Twenty-four-month-old male C57BL/6 mice with low serum testosterone levels were used as a late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) animal model for examining the effects of velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) on sexual function and testosterone synthesis. These mice received VAP for 5 consecutive weeks by daily gavage at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg kg-1 body weight per day (n = 10 mice per dose). Control ani...

Neurosteroids are involved in the regulation of multiple behavioral and physiological processes metabolic activities vertebrate brain. However, central mechanisms how neurosteroid synthesis is regulated far to be understood. Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GNIH) a hypothalamic neuropeptide that negatively regulates gonadotropin secretion but also inhibits sexual aggressive behaviors birds mamm...

Abstract: To observe the effects of refined Xiaoyaosan (XYS) on the depressive-like behaviors in rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and to explore the relationship between the changes of neurosteroids and mRNA expressions of their synthesis and metabolic enzymes, and the mechanism of XYS in the treatment of depression. Methods: Eighty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were ...

Activin and inhibin are important local modulators of theca cell steroidogenesis in the ovary. Using a serum-free primary theca cell culture system, this study investigated the effects of inhibin on theca cell androgen production and expression of steroidogenic enzymes. Androstenedione secretion from theca cells cultured in media containing activin, inhibin and follistatin was assessed by RIA o...

Intracrinology mechanism involves the metabolism of steroids in peripheral tissues, such as DHEA, to molecules with estrogenic or androgenic activity. Proliferation rate of endometria from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome women (PCOS) is increased, favoring hyperplasia development. Besides, in endometria from PCOS-women the synthesis of androst-5-ene-3β,17β-diol (androstenediol), an estrogenic molecul...

It is now established that the brain and other nervous systems have the capability of forming steroids de novo, the so-called "neurosteroids." The pioneering discovery of Baulieu and his colleagues, using rodents, has opened the door to a new research field of "neurosteroids." In contrast to mammalian vertebrates, little has been known regarding de novo neurosteroidogenesis in the brain of bird...

Background: Lead (Pb) is classified as a major risk factor affecting the male reproductive system; however, itsprecise mechanisms of action are poorly understood and inconsistent. This work aimed to investigate effect ofPb toxicity on function.Methods: Accordingly, in this study, adult mice treated with acetate (PbAc) by gavage (200 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. We analyzed sperm count morphology, ox...

Steroid 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (3β-HSD2) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We report the genetic basis of 3β-HSD2 deficiency arising from uniparental isodisomy (UPD) of chromosome 1. We describe a term undervirilized male whose newborn screen indicated borderline CAH. The patient presented on the 7th day of life in salt-w...