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At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Steroid-induced polycystic ovaries in rats: effect of electro-acupuncture on concentrations of endothelin-1 and nerve growth factor (NGF), and expression of NGF mRNA in the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and the central nervous system.

Previous studies on the effect of repeated electro-acupuncture (EA) treatments in rats with steriod-induced polycystic ovaries (PCO), EA has been shown to modulate nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration in the ovaries as well as corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in the median eminence (ME). In the present study we tested the hypothesis that repeated EA treatments modulates sympathetic nerve activity in rats with PCO. This was done by analysing endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictor involved in ovarian functions, as well as NGF and NGF mRNA expression involved in the pathophysiological process underlying steroid-induced PCO. The main result in the present study was that concentrations of ET-1 in the ovaries were significantly lower in the PCO group receiving EA compared with the healthy control group (p < 0.05). In the hypothalamus, however, ET-1 concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the PCO group receiving EA than in the healthy control group (p < 0.05). Concentrations of ovarian NGF protein were significantly higher in the PCO control group compared with the healthy control group (p < 0.001), and these concentrations decreased significantly after repeated EA treatments compared with those in the PCO control group (p < 0.05) and were found to be the same as those in the healthy control group. In conclusion, these results indicate that EA modulates the neuroendocrinological state of the ovaries, most likely by modulating the sympathetic nerve activity in the ovaries, which may be a factor in the maintenance of steroid-induced PCO.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2005

[Relationship between insulin secretion, and thyroid and ovary function in patients suffering from polycystic ovary].

AIM: The present paper investigates the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism and insulin-resistance and how, by submitting patients to a specific therapy for any one of the three pathologies, we also obtain an improvement in the other associated pathologies. METHODS: We selected 45 patients aged between 16 and 25 with problems of polycystic ovary syndrome, hypothyroidism and insulin-resistance and divided them into 3 groups. The 15 Group A patients followed a dietetic therapy. The 15 patients of Group B received hormonal therapy. The 15 Group C patients received replacement therapy with laevo-thyroxine. All patients had their thyroid and ovary function checked every six months and a glycoinsulinaemic curve was plotted after glucose loading. RESULTS: A reduction in TSH levels and an increase in the values of circulating thyroid hormones was observed in all patients. The ovary situation underwent both a hormonal and symptomatological improvement with diminution in LH and testosterone levels and an increase in progesterone. The glucose-insulin picture of our patients progressively improved in all 3 groups studied. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained in our study enable us to support the close connection between ovary function, thyroid function and insulin-resistance. In all patients, in fact, albeit at different times, an improvement was obtained in all 3 pathologies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Localization of calretinin in the rat ovary and in relation to nerve cell bodies in dorsal root and paravertebral ganglia projecting to the ovary.

Retrograde tracing with True Blue was combined with immunocytochemistry to determine the source of any calretinin-immunoreactive (CR-ir) nerves projecting to the rat ovary. In the ovary, a strong signal for calretinin immunoreactivity was localized in interstitial gland cells; however, no intraovarian CR-ir nerves could be demonstrated. When the superior ovarian nerve was isolated, cut, and True Blue applied to the proximal end, the fluorescent dye was retrogradely transported to a population of cells located in T-12, T-13, and L-1 dorsal root and paravertebral ganglia. There was virtually no dual labeling of cells in these ganglia with calretinin (< 0.009% dual labeling in dorsal root and <0.014% in paravertebral ganglia). However, greater than two-thirds of the True Blue-labeled cells were immediately adjacent to CR-ir cells in dorsal root ganglia. This arrangement is suggestive of a paracrine mechanism between CR-ir cells and cells projecting to the ovary. In paravertebral ganglia, 63% of cells projecting to the ovary were surrounded completely or partially by beaded CR-ir nerve fibers. The source of these fibers (sensory or preganglionic sympathetic) is unknown but hypothesized to be preganglionic. Collectively, these observations suggest a participatory role for calretinin in ovarian function, either directly via effects on the interstitial gland or indirectly by influencing neurons projecting to the ovary.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Immunocytochemical localization of aromatase in immature rat ovaries treated with PMSG and hCG, and in pregnant rat ovaries.

Immunocytochemical localization of aromatase cytochrome P-450 was examined in immature rat ovaries treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and in pregnant rat ovaries. It is well known that PMSG and hCG treatments induce ovulation about 12 h after hCG injection. At 24 h after hCG injection, many antral follicles were recognized in immature rat ovaries and only the granulosa cells in the antral follicles were stained weakly with the anti-aromatase antibody. At 0 to 9 h after hCG injection, in addition to the antral follicles, some large Graafian follicles could be observed in the rat ovaries, and the granulosa cells of these follicles were positively stained for aromatase. Each follicle was surrounded by the basal lamina which shows lineally distinct positive reaction against anti-laminin antibody. At 12 h after hCG injection, some large Graafian follicles without oocyte were weakly positive to the anti-aromatase antisera, and the outline of their basal lamina stained with anti-laminin antibody became irregular in shape and fragmentous. At 15 to 18 h after hCG injection, the luteinized cysts could be seen, and the granulosa-lutein cells of these cysts were almost negative for aromatase. Fragmentous reaction to the anti-laminin antibody was observed around the luteinized cysts. In the ovaries of day 4 in pregnancy, only the granulosa cells of the large antral follicles were weakly stained, but corpora lutea negatively reacted to the anti-aromatase antibody. At 7 to 19 days in gestation, both the granulosa cells of antral follicles and pregnant luteal cells were positively stained against aromatase antisera.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Stockpiling of transitional and classic primary follicles in ovaries of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Recently, we proposed an oocyte-growth differentiation factor-9 hypothesis that predicts alterations in the initial stages of folliculogenesis in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) ovaries. Here, we test this hypothesis by scoring the composition of follicles in normal and PCOS ovaries. Follicles were classified as primordial, transitional primary, classic primary, secondary, and Graafian. A total of 2274 follicles were scored. The total number of growing follicles was significantly greater in PCOS ovaries than normal, but the number of nongrowing primordial follicles did not differ. Consequently, the increase in growing follicles in PCOS cannot be explained by increased primordial follicle recruitment. Differential counts showed that the number of growing follicles at each stage of development was significantly greater: PCOS had 2.7-fold more primary, 1.8-fold more secondary, and 2-fold more Graafian follicles than normal. The greatest effect was on the classic primary follicles where the number was almost 5-fold greater in PCOS ovaries. The absence of apoptosis in normal and PCOS preantral follicles argues that the increase in growing follicles in PCOS cannot be explained by changes in atresia. We conclude, therefore, that primary follicle growth is abnormally slow in PCOS and the dynamics are reflected in a stockpiling of classic primary follicles.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Women with one ovary have decreased response to GnRHa/HMG ovulation protocol in IVF but the same pregnancy rate as women with two ovaries.

The study compares the response after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) stimulation for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in patients with either one or two ovaries. The study group (group A) included 73 cycles in women who had unilateral oophorectomy before their IVF treatment and the control group (group B) included 988 cycles in women with two ovaries. Tubal disease was the sole cause for infertility in all cases. The two groups were similar in age and parity. The patients with one ovary required more ampoules of HMG (62.9 versus 48.9, P < 0.001), a longer induction period (13.5 versus 12.7, P < 0.01) and had significantly lower oestradiol concentrations on the day of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration (5840 versus 6473 pmol/l, P = 0.035). They yielded fewer follicles (11.2 versus 13.1, P = 0.005), fewer oocytes (7.3 versus 9.1, P = 0.006) and produced fewer embryos (4.4 versus 5.1, P < 0.05). There was no difference in fertilization rate (60 compared with 58%), or pregnancy rate (25.8 compared with 27.1% per oocyte retrieval). Women with only one ovary responded less well to GnRH agonist/HMG stimulation than women who had both ovaries but pregnancy outcome was the same in both groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Classification of normogonadotropic infertility: polycystic ovaries diagnosed by ultrasound versus endocrine characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of polycystic ovaries for endocrine signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Controlled descriptive study. SETTING: Academic tertiary care fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Normogonadotropic (FSH levels between 1 and 10 mIU/mL conversion factor to SI unit, 1.0) oligomenorrheic or amenorrheic women visiting our fertility clinic and a control group of regularly cycling, healthy, normal weight volunteers recruited by advertisement. INTERVENTION(S): Single blood samples and transvaginal sonography were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum levels of FSH, LH, androstenedione (A), and T and ovarian volume, ovarian stroma density, and follicle number. RESULT(S): In control women, the 95th percentile was calculated for ovarian volume, follicle number, and stroma count as well as endocrine parameters. The use of these upper limits of normal in the study group resulted in 217 (66%) patients with polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (defined as increased mean ovarian volume and/or mean follicle number per ovary), whereas only 120 (36%) patients exhibited elevated serum androgens (increased A and/or T concentrations) and 155 (47%) showed elevated LH levels. Sensitivity and specificity of single or combined sonographic parameters for prediction of elevated serum LH or androgen concentrations were limited. CONCLUSION(S): In the study group of normogonadotropic oligomenorrhea or amenorrheic infertile women, we set strict cutoff levels for various criteria used in the literature for defining PCOS. Groups defined by sonographic or endocrine PCOS criteria did overlap, but sonographic parameters had limited predictive value for abnormal hormone serum levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of polycystic ovary disease with laparoscopic low-watt bipolar electrocoagulation of the ovaries.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of laparoscopic low-watt bipolar electrocoagulation of the ovaries in women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD). DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Hospital-based infertility clinic. PATIENTS: Seventy-four consecutive infertile women with PCOD resistant to conventional ovulation-induction regimens. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic bipolar low-watt electrocoagulation of the ovarian surface (25 W for 5-12 sec/cyst). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Postoperative follow-up ranged from 18 months to 7 years. Menstrual rhythm returned to normal in all 74 women. All 40 women in whom infertility was solely due to anovulation eventually conceived. Overall, 62 (84%) of the 74 women conceived, 42 spontaneously after surgery and 20 after supplementation with clomiphene. These 62 women had a total of 93 pregnancies: 79 singleton live births, 4 sets of twins, and 10 miscarriages. Twenty-five women conceived twice and three conceived three times. At second-look laparoscopy or cesarean section in 20 women, fine stringlike adhesions on the ovaries were found in 2. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic low-watt bipolar electrocoagulation of the ovaries is an effective treatment for women with PCOD who fail medical therapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hyperandrogenic anovulation (the polycystic ovary syndrome)--back to the ovary?

Hyperandrogenic anovulation is characterized by polycystic appearance of the ovaries, elevated free serum testosterone with decreased concentrations of serum sex hormone binding globulin, an increased ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle stimulating hormone and varying degrees of insulin resistance. We hypothesize that this is the result of variably increased 'ovarian androgenic insulin responsiveness' acting in combination with body mass. Women who develop hyperandrogenism and anovulation when lean (having normal serum insulin concentrations) represent the more severely affected individuals, whereas those who can resume ovulation by losing weight (and lowering their elevated serum insulin) represent a milder form. The tendency of these women to develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome despite hypophyseal desensitization suggests a primary ovarian defect which is apparently more pronounced in lean subjects. The unique ability of surgical damage to the ovary to induce ovulation, raises the possibility that inflammatory-like tissue remodelling has a major role in rescuing follicles from androgen-induced atresia. Approaches that may facilitate the study of this possible mechanism may include examination of in-vitro perfused, post-surgery mammalian ovaries and the elucidation of signal transduction mechanism(s) of insulin in the ovary, with special reference to cells emanating from affected women.

Anovulation↗
PubMed2004

Abnormal gene expression profiles in human ovaries from polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents the most common cause of anovulatory infertility and affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. The etiology of PCOS is still unknown. The current study is the first to describe consistent differences in gene expression profiles in human ovaries comparing PCOS patients vs. healthy normoovulatory individuals. The microarray analysis of PCOS vs. normal ovaries identifies dysregulated expression of genes encoding components of several biological pathways or systems such as Wnt signaling, extracellular matrix components, and immunological factors. Resulting data may provide novel clues for ovarian dysfunction in PCOS. Intriguingly, the gene expression profiles of ovaries from (long-term) androgen-treated female-to-male transsexuals (TSX) show considerable overlap with PCOS. This observation provides supportive evidence that androgens play a key role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Presented data may contribute to a better understanding of dysregulated pathways in PCOS, which might ultimately reveal novel leads for therapeutic intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Lipid cell tumor of the ovary in reference to adult-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia and polycystic ovary syndrome. A case report.

A 30-year-old woman with a virilizing lipid tumor was initially suspected of having adult-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) when her plasma 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) concentration was found to be very high (298-3,170 ng/dL), to drop in response to an overnight dexamethasone (dex) suppression test (79 ng/dL) and to rise briskly 15 minutes after ACTH administration (751 ng/dL). However, the effect of dex was not sustained or complete: the pregnanetriol excretion dropped only from 5.5 to 4.4 mg daily. Furthermore, the plasma testosterone was inappropriately high (235-537 ng/dL) for adult-onset CAH and was more responsive to endogenous and exogenous gonadotropin stimulation than to ACTH. In addition, there was no evidence of 11 beta-hydroxylation of 21-deoxycorticoids, as would be expected in CAH. Removal of the tumor completely reversed the virilization and the abnormal responses to ACTH and human chorionic gonadotropin. The contralateral ovary bore lipid-laden stromal cells in the deep paracortex that bore a striking resemblance to the tumor cells, and a cyst in that ovary had fluid with a steroid pattern virtually identical to that of the tumor, with an androstenedione: 17OHP ratio of 5:1. There was not evidence of polycystic ovary disease. The clinical picture of type II polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) gradually evolved over a one-year period postoperatively: plasma-free testosterone became mildly elevated and was not dex suppressible. The 17OHP response to ACTH became slightly excessive. However, there was no evidence of tumor on computed tomography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗
PubMed1992

A single ovary of Anolis carolinensis responds more to exogenous gonadotropin if the contralateral ovary is absent.

The lizard Anolis carolinensis exhibits asymmetric ovarian growth. At any given time, the larger ovary (LO) contains a larger follicle than does the smaller ovary (SO). Physiologically hypophysectomized females with quiescent ovaries were treated with gonadotropin (ovine FSH) or saline vehicle after either surgical removal of the LO or sham operation. The smaller ovaries of initial control, sham-operated, and hemiovariectomized (HO) females were similar in weight and follicular size. Therefore, endogenous gonadotropin secretion remained at subthreshold levels during the experiment and after HO. FSH significantly stimulated ovarian follicular growth in both sham-operated and HO females. However, the response of the SO of HO females to FSH was significantly greater than that in sham-operated females. These results demonstrate a greater sensitivity of the SO to FSH if the LO is absent.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Power Doppler ultrasound assessment of ovarian perifollicular blood flow in women with polycystic ovaries and normal ovaries during in vitro fertilization treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether ovarian perifollicular blood flow (PFBF) varies by ultrasound among women with polycystic and normal ovaries undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study of women undergoing IVF treatment. SETTING: Department of reproductive medicine at a university teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Thirty four women with regular spontaneous ovulatory menstrual cycles undergoing IVF divided into two groups according to findings on a baseline transvaginal ultrasound scan: group 1 consisted of 20 women with ultrasound-evident normal ovaries (USNO group), and group 2 consisted of 14 women with ultrasound-evident polycystic ovaries (USPCO group). INTERVENTION(S): Serial transvaginal power Doppler ultrasound assessments throughout the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Ovarian PFBF and ovarian stromal artery pulsatility index. RESULT(S): Women with USPCO had a significantly lower ovarian stromal artery pulsatility index at the time of the first ultrasound assessment before starting the FSH injections compared with USNO women. However, there was no difference in ovarian PFBF between women with USPCO and USNO during the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation for IVF. CONCLUSION(S): There is no difference in ovarian follicular vascularity between women with polycystic and normal ovaries during ovarian stimulation at IVF treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Genetic characterization of small ovaries, a gene required in the soma for the development of the Drosophila ovary and the female germline.

The small ovary gene (sov) is required for the development of the Drosophila ovary. Six EMS-induced recessive alleles have been identified. Hypomorphic alleles are female sterile and have no effect on male fertility, whereas more severe mutations result in lethality. The female-sterile alleles produce a range of mutant phenotypes that affect the differentiation of both somatic and germline tissues. These mutations generally produce small ovaries that contain few egg cysts and disorganized ovarioles, and in the most extreme case no ovarian tissue is present. The mutant egg cysts that develop have aberrant morphology, including abnormal numbers of nurse cells and patches of necrotic cells. We demonstrate that sov gene expression is not required in the germline for the development of functional egg cysts. This indicates that the sov function is somatic dependent. We present evidence using loss-of-function and constitutive forms of the somatic sex regulatory genes that sov activity is essential for the development of the somatic ovary regardless of the chromosomal sex of the fly. In addition, the genetic mapping of the sov locus is presented, including the characterization of two lethal sov alleles and complementation mapping with existing rearrangements.

Alleles↗
PubMed1992

Localization of bFGF mRNA in cyclic rat ovary, diethylstilbesterol primed rat ovary, and cultured rat granulosa cells.

Evidence from in vitro studies strongly implicates basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as a local regulator of ovarian function. However, the in vivo function of this growth factor in the ovary is uncertain. The objective of this study has thus been to investigate the biological role of bFGF in the rat ovary by monitoring bFGF gene expression using in situ hybridization in 3 systems; (1) the naturally cycling ovary, (2) ovaries of immature rats treated with diethylstilbesterol (DES), and (3) primary rat granulosa cell cultures. The rat estrus cycle can be divided into 4 stages as determined by vaginal cytology; diestrus, proestrus, estrus and metestrus. bFGF mRNA transcripts were localized to granulosa and theca cells of developing follicles during proestrus and estrus and in the corpus luteum following ovulation during metestrus. The estrogen analogue DES induced extensive in vivo folliculogenesis and high levels of bFGF mRNA in both granulosa and theca cells when compared to controls. Detectable levels of bFGF mRNA were also observed in primary granulosa cell cultures grown to high density. Employment of this in situ hybridization procedure has enabled the in vivo cellular sources of bFGF mRNA to be identified and the time course of expression during the estrus cycle to be monitored. The biological significance of this expression and the interplay between bFGF, extra- and intra-ovarian modulators are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Arginase, Arginine Decarboxylase, Ornithine Decarboxylase, and Polyamines in Tomato Ovaries (Changes in Unpollinated Ovaries and Parthenocarpic Fruits Induced by Auxin or Gibberellin).

Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) activity has been found in the ovaries and Young fruits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Rutgers).Changes in arginase, arginine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.19), and ornithine decarboxylase activity (EC 4.1.1.17) and levels of free and conjugated putrescine, spermidine, and spermine were determined in unpollinated ovaries and in parthenocarpic fruits during the early stages of development induced by 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or gibberellic acid (GA3). Levels of arginase, free spermine, and conjugates of the three polyamines were constant in unpollinated ovaries and characteristic of a presenescent step. A marked decrease in arginase activity, free spermine, and polyamine conjugates was associated with the initiation of fruit growth due to cell division, and when cell expansion was initiated, the absence of arginase indicated a redirection of nitrogen metabolism to the synthesis of arginine. A transient increase in arginine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase was also observed in 2,4-D-induced fruits. In general, 2,4-D treatments produced faster changes than GA3, and without treatment, unpollinated ovaries developed only slightly and senescence was hardly visible. Sensitivity to 2,4-D and GA3 treatment remained for at least 2 weeks postanthesis.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Ruptured granulosa cell tumor of the left ovary and mature cystic teratoma of the right ovary: a case report of unusual acute abdominal syndrome.

Although granulosa cell tumor combined with a dermoid cyst in the same ovary is rarely seen, adult granulosa cell tumor of the ovary with contralateral teratoma has not been reported to date. In this report we present the first case in the English language literature of a ruptured granulosa cell tumor of the left ovary and mature cystic teratoma of the right ovary presenting as acute abdominal syndrome. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral-ophorectomy, and multiple pelvic lymph node sampling and infracolic omentectomy. She received combined chemotherapy consisting of bleomycin, etoposide. and cisplatin for six cycles. Subsequent follow-up and workups have revealed no evidence of disease. At 19 months after initial diagnosis, she is disease-free.

Abdomen, Acute↗