Briley
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Laura E Engelhardt
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Frank D Mann
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Megan W Patterson
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Elliot M Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - K Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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25
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Asanidze E, Khristesashvili J, Pkhaladze L, Barbakadze L. [CORRELATION OF ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE WITH HORMONAL AND OVARIAN MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN PATIENTS WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME WITH AND WITHOUT INSULIN RESISTANCE]. Georgian Med News 2018:34-40. [PMID: 29578420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PCOS has a leading place in women's infertility. Based on the data of recent researches, Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) has been considered as one of the diagnostic criteria for PCOS. The aim of study was to determine the correlation of Anti-Mullerian hormone with hormonal and ovarian morphological characteristics in patients with PCOS, with and without insulin resistance. 110 women with diagnosis of PCOS were involved in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: PCOS patients with insulin resistance (60 women) and PCOS patients without insulin resistance (50 women). All patients underwent hormonal investigation (AMH, FSH, LH, T, FT, HOMA- IR, FAI and SHBG). The volume of ovaries and the number of antral follicles (AFC) were determined by ultrasound imaging. Сorrelation between AMH and the ovarian hormonal and morphological characteristics has been shown. In particular, a significant positive correlation between AMH and the volume of the ovaries in both groups was demonstrated. In the group of patients with PCOS and insulin resistance a positive correlation between AMH and the volum of ovary, AFC was shown, as well as a negative correlation between AMH and SHBG. In the same group a tendency of the positive correlation between AMH and TT, HOMA-IR and IRI was seen. In the group of patients with PCOS without insulin resistence a positive correlation between AMH and the volum of ovary was observed, as well as the tendency of positive correlation between AMH and AFC, TT, HOMA-IR, IRI. Additionally, a negative correlation between AMH and SHBG was seen in the later patient group. Increased levels of AMH in all PCOS patients in our study, in comparison with the accepted norm, indicates on possibility of using this data in the diagnosis of PCOS. AMH levels in PCOS patients with and without insulin resistance do not differ significantly. The correlation between AMH and the morphological characteristics of ovaries has been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Asanidze
- I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Medicine; Center for Reproductive Medicine "Universe"; Archil Khomasuridze Institute of Reproductology, Tbilisi ,Georgia
| | - J Khristesashvili
- I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Medicine; Center for Reproductive Medicine "Universe"; Archil Khomasuridze Institute of Reproductology, Tbilisi ,Georgia
| | - L Pkhaladze
- I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Medicine; Center for Reproductive Medicine "Universe"; Archil Khomasuridze Institute of Reproductology, Tbilisi ,Georgia
| | - L Barbakadze
- I. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Medicine; Center for Reproductive Medicine "Universe"; Archil Khomasuridze Institute of Reproductology, Tbilisi ,Georgia
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26
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Park E, Kumar S, Lee B, Kim KJ, Seo JE, Choi HS, Lee K. Estrogen receptor-related receptor γ regulates testicular steroidogenesis through direct and indirect regulation of steroidogenic gene expression. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 452:15-24. [PMID: 28479375 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Biosynthesis of testosterone, which mainly occurs in testicular Leydig cells, is controlled by steroidogenic proteins, such as StAR and P450c17. Although estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ), an orphan nuclear receptor, is expressed in the testis, its role is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the expression of ERRγ in Leydig cells and its molecular action on testicular steroidogenesis. ERRγ is expressed in mouse Leydig cells from pre-pubertal stages. ERRγ overexpression in primary Leydig cells elevated the production of testosterone with a marked increase of P450c17 expression at both mRNA and protein levels, albeit decreased expression of StAR. Promoter-reporter analyses showed that ERRγ directly regulated the P450c17 promoter. Further deletion mutant analyses of the P450c17 promoter revealed that ERRγ activated expression of the P450c17 gene by binding to an ERRγ response element within the P450c17 promoter. Meanwhile, ERRγ suppressed cAMP-induced activation of the StAR promoter, which was likely due to ERRγ-mediated inhibition of the transcriptional activity of Nur77, which is induced by cAMP and regulates StAR gene expression in Leydig cells. Interestingly, ERRγ coexpression also decreased the protein level of Nur77, which occurred through proteasomal degradation, suggesting ERRγ-mediated regulation of steroidogenesis at another level. Taken together, these findings suggest that ERRγ regulates testicular steroidogenesis, both directly controlling and indirectly fine-tuning the expression of steroidogenic genes.
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MESH Headings
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Chloroquine/pharmacology
- Cyclic AMP/pharmacology
- Cycloheximide/pharmacology
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation
- HEK293 Cells
- Humans
- Leydig Cells/drug effects
- Leydig Cells/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/genetics
- Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 1/metabolism
- Phosphoproteins/genetics
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism
- Protein Synthesis Inhibitors/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Estrogen/genetics
- Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism
- Sequence Deletion
- Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase/genetics
- Testosterone/biosynthesis
- Testosterone/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunsook Park
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; K-herb Research Group, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Deajeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sudeep Kumar
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Bobae Lee
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Jin Kim
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Seo
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hueng-Sik Choi
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Keesook Lee
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Rennert C, Eplinius F, Hofmann U, Johänning J, Rolfs F, Schmidt-Heck W, Guthke R, Gebhardt R, Ricken AM, Matz-Soja M. Conditional loss of hepatocellular Hedgehog signaling in female mice leads to the persistence of hepatic steroidogenesis, androgenization and infertility. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:3677-3687. [PMID: 28560483 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-1999-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Hedgehog signaling pathway is known to be involved in embryogenesis, tissue remodeling, and carcinogenesis. Because of its involvement in carcinogenesis, it seems an interesting target for cancer therapy. Indeed, Sonidegib, an approved inhibitor of the Hedgehog receptor Smoothened (Smo), is highly active against diverse carcinomas, but its use is also reported to be associated with several systemic side effects. Our former work in adult mice demonstrated hepatic Hedgehog signaling to play a key role in the insulin-like growth factor axis and lipid metabolism. The current work using mice with an embryonic and hepatocyte-specific Smo deletion describes an adverse impact of the hepatic Hedgehog pathway on female fertility. In female SAC-KO mice, we detected androgenization characterized by a 3.3-fold increase in testosterone at 12 weeks of age based on an impressive induction of steroidogenic gene expression in hepatocytes, but not in the classic steroidogenic organs (ovary and adrenal gland). Along with the elevated level of testosterone, the female SAC-KO mice showed infertility characterized by juvenile reproductive organs and acyclicity. The endocrine and reproductive alterations resembled polycystic ovarian syndrome and could be confirmed in a second mouse model with conditional deletion of Smo at 8 weeks of age after an extended period of 8 months. We conclude that the down-regulation of hepatic Hedgehog signaling leads to an impaired hormonal balance by the induction of steroidogenesis in the liver. These effects of Hedgehog signaling inhibition should be considered when using Hedgehog inhibitors as anti-cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Rennert
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Franziska Eplinius
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ute Hofmann
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Tübingen, Auerbachstrasse 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Janina Johänning
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Tübingen, Auerbachstrasse 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Franziska Rolfs
- Department of Visceral, Transplantation, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 19, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schmidt-Heck
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Reinhardt Guthke
- Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Beutenbergstrasse 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Albert M Ricken
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Liebigstrasse 13, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Madlen Matz-Soja
- Rudolf-Schönheimer-Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Johannisallee 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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28
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Bang AK, Nordkap L, Almstrup K, Priskorn L, Petersen JH, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Andersson AM, Juul A, Jørgensen N. Dynamic GnRH and hCG testing: establishment of new diagnostic reference levels. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:379-391. [PMID: 28077499 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation tests may be used to evaluate the pituitary and testicular capacity. Our aim was to evaluate changes in follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone after GnRH and hCG stimulation in healthy men and assess the impact of six single nucleotide polymorphisms on the responses. DESIGN GnRH and hCG stimulation tests were performed on 77 healthy men, 18-40 years (reference group) at a specialized andrology referral center at a university hospital. The potential influence of the tests was illustrated by results from 45 patients suspected of disordered hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. METHODS Baseline, stimulated, relative and absolute changes in serum FSH and LH were determined by ultrasensitive TRIFMA, and testosterone was determined by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS For the reference group, LH and FSH increased almost 400% and 40% during GnRH testing, stimulated levels varied from 4.4 to 58.8 U/L and 0.2 to 11.8 U/L and FSH decreased in nine men. Testosterone increased approximately 110% (range: 18.7-67.6 nmol/L) during hCG testing. None of the polymorphisms had any major impact on the test results. Results from GnRH and hCG tests in patients compared with the reference group showed that the stimulated level and absolute increase in LH showed superior identification of patients compared with the relative increase, and the absolute change in testosterone was superior in identifying men with Leydig cell insufficiency, compared with the relative increase. CONCLUSIONS We provide novel reference ranges for GnRH and hCG test in healthy men, which allows future diagnostic evaluation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal disorders in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kirstine Bang
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Loa Nordkap
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Lærke Priskorn
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Jørgen Holm Petersen
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
- Department of BiostatisticsUniversity of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Anna-Maria Andersson
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | - Niels Jørgensen
- Department of Growth and ReproductionRigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC)Rigshospitalet, Denmark
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29
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Davis JM, Ekman DR, Skelton DM, LaLone CA, Ankley GT, Cavallin JE, Villeneuve DL, Collette TW. Metabolomics for informing adverse outcome pathways: Androgen receptor activation and the pharmaceutical spironolactone. Aquat Toxicol 2017; 184:103-115. [PMID: 28129603 PMCID: PMC6145081 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
One objective in developing adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) is to connect biological changes that are relevant to risk assessors (i.e., fecundity) to molecular and cellular-level alterations that might be detectable at earlier stages of a chemical exposure. Here, we examined biochemical responses of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to inform an AOP relevant to spironolactone's activation of the androgen receptor, as well as explore other biological impacts possibly unrelated to this receptor. Liquid chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to measure changes in endogenous polar metabolites in livers of male and female fish that were exposed to five water concentrations of spironolactone (0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, or 50μgL-1) for 21days. Metabolite profiles were affected at the two highest concentrations (5 and 50μgL-1), but not in the lower-level exposures, which agreed with earlier reported results of reduced female fecundity and plasma vitellogenin (VTG) levels. We then applied partial least squares regression to assess whether metabolite alterations covaried with changes in fecundity, VTG gene expression and protein concentrations, and plasma 17β-estradiol and testosterone concentrations. Metabolite profiles significantly covaried with all measured endpoints in females, but only with plasma testosterone in males. Fecundity reductions occurred in parallel with changes in metabolites important in osmoregulation (e.g., betaine), membrane transport (e.g., l-carnitine), and biosynthesis of carnitine (e.g., methionine) and VTG (e.g., glutamate). Based on a network analysis program (i.e., mummichog), spironolactone also affected amino acid, tryptophan, and fatty acid metabolism. Thus, by identifying possible key events related to changes in biochemical pathways, this approach built upon an established AOP describing spironolactone's androgenic properties and highlighted broader implications potentially unrelated to androgen receptor activation, which could form a basis for the development of an AOP network.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Davis
- U.S. EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 960 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605, USA.
| | - D R Ekman
- U.S. EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 960 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605, USA.
| | - D M Skelton
- U.S. EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 960 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605, USA
| | - C A LaLone
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - G T Ankley
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - J E Cavallin
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - D L Villeneuve
- U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Blvd., Duluth, MN 55804, USA
| | - T W Collette
- U.S. EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory, 960 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605, USA
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30
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Tirabassi G, Cutini M, Beltrami B, Delli Muti N, Lenzi A, Balercia G. Androgen receptor GGC repeat might be more involved than CAG repeat in the regulation of the metabolic profile in men. Intern Emerg Med 2016; 11:1067-1075. [PMID: 27251588 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-016-1479-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The influence of androgen receptor (AR) GGC repeat polymorphism on the metabolic profile of men has been much less studied than the one of CAG tract polymorphism. Therefore, in this study, we looked for the association of GGC and CAG tract with cardiovascular risk factors in men. Ninety-eight men followed by our andrological unit were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and biochemical parameters on cardiovascular risk were considered. AR CAG and GGC polymorphisms were studied. GGC triplets were found to be positively and significantly correlated with several cardiovascular risk factors. On the other hand, inverse and significant correlations of CAG triplets were found with insulin and HOMA. As expected, age was positively correlated with cardiovascular risk, whereas total testosterone was inversely correlated with metabolic profile. Estradiol was not found to be correlated with any of the metabolic parameters. In the total sample, multivariate linear regression analysis confirms the positive and independent association of GGC triplets with glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), whereas CAG repeat length is negatively associated with insulin and HOMA. Such associations are also substantially confirmed in non-diabetic subjects, whereas in diabetic patients only the GGC tract seems to be involved in the metabolic profile regulation. Our work shows a relevant role for GGC repeat tract in conditioning male cardiovascular risk, thus rendering necessary a deeper analysis on the role of GGC polymorphism both from the molecular and the clinical point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Tirabassi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Via Conca 71, Umberto I Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Melissa Cutini
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Via Conca 71, Umberto I Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Benedetta Beltrami
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Via Conca 71, Umberto I Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Nicola Delli Muti
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Via Conca 71, Umberto I Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Lenzi
- Andrology, Pathophysiology of Reproduction and Endocrine Diagnosis Unit, Policlinic Umberto I, University of Rome ''La Sapienza'', Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Balercia
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Via Conca 71, Umberto I Hospital, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
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31
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Liu X, Jung D, Jo A, Ji K, Moon HB, Choi K. Long-term exposure to triphenylphosphate alters hormone balance and HPG, HPI, and HPT gene expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Environ Toxicol Chem 2016; 35:2288-96. [PMID: 26865342 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
With the global decline in the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, the demand for alternative flame retardants, such as triphenylphosphate (TPP), has increased substantially. Triphenylphosphate is now detected in various environments including aquatic ecosystems worldwide. However, studies on the toxicological consequences of chronic TPP exposure on aquatic organisms are scarce. The zebrafish model was used to investigate the effects of long-term TPP exposure on the endocrine system. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 5 µg/L, 50 µg/L, or 500 µg/L TPP for 120 d, and hormonal and transcriptional responses were measured along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Exposure to TPP significantly increased plasma 17β-estradiol, but decreased 11-ketotestosterone in both sexes. Gene expression data support these changes. In the HPI axis, plasma cortisol and proopiomelanocortin (pomc) and mineralocorticoid receptor transcripts increased in females, but in males cortisol decreased whereas pomc increased (p < 0.05). Thyroxine and triiodothyronine increased, and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone receptor 2 (trhr2) and trh expression were affected only in females (p < 0.05). In summary, long-term exposure to TPP enhanced estrogenicity in both males and females, potentially through influencing the HPG axis, but modulated the HPI, and HPT axes differently by sex, suggesting that both genomic and nongenomic responses might be involved. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2288-2296. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoshan Liu
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- School of Public Health, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Dawoon Jung
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Areum Jo
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghee Ji
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Yongin University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyo-Bang Moon
- Department of Marine Sciences and Convergent Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungho Choi
- School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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32
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Zheng Y, Chen J, Liu Y, Gao J, Yang Y, Zhang Y, Bing X, Gao Z, Liang H, Wang Z. Molecular mechanism of endocrine system impairment by 17α-methyltestosterone in gynogenic Pengze crucian carp offspring. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2016; 128:143-152. [PMID: 26938152 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.11.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The effects of synthetic androgen 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) on endocrine impairment were examined in crucian carp. Immature 7-month old mono-female Pengze crucian carp (Pcc) F2 offspring were exposed to 50 and 100 μg/L of MT (week 2, 4, and 8). Gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and intestine weight altered considerably and oocyte development was repressed. In the treatment groups, ovarian 11-ketotestosterone decreased, whereas 17β-estradiol and testosterone increased, and ovarian aromatase activities increased at week 4. However, in the brain tissue, those values significantly decreased. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated changes in steroid receptor genes and upregulation of steroidogenic genes (Pcc-3bhsd, Pcc-11bhsd2 Pcc-cyp11a1), while the other three steroidogenic genes (Pcc-cyp17a1, Pcc-cyp19a1a and Pcc-star) decreased from week 4 to week 8. Ovarian, hepatic Pcc-vtg B and vitellogenin concentration increased in both 50 and 100 μg/L of MT exposure groups. This study adds further information regarding the effects of androgens on the development of previtellogenic oocytes, which suggests that MT could directly target estrogen signaling pathway, or indirectly affect steroidogenesis and vitellogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Key Open Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Resources of Inland Fisheries, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Breeding and Aquaculture Biology of Freshwater Fishes, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Fishery Resources and Environment in the Lower Reaches of the Changjiang River, Ministry of Agriculture, China; Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, HZAU, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jiazhang Chen
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Key Open Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Resources of Inland Fisheries, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Breeding and Aquaculture Biology of Freshwater Fishes, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Fishery Resources and Environment in the Lower Reaches of the Changjiang River, Ministry of Agriculture, China; Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Yan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Jiancao Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yanping Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Key Open Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Resources of Inland Fisheries, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Breeding and Aquaculture Biology of Freshwater Fishes, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Fishery Resources and Environment in the Lower Reaches of the Changjiang River, Ministry of Agriculture, China; Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuwen Bing
- Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Key Open Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Resources of Inland Fisheries, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, China; Key Laboratory of Genetic Breeding and Aquaculture Biology of Freshwater Fishes, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of Fishery Resources and Environment in the Lower Reaches of the Changjiang River, Ministry of Agriculture, China; Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China
| | - Zexia Gao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Animal Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, HZAU, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hongwei Liang
- Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei 430223, China
| | - Zaizhao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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Sebire M, Elphinstone Davis J, Hatfield R, Winberg S, Katsiadaki I. Prozac affects stickleback nest quality without altering androgen, spiggin or aggression levels during a 21-day breeding test. Aquat Toxicol 2015; 168:78-89. [PMID: 26453812 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2015.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 09/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are increasingly being used in human and veterinary medicine, and their presence in the aquatic environment may present a threat to non-target aquatic organisms. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (Prozac) has been reported to affect diverse behaviours (feeding, aggression, and reproduction) and also the endocrine system (steroid biosynthesis pathway) in fish. To investigate these claims further, and in particular effects on androgen synthesis, male three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were exposed to fluoxetine at 0, 3.2, 10 and 32μg/L in a flow-through system for 21 days. Their sex was determined prior to exposure using a non-invasive method to collect DNA for determining the genetic sex, reported here for the first time. This was necessary as the exposure required males of a non-breeding status which had not developed secondary characteristics. Post exposure a number of biochemical (serotonin, steroid and spiggin levels) and apical (aggressive behaviour) endpoints were measured. No effects were detected on morphometric parameters, spiggin or androgen (11-ketotestosterone) levels. However, all fluoxetine-exposed male fish had higher cortisol levels in comparison to the control fish, although this effect only persisted throughout the whole exposure duration at the highest concentration (32μg/L). In addition, the ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT (serotonin metabolite/serotonin) was significantly lower in the brains of males exposed to fluoxetine at all concentrations tested. Although we found no differences in the number of nests built by the males, the quality of the nests produced by the fluoxetine-exposed males was generally inferior consisting only of a basic, rudimentary structure. Males exposed to 32μg/L of fluoxetine displayed a delayed response to a simulated threat (rival male via own mirror image) and were less aggressive (number of bites and attacks) toward their mirror image, but these differences were not statistically significant. In summary, fluoxetine exposure resulted in reduced serotonergic activity in the male three-spined stickleback brain suggesting that the mechanism of action between humans and fish is at least partially conserved. Furthermore, this study provided additional evidence of cross-talk between the serotonergic and stress axes as demonstrated by the perturbations in cortisol levels. This potentially complex interaction at brain level may be responsible for the effects observed on nest quality, an endpoint with serious ecological consequences for this species. Finally, despite our hypothesis (an effect on steroid biosynthesis, based on limited literature evidence), we observed no effects of fluoxetine exposure (at the concentrations and duration employed) on male stickleback androgen levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Sebire
- Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Robert Hatfield
- Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom
| | - Svante Winberg
- Uppsala University, Department of Neuroscience, Box 593, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ioanna Katsiadaki
- Cefas Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, United Kingdom
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Cordes MA, Stevenson SA, Driessen TM, Eisinger BE, Riters LV. Sexually-motivated song is predicted by androgen-and opioid-related gene expression in the medial preoptic nucleus of male European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Behav Brain Res 2015; 278:12-20. [PMID: 25264575 PMCID: PMC4559756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 09/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Across vertebrates, communication conveys information about an individual's motivational state, yet little is known about the neuroendocrine regulation of motivational aspects of communication. For seasonally breeding songbirds, increases in testosterone in spring stimulate high rates of sexually-motivated courtship song, though not all birds sing at high rates. It is generally assumed that testosterone or its metabolites act within the medial preoptic nucleus (POM) to stimulate the motivation to sing. In addition to androgen receptors (ARs) and testosterone, opioid neuropeptides in the POM influence sexually-motivated song production, and it has been proposed that testosterone may in part regulate song by modifying opioid systems. To gain insight into a possible role for androgen-opioid interactions in the regulation of communication we examined associations between sexually-motivated song and relative expression of ARs, mu opioid receptors (muORs), and preproenkephalin (PENK) in the POM (and other regions) of male European starlings using qPCR. Both AR and PENK expression in POM correlated positively with singing behavior, whereas muOR in POM correlated negatively with song. Furthermore, the ratio of PENK/muOR expression correlated negatively with AR expression in POM. Finally, in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), PENK expression correlated negatively with singing behavior. Results support the hypothesis that ARs may alter opioid gene expression in POM to fine-tune singing to reflect a male's motivational state. Data also suggest that bidirectional relationships may exist between opioids and ARs in POM and song, and additionally support a role for opioids in the VTA, independent of AR activity in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Cordes
- University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Zoology, 430 Lincoln Ave., Madison, WI, USA.
| | - S A Stevenson
- University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Zoology, 430 Lincoln Ave., Madison, WI, USA
| | - T M Driessen
- University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Zoology, 430 Lincoln Ave., Madison, WI, USA; Washington State University, Integrated Physiology and Neuroscience Department, 1815 Ferdinand's Lane, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - B E Eisinger
- University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Zoology, 430 Lincoln Ave., Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Waisman Center and Department of Neuroscience, 1500 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - L V Riters
- University of Wisconsin, Madison Department of Zoology, 430 Lincoln Ave., Madison, WI, USA
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Van Hulle CA, Moore MN, Shirtcliff EA, Lemery-Chalfant K, Goldsmith HH. Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Covariation Between DHEA and Testosterone in Adolescent Twins. Behav Genet 2015; 45:324-40. [PMID: 25633628 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-015-9709-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although several studies have shown that pubertal tempo and timing are shaped by genetic and environmental factors, few studies consider to what extent endocrine triggers of puberty are shaped by genetic and environmental factors. Doing so moves the field from examining correlated developmentally-sensitive biomarkers toward understanding what drives those associations. Two puberty related hormones, dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone, were assayed from salivary samples in 118 MZ (62 % female), 111 same sex DZ (46 % female) and 103 opposite-sex DZ twin pairs, aged 12-16 years (M = 13.1, SD = 1.3). Pubertal status was assessed with a composite of mother- and self-reports. We used biometric models to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on the variance and covariance in testosterone and DHEA, with and without controlling for their association with puberty, and to test for sex differences. In males, the variance in testosterone and pubertal status was due to shared and non-shared environmental factors; variation in DHEA was due to genetic and non-shared environmental factors. In females, variance in testosterone was due to genetic and non-shared environmental factors; genetic, shared, and non-shared environmental factors contributed equally to variation in DHEA. In males, the testosterone-DHEA covariance was primarily due to shared environmental factors that overlapped with puberty as well as shared and non-shared environmental covariation specific to testosterone and DHEA. In females, the testosterone-DHEA covariance was due to genetic factors overlapping with pubertal status, and shared and non-shared environmental covariation specific to testosterone and DHEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Van Hulle
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1500 Highland Ave, Madison, WI, 53705, USA,
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Hofer D, Münzker J, Schwetz V, Ulbing M, Hutz K, Stiegler P, Zigeuner R, Pieber TR, Müller H, Obermayer-Pietsch B. Testicular synthesis and vitamin D action. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:3766-73. [PMID: 24937537 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-1690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The vitamin D system has pleiotropic effects not only in bone metabolism. Its role in testicular steroidogenesis is new and deserves intensive research. OBJECTIVE We hypothesize that vitamin D, especially 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol)] induces male steroidogenesis and intend to identify its impact on genes and pathways in testicular androgen regulation. METHODS Human adult primary testicular cells were isolated, treated with 1,25(OH)2D3, and their gene expression levels profiled by microarray analysis. Highly regulated genes were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. In addition, the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 in combination with LH and IGF-I on the gene expression level of androgens were assessed. T levels in the culture media were determined by a high-resolution ELISA. The expression of vitamin D receptor was confirmed at baseline and after 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS Microarrays depicted 63 genes significantly regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3, including genes related to male androgen and vitamin D metabolism, mainly triggered by the vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor activation. 1,25(OH)2D3 led to significant changes in the expression profiles of reproductive genes and significantly increased T synthesis in human testicular cell cultures. CONCLUSIONS Data from our human primary testicular cell culture model suggest that vitamin D plays a major role in male steroidogenesis in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Hofer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism (D.H., J.M., V.S., M.U., T.R.P., B.O.-P.), Department of Urology (K.H., R.Z.), and Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation Surgery (P.S., H.M.), Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
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Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is associated with subfertility in humans. The current treatment for type 1 diabetes, insulin monotherapy, is suboptimal to fully stabilize glycemia, potentially leading to this subfertility. Recent work has demonstrated that treatment with the energy-regulating hormone leptin, alone or in combination with insulin, can more effectively control glycemia in mouse models of type 1 diabetes. Here, we sought to determine whether the fertility defects in a type 1 diabetic mouse model, the Akita mouse, can be rescued with leptin monotherapy in the absence of any exogenous insulin. Akita homozygous mice treated with leptin alone had a larger total body size, testes, and seminal vesicles than their untreated siblings. Leptin treatment prevented testicular degeneration and rescued sperm motility to wild-type levels. Furthermore, sperm obtained from leptin-treated mice could successfully fertilize ooctyes in vitro. Despite completely rescuing spermatogenesis, the critical reproductive hormones LH and testosterone were only modestly higher than in untreated mice, indicating that a minimum threshold of these hormones must be met to maintain spermatogenesis. Cumulatively, these findings implicate the importance of leptin in maintaining fertility and support the use of leptin therapy in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica L Schoeller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110
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Feswick A, Ings JS, Doyle MA, Bosker T, Munkittrick KR, Martyniuk CJ. Transcriptomics profiling and steroid production in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) testes after treatment with 5α-dihydrotestosterone. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2014; 203:106-19. [PMID: 24447443 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
5α-Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a potent androgen in mammals with multiple roles; however the physiological actions of DHT in male fishes are not well known. To address this knowledge gap, male mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) were continuously exposed to 0, 5, and 50 μg/L DHT for 21 days. Following exposure, testes were separated for histology, ex vivo incubation to measure steroidogenic capacity, and gene expression analyses (real-time PCR and microarray). DHT significantly decreased ex vivo 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) production in males exposed to 50 μg/L DHT but not 5 μg/L DHT, and DHT exposure did not affect ex vivo testosterone production. Histological examination revealed that the amount of interlobular and connective tissue present in the testes was increased in the 50 μg/L DHT treatment. Despite reductions in the production of 11KT, DHT did not affect the expression of targeted genes in the steroidogenic pathway such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star), P450 side chain cleavage (cyp11a1) and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (hsd11b3). Microarray analysis in the testes of individuals from control and 50 μg/L DHT revealed that males exposed to 50 μg/L DHT showed regulated transcriptional sub-networks that were related to immunity, regulation of blood flow, lipids and xenobiotic clearance, suggesting that DHT may be involved in the physiological regulation of these processes in the fish testes. A second objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of measuring mRNA levels in tissues used for ex vivo steroid production by comparing RNA integrity and transcript levels in testes of both immediately flash frozen tissue and incubated tissue. There was no significant difference in RNA quality between the two time points, indicating RNA integrity can remain intact for at least 18 h in ex vivo assays, thereby providing a viable option for researchers assessing multi-level biological reproductive endpoints when limited tissue is available. While the gene expression levels of actb, efla, rps12, rps18, star, and hsd11b3 remained unchanged, esr2a (esrba), esr2b (esrbb) and cyp11a1 were significantly lower in incubated tissue compared to flash frozen tissue. Therefore caution must be used as the steady-state levels of select genes may change over time. This study improves our understanding of DHT action in the teleostean testis and generates new hypotheses regarding cell processes that are regulated by this underexplored and potent androgen.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Feswick
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - J S Ings
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - M A Doyle
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - T Bosker
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - K R Munkittrick
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L5, Canada
| | - C J Martyniuk
- Canadian Rivers Institute and Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 4L5, Canada.
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Lu X, Yu RMK, Murphy MB, Lau K, Wu RSS. Hypoxia disrupts gene modulation along the brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG)-liver axis. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2014; 102:70-78. [PMID: 24580824 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia alters sex hormone concentrations leading to reproductive impairment in fish; however the mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio), this study is the first to demonstrate that hypoxia causes endocrine disruption by simultaneously acting on multiple targets along the brain-pituitary-gonadal (BPG)-liver axis in fish. Alterations in the expression of key genes associated with reproductive endocrine pathways in the brain (sGnRH), pituitary (FSHβ and LHβ), gonads (FSH-R, LH-R, HMGR, StAR, CYP19A, CYP11A, CYP11β and 20β-HSD), and liver were correlated with significant reductions of estradiol in females and testosterone in males. Hypoxia also induced sex-specific and tissue-specific changes in the expression of estrogen, androgen, and membrane progestin receptors along the BPG axis, suggesting disruption of the feedback and synchronization of hormone signals. Furthermore, the hypoxia-induced upregulation of hepatic sex hormone-binding globulin suggests an increase in hormone transport and reduced bioavailability in blood, while upregulation of hepatic CYP3A65 and CYP1A in females suggests an increase in estrogen biotransformation and clearance. Given that the regulation of reproductive hormones and the BPG-liver axis are highly conserved, this study provides new insights into the hypoxia-induced endocrine disrupting mechanisms and reproductive impairment in other vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Lu
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Richard M K Yu
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Margaret B Murphy
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Karen Lau
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rudolf S S Wu
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Abstract
Even though the levels of circulating sex steroid hormones are to a large extent heritable, their genetic determinants are largely unknown. With the advent of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), much progress has been made and several genetic loci have been identified to be associated with serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. The variants identified so far only explain a small amount of the overall heritability, but may help to elucidate the role of sex steroid hormones in common disorders such as hypogonadism, type 2 diabetes and hormone-sensitive cancers. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of the genetic determinants of sex steroid hormones, with a focus on recent GWAS and brief directions for elucidating the remaining heritability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Vandenput
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Claes Ohlsson
- Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Abstract
Female-female aggression often functions in competition over reproductive or social benefits, but the proximate mechanisms of this apparently adaptive behaviour are not well understood. The sex steroid hormone testosterone (T) and its metabolites are well-established mediators of male-male aggression, and several lines of evidence suggest that T-mediated mechanisms may apply to females as well. However, a key question is whether mechanisms of female aggression primarily reflect correlated evolutionary responses to selection acting on males, or whether direct selection acting on females has made modifications to these mechanisms that are adaptive in light of female life history. Here, I examine the degree to which female aggression is mediated at the level of T production, target tissue sensitivity to T, or downstream genomic responses in order to test the hypothesis that selection favours mechanisms that facilitate female aggression while minimizing the costs of systemically elevated T. I draw heavily from avian systems, including the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), as well as other organisms in which these mechanisms have been well studied from an evolutionary/ecological perspective in both sexes. Findings reveal that the sexes share many behavioural and hormonal mechanisms, though several patterns also suggest sex-specific adaptation. I argue that greater attention to multiple levels of analysis-from hormone to receptor to gene network, including analyses of individual variation that represents the raw material of evolutionary change-will be a fruitful path for understanding mechanisms of behavioural regulation and intersexual coevolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly A. Rosvall
- Department of Biology, Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
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Zhang T, Liang W, Fang M, Yu J, Ni Y, Li Z. Association of the CAG repeat polymorphisms in androgen receptor gene with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Gene 2013; 524:161-7. [PMID: 23628801 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have reported the associations of polymorphic CAG repeats in androgen receptor (AR) gene with PCOS risk, but with inconsistent results. So, the aim of present meta-analysis was to clarify such inconsistence, so as to provide more conclusive results. METHODS PubMed was searched for the eligible reports published until February 2012 without language limitation. The studies reporting the relationship between CAG repeat length and PCOS were selected for the meta-analysis according to the inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and evaluated the study quality. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS As for the relationship between CAG repeat length and PCOS risk, the pooled results showed that the biallelic mean was not significantly different between PCOS and controls (SMD -0.03, 95% CI -0.16-0.10, P=0.603), and that the ORs of PCOS were not demonstrated for the individuals with the biallelic mean less than median (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.68-1.35, P=0.794), with the short CAG allele (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.80-1.10, P=0.424), or with the X-weighted biallelic mean (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.46-1.41, P=0.447). Further, as for the relationship between CAG repeat length and T levels in PCOS patients, the biallelic mean was not significantly different between PCOS patients with high T and those with low T (SMD 0.79, 95% CI -0.12-1.70, P=0.088), while the summary correlation r indicated that the CAG biallelic mean appeared to be positively associated with T levels in PCOS (r 0.20, 95% CI 0.11-0.30, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis demonstrates no evident association between the CAG length variations in AR gene and PCOS risk, while the CAG length appears to be positively associated with T levels in PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Shaoxing Women and Children's Hospital, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
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Ding S, Qiao P, Zhang L, Chang B. [Interference of testosterone synthesis through HPGA and ERalpha pathway after 17beta-estradiol exposure to regulate spermatogenesis]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu 2013; 42:410-414. [PMID: 23805516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of 17beta-estradiol (E2) exposure on male reproductive endocrine system, and study the potential mechanism. METHODS Male Wistar rats were gavaged with E2 (1.00, 0.50, 0.10, 0.01 mg.kg(-1).d(-1)) for 8 weeks, with corn oil as control. The testes weight and testicular organ coefficient and sperm parameter were examined. Serum levels of zinc and calcium were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum hormone concentrations were determined by RIA. The expression of testosterone synthetase mRNA were assessed by RT-PCR. The expression of estrogen and androgen receptor protein were detected by Western blot. RESULTS Testis weight and testicular coefficient were significantly declined. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased. Serum estradiol levels showed a significant increase in a dose-related manner (P<0.01). Blood zinc had a significant decrease at 0.50 and 1.00 mg.kg(-1) d(-1) (P<0.01). Epididymal cauda sperm counts declined at 0.50 and 1.00 mg/kg (P<0.01). The expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) mRNA were decreased. The expression of ERa protein was increased, and AR protein was decreased. CONCLUSION Exposure to E2 in puberty could interfere with the development of testis, The potential including testosterone biosynthesis and spermatogensis in adulthood. mechanism may be indirectly through disturbing the balance of HPGA, and directly through up-regulating the level of ERa protein consequently inhibiting testosterone synthetase. Blood zinc was involved in mediating spermatogensis by E2 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijin Ding
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, China CDC, Beijing 100050, China
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Bergeon Burns CM, Rosvall KA, Ketterson ED. Neural steroid sensitivity and aggression: comparing individuals of two songbird subspecies. J Evol Biol 2013; 26:820-31. [PMID: 23517519 PMCID: PMC3622748 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Revised: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/30/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Hormones coordinate the expression of complex phenotypes and thus may play important roles in evolutionary processes. When populations diverge in hormone-mediated phenotypes, differences may arise via changes in circulating hormones, sensitivity to hormones or both. Determining the relative importance of signal and sensitivity requires consideration of both inter- and intrapopulation variation in hormone levels, hormone sensitivity and phenotype, but such studies are rare, particularly among closely related taxa. We compared males of two subspecies of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis) for territorial aggression and associations among behaviour, circulating testosterone (T), and gene expression of androgen receptor (AR), aromatase (AROM) and oestrogen receptor α in three behaviourally relevant brain regions. Thus, we examined the degree to which evolution may shape behaviour via changes in plasma T as compared with key sex steroid binding/converting molecules. We found that the white-winged junco (J. h. aikeni) was more aggressive than the smaller, less ornamented Carolina junco (J. h. carolinensis). The subspecies did not differ in circulating testosterone, but did differ significantly in the abundance of AR and AROM mRNA in key areas of the brain. Within populations, both gene expression and circulating T co-varied significantly with individual differences in aggression. Notably, the differences identified between populations were opposite to those predicted by the patterns among individuals within populations. These findings suggest that hormone-phenotype relationships may evolve via multiple pathways, and that changes that have occurred over evolutionary time do not necessarily reflect standing physiological variation on which current evolutionary processes may act.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Bergeon Burns
- Department of Biology and Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.
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Koenis MMG, Brouwer RM, van Baal GCM, van Soelen ILC, Peper JS, van Leeuwen M, Delemarre-van de Waal HA, Boomsma DI, Hulshoff Pol HE. Longitudinal study of hormonal and physical development in young twins. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013; 98:E518-27. [PMID: 23430788 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2012-3361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Information on the correlation of normative reproductive hormone levels with physical development (Tanner stages) during puberty and on the influences of genes and environment on variation in these hormones and Tanner stages is limited. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS One hundred twelve healthy 9-year-old twin pairs (n = 224) took part in a longitudinal study, of which 89 pairs participated again at age 12 years (n = 178). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Morning urinary LH, FSH, estradiol, and salivary testosterone levels, determined by competitive immunoassays, were measured. Tanner stages were determined through physical examination. RESULTS Over the 3-year interval, all hormone levels showed a 2- to 9-fold increase. LH and FSH at age 9 years predicted sex-specific Tanner stages at age 12 years in both boys and girls. Most of the associations between hormone levels at age 9 years and physical development at 12 years were explained by genetic influences. FSH in 9-year-old boys correlated with all hormone levels and Tanner stages at age 12 years. Moderate to high heritability estimates were found for hormone levels at both ages and in both sexes. In girls a shift from environmental (age 9 years) to genetic influences (age 12 years) was found for estradiol and pubic hair development, and for breast development a shift in the opposite direction was seen. CONCLUSIONS During development LH and FSH (and testosterone in boys) levels predict secondary sexual characteristics in boys and girls 3 years later. These correlations are largely due to genes that are involved in both early pubertal hormone levels and subsequent physical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M G Koenis
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Saadat M, Bahaoddini S, Saadat I. Alteration of serum sex hormonal profile in male gasoline filling station workers in respect to their polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2013; 35:265-269. [PMID: 23357602 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2013.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2012] [Revised: 12/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in offspring sex ratio at birth and level of serum testosterone in filling-station workers have been reported. To determine the association of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) polymorphism with serum levels of total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) of male filling-station workers, the present study was carried out on 114 gasoline workers and 100 age- and sex-matched controls with no occupational exposure to gasoline. We have found no significant difference between the workers and controls for levels of sex hormones in the presence of active GSTM1 genotype. Among subjects with the GSTM1 null genotype, there was significant difference between exposed and unexposed subjects for the concentration of testosterone (t=4.37, df=97, P<0.001). To investigate whether one null genotype could be compensated by an active genotype for the other isoenzyme, the mean concentrations of sex hormones was compared between the exposed and control groups with respect to their combinations of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes. The exposed group having either "null GSTM1/positive GSTT1" (t=2.76, df=72, P=0.007) or "null GSTM1/null GSTT1" (t=4.91, df=23, P<0.001) combinations had a lower testosterone compared with the controls. It seems that GSTM1 polymorphism has more effect on serum testosterone compared to the GSTT1 polymorphism, in exposed workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Saadat
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran.
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Du G, Hu J, Huang H, Qin Y, Han X, Wu D, Song L, Xia Y, Wang X. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) affects hormone receptor activity, steroidogenesis, and expression of endocrine-related genes in vitro and in vivo. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013; 32:353-60. [PMID: 23074026 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a widespread and persistent chemical in the environment. We investigated the endocrine-disrupting effects of PFOS using a combination of in vitro and in vivo assays. Reporter gene assays were used to detect receptor-mediated (anti-)estrogenic, (anti-)androgenic, and (anti-)thyroid hormone activities. The effect of PFOS on steroidogenesis was assessed both at hormone levels in the supernatant and at expression levels of hormone-induced genes in the H295R cell. A zebrafish-based short-term screening method was developed to detect the effect of PFOS on endocrine function in vivo. The results indicate that PFOS can act as an estrogen receptor agonist and thyroid hormone receptor antagonist. Exposure to PFOS decreased supernatant testosterone (T), increased estradiol (E2) concentrations in H295R cell medium and altered the expression of several genes involved in steroidogenesis. In addition, PFOS increased early thyroid development gene (hhex and pax8) expression in a concentration-dependent manner, decreased steroidogenic enzyme gene (CYP17, CYP19a, CYP19b) expression, and changed the expression pattern of estrogen receptor production genes (esr1, esr2b) after 500 µg/L PFOS treatment in zebrafish embryos. These results indicate that PFOS has the ability to act as an endocrine disruptor both in vitro and in vivo by disrupting the function of nuclear hormone receptors, interfering with steroidogenesis, and altering the expression of endocrine-related genes in zebrafish embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guizhen Du
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Wang L, Li S, Zhao A, Tao T, Mao X, Zhang P, Liu W. The expression of sex steroid synthesis and inactivation enzymes in subcutaneous adipose tissue of PCOS patients. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2012; 132:120-6. [PMID: 22381227 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2012.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Revised: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Modulation of sex steroid pre-receptor in adipose tissue is important for the development of metabolic diseases, but its roles in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has not been fully characterized. Herein we compared the expression of key sex steroid converting enzymes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) between patients with PCOS and the matched controls. Most of the sex steroid converting enzymes were highly expressed in the SAT, except 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1). Compared with the controls, PCOS patients showed significantly higher levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase1-2 (3β-HSD1-2), aldo-keto reductase 1C 1-3 (AKR1C1-3) and leptin, but lower level of P450 aromatase and 5α-reductase 1. Interestingly, leptin was positively correlated to AKR1C2 expression and negatively to 5α-reductase1 as well as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). In summary, the expression of enzymes synthesizing testosterone and enzymes inactivating DHT and progesterone was higher in SAT of PCOS patients compared to controls. Correlation analysis indicated that increased leptin expression may be negatively related to local DHT level. These data suggested that sex steroid converting enzymes expression was different in SAT of PCOS patients that might contribute to abnormal testosterone and leptin level of PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
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49
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Rane A, Ekström L. [Introduction of genetic analysis can provide us with safer doping tests. Large variation in androgen turnover creates problems in current tests]. Lakartidningen 2012; 109:1347-1349. [PMID: 22913116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Anders Rane
- Avdelningen för klinisk farmakologi, institutionen för laboratoriemedicin, Karolinska institutet, Karolinska universitetssjukhuset, Huddinge.
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Tantawy S, Lin L, Akkurt I, Borck G, Klingmüller D, Hauffa BP, Krude H, Biebermann H, Achermann JC, Köhler B. Testosterone production during puberty in two 46,XY patients with disorders of sex development and novel NR5A1 (SF-1) mutations. Eur J Endocrinol 2012; 167:125-30. [PMID: 22474171 PMCID: PMC3381348 DOI: 10.1530/eje-11-0944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1, NR5A1) is a key transcriptional regulator of many genes involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and mutations in NR5A1 can result in 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD). Patients with this condition typically present with ambiguous genitalia, partial gonadal dysgenesis, and absent/rudimentary Müllerian structures. In these cases, testosterone is usually low in early infancy, indicating significantly impaired androgen synthesis. Further, Sertoli cell dysfunction is seen (low inhibin B, anti-Müllerian hormone). However, gonadal function at puberty in patients with NR5A1 mutations is unknown. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Clinical assessment, endocrine evaluation, and genetic analysis were performed in one female and one male with 46,XY DSD who showed spontaneous virilization during puberty. The female patient presented at adolescence with clitoral hypertrophy, whereas the male patient presented at birth with severe hypospadias and entered puberty spontaneously. Molecular analysis of NR5A1 was performed followed by in vitro functional analysis of the two novel mutations detected. RESULTS Testosterone levels were normal during puberty in both patients. Analysis of NR5A1 revealed two novel heterozygous missense mutations in the ligand-binding domain of SF-1 (patient 1: p.L376F; patient 2: p.G328V). The mutant proteins showed reduced transactivation of the CYP11A promoter in vitro. CONCLUSION Patients with 46,XY DSD and NR5A1 mutations can produce sufficient testosterone for spontaneous virilization during puberty. Phenotypic females (46,XY) with NR5A1 mutations can present with clitoromegaly at puberty, a phenotype similar to other partial defects of androgen synthesis or action. Testosterone production in 46,XY males with NR5A1 mutations can be sufficient for virilization at puberty. As progressive gonadal dysgenesis is likely, gonadal function should be monitored in adolescence and adulthood, and early sperm cryopreservation considered in male patients if possible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin Lin
- UCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Guntram Borck
- Institute of Human GeneticsUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
| | | | - Berthold P Hauffa
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and DiabetesUniversity Children's Hospital, University Duisburg-EssenEssenGermany
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