Induction of infertility in adult male bonnet monkeys by immunization with phage-expressed peptides of the extracellular domain of FSH receptor

Active immunization of proven fertile adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) with phage-expressed follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)-specific peptides from the extracellular domain resulted in a progressive drop in sperm count with all animals becoming azoospermic by day 100. However, serum testosterone concentrations were unaltered during the entire course of study and animals exhibited normal mating behaviour. Breeding studies with proven fertile female monkeys revealed that all the immunized males were infertile. Following interruption of immunization on day 225, sperm counts returned to normal with restoration of fertility. These results indicate that infertility can be induced in adult male monkeys by interfering with the action of FSH using specific peptides of the extracellular domain of FSHR as antigens, without the risk of producing cross-reacting antibodies to the other glycoprotein hormones.     

Active immunization of stumptailed macaque monkeys against luteinizing hormone releasing hormone,and its effects on menstrual cycles,ovarian steroids and positive feedback

Five female stumptailed macaque monkeys with regular menstrual cycles were immunized against luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) conjugated to tetanus toxoid. The conjugate was given in Freund's complete adjuvant (3 monkeys) or dipeptide adjuvant (2 monkeys). Only the 3 monkeys immunized using Freund's adjuvant produced LHRH antibody titres capable of having effects on menstrual cycles. Elevated levels of LHRH antibody were associated with an absence of preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in serum and an inability to respond to an injection of oestradiol benzoate which produced an LH surge (positive feedback) in control animals. Cyclical rises in serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were also abolished when LHRH antibody levels were elevated. These effects on LH and FSH caused a reduction in serum concentrations of 17β-oestradiol and absence of progesterone rises indicating inhibition of follicular development and ovulation, which resulted in amenorrhoea. Time to decline of LHRH antibody titres leading to re-establishment of menstrual cycles varied but could be reversed by booster immunizations.     

Low-dose follicular-phase cocaine administration disrupts menstrual and ovarian cyclicity in rhesus monkeys

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of daily low-dose follicular-phase cocaine administration on menstrual cyclicity, ovulation rates, corpus luteum function, and hormone levels in rhesus monkeys. METHOD: Normally cycling, drug-naive, adult rhesus monkeys were randomized to receive either 1 mg/kg of cocaine (n = 7), 2 mg/kg of cocaine (n = 7), or normal saline (n = 7) daily on cycle days 2 to 14. Daily blood samples were obtained through indwelling catheters for measurement of serum gonadotropins and ovarian steroids. Daily vaginal swabs were obtained to determine onset of menses. Laparoscopy was performed 2 days after the midcycle estrogen peak to document ovulation. Daily caloric intakes as well as pretreatment and posttreatment weights were recorded. RESULTS: Two of seven monkeys receiving 1 mg/kg per day and two of seven monkeys receiving 2 mg/kg per day of cocaine had timely ovulation and normal menstrual cycle lengths. One monkey receiving the 2-mg/kg dose ovulated on cycle day 24 and had a short luteal phase (7 days) with a mean progesterone level of 2.4 ng/mL. All seven saline-treated control monkeys ovulated normally; the mean cycle length was 29 days and all had adequate luteal phases. The difference in ovulation rates between cocaine-treated and control monkeys was statistically significant (P = .003). There were no differences in basal levels of LH or FSH between treatment groups. There were no significant differences in weight change or caloric intake among groups. One third of the subsequent menstrual cycles in cocaine-treated monkeys were of abnormal duration. CONCLUSION: Daily low-dose follicular-phase cocaine administration disrupts menstrual cyclicity and folliculogenesis. This effect is independent of weight loss, caloric intake, and basal gonadotropin levels. Cocaine exposure may have a persistent effect on menstrual and ovarian cyclicity in some monkeys.     

Effects of ovarian drilling in middle Black Sea region Turkish women with polycystic ovary syndrome having normal and high body mass indices

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with normal and high body mass indices (BMIs). METHODS: We investigated the effects of LOD process on two different groups of Turkish women with normal (n = 13) and high (n = 12) body mass indices. Three-puncture laparoscopy was performed under general anesthesia. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) and total testosterone (total T) levels were measured one menstrual cycle before the operation (in early follicular phase defined as day 3 of the menstrual cycle) and one menstrual cycle after the operation (in early follicular phase defined as day 3 of the menstrual cycle). RESULTS: Ovarian drilling had a positive effect on FSH increase and DHEAS, total testosterone and LH/FSH ratio decrease; but BMI levels had no effect on these hormonal changes, respectively (F = 0.343, P = 0564) (F = 0.790, P = 0383) (F = 0.083, P = 0776) and (F = 0.816, P = 0376). Ovarian drilling had a positive effect on LH decrease and BMIs were effective on this change (F = 6.946, P < 0.05). LH decrease in the group with normal BMI was significantly higher than the obese group with high BMI. Ten of 13 women with normal BMI (76.9%) and eight of 12 women with high BMI (66.6%) started to see regular menses 2 to 3 months after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Ovarian drilling is an effective procedure on PCOS. Women with lower BMI may benefit more from the procedure.     

The effect of mesterolone on sperm count, on serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, plasma testosterone and outcome in idiopathic oligospermic men

Two hundred fifty subfertile men with idiopathic oligospermia (count less than 20 million/ml) were treated with mesterolone (100-150 mg/day) for 12 months. Seminal analysis were assayed 3 times and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH) and plasma testosterone were assayed once before treatment and repeated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment. One hundred ten patients (44%) had normal serum FSH, LH and plasma testosterone, 85 patients (34%) had low serum FSH, LH and low plasma testosterone. One hundred seventy-five patients (70%) had moderate oligospermia (count 5 to less than 20 million/ml) and 75 patients (30%) had severe oligospermia (count less than 5 million/ml). Seventy-five moderately oligospermic patients showed significant improvement in the sperm density, total sperm count and motility following mesterolone therapy whereas only 12% showed improvement in the severe oligospermic group. Mesterolone had no depressing effect on low or normal serum FSH and LH levels but had depressing effect on 25% if the levels were elevated. There was no significant adverse effect on testosterone levels or on liver function. One hundred fifteen (46%) pregnancies resulted following the treatment, 9 of 115 (7.8%) aborted and 2 (1.7%) had ectopic pregnancy. Mesterolone was found to be more useful in patients with a sperm count ranging between 5 and 20 million/ml. Those with severe oligospermia (count less than 5 million) do not seem to benefit from this therapy.     

Effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on luteinizing hormone and testosterone secretion and testicular histology in male rhesus monkeys

Three adult male rhesus monkeys were treated for 20 weeks with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist (Ag; Wy-40972; Wyeth Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA) using osmotic minipumps. Ag administration resulted in a transient increase and then a precipitous decrease in the concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T). After 5 weeks, serum levels of LH were undetectable (less than 0.2 microgram/ml), while serum T was always detectable, but continued to fall throughout the period of Ag administration. The serum LH and T response to 50 micrograms of GnRH was abolished by 4 weeks of Ag treatment, and this effect persisted through the treatment period. Testicular histology at 20 weeks of Ag treatment exhibited diffuse atrophy of seminiferous tubules, suppressed germinal cell division, and the absence of spermatids or spermatozoa. There was no evidence of testicular necrosis or calcification of the seminiferous tubules. Following the termination of Ag infusion, serum LH and T concentrations rebounded to levels that exceeded pretreatment values for a 5-week period before falling back to baseline levels. A complete restoration of spermatogenesis and testicular volume occurred by 12 weeks after treatment. These data suggest that continuous Ag administration is an effective method of reversibly disrupting spermatogenesis in the male rhesus monkey.     

Acute decreases in serum prolactin concentrations caused by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in nonhuman primates.

The acute effects of single injections of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations were studied in oophorectomized female and intact adult male rhesus monkeys. Some animals were challenged with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to determine whether THC influences pituitary responsiveness to releasing hormone. THC markedly suppresses serum PRL concentrations in animals of both sexes. TRH injections resulted in normal PRL release when administered simultaneously with or 30 minutes after THC administration. These results suggest that the serum prolactin-lowering effect of THC occurs principally at a suprapituitary level.     

The effects of marijuana extract and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on luteal function in the rhesus monkey

The effects of marijuana extract (ME) and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on corpus luteum function were studied in the rhesus monkey by the use of in vivo and in vitro techniques. THC (2.5 mg/kg) or vehicle (3% Tween 80 in saline) was administered by an intramuscular injection to rhesus monkeys on day 20, 21, or 22 of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone (P) levels were measured at 6-hour intervals for the first 24 hours after treatment. THC caused a significant decrease in P levels during this 24-hour period. This decrease was reversed by the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at 6 hours after THC administration. When THC was administered 2 hours after hCG, it failed to inhibit the expected rise in serum P levels caused by hCG. Direct effects of the drugs on P production were studied with the use of dispersed luteal cells obtained from monkeys on day 21 or 22 of the menstrual cycle. Neither ME nor THC had any effect on basal P production in these in vitro studies. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of THC on P levels during the luteal phase are not mediated by a direct effect of the drug on ovarian steroid production.     

Cocaine impairs ovarian response to exogenous gonadotropins in nonhuman primates.

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether cocaine directly impairs ovarian steroid production and ovulation. METHODS: Normally cycling adult female rhesus monkeys received daily intravenous normal saline (control; n = 8) or cocaine (4 mg/kg; n = 8) through the follicular phase. Monkeys were injected daily with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG; Pergonal) at a dose of 6 IU/kg intramuscularly beginning on cycle day 2. Daily blood samples were obtained, and serum estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) were measured by radioimmunoassay. When serum levels of E(2) declined, plateaued, or exceeded 600 pg/mL, laparoscopy was performed to count the number of follicles. If no new corpus luteum was present, monkeys were injected intramuscularly with 1000 IU of hCG. Laparoscopy was repeated 2 days later to document the number of ovulatory stigma. RESULTS: During ovarian stimulation, cocaine-treated monkeys required an average additional 1.5 days of hMG injections (P =.01), and this resulted in a greater total dose of hMG compared with control monkeys (351 +/- 16 IU versus 297 +/- 15 IU [mean +/- standard error of the mean], P =.03). For spontaneous and hCG-triggered ovulation, the number of ovulatory stigma was significantly lower (P <.003) in the cocaine-treated versus control monkeys (16 versus 31). Peak E(2) levels were significantly (P =.05) lower in cocaine-treated monkeys compared with controls. Luteal phase P(4) levels were lower in the cocaine-treated monkeys, but the difference was not statistically significant when compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Cocaine impaired ovarian responsiveness to exogenous gonadotropins and decreased ovulatory stigma in nonhuman primates. These findings suggest that cocaine has direct ovarian effects.     

Dynamics of estradiol and testosterone and seminal fluid indexes in smokers and nonsmokers

The serum levels of estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T), the metabolic clearance rates of estradiol (MCRE2) and testosterone (MCRT), and the production rates of estradiol and testosterone (PRE2) and (PRT) were examined in 22 male smokers and 21 male nonsmokers. Seminal fluid indexes (sperm count, % motility, grade of motility, and % of sperm with abnormal morphology) were also assessed. The mean E2 level and the mean PRE2 were significantly greater in smokers than in nonsmokers (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.01, respectively); however, the means of MCRE2, MCRT, PRT, and T did not differ significantly in smokers compared to nonsmokers. No significant product-moment correlations were found between the various hormonal measures and the seminal fluid indexes in the overall sample. However, the smokers with sperm counts below the median sperm count of the sample had significantly higher mean levels of E2 and PRE2 than did the smokers with sperm counts above that median. Mechanisms that might mediate the greater PRE2 of smokers and a negative relationship between estradiol and sperm count are discussed.     

Subcutaneous bioabsorbable pellets of norethindrone for contraception in women: Phase I. Clinical study

Ten healthy, normally menstruating female volunteers participated in a 1-year phase I clinical study in which subcutaneous pellet implants of norethindrone (NET) were employed as a low-dose and long-acting potential contraceptive. Two NET pellets were implanted subcutaneously by the aid of a trocar in the forearm of each volunteer on the fifth day after the start of menstrual bleeding. Serum levels of NET, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17 beta-estradiol, and progesterone were determined weekly by radioimmunoassay. The daily NET release from the pellets, based on mean values (+/- standard error of the mean) in five subjects was 79.4 +/- 7.6 micrograms. The mean serum NET level was initially 1.0 +/- 0.34 ng/ml; thereafter, it gradually lowered during the 343 days of the study period to the level of 0.43 +/- 0.09 ng/ml. The ovarian response, days of bleeding, and cycle lengths with continuously sustained release of NET from the pellets were similar to those observed in women taking the daily oral "minipill" of 300 micrograms NET. The results of the phase I study suggest that NET pellet implants may provide a simple and acceptable approach to long-term contraception in women.     

A prediction model for ongoing pregnancy after in vitro fertilization in couples with male subfertility

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive capacity of male and female characteristics on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome in couples with male subfertility and to construct an IVF prediction model. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a cohort study including all couples with male subfertility undergoing IVF. The main outcome measure was an ongoing pregnancy after IVF. The baseline characteristics from a couple including parameters of the semen-analysis were included in a univariable and multivariable analysis to construct a prediction model (model I). The addition of antisperm antibodies (ASA) and post-wash total motile count (TMC) to models I, II and III, respectively, were analyzed. RESULTS: We included 275 couples with male subfertility who underwent 473 IVF cycles with an ongoing pregnancy rate of 19% per cycle. A prediction model containing female age, secondary subfertility, percentage progressively motile sperm, percentage sperm with normal morphology, prewash total motile sperm count, bilateral tubal pathology, history of intrauterine insemination and cycle number was constructed (model I). Prediction with model I resulted in the selection of 95 couples, of whom 55 conceived (pregnancy rate of 28% per cycle). Use of the model with n ASA (Model II) resulted in the selection of 79 couples, of whom still 55 conceived (30% per cycle). CONCLUSION: In couples with male subfertility, the use of a prediction model including ASA improves the efficiency of IVF.     

Sperm counts and reproductive hormones in male marathoners and lean controls

In women, chronic and intense endurance exercise is frequently associated with menstrual cycle alterations. In men, the effects of similar amounts of exercise are less well-studied. We tested the hypothesis that endurance exercise in men is also associated with alterations in reproductive function. We studied 12 marathon runners and 12 age-matched, lean controls; serum and semen samples were collected every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Sperm counts, sperm morphologies, and mean levels of testosterone (T), free T, sex hormone binding globulin, cortisol, follicle-stimulating hormone, and biologically active luteinizing hormone (LH) were similar in the two groups. Mean levels of immunologically active LH were somewhat higher in the marathoners. We conclude that this level of strenuous, long-term endurance exercise does not have major adverse effects on reproductive function in men.     

Effects of subchronic infusion of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate on serum gonadotropin levels and ovarian function in the cynomolgus monkey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of elevated adrenal androgen levels on ovarian function in a nonhuman primate using a repeated measures experimental design. DESIGN: Osmotic pumps that released dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were implanted subcutaneously in five cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) for one menstrual cycle. The pumps were filled with saline for the two control cycles, one preceding and the other following DHEAS infusion. RESULTS: Administration of DHEAS elevated its levels in serum fourfold and in urine sevenfold, which returned to pretreatment values in the next cycle. Serum concentrations of estradiol (E2) were reduced by 55% during DHEAS administration in both follicular and luteal phases and were still decreased in the following cycle by 69% in follicular phase and 48% in luteal phase (P less than 0.01). Luteal serum progesterone (P) levels were diminished by 52% during treatment and were accompanied by 56% reduction in immunoreactive pregnanediol excretion in urine (P less than 0.05). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were decreased during DHEAS infusion by 51% in follicular phase and 58% in luteal phase (P less than 0.01) but returned to baseline in the next cycle. Conversely, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were increased during treatment by 70% in follicular phase and 101% in luteal phase and remained increased by 58% in follicular phase of the next cycle (P less than 0.05). Estrone excretion in urine was higher during DHEAS infusion (1.5-fold increase) but was below pretreatment values in the following cycle by 57% in follicular phase and 51% in luteal phase (P less than 0.001). Administration of DHEAS did not change significantly serum levels of sex hormone-binding globulin. The length of menstrual cycles was not affected by increased levels of adrenal androgens either. However, in the cycles that followed DHEAS infusion, follicular phase was prolonged by an average of 9 days, and luteal phase was shortened by an average of 5 days (P less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These data document that subchronically elevated adrenal androgen levels in primates: (1) suppress E2 and P levels, which may affect fertility; (2) differentially affect gonadotropin secretion, decreasing LH and increasing FSH serum concentrations; and (3) result in disturbances of ovarian function that persist for at least one menstrual cycle after normalization of androgen levels.     

育龄女性月经周期内及周期间血清抗苗勒管激素水平的变化研究

目的:探讨育龄女性血清抗苗勒管激素(AMH)水平在同一月经周期内和连续两个周期间的变化。方法:选择本院21~45岁,排卵规律的健康女性46例,于早卵泡期、排卵期和黄体中期分别抽取外周血,使用化学发光法对不同时间点血清AMH水平进行检测,评估月经周期内和周期间的血清AMH水平的稳定性,并且分析年龄、体质量指数(BMI)和性激素水平与血清AMH水平的相关性。结果:46例完成了1个月经周期3个时间点的检测,早卵泡期、月经中期和黄体期的血清AMH水平分别为2.90 ng/ml、2.74 ng/ml、2.72 ng/ml;3个时间点的AMH水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。其中29例完成了连续2个周期6个时间点的检测,血清AMH水平分别为2.41 ng/ml、2.33 ng/ml、2.39 ng/ml、2.29 ng/ml、2.57 ng/ml和2.45 ng/ml;6个时间点的AMH水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。30岁及以下女性早卵泡期AMH水平与睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)水平显著负相关(r=-0.436,P0.05;r=-0.499,P0.01);30岁以上女性早卵泡期AMH水平与年龄显著负相关(r=-0.570,P0.05)。结论:血清AMH水平在月经周期内和周期间维持稳定,可在月经周期任一天进行检测。综合年龄、AMH水平和基础性激素水平可帮助临床更好的评估育龄女性的卵巢储备功能。     

Use of albumin gradients for X and Y sperm separation and clinical experience with male sex preselection.

Semen samples obtained from 18 normal males and 37 husbands requesting male child preselection were separated on concentration gradients of human serum albumin. Separated semen obtained from the husbands was then used for artificial homologous insemination (AIH). A significant increase in the sperm motility, progressive drive, and percentage of Y-bearing sperm along with a decrease in the total sperm count and percentage of abnormal forms were observed in separated specimens. Fathers of three or more female children had a slightly smaller but statistically significant percentage of Y-bearing sperm in their semen samples than did normal males. Ten conceptions were achieved with separated semen. Seven pregnancies terminated in normal deliveries of five male and two female infants, one ended in a spontaneous abortion of a male fetus, and two patients are still expecting. The ratio of male to female conceptions in this small study parallels the ratio of Y to X sperm in the final specimen used for AIH.     

绝经过渡期妇女血清抑制素水平的研究

目的　分析绝经过渡期妇女血清抑制素A(Inh A)、抑制素B(Inh B)水平的变化及其与其他生殖激素水平变化的时间关系。方法　测定 10例正常育龄妇女月经周期各期血清Inh A、Inh B水平 ;测定 40例绝经过渡期妇女月经周期第 3天的血清Inh B、促卵泡激素 (FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)、雌二醇 (E2 )水平 ,经前 5～ 9d(经前期 )血清Inh A、孕酮 (P)水平 ;测定 10例绝经后妇女的血清Inh A、Inh B、FSH、E2 水平。分析各项激素水平变化之间的时间关系。结果　育龄妇女月经周期中Inh A、Inh B水平的变化曲线各不相同。绝经过渡期妇女中 ,黄体功能正常者占 48% ,经前期Inh A水平低于育龄妇女 ,分别为 ( 2 4 7± 13 0 )及 ( 42 9± 12 1)ng/L ,两者比较 ,差异有显著性 (P =0 0 17) ,Inh B水平改变差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 ) ;黄体功能不足与无排卵者的Inh A水平进一步显著下降 ,分别为 ( 12 4± 10 2 )及 ( 5 3± 3 8)ng/L(P分别为 0 0 3 3及 <0 0 0 0 1) ,绝经后妇女则皆未检出。与育龄妇女比较 ,月经周期第 3天Inh B水平的下降仅在无排卵与绝经后妇女差异有极显著性 (P =0 0 0 1)。月经周期第 3天 ,FSH≥ 10IU/L者Inh B水平显著低于FSH <10IU/L者 ,分别为 ( 16 2± 4 0 )及 ( 62 0±43 8)ng/L(P <0 0 0     

Variants in follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene in infertile brazilian men and the correlation to FSH serum levels and sperm count

The aim of the study was to analyze the distribution of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (FSHR) Ala307Thr and Asn680Ser polymorphisms in infertile Brazilian men and evaluate the possible role of these polymorphisms on the serum levels of FSH and in sperm count. A case-control study was performed comprising138 infertile men with nonobstructive azoospermia (n = 53) or severe oligozoospermia (n = 85), and 217 fertile men as controls. Genotyping of FSHR polymorphisms was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results were analyzed statistically and a P value <.05 was considered significant. According to the sperm count, relatively similar FSHR polymorphisms genotype and allele frequencies were found among the groups, and combined genotypes of 2 polymorphisms did not identify a haplotype associated with sperm count. Considering FSH serum level according to genotypes of the Ala307Thr and Asn680Ser polymorphisms individually, statistical analysis showed no difference among the groups. When the combined genotypes of the FSHR polymorphisms were compared to FSH serum levels, no difference was also found among the groups. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that, in Brazilian population studied, genetic variations, Asn680Ser and Thr307Ala, of the FSHR gene are not correlated with serum FSH levels or sperm count in male infertility.     

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels during hormonal contraception in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The use of oral contraceptive (OC) pills alters the characteristic features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) complicating the diagnosis of this disease. Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels are high in PCOS patients and are stable throughout the menstrual cycle in healthy subjects. This study examined the influence of hormonal suppression with OC therapy on the serum AMH levels in women with PCOS and with normal menstrual cycles. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty women with PCOS and 15 women with normal menstrual cycles were enrolled in this prospective study. Serum was collected from the subjects during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and after the sixth cycle of oral contraceptive therapy, and stored frozen until assayed. The effect of OC therapy on the serum AMH, estradiol (E(2)), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), free testosterone, total testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) levels was studied. In addition, ovarian volume and follicle count were assessed. RESULTS: The serum AMH levels in PCOS patients were significantly higher than in healthy women at baseline (+/-S.D.; 5.49+/-2.26 and 1.93+/-0.51 ng/ml, respectively; p=0.001). After six cycles of OC therapy, no significant changes in the AMH levels were observed in either the PCOS patients or normally cycling women. Ultrasound showed significant reductions in ovarian volume and follicle number and size at 6 months in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although significant reductions were observed in ovarian volume and follicle number, 6 months of contraceptive therapy did not change the serum AMH concentration in either group. AMH may be considered a new marker in PCOS patients who are already on contraceptive treatment.     

Differentiation of sex steroid-binding protein in adult rhesus monkeys

Several species of primates have sex differences in sex steroid-binding protein (SBP), female adults having higher serum binding capacities (micrograms of dihydrotestosterone bound per deciliter) than male adults, e.g., male humans, 1.28 +/- 0.4; human females, 2.86 +4- 0.9; Macaca nemestrina male animals, 5.62 +/- 1.24; Macaca nemestrina female animals, 11.07 +/- 1.85 (means +/- standard deviations). SBP correlates inversely with metabolic clearance rates of testosterone (T). The sex difference was identified in rhesus monkeys, six per group, evaluated 4 years after postpubertal castration: male animals 3.95 +/- 1.14; female animals 5.85 +/- 0.98 (p less than 0.05). Estradiol-17 beta (E2) pellets producing physiologic levels of E2 in female monkeys obliterated the sex difference by increasing SBP in male animals. After withdrawal of E2, physiologic levels of T in male monkeys produced a marked decrease in SBP levels (p less than 0.01), and the sex difference reappeared; castrated female animals and prenatally androgenized female animals responded similarly to T (2.81 +/- 0.81 and 2.64 +/- 0.49, respectively). Both values were greater (p less than 0.05) than that of the male group (2.02 +/- 0.33). These data suggest that the sex steroid milieu influences the binding capacity of SBP for potent androgens in adulthood but that the differentiation of the SBP sex in rhesus monkeys is determined by factors other than prenatal androgen exposure.