Relationship between body mass index, cigarette smoking, and plasma sex steroids in normal male twins

Smoking has been observed to affect plasma sex hormones and body mass index. The relationship between smoking, body mass index, and plasma concentration of sex hormones was studied in normal adult male twins. The analyses were performed for between 150 and 159 twin pairs for whom hormonal data were available on both twins. With bivariate analysis, neither body mass index nor smoking affected estrone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, ratio of testosterone to estradiol, or ratio of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Body mass index significantly (P less than 0.05) affected sex hormone binding globulin, whereas smoking had no effect. The plasma contents of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and the luteinizing hormone/testosterone ratio were affected by both body mass index and smoking, although, after allowing for body mass, smoking was less significant (0.05 less than P less than 0.10). A path model was formulated to examine the relationship of body mass and sex steroid levels. Our results suggest that body mass index affects sex steroids, since common environmental factors do not account for the strength of the relationship. The bivariate analysis suggests that the smoking effect on sex hormones (except perhaps for dihydrotestosterone) is secondary to an effect on body mass index.     

The relevance of the epidemiology of human sex ratios at birth to some medical problems

The human sex ratio (proportion male at birth) shows considerable variation which is central to reproductive epidemiology. For example, it has reportedly shown significant secular trends and wartime variation, and it has shown replicated variation with parental exposure to several deleterious chemicals. However, scientific progress in identifying the causes of these forms of variation has been very slow and, as described here, this has elicited some scepticism. Benefits may be expected from identifying these causes. Two (non-competing) hypotheses have emerged, the first relating to the hormonal regulation of sex ratio at conception, and the second to the sex-selective effects of stressors during pregnancy. It is shown here that if the first of these hypotheses was substantially correct, it would illuminate a number of scientific and medical problems, for example, the causes of autism and of selected sex-related congenital malformations and obstetric pathologies.     

Plasma testosterone levels of sexually functional and dysfunctional men

Plasma testosterone levels in a group of 341 men with sexual dysfunction were compared to those in 199 men with normal sexual function. All subjects were participants in a 2-week intensive conjoint sex therapy program at the Masters & Johnson Institute. Testosterone determinations were made using radioimmunoassay methods after column chromatography; all blood samples were obtained on the second day of therapy between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. after an overnight fast. Circulating levels of testosterone in men with normal sexual function (mean 635 ng/dl) were not significantly different from testosterone values in sexually dysfunctional men (mean 629 ng/dl). However, men with primary impotence (N = 13) had significantly higher testosterone levels than men with secondary impotence (N = 180), with mean levels of 710 and 574 ng/dl, respectively (p<0.001). The mean testosterone level for men with ejaculatory imcompetence was 660 ng/dl (N = 15), while for men with premature ejaculation the mean was 622 ng/dl (N = 91). Plasma testosterone concentrations were not related to therapy outcome but were correlated negatively with age of patients. This article was presented at the Eastern Association for Sex Therapy, Fifth Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 23–25, 1979.     

饮水氟暴露对成年男性性激素结合球蛋白及睾酮水平的影响

目的探讨饮水氟暴露对成年男性性激素结合球蛋白(SHBG)及睾酮水平的影响。方法依据水氟检测结果,在河南省通许县随机选择3个村庄作为调查点,分别为高氟村、改水村和对照村;整群抽取调查区本地生长的18～50岁成年男性,收集空腹静脉血和晨尿。应用氟离子选择电极法测定饮用水和尿中氟的含量;用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定其血清中SHBG水平,化学发光法测定血清睾酮的含量。结果血清SHBG浓度分别为对照组47.85nmol/L,改水组31.37nmol/L,高氟组24.52nmol/L,3组比较差异均有显著性(P<0.05)。血清睾酮水平分别为对照组3.69ng/ml,改水组4.61ng/ml,高氟组4.83ng/ml,高氟与对照组比较,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。高氟组血清SHBG水平与睾酮呈正相关关系(r=0.230,P=0.049),而在改水组和对照组中未观察到相关关系。结论长期氟暴露可影响成年男性血清SHBG水平和睾酮水平,并可能存在剂量-效应关系。     

女性系统性红斑狼疮患者血清性激素变化

目的　了解女性系统性红斑狼疮 (SLE)患者血清性激素水平的变化。方法　采用放射免疫法 ,测定了 2 8例女性患者的六项性激素水平 :雌二醇 (E2 )、促卵泡素 (FSH)、促黄体素 (LH)、睾酮 (T)、孕酮 (P)、催乳素 (PRL) ,并将结果分别与处于月经同期或绝经期的正常对照值加以比较。结果　有月经患者及绝经患者与正常对照值相比 ,T明显降低 (P <0 .0 0 1 ) ,活动期较非活动期患者E2 显著升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。未发现其他激素的改变。结论　SLE患者体内性激素变化对诊断和疗效观察有一定临床价值     

Plasma testosterone,serum FSH,and serum LH levels in transvestism

Plasma testosterone, serum FSH, and serum LH levels of 26 members of a club established for heterosexual transvestites were assayed. Mean plasma testosterone, serum FSH, and serum LH levels of the transvestite subjects were not significantly different from the normal range. The implications of these findings are discussed.This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.     

Serum testosterone and sexual activity and interest in men

There is considerable interest in the relationship between testosterone and sexual behavior in men, but the few available data bearing on this issue are inconclusive. This study is an attempt to clarify the relationships among various components of sexuality and serum testosterone concentration through examination of these variables in a large homogeneous group of men. Serum testosterone concentration was determined in two blood samples taken 1 week apart from 101 young adult men. Subjects reported their frequencies of various sexual activities and level of sexual interest. Testosterone concentrations in the two blood samples were highly correlated, indicating considerable intraindividual consistency. There was considerable variance among subjects in both mean testosterone and reported sexual activity. Testosterone concentration did not correlate with the sexual activity and interest variables. These results provide evidence that differences among men in circulating testosterone concentration within the normal range do not account for differences in sexual activity and interest. It is also unlikely that variations in sexual activity account for differences in testosterone concentration.     

The impact of supervised weight loss and intentional weight regain on sex hormone binding globulin and testosterone in premenopausal women

What is the impact of intentional weight loss and regain on serum androgens in women? We conducted an ancillary analysis of prospectively collected samples from a randomized controlled trial. The trial involved supervised 10% weight loss (8.5 kg on average) with diet and exercise over 4-6 months followed by supervised intentional regain of 50% of the lost weight (4.6 kg on average) over 4-6 months. Participants were randomized prior to the partial weight regain component to either continuation or cessation of endurance exercise. Analytic sample included 30 obese premenopausal women (mean age of 40 ± 5.9 years, mean baseline body mass index (BMI) of 32.9 ± 4.2 kg/m²) with metabolic syndrome. We evaluated sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone (T), free androgen index (FAI), and high molecular weight adiponectin (HMWAdp). Insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured in the original trial were reanalyzed for the current analytic sample. Insulin, HOMA, and QUICKI improved with weight loss and were maintained despite weight regain. Log-transformed SHBG significantly increased from baseline to weight loss, and then significantly decreased with weight regain. LogFAI and logVAT decreased similarly and increased with weight loss followed by weight regain. No changes were found in logT and LogHMWAdp. There was no significant difference in any tested parameters by exercise between the groups. SHBG showed prominent sensitivity to body mass fluctuations, as reduction with controlled intentional weight regain showed an inverse relationship to VAT and occurred despite stable HMWAdp and sustained improvements with insulin resistance. FAI showed opposite changes to SHBG, while T did not change significantly with weight. Continued exercise during weight regain did not appear to impact these findings.     

Plasma testosterone values in transsexual women

Plasma testosterone was determined by radioimmunoassay in 50 transsexual and 50 normal women. The testosterone levels in transsexuals were significantly higher (nearly double) than in normal women. In transsexuals, minor changes in the pattern of the menstrual cycle were also found.     

Orgasmic frequency and plasma testosterone levels in normal human males

Twenty males participated in a 2-month study examining the relationship between 8 a.m. plasma testosterone levels and orgasmic frequency. Within subjects, higher levels of testosterone are associated with periods of sexual activity. Over subjects, however, the direction of the relationship is reversed. Mean testoster-one levels were higher for sexually less active individuals.This research was supported by a grant from the Commonwealth Fund.     

A Study of Expectations and the Marital Quality of Participants of a Marital Enrichment Seminar

This longitudinal study investigated the effects of expectations of effort of self and spouse on the marital quality of marital enrichment seminar participants. Self‐report measures of marital quality, expectations regarding effort put into implementing what was learned during the seminar, amount of perceived effort, and satisfaction with effort were administered before and after the seminar, as well as at a 2‐month follow‐up. Participants (147 women, 95 men) attended community‐based marital enrichment seminars in 12 U.S. cities. Multivariate path models indicated that larger discrepancies between expectations of effort postseminar and perceived effort at 2‐month follow‐up were associated with less satisfaction with perceived effort. Furthermore, participants' dissatisfaction in their spouses' effort had a negative effect on marital quality while controlling for initial marital quality, whereas dissatisfaction in their own effort did not. These findings highlight the possible detrimental effect that unmet spousal expectations can have. Implications for marital enrichment programs and couples therapy are discussed.     

Stressful Life Events,Marital Satisfaction,and Marital Management Skills of Taiwanese Couples

The association between stressful life events and marital satisfaction for 372 Taiwanese couples was examined, as was the moderating effects of three marital management skills (e.g., tolerance/sacrifice, empathy/consideration, soothing/alleviation) on that association. Multilevel modeling analysis showed that stressful life events reduced husbands' and wives' marital satisfaction. Spouses' marital management skills were associated with an increase in their marital satisfaction (actor effects) except for husbands' soothing and alleviation skills. Husbands' tolerance and empathy were also related to an increase in the wife's marital satisfaction (partner effects) and had significant interactions with the relationship between the wife's stress and her marital satisfaction. Husbands' and wives' soothing skills also had significant interactions with the association between stressful life events and their own satisfaction. These results are discussed in relation to the life course, stress process, coping theories, and Chinese cultural values as well as their clinical implications of working with Chinese population.     

Nocturnal penile tumescence and serum testosterone levels

Ten patients with chronic epilepsy were selected; five had high and five had low total serum testosterone levels. Each patient slept for two nights in the sleep laboratory. EEG monitoring and measurements of nocturnal penile tumescence were carried out during sleep. A clear relationship between both total and free serum testosterone levels were found with nocturnal penile tumescence. FSH, LH, SHBG, and prolactin showed no relationship. The five patients with low serum testosterone levels all showed reduced sexual activity.     

暗娼非保护性性行为的影响因素分析

目的 了解社区艾滋病防治项目对暗娼高危性行为的影响情况。方法 从社区中招募暗娼调查其社会人口学、高危性行为和参加社区艾滋病防治项目情况等。结果在所调查的330名暗娼中，参加过健康教育项目的占47．0％（155／330），参加过HIV自愿咨询检测的占19．4％（64／330）和吸毒人员中参加美沙酮项目的占34．4％（11／32）。在最近1个月内与客人和固定性伴发生非保护性性行为的分别为46．1％（152／330）和58．1％（61／105）。多因素Logistic回归模型分析结果显示，未参加HIV自愿咨询检测、开始从事性服务的年龄小和平均每次性服务收费低是暗娼与客人发生非保护性性行为的影响因素；近1个月内与固定性伴性交次数多是暗娼与固定性伴发生非保护性性行为的影响因素。结论 本研究结果显示HIV自愿咨询检测对降低暗娼高危性行为有一定的作用。     

Androgen levels and sex functions in testosterone-treated hypogonadal men

This study investigated the correlation of sex functions in testosterone-treated hypogonadal men and in tamoxifen-treated eugonadal men in relation to blood androgen levels. Self-reported sex functions in men treated with parenteral testosterone esters (levels fall very rapidly with this type of substitution therapy) declined at levels ranging between 11 and 5 nmole/L of testosterone. Although wide variations in individual responses were noted, levels of response in given individuals appeared to be reproducible. The critical level for oral testosterone undecanoate lies between 4 and 6 nmole/L testosterone, although the relatively high levels of dihydrotestosterone in testosterone undecanoate therapy probably produce an additive effect upon sex functions. Dihydrotestosterone is capable of maintaining sex functions in hypogonadal men. There is no evidence in this study design that androgen administration in excess of the individually determined critical levels further enhances sex functions. In view of the rapidly declining blood levels of androgens with the available parenteral testosterone ester preparations, the results suggest that hypogonadal patients may benefit from a more frequent administration of these preparations.     

暗娼首次商业性性行为调查

目的了解四川省西昌市暗娼首次商业性性行为的发生情况.方法从社区中招募暗娼,调查其社会人口学特征,首次商业性性行为的年龄和从事商业性性服务前的高危行为特征、朋友中从事性服务的人数等.结果共调查343名暗娼,从第一次性行为到首次商业性性行为的发生率为25.95/100人年（95%CI＝23.20～28.69）.在多因素Cox比例风险模型分析中,彝族及其他少数民族（HR=1.55;95%CI＝1.11～2.16）、第一次发生性行为的年龄〈18岁（HR=1.38;95%CI＝1.09～1.74）和从事商业性性服务前无婚姻史（HR=3.09;95%CI＝2.41～3.97）,与暗娼首次商业性性行为发生的关系差异有统计学意义,P〈0.001.结论少数民族、无婚姻史和第一次发生性行为的年龄小是暗娼首次商业性性行为发生的影响因素.     

Sex hormones and female homosexuality: A critical examination

To ascertain the validity of hormonal theories of human homosexuality, which are based on animal research, this article reviews psychoendocrine data on lesbian and transsexual women. Sex hormone levels were found to be normal in the majority of homosexual women, but about a third of the subjects studied had elevated androgen levels. In women with prenatal androgen excess, heterosexuality appears to be more frequent than bisexuality, and exclusive homosexuality is rare. Two recent reports suggest abnormalities of the neuroendocrine regulation of LH secretion in female transsexuals. Clearly, prenatal or postpubertal hormone levels do not determine the development of sexual orientation, but a facilitating neuroendocrine predisposition cannot be ruled out at present.     

Luteinizing hormone and testosterone during nocturnal sleep: Relation to penile tumescent cycles

Variations of plasma LH and testosterone in relation to sleep-related penile tumescence were assessed. Plasma LH and testosterone were measured at 10–20 min intervals in five normal adult men during 2 nights of sleep. Blood samples were obtained by means of an indwelling venous catheter while sleep was monitored polygraphically and penile tumescence recorded with a penile mercury strain gauge. Tumescent episodes were recorded in all subjects during 9 of the 10 nights of the study, and the percentage of time during sleep, which was associated with tumescence, ranged from 13% to 34%. Simultaneous REM and tumescence comprised 57.7% of total tumescent time. Abrupt elevations of plasma LH and testosterone were observed during the night without a significant relationship to stages of sleep. The mean of all hormonal determinations for the five subjects did not show significant differences in plasma LH and testosterone between fully and partially tumescent episodes and nontumescent periods. Mean testosterone during REM sleep with tumescence, a state of autonomic activation involving sexual function, was consistently higher for the five subjects than during periods free from REM and tumescence.This investigation was supported by Public Health Service Research Grants MH 24564 and MH 03267 and by a grant from the Ford Foundation.     

Endocrine evaluation of forty female-to-male transsexuals: Increased frequency of polycystic ovarian disease in female transsexualism

A retrospective study of 40 female-to-male transsexuals was performed to investigate the frequency of endocrine dysfunction prior to hormonal treatment with testosterone. Two patients had laparoscopic evidence of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) prior to androgen treatment. Nine additional subjects had clinical evidence of PCOD, including ultrasonographic evidence of multicystic and enlarged ovaries in three patients and/or evidence of hirsutism and oligomenorrhea associated with increased androgen levels and/or an increased plasma luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. Two subjects had evidence of gonadal dysgenesis. Plasma levels of testosterone, prolactin, LH/FSH ratio, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were significantly increased in 30 female transsexuals prior to testosterone treatment when compared to normal adult female controls studied in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. These data indicate that female transsexuals have an increased incidence of endocrine dysfunction (32.5%) which should be investigated prior to hormonal treatment.     

The female mid-life sex change applicant: A comparison with younger female transsexuals and older male sex change applicants

This paper reports on a survey approach to the study of the aging (40 years of age and older) female requesting sex reassignment surgery (SRS). A profile of 13 cases presenting at a cross-section of gender identity clinics in North America is presented. The mid-life SRS applicant is also compared on selected characteristics with a younger female transsexual group and with the aging male sex change applicant. Findings suggest that the mid-life female SRS applicant is closely akin to the aging, conflicted homosexual, whereas the mid-life male SRS applicant appears more closely associated with the aging transvestite.