Comprehensive analysis between volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure and female sex hormones: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013-2016

There is growing evidence suggesting that exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can pose significant health risks, including interference with the function of the reproductive system. However, there has been a lack of research focused on the impact of common environmental VOCs on the levels of sex hormones in the general female population. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis utilizing the database of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013-2016). A total of 2633 participants were included in this study. The Pearson correlation model revealed the potential of co-exposure or co-toxicity between benzene and 2,5-dimethylfuran. According to GLM models, we discovered a significant positive association between blood levels of 2,5-dimethylfuran and benzene with testosterone levels in women. Subgroup analysis further identified that the women with underweight and healthy weight might be the high-risk subgroup. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was applied to further assess the univariate and bivariate exposure-response relationships between multiple VOCs. Our research systemically formulated the possible relationship between exposure to VOCs and female sex hormones, indicating the role of VOCs as a risk factor for endocrine disruption, especially benzene and 2,5-dimethylfuran. These findings have important implications for public health and call for further investigation.

Effects of elevated serum estrogen on dry eye in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation

PURPOSE

Sex hormones impact inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. During IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatment, circulating estrogen levels increase dramatically (10-50x) alongside changes in other hormones. This study examined changes in dry eye with IVF and its relationship with sex hormones.

METHODS

A two visit study was conducted on first day of menstruation when estrogen levels are lowest (baseline visit), and on day 9-11 (peak estrogen visit (PO)) of IVF. Symptoms of dry eye and ocular pain and signs of dry eye were examined. Serum hormone levels were assessed using mass spectrometry and immunoassay. Changes in signs and symptoms and associations were explored. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed factors contributing to signs and symptoms.

RESULTS

40 women (36.2 ± 4.0 years) completed the study. Baseline and PO oestradiol (E2) levels were 28.9 pg/ml (20) (median (IQR)); 1360 pg/ml (1276) respectively. Ocular pain and dry eye symptoms worsened (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01) and tear break up and tear secretion values decreased (p = 0.005 and 0.01) at PO. Higher E2 and lower luteinizing hormone (LH) were associated with worsening of dry eye symptoms (ρ = 0.34 p = 0.03, ρ = -0.49 p = 0.001). Reduction in LH and increase in progesterone (P4) were associated with increased ocular pain (ρ = 0.45, p = 0.004 and ρ = 0.39, p = 0.01). Dry eye symptoms were predicted by LH and tear break up (p = 0.02; R2 = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

IVF treatment resulted in significantly increased ocular symptoms and tear film alterations although these changes were not clinically significant. Dry eye signs and symptoms were poorly predicted by hormone levels.

Exploring the human chorionic gonadotropin induced steroid secretion profile of mouse Leydig tumor cell line 1 by a 20 steroid LC-MS/MS panel

The canonical androgen synthesis in Leydig cells involves Δ5 and Δ4 steroids. Besides, the backdoor pathway, eompassing 5α and 5α,3α steroids, is gaining interest in fetal and adult pathophysiology. Moreover, the role of androgen epimers and progesterone metabolites is still unknown. We developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for measuring 20 steroids and used it to investigate the steroid secretion induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the mouse Leydig tumor cell line 1 (mLTC1). Steroids were extracted from 500 µL supernatants from unstimulated or 100 pM hCG-exposed mLTC1 cells, separated on a Luna C8 100 × 3 mm, 3 µm column, with 100 µM NH4F and methanol as mobile phases, and analyzed by positive electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring. Sensitivity ranged within 0.012-38.0 nmol/L. Intra-assay and inter-assay imprecision were < 9.1% and 10.0%, respectively. Trueness, recovery and matrix factor were within 93.4-122.0, 55.6-104.1 and 76.4-106.3%, respectively. Levels of 16OH-progesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, androstenedione, 11-deoxycorticosterone, testosterone, 17OH-progesterone, androstenedione, epitestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, androsterone and 17OH-allopregnanolone were effectively measured. Traces of 17OH-dihydroprogesterone, androstanediol and dihydroprogesterone were found, whereas androstenediol, 17OH-pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, pregnenolone and allopregnanolone showed no peak. hCG induced an increase of 80.2-102.5 folds in 16OH-progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone, 16.6 in dihydrotestosterone, 12.2-27.5 in epitestosterone, progesterone and metabolites, 8.1 in 17OH-allopregnanolone and ≤ 3.3 in 5α and 5α,3α steroids. In conclusion, our LC-MS/MS method allows exploring the Leydig steroidogenesis flow according to multiple pathways. Beside the expected stimulation of the canonical pathway, hCG increased progesterone metabolism and, to a low extent, the backdoor route.

Comprehensive Sex Steroid Profiling in Multiple Tissues Reveals Novel Insights in Sex Steroid Distribution in Male Mice

A comprehensive atlas of sex steroid distribution in multiple tissues is currently lacking, and how circulating and tissue sex steroid levels correlate remains unknown. Here, we adapted and validated a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, progesterone (Prog), estradiol, and estrone in mouse tissues. We then mapped the sex steroid pattern in 10 different endocrine, reproductive, and major body compartment tissues and serum of gonadal intact and orchiectomized (ORX) male mice. In gonadal intact males, high levels of DHT were observed in reproductive tissues, but also in white adipose tissue (WAT). A major part of the total body reservoir of androgens (T and DHT) and Prog was found in WAT. Serum levels of androgens and Prog were strongly correlated with corresponding levels in the brain while only modestly correlated with corresponding levels in WAT. After orchiectomy, the levels of the active androgens T and DHT decreased markedly while Prog levels in male reproductive tissues increased slightly. In ORX mice, Prog was by far the most abundant sex steroid, and, again, WAT constituted the major reservoir of Prog in the body. In conclusion, we present a comprehensive atlas of tissue and serum concentrations of sex hormones in male mice, revealing novel insights in sex steroid distribution. Brain sex steroid levels are well reflected by serum levels and WAT constitutes a large reservoir of sex steroids in male mice. In addition, Prog is the most abundant sex hormone in ORX mice.

Impact of hypogonadism on bone mineral density and vertebral fractures in HIV-infected men

PURPOSE

Hypogonadism and osteoporosis are frequently reported in HIV-infected men and, besides multifactorial pathogenesis, they might be directly linked because of testicular involvement in bone health. We evaluated the prevalence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures (VFs) in HIV-infected men, and assessed their relationship with gonadal function.

METHODS

We enrolled 168 HIV-infected men (median age 53). Osteoporosis and osteopenia were defined with T-score ≤  - 2.5SD and T-score between  - 1 and  - 2.5SD, respectively. VFs were assessed by quantitative morphometric analysis. Total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone (cFT), Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) were obtained; overt hypogonadism was defined on symptoms and low TT or cFT, and classified into primary and secondary according to gonadotropins; compensated hypogonadism was defined as normal TT and cFT with high LH levels.

RESULTS

Overall, osteoporosis and osteopenia were found in 87.5% of patients, and VFs were detected in 25% of them; hypogonadism was identified in 26.2% of cases. Osteoporotic patients had higher SHBG vs those with normal bone mineral density (BMD). Fractured patients were more frequently hypogonadal and with higher SHBG. SHBG showed negative correlation with both spine and femoral BMD, and positive correlation with VFs. In multivariate models, FSH showed negative impact only on femoral BMD, whereas older age and higher SHBG predicted VFs.

CONCLUSION

We found a high burden of bone disease and hypogonadism in HIV-infected men, and we showed that the impact of gonadal function on bone health is more evident on VFs than on BMD.

Evaluation of acetamiprid and azoxystrobin residues and their hormonal disrupting effects on male rats using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Endocrine-disrupting compounds as pesticides affect the hormonal balance, and this can result in several diseases. Therefore, the analysis of representative hormones with acetamiprid (AC) and azoxystrobin (AZ) was a good strategy for the investigation of the endocrine-disrupting activity of pesticides. Hence, a sensitive and rapid analytical method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed. The method was validated for the analysis of AC, AZ, estriol, estrone, progesterone, and testosterone in the serum, testis, and liver of rats. The correlation between the residues of pesticides and the disturbance of the endocrine system was evaluated. The different mass parameters, mobile phase types, analytical columns, injection volumes, and extraction solvents were compared to get the lowest limit of detection of the studied compounds. The detection limits of AC, AZ, estriol, estrone, progesterone, and testosterone were 0.05, 0.05, 1.0, 10, and 1.0 ng/ml, respectively. The method developed was applied to evaluate the changes in these hormones induced by the duration of exposure to AC and AZ in rat testis and serum. The hormones level in rat serum and testis had a significant decrease as they were oral gavage treated with different high concentrations of studied pesticides. Both pesticides were distributed in the body of rats by the multi-compartment model (liver, testis, and serum).

Effect of aging on clinical features and metabolic complications of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

PURPOSE

To assess the distribution of clinical features and metabolic abnormalities of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women according to their age.

METHODS

Retrospective study on 602 women (mean age 23.9 ± 6.2 years), diagnosed according to International PCOS Network Guidelines criteria as having PCOS in a University-based Hospital. Anthropometric features, hormonal and metabolic parameters were measured and compared between the different age groups (group A ≤ 20 years; group B 21-30 years; group C > 30 years).

RESULTS

Patients in group A were more often hyperandrogenic, while in group C hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, impaired fasting glucose, and insulin resistance (IR) were more prevalent. After adjusting for BMI, age correlated positively with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), IR, total- and LDL-cholesterol, and negatively with DHEAS, insulin, and free androgen index (FAI). SHBG was significantly associated with IR and atherogenic dyslipidemia, while FAI levels were linked to hypertension, independently of other factors considered. Furthermore, the regression analysis showed a stronger relationship between BMI and metabolic outcomes, regardless of age.

CONCLUSION

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) phenotype changes with age. Clinical and biochemical hyperandrogenism are a major concern in young PCOS women, while metabolic burden tends to increase with aging. Some of the cardiovascular risk factors are dependent on FAI and SHBG levels, whereas BMI confirms its key role in the genesis of most of the metabolic sequelae in PCOS, independently of age.

Sex steroid hormones are associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients: Level of sex hormones in severe COVID-19

In patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), men are more severely affected than women. Multiple studies suggest that androgens might play a role in this difference in disease severity. Our objective was to assess the association between sex hormone levels and mortality in patients with severe COVID-19.We selected patients from the Amsterdam University Medical Centers COVID-19 Biobank, in which patients admitted to hospital in March and April 2020, with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction proven severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection, were prospectively included. Specifically, we included postmenopausal women (>55 years) and age-matched men, with a mortality of 50% in each group. Residual plasma samples were used to measure testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and albumin. We investigated the association of the levels of these hormones with mortality in men and women.We included 16 women and 24 men in March and April 2020 of whom 7 (44%) and 13 (54%), respectively, died. Median age was 69 years (interquartile range [IQR] 64-75). In men, both total and free testosterone was significantly lower in deceased patients (median testosterone 0.8 nmol/L [IQR 0.4-1.9] in deceased patients vs 3.2 nmol/L [IQR 2.1-7.5] in survivors; P < .001, and median free testosterone 33.2 pmol/L [IQR 15.3-52.2] in deceased patients vs 90.3 pmol/L [IQR 49.1-209.7] in survivors; P = .002). SHBG levels were significantly lower in both men and women who died (18.5 nmol/L [IQR 11.3-24.3] in deceased patients vs 34.0 nmol/L [IQR 25.0-48.0] in survivors; P < .001). No difference in estradiol levels was found between deceased and surviving patients.Low SHBG levels were associated with mortality rate in patients with COVID-19, and low total and free testosterone levels were associated with mortality in men. The role of testosterone and SHBG and potential of hormone replacement therapy needs further exploration in COVID-19.

Characterization of Benign Breast Diseases and Association With Age, Hormonal Factors, and Family History of Breast Cancer Among Women in Sweden

IMPORTANCE

Benign breast diseases (BBDs) are common and associated with breast cancer risk, yet the etiology and risk of BBDs have not been extensively studied.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk of BBDs by age, hormonal factors, and family history of breast cancer.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study assessed 70 877 women from the population-based Karolinska Mammography Project for Risk Prediction of Breast Cancer (KARMA) who attended mammographic screening or underwent clinical mammography from January 1, 2011, to March 31, 2013, at 4 Swedish hospitals. Participants took part in a comprehensive questionnaire on recruitment. All participants had complete follow-up through high-quality Swedish national registers until December 31, 2015. Pathology medical records on breast biopsies were obtained for the participants, and BBD subtypes were classified according to the latest European guidelines. Analyses were conducted from January 1 to July 31, 2020.

EXPOSURES

Hormonal risk factors and family history of breast cancer.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

For each BBD subtype, incidence rates (events per 100 000 person-years) and multivariable Cox proportional hazards ratios (HRs) with time-varying covariates were estimated between the ages of 25 and 69 years.

RESULTS

A total of 61 617 women within the mammographic screening age of 40 to 69 years (median age, 53 years) at recruitment with available questionnaire data were included in the study. Incidence rates and risk estimates varied by age and BBD subtype. At premenopausal ages, nulliparity (compared with parity ≥3) was associated with reduced risk of epithelial proliferation without atypia (EP; HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.46-0.85) but increased risk of cysts (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.03-1.85). Current and long (≥8 years) oral contraceptive use was associated with reduced premenopausal risk of fibroadenoma (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.90), whereas hormone replacement therapy was associated with increased postmenopausal risks of epithelial proliferation with atypia (EPA; HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.07-3.07), fibrocystic changes (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.03-2.48), and cysts (HR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.40-2.81). Furthermore, predominantly at premenopausal ages, obesity was associated with reduced risk of several BBDs (eg, EPA: HR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17-0.56), whereas family history of breast cancer was associated with increased risk (eg, EPA: HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.48-3.00).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These results suggest that the risk of BBDs varies by subtype, hormonal factors, and family history of breast cancer and is influenced by age. Better understanding of BBDs is important to improve the understanding of benign and malignant breast diseases.

Is there any gender difference in epidemiology, clinical presentation and co-morbidities of non-functioning pituitary adenomas? A prospective survey of a National Referral Center and review of the literature

PURPOSE

Gender differences in patients diagnosed with non-functioning Pituitary Adenomas (NFPA) in a National Referral Center for Pituitary Tumors at the Federico II University of Naples, Italy.

METHODS

Patients newly diagnosed with non-functioning sellar masses found on pituitary Magnetic Resonance Imaging from January 1st 2016 to December 31th 2018 underwent anthropometric measurements, basal evaluation of pituitary function, and metabolic assessment. Fatty live index (FLI) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were calculated.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients (35 males, 51.1 ± 17.0 years; 38 females, 41.8 ± 18.1 years) presented with NFPA. Lesions > 1 cm (85.7% vs. 47.3%; χ² = 10.26, p = 0.001) and hypopituitarism (77.1% vs. 7.9%; χ² = 33.29, p = 0.001) were more frequent in males than females. The highest sizes of pituitary adenomas were significantly associated with male gender (OR = 1.05, p = 0.049; R² = 0.060; IC 1.00-1.10). Headache (62.8% vs. 31.6%; χ² = 5.96, p = 0.015) and visual field deficits (57.1% vs. 26.3%; χ² = 5.93, p = 0.015) were significantly more frequent in males than in females. There was no sex difference in obesity prevalence, but the metabolic syndrome was more common among males than females (60.6% vs. 26.3%; χ² = 7.14, p = 0.001). FLI was also higher in males (69.6 ± 27.3 vs. 49.2 ± 31.3; p < 0.001), while there were no differences in VAI.

CONCLUSIONS

Apart from the possible delay in the diagnosis induced by the gender differences in symptom presentation, the higher prevalence of macroadenomas amongst NFPA in males compared with females let to hypothesize a key role of the sex hormone profile as predictive factors of their biological behavior and metabolic profile. Further studies are, however, mandatory to better support the influence of gender differences on onset, progression, and metabolic consequences of NFPA.

Steroid reference intervals in women: influence of menopause, age and metabolism

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of age, obesity and metabolic parameters on 13 circulating steroids in reproductive and menopausal age. To define reference intervals (RIs).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Three hundred and twenty five drug-free, healthy and eumenorrheic women were selected from the general population. Independent relationships of LC-MS/MS-determined steroid levels with age, BMI and metabolic parameters were estimated. Reference sub-cohorts were defined for calculating upper and lower limits in reproductive age, menstrual phases and menopause, and these were compared with limits in dysmetabolic sub-cohorts.

RESULTS

Lower androgens, pro-androgens and estrogens, but higher cortisol and metabolites were found in menopausal compared to reproductive age women. Androgens and precursors decreased during reproductive age (P < 0.001-P = 0.002) but not after menopause. 17OH-progesterone decreased with BMI (P = 0.006) and glucocorticoids with waist circumference (P < 0.001P = 0.002) in reproductive age, but increased with triglycerides (P=0.011P=0.038) after menopause. Inverse associations of dihydrotestosterone with BMI (P=0.004) and HDL-cholesterol (P=0.010), estrone with total cholesterol (P=0.033) and estradiol with triglycerides (P=0.011) were found in reproductive age. After menopause, estrone increased with waist circumference (P<0.001) and decreased with insulin resistance (P=0.012). Ovarian steroid RIs were estimated in menstrual phases and menopause. Age- and reproductive status-specific RIs were generated for androgens, precursors and corticosteroids. Lower limits for reproductive age cortisol (P=0.020) and menopausal 11-deoxycortisol (P=0.003) in dysmetabolic sub-cohorts were reduced and increased, respectively, compared to reference limits.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity and dysmetabolism differently influence circulating steroids in reproductive and menopausal status. Age, menstrual and menopausal status-specific RIs were provided by LC-MS/MS for a broad steroid panel.

Correspondence Between Perceived Pubertal Development and Hormone Levels in 9-10 Year-Olds From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study

Aim

To examine individual variability between perceived physical features and hormones of pubertal maturation in 9-10-year-old children as a function of sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

Cross-sectional metrics of puberty were utilized from the baseline assessment of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study-a multi-site sample of 9-10 year-olds (n = 11,875)-and included perceived physical features via the pubertal development scale (PDS) and child salivary hormone levels (dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone in all, and estradiol in females). Multi-level models examined the relationships among sociodemographic measures, physical features, and hormone levels. A group factor analysis (GFA) was implemented to extract latent variables of pubertal maturation that integrated both measures of perceived physical features and hormone levels.

Results

PDS summary scores indicated more males (70%) than females (31%) were prepubertal. Perceived physical features and hormone levels were significantly associated with child's weight status and income, such that more mature scores were observed among children that were overweight/obese or from households with low-income. Results from the GFA identified two latent factors that described individual differences in pubertal maturation among both females and males, with factor 1 driven by higher hormone levels, and factor 2 driven by perceived physical maturation. The correspondence between latent factor 1 scores (hormones) and latent factor 2 scores (perceived physical maturation) revealed synchronous and asynchronous relationships between hormones and concomitant physical features in this large young adolescent sample.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic measures were associated with both objective hormone and self-report physical measures of pubertal maturation in a large, diverse sample of 9-10 year-olds. The latent variables of pubertal maturation described a complex interplay between perceived physical changes and hormone levels that hallmark sexual maturation, which future studies can examine in relation to trajectories of brain maturation, risk/resilience to substance use, and other mental health outcomes.

Local sex steroid hormone milieu in the bovine oviduct ipsilateral and contralateral to preovulatory follicle or corpus luteum during the periovulatory phase

Estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) regulate oviductal functions, providing a suitable environment for the transport and maturation of gametes, fertilization, and embryonic development. In addition to the E2 and P4 nuclear receptors, estrogen receptor (ESR) α and β, nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR), nongenomic mechanisms through G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1), and progesterone receptor membrane component (PGRMC) 1 and 2 mediate E2 and P4 actions. This study aimed to characterize the local endocrine environment of the oviduct by examining the oviductal E2 and P4 concentrations and their receptors' mRNA expression during the periovulatory phase. The bovine oviducts were collected in a slaughterhouse and the days postovulation were estimated according to state of the ovaries and the uterus. Samples of the ampulla and isthmus ipsilateral and contralateral to the preovulatory follicle or corpus luteum were collected on Days 19 to 21, Days 0 to 1, Days 2 to 4, and Days 5 to 7 of the estrous cycle. The effects of the estrous cycle phase and oviductal region (ampulla and isthmus) and side (ipsilateral and contralateral) were analyzed by 3-way ANOVA. Moreover, to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of the mRNA expression of hormone receptors, the effects of E2 and P4 on mRNA expression in the oviduct were examined by multiple linear regression. The oviductal endocrine milieu on Days 19 to 21 was characterized by an E2-dominant environment with high E2 and low P4, high ESR1 and PGR mRNA expression, and low ESR2, GPER1, and PGRMC2 mRNA expression, whereas the corresponding on Days 0 to 1 was characterized by the endocrine milieu without hormone dominance. The environment on Days 2 to 4 and Day 5 to 7 was characterized by opposite tendency of oviductal hormone concentrations and their receptors' mRNA expression to Days 19 to 21. Additionally, the ipsilateral oviduct had the more P4-dominant endocrine milieu, with lower E2 and higher P4 concentrations, and different expression of ESR1/2, GPER1, PGR, and PGRMC2 mRNA when compared with the contralateral oviduct on Days 2 to 4 and Days 5 to 7, except for PGRMC1. Although oviductal E2 and P4 influenced the mRNA expression of ESR1/2, GPER1, PGR, and PGRMC1/2, their effects were different between regions and sides. In summary, the oviductal endocrine milieu varies according to the estrous cycle phase and the oviductal region and side, which may be involved in the estrous cycle phase-specific and oviductal region-specific and side-specific functions.

Relationships between ovarian hormone concentrations and mental rotations performance in naturally-cycling women

Circulating gonadal hormones have been linked to variation in the structure and function of the adult human brain, raising the question of how cognition is affected by sex hormones in adulthood. The impacts of progestogens and estrogens are of special interest due to the widespread use of hormone supplementation. Multiple studies have analyzed relationships between ovarian hormones and mental rotation performance, one of the largest known cognitive sex differences; however, results are conflicting. These discrepancies are likely due in part to modest sample sizes and reliance on self-report measures to assess menstrual cycle phase. The present study aimed to clarify the impact of progestogens and estrogens on visuospatial cognition by relating mental rotation task performance to salivary hormone concentrations. Across two studies totaling 528 naturally-cycling premenopausal women, an internal meta-analysis suggested a small, positive effect of within-subjects changes in progesterone on MRT performance (estimate = 0.44, p = 0.014), though this result should be interpreted with caution given multiple statistical analyses. Between-subjects differences and within-subject changes in estradiol did not significantly predict MRT. These results shed light on the potential cognitive effects of endogenous and exogenous hormone action, and the proximate mechanisms modulating spatial cognition.

Association of taurine with ovarian follicular steroids and postpartum anestrus condition in Murrah buffaloes

Taurine is an abundant intracellular beta-amino acid majorly synthesized in the liver and transported through plasma. In mammals, taurine was reported to be involved in various physiological functions, including the enhancement of testosterone levels, the major estradiol precursor. Therefore, we hypothesize that taurine levels are associated with ovarian follicular steroids as well as with a reproductive problem called postpartum anestrus (PPA) in dairy buffaloes. To understand the taurine levels and its possible role in buffalo ovarian follicles, a correlation was established among taurine, estradiol, and testosterone levels in the ovarian follicular fluid. For this purpose, buffalo ovaries were obtained from the slaughterhouse, and follicular fluid samples were collected from small (<4 mm), medium (4-8 mm) and large (>8 mm) follicles. Taurine and steroid levels in the follicular fluid were analyzed by TLC and ELISA, respectively. Taurine and testosterone levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the follicular fluid of small and medium follicles than large follicles, whereas the estradiol levels were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in the large follicles. Thus, taurine showed a positive correlation (r = 0.75) with testosterone and a negative correlation (r = -0.77) with estradiol in buffalo follicular fluid, indicating its possible role in testosterone function during follicular development. Interestingly, significantly (P < 0.001) lower plasma taurine levels in PPA (n = 50) than normal cyclic (n = 50) buffaloes represented its association with PPA. Therefore, our present study recommends the need for future nutrition studies on taurine supplementation to PPA buffaloes.

GnRHa implants and size pairing effects on plasma and cephalic secretion sex steroids in Arapaima gigas

Arapaima gigas, one of the world's largest freshwater fish, is considered an emerging species for aquaculture development in Brazil given its high growth rate and meat quality. However, the lack of reproductive control in captivity has limited the expansion of Arapaima farming. This study aimed to test the effects of hormonal induction using mGnRHa implants and size pairing on broodstock reproduction through the analyses of sex steroids. To do so, broodstock of different sizes (large, small or mixed) were paired and implanted. Plasma and cephalic secretion profiles of testosterone (T), 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) and 17β-oestradiol (E₂) were analysed. Compared to control (non-implanted), implanted broodstock showed a significant increase in plasma 11-KT (large and small males) and T (large and mixed females) post GnRHa implantation. In females, a significant increase in plasma T levels was shown, however, E₂ remained unchanged after implantation. Despite the lack of clear spawning induction, this study showed the potency of GnRHa on sex steroid production regardless of pairing groups. Interestingly, significant correlations between blood plasma and cephalic secretion levels of 11-KT in males and T in females were observed, indicating the possible release of pheromones through the cephalic canals of A. gigas.

Measurement of steroid hormones by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with small amounts of hair

Steroid hormone levels in hair reflect the integrated values (average values) of hormone secretion over the past few months. We have used a method to evaluate diseases and chronic stress, discrimination of banned drug use, and so on. In contrast, the hair analysis methods reported so far required at least 10 mg (about 50 to 100 hair strands) of hair to analyze multiple steroid hormones from the same sample. Here, we developed a new method for measuring steroid hormones in hair by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which identifies multiple steroid hormones from 5 to 10 (about 1 mg) hair strands. Ten steroid hormones (cortisol, cortisone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, progesterone, pregnenolone, androstenediol and estradiol) covering from sex hormones to stress hormones were derivatized and measured by four different measuring systems. The method showed good linearity for all steroids with correlation coefficients of 0.999 or more. The accuracy and precision of intra- and inter-assay ranged from 96.0 to 106.4% and 4.8 to 8.1% for intra-assay, and from 96.9 to 104.9% and 6.9 and 10.6% for inter-assay, respectively. A mixed solution containing 0.1 M trifluoroacetic acid and 50% acetonitrile was used to extract hair and to enhance the cortisol extraction efficiency approximately twice compared to the previously reported extraction with methanol. This method has the potential to clarify the relationship between steroid hormone levels and diseases that show alopecia such as chronic stress and androgenetic alopecia.

Deep eutectic solvent-based magnetic colloidal gel assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction: A simple and rapid method for the determination of sex hormones in cosmetic skin care toners

A simple rapid and efficient deep eutectic solvent-based magnetic colloidal gel (DES-MCG) assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) method followed by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) was established for determination of four sex hormones (including ethinylestradiol, norgestrel, megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate) in cosmetic skin care toners. The DES-MCG with the desirable advantages of high adsorbing ability was prepared by combining choline chloride/urea deep eutectic solvent and magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNTs). The synthesized DES-MCG was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The cosmetic skin care toners were concentrated by a rotary evaporator and the obtained solutions were further purified by DES-MCG assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for efficient optimization of the main variables in the extraction procedure. Under the optimized conditions, method detection limits and method quantitation limits were in the range of 1.2-6.6 ng mL^-1 and 4.4-26.6 ng mL^-1, respectively. The recoveries of the four sex hormones in different cosmetic skin care toners ranged from 80.1% to 118.8% and the precisions were no more than 0.35%. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of sex hormones in cosmetic skin care toners.

Dysregulation of Steroid Hormone Receptors in Motor Neurons and Glia Associates with Disease Progression in ALS Mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease targeting motor neurons which shows sexual dimorphism in its incidence, age of onset, and progression rate. All steroid hormones, including androgens, estrogens, and progestogens, have been implicated in modulating ALS. Increasing evidence suggests that steroid hormones provide neuroprotective and neurotrophic support to motor neurons, either directly or via surrounding glial cell interactions, by activating their respective nuclear hormone receptors and initiating transcriptional regulatory responses. The SOD1G93A transgenic mouse also shows sex-specific differences in age of onset and progression, and remains the most widely used model in ALS research. To provide a more comprehensive understanding of the influences of steroid hormone signaling in ALS, we systemically characterized sex hormone receptor expression at transcript and protein levels, cellular localization, and the impact of disease course in lumbar spinal cords of male and female SOD1G93A mice. We found that spinal motor neurons highly express nuclear androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, and progesterone receptor with variations in glial cell expression. AR showed the most robust sex-specific difference in expression and was downregulated in male SOD1G93A mouse spinal cord, in association with depletion in 5α-reductase type 2 isoform, which primarily metabolizes testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone. ERα was highly enriched in reactive astrocytes of SOD1G93A mice and ERβ was strongly upregulated. The 5α-reductase type 1 isoform was upregulated with disease progression and may influence local spinal cord hormone levels. In conclusion, steroid hormone receptor expression is dynamic and cell-type specific in SOD1G93A mice which may provide targets to modulate progression in ALS.

Hormonal Profiles of Menstrual Bleeding Patterns During the Luteal-Follicular Transition

CONTEXT

Menstrual cycle function is determined by a complex endocrine axis that controls the ovaries and endometrium. While the late luteal phase is characterized by declining progesterone and estrogen, how these hormonal profiles relate to menstrual bleeding patterns is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

Characterize associations between luteal phase hormonal profiles and subsequent menstrual bleeding patterns, specifically spotting before bleeding.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We examined creatinine-adjusted urinary estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G) and pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G) levels in relation to spotting in 116 premenopausal women (ages 20-47) who kept daily menstrual diaries and collected first morning urine samples for ≥ 2 consecutive cycles or 1 luteal-follicular transition (n = 283 transitions). We used linear mixed models to estimate associations between luteal phase hormone levels and spotting before bleeding.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) AND RESULTS

Transitions with ≥ 1 days of spotting before menstrual bleeding (n = 118) had greater luteal phase Pd3G levels vs nonspotting transitions (n = 165). Differences in Pd3G between spotting and nonspotting transitions were largest at menses onset (34.8%, 95% confidence interval, 18.9%, 52.7%). Pd3G levels for spotting transitions dropped to similar levels as nonspotting transitions an average of 1 day later, which aligned with the first day of bleeding for transitions with contiguous spotting. Spotting transitions were preceded by slower rates of Pd3G decline than nonspotting transitions, whereas E13G declines were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-reported bleeding patterns may provide insight into luteal phase Pd3G levels. First bleed appears to be the best choice for defining the end of the luteal phase and achieving hormonal consistency across transitions.

No evidence that hormonal contraceptive use or circulating sex steroids predict complex emotion recognition

Relatively little is known about the effects of endogenous and exogenous steroid hormones on ecologically relevant behavioral and cognitive phenotypes in women, such as emotion recognition, despite the widespread use of steroid hormone-altering hormonal contraceptives (HCs). Though some previous studies have examined the effect of HC use, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone on emotion recognition in women, they have been limited by cross-sectional designs, small sample sizes (total n < 100), and compromised statistical power to detect significant effects. Using data from two test sessions in a large sample of naturally cycling women (NC; n = 192) and women on HCs (n = 203), we found no group differences in emotion recognition; further, the lack of group differences in emotion recognition was not modulated by item difficulty or emotional valence. Among NC women who provided saliva samples across two sessions that were assayed for estradiol and progesterone concentrations, we found no compelling evidence across models that between-subject differences and within-subject fluctuations in these ovarian hormones predicted emotion recognition accuracy, with the exception that between-subjects estradiol negatively predicted emotion recognition for emotions of neutral valence (p = .042). Among HC women who provided saliva samples across two sessions that were assayed for testosterone, we found no compelling evidence that between-subjects differences and within-subject fluctuations in testosterone predicted emotion recognition accuracy. Overall, our analyses provide little support for the idea that circulating endogenous or exogenous ovarian hormones influence emotion recognition in women.

Lower digit ratio and higher endogenous testosterone are associated with lower empathic accuracy

Empathy is a cornerstone of human sociality. It has important consequences for our interpersonal relationships and for navigating our social world more generally. Although research has identified numerous psychological factors that can influence empathy, evidence suggests that empathy may also be rooted in our biology and, in particular, the gonadal steroid hormone testosterone. To date, much of the research linking testosterone and empathy has focused on the 2D:4D ratio (i.e., the ratio of the lengths of the index and ring fingers), and the results have been mixed. These mixed results, however, may be due to reliance on self-report measures to assess empathy, which can be vulnerable to self-presentation, as well as social-cultural norms about gender/sex differences in empathy. Moreover, although some have argued that digit ratio is an indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, the evidence for this to date is weak. Here, we aimed to follow up on this prior work, using a naturalistic empathic accuracy task in which participants dynamically track, in real-time, the emotional state of targets. We show that lower digit ratio (Study 1; N = 107) and higher circulating testosterone (Study 2; N = 76) are associated with poorer empathic accuracy performance; critically, these effects hold when controlling for sex/gender. In neither study, however, did we find effects on self-reported empathy. Our results highlight the limitations of self-report measures and support the notion that endogenous testosterone levels as well as 2D:4D ratio are related to key social-cognitive competencies like empathic accuracy.

Associations between Serum Sex Hormone Concentrations and Telomere Length among U.S. Adults, 1999-2002

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Sex hormone concentrations and telomere length are age related responses of human body, while whether there is a direct relation between sex hormone and telomere length is uncertain. Therefore, we used the data of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to quantify their direct association.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 710 women aged 35-60 years and 539 men aged 20-85 years were included from two cycles of the NHANES (1999-2002). Telomere length relative to standard reference DNA (T/S ratio) was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. Seven hormones in serum (5 in men and 2 in women) were assayed. Logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds ratios to evaluate the telomere length-sex hormones association.

RESULTS

Men with vigorous physical activity (71.1%) and without history of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and lipid-lowering drugs using tended to have a longer telomere length (all P-values < 0.05); while women with longer sedentary time, smaller pregnant or live birth, and with older ages of firth/last birth were likely with longer telomere length (all P-values < 0.05). After adjusted for potential confounders, only anti-Mullerian hormone was positively and stably associated with short leukocytes telomere length in men (OR: 1.098; 95% CI: 1.034, 1.165). We did not detect any significant association of short telomere length with sex hormones in men and women. Discussion and Implications: Serum anti-Mullerian hormone in men was positively and stably associated with telomere length. More large-scaled and well-designed prospective studies are warranted to reconfirm our conclusions.

Do dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and testosterone influence women's depression and anxiety levels? Evidence from hair-based hormonal measures of 2105 rural Indian women

Depressive and anxiety disorders substantially contribute to the global burden of disease, particularly in poor countries. Higher prevalence rates for both disorders among women indicate sex hormones may be integrated in the pathophysiology of these disorders. The Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services study surveyed a random sample of 4160 households across 876 villages in rural Tamil Nadu, India. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was conducted to quantify depressive (K6-D) and anxiety (K6-A) symptoms. Alongside, hair samples for sex hormone profiling were collected from a subsample of 2105 women aged 18-85 years. Importantly, 5.9%, 14.8%, and 46.3% of samples contained non-detectable hormone levels for dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and testosterone, respectively. Our primary analysis imputes values for the non-detectable sample and we check robustness of results when non-detectable values are dropped. In this cohort of women from rural India, higher depressive symptomatology is associated with lower levels of dehydroepiandrosterone and higher depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with higher levels of testosterone. Progesterone shows no clear association with either depressive or anxiety symptoms. These results support a potential protective effect of higher endogenous dehydroepiandrosterone levels. An important caveat on the potential negative effect of hair testosterone levels on women's mental health is that the testosterone analysis is sensitive to how non-detectable values are treated.

Hormonal, metabolic and inflammatory circulating biomarker profiles in obese and non-obese Brazilian middle-aged women

AIM

To investigate circulating hormonal, metabolic and inflammatory biomarker profiles in obese and non-obese middle-aged women.

METHODS

A total of 110 women, aged 40-60 years, were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were allocated, according to the occurrence of menopause and body mass index (BMI), into four groups: PM0 (premenopausal non-obese), PM1 (premenopausal obese), M0 (postmenopausal non-obese), and M1 (postmenopausal obese). Serum levels of gonadotropins, sex hormones, lipid markers, leptin, hs-CRP and interleukin-6 were obtained using either colorimetric or immunoenzymatic assays. Univariate and correlation analyses were performed among all clinical and laboratorial parameters. Principal component analysis was used to characterize subsets of biomarkers, which had their discriminatory capacity tested using discriminant function analysis.

RESULTS

Levels of gonadotropins and female sex hormones were similar between PM0 and PM1 and between M0 and M1 (p > 0.05), all of them varied between PM0 and M0 (p < 0.05), but only estradiol was significantly altered in the comparison between PM1 and M1 (p = 0.027). Regarding metabolic markers, leptin was lower in PM0 than in M0 (p = 0.010) and higher in M1 than in M0 (p = 0.046). In premenopausal women, BMI correlated only to leptin, while it correlated to several other markers in postmenopausal women. A combination of FSH and leptin serum levels significantly discriminated the four groups (Wilks's lambda < 0.001, in canonical functions 1 and 2).

CONCLUSION

A combined analysis of hormonal biomarkers may potentially distinguish obese from non-obese women with distinct menopause status. Further research is thus required to clarify the clinical significance of such findings.

Manganese exposure and association with hormone imbalance in children living near a ferro-manganese alloy plant

It has been suggested that manganese (Mn) plays a fundamental role in the reproductive system through interference with the regulation of the secretion of hormones related to puberty. The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental exposure to Mn and its effects on the endocrine regulation of hormones related to puberty in school-aged children living near a ferro-manganese alloy plant. Toenails, occipital hair, and blood samples were collected from 225 children, between 7 and 12 years of age, in four elementary schools in Simões Filho, Bahia, Brazil, who were exposed to different Mn levels owing to different Mn dust deposition rates. The Mn content was determined in the toenails (MnTn), hair (MnH), and blood (MnB), in addition to blood lead levels (PbB), by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E₂), testosterone (T), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were determined by using a chemiluminescence method. Of the total participants, 50.2% were boys, with an average age of 9 years. PRL values were higher in children attending the school with a higher Mn deposition rate (p < 0.004). We observed that MnTn was positively correlated with PRL levels and exhibited a non-linear association with LH levels. None of the tested Mn biomarkers were associated with E₂, T, or TSH levels. To date, despite several animal studies that have focused on the correlation between Mn exposure and the endocrine regulation of hormones and pubertal development, very few studies have reported a similar relationship between environmental Mn effects and the human endocrine system. Our findings support the hypothesis that elevated exposure to Mn in children may be associated with hormonal imbalances that might trigger the early onset of puberty.

Removal of steroid hormones and biocides from rural wastewater by an integrated constructed wetland

Steroid hormones and biocides are regarded as emerging contaminants in rural wastewater in China, owing to their widespread occurrence and adverse effects on both aquatic organisms and humans. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are an alternative technology for cost-effective and efficient decentralized rural sewage treatment. In this study, an integrated constructed wetland (ICW) system was built and used to treat a typical rural wastewater mixture composed of domestic sewage and livestock wastewater from a small village. As expected, five steroid hormones (ADD, AED, 19-NTD, T, and P) and four biocides (DEET, TCS, CBD, and MP) were detected in the influent in concentrations ranging from 30.5 ± 1.25 ng/L to 105 ± 5.14 ng/L and from 63.4 ± 2.85 ng/L to 515 ± 19.7 ng/L, respectively. The ICW system effectively removed the detected steroid hormones (97.4 ± 0.09%) and biocides (92.4 ± 0.54%). Based on the measured concentrations, the total pollution loadings of the detected steroid hormones and biocides in the influent were calculated to be 2330 ± 26.5 μg/day and 5710 ± 196 μg/day, which decreased to 60.8 ± 1.44 μg/day and 433 ± 25.6 μg/day in the final effluent. The risk quotients for these steroid hormones and biocides in the effluent from the ICW system were lower than those from reported wastewater treatment plants, indicating that CWs are a promising technology for removing contaminants including steroid hormones and biocides in rural wastewater, although additional efforts are required to optimize and improve the design of CWs before the steroid hormones and biocides present in the effluent can be safely and directly discharged into the environment.

Detection and analysis of 17 steroid hormones by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) in different sex and maturity stages of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba Dana)

A sensitive and accurate method for determination of 17 endogenous and exogenous steroid hormones in Antarctic krill was developed. The method utilized UHPLC-MS in electrospray ionization mode (ESI). Samples were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis; sequential vortex extraction with ethyl acetate, methanol and acetonitrile; followed by a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) clean-up method. The system suitability tests including theoretical plate number, resolution, repeatability, tailing factor proved the system’s resolution and reproducibility that can meet the requirements of sample analysis. The developed method resulted in satisfactory recoveries that varied from 75.4%-110.6% and relative standard deviations (RSDs) that ranged from 3.1%-10.5%. The ranges of the limits of detection (LODs) and the limits of quantitation (LOQs) were 2–30 ng kg^-1 and 10–100 ng kg^-1, respectively. 14 hormones including cortisone, aldosterone, testosterone propionate, estriol, megestrol acetate, cortisone acetate, dexamethasone, testosterone, hydroxyprogesterone, nandrolone, prednisolone, cortisol, progesterone and estradiol were found in Antarctic krill. Other 3 hormones (Diethylstilbestrol, norethisterone and androsterone) were not detected. The levels of exogenous steroid hormones were much greater than those of endogenous steroid hormones, and the levels of exogenous glucocorticoids were much greater than those of exogenous sex hormones. The changes of hormones in different sex and maturity stages were also explored. Endogenous hormones might regulate the reproductive and development of Antarctic krill. The detected exogenous hormones suggests the potential for hormonal contamination in Antarctic waters that can affect organisms even affect human beings by food chain.

Predictors of Steroid Hormone Concentrations in Early Pregnancy: Results from a Multi-Center Cohort

Objectives To identify factors predicting maternal sex steroid hormone concentrations in early pregnancy. Methods The Infant Development and the Environment Study recruited healthy pregnant women from academic medical centers in four US cities. Gold standard liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure maternal sex steroids concentrations (total testosterone [TT], free testosterone [FT], estrone [E1], estradiol [E2], and estriol [E3] concentrations) in serum samples from 548 women carrying singletons (median = 11.7 weeks gestation). Women completed questionnaires on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Results In multivariable linear regression analyses, hormone concentrations varied in relation to maternal age, body mass index (BMI), race, and parity. Older mothers had significantly lower levels of most hormones; for every year increase in maternal age, there was a 1-2% decrease in E1, E2, TT, and FT. By contrast, each unit increase in maternal BMI was associated 1-2% lower estrogen (E1, E2, E3) levels, but 1-2% higher androgen (TT, FT) concentrations. Hormone concentrations were 4-18% lower among parous women, and for each year elapsed since last birth, TT and FT were 1-2% higher (no difference in estrogens). Androgen concentrations were 18-30% higher among Black women compared to women of other races. Fetal sex, maternal stress, and lifestyle factors (including alcohol and tobacco use) were not related to maternal steroid concentrations. Conclusions for Practice Maternal demographic factors predict sex steroid hormone concentrations during pregnancy, which is important given increasing evidence that the prenatal endocrine environment shapes future risk of chronic disease for both mother and offspring.

Watershed scale patterns in steroid hormones composition and content characters at a typical eutrophic lake in southeastern China

Natural steroid hormones in the aquatic environment have attracted increasing attention because of their strong endocrine disrupting potency. Seven steroid hormones (estrone, 17α-estradiol, 17β-estradiol, estriol, testosterone, androstenedione, and progesterone) were analyzed from surface water and sediment sampled from Chaohu Lake, its upstream rivers (the Hangbu River, Nanfei River, Shiwuli River, and Pai River), drainage from the adjacent farmland, and treated and untreated municipal sewage. Concentrations of the seven target steroid hormones ranged from below the detection limit (ND) to 69.5 ng L^-1 in the water of Chaohu Lake and the upstream rivers. Three steroids-estrone, estriol, and 17α-estradiol-were found in relatively high residual concentrations in the water, with maximum concentrations of 69.5 ng L^-1, 51.5 ng L^-1, and 23.3 ng L^-1, respectively. All of the target steroid hormones except estriol were detected in the sediment in concentrations of ND-16344 ng kg^-1. The dominant steroid hormone in the sediment of Chaohu Lake and the upstream rivers was 17α-estradiol. In the Shiwuli River and the Pai River, the dominant steroid hormones (estrone and estriol) were the same as those in the untreated municipal sewage. This confirmed the deduction that untreated municipal sewage was the major source of steroid hormone residues in these two rivers. The main steroid hormone in the water of the Hangbu River and Chaohu Lake was 17α-estradiol, the same as that in the farmland drainage. In addition, 17α-estradiol was verified as the major factor in the contribution of farmland drainage to the pollution in these rivers. The water in the Nanfei River had high concentrations of estriol and 17α-estradiol. This indicates that both untreated municipal sewage and farmland drainage were the major sources. The discharge of steroid hormones from the four rivers to Chaohu Lake was approximately 75.1 kg year^-1, with the highest contributor being 17α-estradiol (24 kg year^-1). Therefore, based on the results of this study, the farmland drainage should be controlled to reduce the steroid hormone pollution in Chaohu Lake.

Neuroendocrine stress response is moderated by sex and sex hormone receptor polymorphisms

Sex hormones are significant regulators of stress reactivity, however, little is known about how genetic variation in hormone receptors contributes to this process. Here we report interactions between biological sex and repeat polymorphisms in genes encoding sex hormone receptors, and their effects on salivary cortisol reactivity in a sample of 100 participants (47 men & 53 women; 24.7 ± 3.23 years). Three genes were investigated: estrogen receptors alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2), and the androgen receptor (AR). Participants were classified as carrying 'Short' or 'Long' alleles based on median splits of the repeat distribution for each gene. Measures of physiological reactivity were collected before and after exposure to a canonical laboratory stressor and converted to traditional summary measures for analyses. Overall, men exhibited greater cortisol (p = 0.001) and mean arterial pressure reactivity (p = 0.002), while women displayed elevated heart rate throughout the session (p = 0.02). The effect of polymorphisms on salivary cortisol was sex sensitive. ESR1 was associated with differential reactivity in men (p = 0.04), but not women (p = 0.24). ESR2 genotype interacted with sex such that each additional 'Long' allele was associated with a 6.4% decrease in salivary cortisol in men, but a 9.5% increase in the levels of women (p = 0.02 for interaction). For the X-linked AR, the 'Long' allele was associated with decreased cortisol levels in men (p = 0.047), but in women had no effect (p = 0.75). Together, these results provide evidence for the saliency of genetic variation in sex hormone receptors on stress reactivity in humans and highlight their important role as mediators of hormonal activity.

[Preliminary study on changes of sex steroid hormones in periodic development of Whitmania pigra gonad]

The present study was conducted to investigate the rule of sex steroid hormones dynamic in the periodic development of Whitmania pigra gonad. The dynamic of sex steroid hormones in different age of Wh. pigra were detected by enzymolysis, extraction and UPLC-MS/MS. The results showed that the concentrations of estrone, estriol, testosterone and progesterone in the Wh. pigra showed M-type curve and peaked in 6-month-old Wh. pigra. The concentrations of above-mentioned four steroid hormones were the lowest in 9-month-old and then increased slightly. The another peaks of testosterone and progesterone were found in 2-month-old and the another peaks of estrone and estriol were obtained in 8-month-old. The concentrations of testosterone and progesterone are slightly higher than estriol during 1-month-old to 4-month-old, and thereafter strone and estriol showed higher concentration than testosterone and progesterone. In summary, the concentrations of four sex steroid hormones in Wh. pigra increased gradually with the maturation of gonads and decreased rapidly after the discharge period, which indicated that the ratio between estrogen, androgen and progesterone may be greatly related to the specificity of gonad development.

Seasonal variations of steroid hormones released by wastewater treatment plants to river water and sediments: Distribution between particulate and dissolved phases

Extensive environmental monitoring was conducted in an urban river impacted by multiple combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharge points. Temporal and spatial distributions of dissolved and particulate steroids (progesterone (Prog), testosterone (Testo), medroxyprogesterone (MDRXY-Prog), levonorgestrel (Levo), norethindrone (Nore), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2)) were investigated in sewage, WWTP effluents, receiving river water and sediments, and in drinking water plant (DWP) intakes. Steroids were detected in both dissolved and particulate phases with mean concentrations from 21ngL^-1 to 389ngL^-1 in raw sewage and from 10ngL^-1 to 296ngL^-1 in treated wastewater. The particle-associated steroids represented 0-82% of their total concentration as some steroids like E1 and E3 were detected only in the dissolved phase while MDRXY-Prog (81%), Nore (71%), and EE2 (>75%) were primarily detected in the particulate phase. Particle-associated steroids were detected in spring samples from river water with mean concentrations ranging from 5.4ngL^-1 to 35.7ngL^-1 compare to 3ngL^-1 to 6.8ngL^-1 in summer samples. Levels of particle-associated Testo, Nore, E2 and Levo in DWP intakes (406.2-13,149.1ngg^-1) were similar to those found in raw sewage (336.6-7628.8ngg^-1), indicating their persistence in the suspended phase from discharge points. Total steroids measured in sediments were in the range of 7-1213ngg^-1, 5-25ngg^-1, and 22-226ngg^-1 in autumn, spring, and summer, respectively. Our findings confirm the presence and seasonal variation of a mixture of particle-associated steroids in drinking water sources. The presence of high concentrations of a mixture of particle-associated steroids in DWP intakes highlight the need for highly effective particle-removal processes to eliminate these recalcitrant compounds during drinking water production. Finally, the detected concentrations raise concerns about their potential environmental effects.

Characterization of circulating steroid hormone profiles in the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Systemic steroid hormone measurements are often used in the assessment of reproductive, developmental, and stress physiology in vertebrates. In protected wildlife, such as the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), these measures can provide critical information about health and fitness to aid in effective conservation and management. Circulating steroid hormone concentrations are typically measured by immunoassays, which have imperfect specificity and are limited to the measurement of a single hormone per assay. Here we demonstrate that reverse phase solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) allows for the simultaneous, precise (<15% relative standard deviation), and accurate (between 70% and 120% recovery of spiked quantities) measurement of at least seven steroid hormones in dolphin plasma. These seven steroid hormones include three hormones that have been measured previously in bottlenose dolphin blood (progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol) and three hormones which have never been quantified in dolphin blood (17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, cortisone, and corticosterone). While 17β-estradiol was not detected endogenously, we were able to accurately and precisely measure spiked quantities estradiol. Measures from plasma were more precise (i.e., lower RSD) than serum, and thus we recommend plasma as the preferred matrix for this analytical method. In order to facilitate comparison of current and future plasma-based studies to previous serum-based studies, we characterized the relationships between hormone measurements in matched plasma and serum, and found that measurements across matrices are significantly and positively correlated. Lastly, to demonstrate potential applications of this method, we examined how steroid hormone profiles vary by pregnancy, sexual maturity, and stress status - pregnancy was associated with elevated progesterone, adult males had higher testosterone, and capture stress was associated with elevated corticosteroids. Overall, we conclude that this method will enable investigators to more thoroughly and efficiently evaluate steroid hormone homeostasis in bottlenose dolphins compared to immunoassay methods. These methods can potentially be applied to the assessment of sexual maturity/seasonality, pregnancy status, and stress in free-ranging bottlenose dolphins as well as those maintained under human care, and potentially other marine mammals.

Fecal steroid hormones reveal reproductive state in female blue whales sampled in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Steroid hormone assessment using non-invasive sample collection techniques can reveal the reproductive status of aquatic mammals and the physiological mechanisms by which they respond to changes in their environment. A portion of the eastern North Pacific blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) population that seasonally visits the Gulf of California, Mexico has been monitored using photo-identified individuals for over 30 years. The whales use the area in winter-early spring for nursing their calves and feeding and it therefore is well suited for fecal sample collection. Using radioimmunoassays in 25 fecal samples collected between 2009 and 2012 to determine reproductive state and stress, we validated three steroid hormones (progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol) in adult female blue whales. Females that were categorized as pregnant had higher mean fecal progesterone metabolite concentrations (1292.6 ± 415.6 ng·g^-1) than resting and lactating females (14.0 ± 3.7 ng·g^-1; 23.0 ± 5.4 ng·g^-1, respectively). Females classified as pregnant also had higher concentrations of corticosterone metabolites (37.5 ± 9.9 ng·g^-1) than resting and lactating females (17.4 ± 2.0 ng·g^-1; 16.8 ± 2.8 ng·g^-1, respectively). In contrast, cortisol metabolite concentrations showed high variability between groups and no significant relationship to reproductive state. We successfully determined preliminary baseline parameters of key steroid hormones by reproductive state in adult female blue whales. The presence of pregnant or with luteal activity and known lactating females confirms that the Gulf of California is an important winter-spring area for the reproductive phase of these blue whales. The baseline corticosterone levels we are developing will be useful for assessing the impact of the increasing coastal development and whale-watching activities on the whales in the Gulf of California.

Effects of MCLR exposure on sex hormone synthesis and reproduction-related genes expression of testis in male Rana nigromaculata

Microcystin-leucine-arginine (MCLR) is the most popular and toxic variant among microcystins, which can cause severe reproductive toxicity to animals. However, the mechanisms of reproductive toxicity induced by MCLR in amphibians are still not entirely clear. In the current study, toxicity mechanisms of MCLR on the reproductive system of male Rana nigromaculata followed by low concentration (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μg/L) and short-term (0, 7, and 14 days) MCLR exposure were shown. It was observed that MCLR could be bioaccumulated in the testes of male frogs, and the theoretical bioaccumulation factor values were 0.24 and 0.19 exposed to 1 μg/L and 10 μg/L MCLR for 14 days, respectively. MCLR exposure significantly decreased testosterone (T) concentrations and increased estradiol (E2) concentrations exposed to 1 and 10 μg/L MCLR for 14 days. The mRNA levels of HSD17B3 were downregulated, and HSD17B1 and CYP19A1 mRNA expression levels were upregulated, respectively. Only 10 μg/L MCLR group showed significant induction of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content. Moreover, AR and ESR1 mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated exposed to 1 and 10 μg/L MCLR for 14 days, respectively. Our results suggested that low-concentration MCLR induced transcription changes of CYP19A1, HSD17B3, and HSD17B1 led to endocrine disorders, and caused interference of spermatogenesis by the decrease of T and abnormal gene expressions of AR and ESR1 in the testes of R. nigromaculata.

Urofecal steroid profiles of captive Blue-fronted parrots (Amazona aestiva) with different reproductive outcomes

Despite Psitaciformes (parrots) being the third largest nonpasserine order (398 species), it currently ranks second in number of threatened species (28%) according to the Internatinal Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria. Since most of the literature concerning reproductive endocrinology in avian species derives from domestic and song birds, it is puzzling that advances in reproductive science for the Psitaciformes order lags far behind, in spite of the growing threats against them. In order to expand our knowledge of Neotropical parrots (Psittacidae), we examined annual changes in urofecal sex steroid metabolites of Blue-fronted amazon pairs (Amazona aestiva) exhibiting successful (nestlings) and unsuccessful breeding (infertile or no eggs). Urofecal samples were collected over a year from eight breeding pairs housed under the same environmental and management conditions. Fecal androgen and progestagen concentrations were determined in males and females, respectively, by enzyme immunoassays previously validated for this species. All eggs were registered between late winter and mid-spring, and egg-laying intervals varied between females (range: 1-8 days; average 3.60 ± 0.51 days). Similar profiles of urofecal progestagens were observed in reproductively successful females and females producing infertile eggs, with progestagen peaks preceding egg laying events (1.77 ± 0.50 days). In contrast, non-laying females had no rises in progestagens during the year. Successful and unsuccessful males did not displayed distinct annual patterns of androgen production, and apart from the peaks during the breeding season, more than half of the individuals intriguingly presented significant increases from late summer to early autumn, a period without reproductive activity. Finally, we noticed that samples with progestagen levels exceeding 40 ng/g had very high probability (>97.5%) to be from females in pre-laying or laying phases, suggesting a feasible application of this characteristic to noninvasively discriminate the reproductive status in amazon females with an accuracy and sensitivity of 94.55% and 58.13%, respectively. Our findings confirmed that urofecal progestagens and androgens are good indicators of the gonadal condition in Blue-fronted amazons, but there is still much to be done for their extensive use in artificial insemination or selection of the most suitable breeding birds for the season.

Hormones in Male Breast Cancer

Urinary levels of testosterone, 5α-androstanediol, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, pregnanediol, and circulating levels of testosterone, 17β-estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and sex hormone-binding globulin, were measured in 10 male patients with breast cancer and in a suitable group of healthy controls. No difference, either in blood or in urine, was observed between the two groups in the hormonal levels. The lack of abnormalities in peripherally detectable hormones suggests that the well recognized hormone dependency of male breast cancer may be due to some endocrine imbalance in the central (diencephalic) regulation of the sex steroids pathway. Alternatively, abnormal response of breast tissue to normal hormonal stimuli might be hypothesized in these patients.

In vitro assessment of sex steroids and related compounds in water and sediments - a critical review

Detection of endocrine disrupting compounds in water and sediment samples has gained much importance since the evidence of their effects was reported in aquatic ecosystems in the 1990s. The aim of this review is to highlight the advances made in the field of in vitro analysis for the detection of hormonally active compounds with estrogenic, androgenic and progestogenic effects in water and sediment samples. In vitro assays have been developed from yeast, mammalian and in a few cases from fish cells. These assays are based either on the hormone-mediated proliferation of sensitive cell lines or on the hormone-mediated expression of reporter genes. In vitro assays in combination with various sample enrichment methods have been used with limits of detection as low as 0.0027 ng L^-1 in water, and 0.0026 ng g^-1 in sediments for estrogenicity, 0.1 ng L^-1 in water, and 0.5 ng g^-1 in sediments for androgenicity, and 5 ng L^-1 in water for progestogenicity expressed as equivalent concentrations of standard reference compounds of 17β-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone and progesterone, respectively. The experimental results and limits of quantification, however, are influenced by the methods of sample collection, preparation, and individual laboratory practices.

General sexual desire, but not desire for uncommitted sexual relationships, tracks changes in women's hormonal status

Several recent longitudinal studies have investigated the hormonal correlates of both young adult women's general sexual desire and, more specifically, their desire for uncommitted sexual relationships. Findings across these studies have been mixed, potentially because each study tested only small samples of women (Ns = 43, 33, and 14). Here we report results from a much larger (N = 375) longitudinal study of hormonal correlates of young adult women's general sexual desire and their desire for uncommitted sexual relationships. Our analyses suggest that within-woman changes in general sexual desire are negatively related to progesterone, but are not related to testosterone or cortisol. We observed some positive relationships for estradiol, but these were generally only significant for solitary sexual desire. By contrast with our results for general sexual desire, analyses showed no evidence that changes in women's desire for uncommitted sexual relationships are related to their hormonal status. Together, these results suggest that changes in hormonal status contribute to changes in women's general sexual desire, but do not influence women's desire for uncommitted sexual relationships.

Frozen section with improved H&E staining for follicular morphometric analysis of mouse ovary in oestrus cycle

Careful analysis of follicular morphology and numbers of different follicular maturation stages, in combination with the measurements of gonadotropic and sex hormone profiles, provide an accurate and rapid evaluation system of the ovarian function. The aim of this study is to improve the existing methods of ovarian tissue section preparation and staining methods, and to establish a fast and easy method to observe and evaluate follicular maturation stage and numbers using mouse ovary samples. Ovaries were collected at menstrual phases of proestrus, oestrus, metestrus and diestrus from C57BL/6J female mice. Then the ovaries were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, dehydrated with graded sucrose, embedded with OCT, frozen-sectioned at 7 μm thick, and subjected to quick haematoxylin & eosin staining for observation. The results showed that the present method was able to distinguish secondary, preantral, antral, and preovulatory follicles. Although our method was unable to discriminate and distinguish primordial follicles and primary follicles, the results were comparable to those from more complicated techniques. We conclude that this improved and quick method can be used in combination with hormone analysis to investigate ovarian development and function in different mouse models.

Hormonal correlates of development and natal dispersal in wild female owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) of Argentina

Pair-living and socially monogamous primates typically do not reproduce before dispersing. It is currently unclear whether this reproductive suppression is due to endocrine or behavioral mechanisms. Cooperatively breeding taxa, like callitrichids, may forego reproduction in natal groups because they reap inclusive fitness benefits and/or they are avoiding inbreeding. However, neither of these benefits of delayed reproduction appear to adequately explain the lack of reproduction prior to leaving the natal group in pair-living monogamous species. In this study, we determined whether wild Azara's owl monkeys (Aotus azarae) in the Argentinean Chaco establish reproductive maturity prior to dispersing. We utilized 635 fecal extracts to characterize reproductive hormone profiles of 11 wild juvenile and subadult females using enzyme immunoassays. Subadult females showed hormone profiles indicative of ovulatory cycling and had mean PdG and E1G concentrations approximately five times higher than juveniles. Contrary to expectations from the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis, female owl monkeys do not delay puberty, but rather commence ovarian cycling while residing in their natal group. Still, subadults appear to have a period during which they experience irregular, non-conceptive cycles prior to reproducing. Commencing these irregular cycles in the natal group may allow them to develop a state of suspended readiness, which could be essential to securing a mate, while avoiding costs of ranging solitarily. Our results indicate that reproductive suppression in female owl monkeys is not due to endocrine suppression. We suggest that adults likely use behavioral mechanisms to prevent subadults from reproducing with unrelated adult males in their natal group.

A comparison of sex steroid concentration levels in the vitreous and serum of patients with vitreoretinal diseases

The purpose of this study was to compare steroid hormone concentration levels in the vitreous and serum of vitreoretinal disease patients to elucidate the possibility of neurosteroid production in the retina. Serum and vitreous samples were collected from vitrectomy patients, and estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) concentrations were measured using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. We measured E2 in epiretinal membrane (ERM, n = 14), macular hole (MH, n = 18), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR, n = 20), and retinal detachment (RD, n = 19) cases, and T in ERM (n = 14), MH (n = 17), PDR (n = 13), and RD (n = 17) cases. No statistically significant age differences existed among the groups. Mean respective E2 concentrations (pg/ml) in the male/female vitreous were ERM: 6.67±4.04/18.82±7.10, MH: 10.3±7.02/17.00±4.8, PDR: 4.2±3.05/15.83±3.46, and RD: 10.00±4.58/16.06±4.57, while those in serum were ERM: 31.67±5.51/5.82±1.08, MH: 21.00±8.89/7.53±3.2, PDR: 29.20±7.07/12.75±10.62, and RD: 24.33±6.51/7.5±4.42. E2 concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.001) in the male serum than vitreous, yet significantly higher in the female vitreous than serum. Mean respective T concentrations (ng/ml) in the male/female vitreous were ERM: 0.15±0.03/0.15±0.01, MH: 0.15±0.01/0.15±0.01, PDR: 0.15±0.03/0.16±0.12, and RD: 0.14±0.01/0.17±0.08, while those in serum were ERM: 4.54±1.46/0.16±0.01, MH: 8.04±2.29/0.16±0.10, PDR: 5.14±1.54/0.22±0.11, and RD: 3.24±0.75/0.17±0.10. T concentrations were high in the male serum, yet extremely low in the male and female vitreous and female serum. High concentrations of E2 were found in the vitreous, and women, in particular, exhibited significantly higher concentrations in the vitreous than in the serum. This finding suggests the possibility that in vitreoretinal disease cases, the synthesis of E2 is increased locally only in female eyes.

The effects of oestrogens and their receptors on cardiometabolic health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. The incidence of CVD is sexually dimorphic, and research has focused on the contribution of sex steroids to the development and progression of the cardiometabolic syndrome, which is defined as a clustering of interrelated risk factors that promote the development of atherosclerosis (which can lead to CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data are inconclusive as to how sex steroids and their respective receptors increase or suppress the risk of developing the cardiometabolic syndrome and thus CVD. In this Review, we discuss the potential role, or roles, of sex hormones in cardiometabolic health by first focusing on the influence of oestrogens and their receptors on the risk of developing cardiometabolic syndrome and CVD. We also highlight what is known about testosterone and its potential role in protecting against the development of the cardiometabolic syndrome and CVD. Given the inconclusive nature of the data regarding the direct effects of each sex hormone, we advocate and highlight the importance of studying the relative levels and the ratio of sex hormones to each other, as well as the use of cross sex hormone therapy and its effect on cardiometabolic health.

Immunolocalization of steroidogenic enzymes in the vaginal mucous of Galea spixii during the estrous cycle

BACKGROUND

The synthesis of sex steroids is controlled by several enzymes such as17α-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (P450c17) catalyzing androgen synthesis and aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450arom) catalyzing estrogen synthesis, both of which must complex with the redox partner NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) for activity. Previous studies have identified expression of steroidogenic enzymes in vaginal tissue, suggesting local sex steroid synthesis. The current studies investigate P450c17, P450aromatase and CPR expression in vaginal mucosa of Galea spixii (Spix cavy) by immuno-histochemical and western immunoblot analyses.

METHODS

Stages of estrous cyclicity were monitored by vaginal exfoliative cytology. After euthanasia, vaginal tissues were retrieved, fixed and frozen at diestrus, proestrus, estrus and metestrus. The ovaries and testis were used as positive control tissues for immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Data from cytological study allowed identification of different estrous cycle phases. Immunohistochemical analysis showed different sites of expression of steroidogenic enzymes along with tissue response throughout different phases of the estrous cycle. However, further studies are needed to characterize the derived hormones synthesized by, and the enzymes activities associated with, vaginal tissues.

CONCLUSION

Current results not only support the expression of enzymes involved in sex steroid synthesis in the wall of the vagina, they also indicate that expression changes with the stage of the cycle, both the levels and types of cells exhibiting expression. Thus, changes in proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells and the differentiation of the mucosa may be influenced by local steroid synthesis as well as circulating androgens and estrogens.

Metabolite profiling of sex developmental steroid conjugates reveals an association between decreased levels of steroid sulfates and adiposity in obese girls

Free and conjugated steroids coexist in a dynamic equilibrium due to complex biosynthetic and metabolic processes. This may have clinical significance related to various physiological conditions, including sex development involving the reproductive system. Therefore, we performed quantitative profiling of 16 serum steroids conjugated with glucuronic and sulfuric acids using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). All steroid conjugates were purified by solid-phase extraction and then separated through a 3-μm particle size C18 column (150mm×2.1mm) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min in the negative ionization mode. The LC-MS-based analysis was found to be linear (r(2)>0.99), and all steroid conjugates had a limit-of-quantification (LOQ) of 10ng/mL, except for cholesterol sulfate and 17β-estradiol-3,17-disulfate (20ng/mL). The extraction recoveries of all steroid conjugates ranged from 97.9% to 110.7%, while the overall precision (% CV) and accuracy (% bias) ranged from 4.8% to 10.9% and from 94.4% to 112.9% at four different concentrations, respectively. Profiling of steroid conjugates corrected by adiposity revealed decreased levels of steroid sulfates (P<0.01) in overweight and obese girls compared to normal girls. The suggested technique can be used for evaluating metabolic changes in steroid conjugates and for understanding the pathophysiology and relative contributions of adiposity in childhood obesity.

Multivariate calibration-assisted high-performance liquid chromatography with dual UV and fluorimetric detection for the analysis of natural and synthetic sex hormones in environmental waters and sediments

A green method is reported based on non-sophisticated instrumental for the quantification of seven natural and synthetic estrogens, three progestagens and one androgen in the presence of real interferences. The method takes advantage of: (1) chromatography, allowing total or partial resolution of a large number of compounds, (2) dual detection, permitting selection of the most appropriate signal for each analyte and, (3) second-order calibration, enabling mathematical resolution of incompletely resolved chromatographic bands and analyte determination in the presence of interferents. Consumption of organic solvents for cleaning, extraction and separation are markedly decreased because of the coupling with MCR-ALS (multivariate curve resolution/alternating least-squares) which allows the successful resolution in the presence of other co-eluting matrix constituents. Rigorous IUPAC detection limits were obtained: 6-24 ng L(-1) in water, and 0.1-0.9 ng g(-1) in sediments. Relative prediction errors were 2-10% (water) and 1-8% (sediments).

Fast determination of 24 steroid hormones in river water using magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The easiness-to-handle of the magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction (Mag-dSPE) procedure was developed for preconcentration of 24 steroid hormones in river water. Ethylenediamine-functionalized magnetic carbon nanotubes (EDA@Mag-CNTs) were synthesised by a simple one-pot reaction and were used as sorbent in Mag-dSPE procedure. The properties of the EDA@Mag-CNTs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). An ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method for determination of 24 steroid hormones in river water at nanograms per liter had been developed with pretreatment of the samples by Mag-dSPE. The obtained results demonstrated the higher extraction capacity of EDA@Mag-CNT Mag-dSPE with recoveries between 82.1 and 113%. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for the steroid hormone were between 0.020 and 1.00 ng/L. The developed method had been successfully applied to 60 river water samples, and it was confirmed that EDA@Mag-CNT Mag-dSPE was a highly effective extraction method for the steroid hormone analyses.

Cholesterol-based polymeric monolithic columns for capillary liquid chromatography. Part II

This paper presents a second part of our research devoted to cholesterol-based polymeric monolithic stationary phase. The obtained capillary columns were successfully used for separations of alkylbenzenes, steroid hormones and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during isocratic or gradient elutions. The columns showed excellent thermal stability. Increasing the temperature resulted in decrease of the retention factors and peak widths, but selectivity and efficient separations have been retained in the studied temperature range of 20 to100°C. Additionally, the van't Hoff model presented a non-linear relationship of lnk versus 1/T plots, which is likely the result of liquid crystal properties of cholesterol. The studied capillary monolithic columns showed extremely fast re-equilibration after gradient elution and found to be stable under such conditions as: fast flow rate, high acetonitrile content in the mobile phase (no swelling) and high temperature.

Relationships of sex steroid hormone levels in benign and cancerous breast tissue and blood: A critical appraisal of current science

A systematic review of the literature on sex steroid measurement in breast tissue identified only 19 articles meeting the following criteria: menopausal status given; steroids measured in tissue homogenates by conventional RIA with a purification step or by mass spectrometry; and values reported per g tissue or per g protein. Twelve articles were analyzed in detail for: ratios of sex steroid hormone levels in cancerous or benign tissues to blood levels, stratified by menopausal status; ratios between the different hormone levels within tissues or within blood; and difference in these ratios between tissue and blood compartments. Estrogen and androgen concentrations varied greatly in benign and cancerous tissues and in blood between individuals. Postmenopausal, but not premenopausal, estradiol concentrations were significantly higher in cancerous compared to benign breast tissue. The estradiol/estrone ratio was lowest in premenopausal benign tissue, and substantially higher in premenopausal cancerous tissue and postmenopausal benign and cancerous tissues. Estradiol and estrone levels were considerably higher in tissue than in plasma in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Androgen levels were generally higher in the benign than the cancerous tissue, and tissue androgen levels were higher than in plasma, suggesting in situ aromatization of androgens to estrogens in breast cancer tissue. Limited available data on levels of hydroxylated estrogens in breast tissue compared to corresponding levels in plasma or urine were reviewed, but due to the paucity of studies no conclusions can presently be drawn regarding the relationship of the 2-hydroxyestrone:16α-hydroxyestrone ratio to breast cancer risk and genotoxic effects of 4-hydroxylated estrogens. Finally, data on hormone levels in breast adipose tissue were analyzed; high levels of androstenedione and testosterone and significant estrone and estradiol levels in breast adipocytes from postmenopausal breast cancer patients are consistent with an obesity-inflammation-aromatase axis occurring locally in breast tissue. The controversies regarding the source of intratumoral estrogens in the breast are summarized.