Developmental reprogramming of reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in sheep: native steroids vs. environmental steroid receptor modulators.

The inappropriate programming of developing organ systems by exposure to excess native or environmental steroids, particularly the contamination of our environment and our food sources with synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals that can interact with steroid receptors, is a major concern. Studies with native steroids have found that in utero exposure of sheep to excess testosterone, an oestrogen precursor, results in low birth weight offspring and leads to an array of adult reproductive/metabolic deficits manifested as cycle defects, functional hyperandrogenism, neuroendocrine/ovarian defects, insulin resistance and hypertension. Furthermore, the severity of reproductive dysfunction is amplified by excess postnatal weight gain. The constellation of adult reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in prenatal testosterone-treated sheep is similar to features seen in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Prenatal dihydrotestosterone treatment failed to result in similar phenotype suggesting that many effects of prenatal testosterone excess are likely facilitated via aromatization to oestradiol. Similarly, exposure to environmental steroid imposters such as bisphenol A (BPA) and methoxychlor (MXC) from days 30 to 90 of gestation had long-term but differential effects. Exposure of sheep to BPA, which resulted in maternal levels of 30-50 ng/mL BPA, culminated in low birth weight offspring. These female offspring were hypergonadotropic during early postnatal life and characterized by severely dampened preovulatory LH surges. Prenatal MXC-treated females had normal birth weight and manifested delayed but normal amplitude LH surges. Importantly, the effects of BPA were evident at levels, which approximated twice the highest levels found in human maternal circulation of industrialized nations. These findings provide evidence in support of developmental origin of adult reproductive and metabolic diseases and highlight the risk posed by exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Modulation of morphological changes of endometrial surface epithelium by administration of composite root extract in albino rat.

In the present investigation, we attempted to study the modulation of morphological changes of endometrial surface epithelium by Scanning Electron Microscope (SCEM) in the adult albino rat after oral administration of roots extract. The origin of this experiment lies in the fact that the dry powdered roots of five plants, i.e., Plumbago rosea, Borassus flabellifer, Carica papaya (male), Dolichos lablab, and Shorea robusta in mixed form, has been traditionally used by the folk women of this region through oral route during the first seven days of a menstrual cycle to prevent conception. Ethanolic crude extract of these roots in composite form which has been referred to here as composite root extract (CRE) was administered to the adult female albino rat in a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight/day through oral route continuously for 12 days starting from proestrous. The observations under SCEM showed that administration of the CRE induced morphological changes of the endometrial surface epithelium in albino rat uterus. The characteristic smooth regular pattern of normal epithelium appears to have been changed at places by haphazardly oriented groups of cells and loss of microvilli indicating a disorganized picture. This structural disparity has been thought to affect the smooth functioning of nidatory preparation in the endometrium.

Effects of composite root extract on histological structures of graffian follicle and endometrial epithelium in albino rat.

This study attempted in vivo testing of a group of plant root extracts in composite form on the reproductive organs of the female albino rat. These roots in composite form have been used by the folk women of Assam to prevent pregnancy. Firsthand knowledge revealed that the dry powder of these roots in composite form can induce sterility in women temporarily (reversible) or permanently which is dose-dependent when taken through oral route. The study revealed that administration of ethanolic crude extract of these composite roots in a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day, consecutively for 12 days, can modulate histological changes in the structures of ovary and uterus. This dose has previously been detected as the threshold dose to induce sterility (reversible) in albino rat. The ovarian follicle showed structural disparity in thecal cells and granulosa cells, and formation of zona pellucida. In the uterus, the endometrial epithelium on the luminal surface showed pseudostratification, vacuolation of the cells, and irregular desquamation from the stroma. Infiltration of a large number of polymorphs in the endometrial stroma and necrosis of endometrial gland tissues indicated structural and functional aberrations of the uterus.

Giant juvenile papillomatosis of the breast: report of two cases.

Two cases of giant juvenile papillomatosis of the breast, a rare disease occurring in adolescent girls, are reported from Libya. Both cases had been initially misdiagnosed as phylloides tumour of the breast due to the large size of the tumours. Juvenille papillomatosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of a large breast mass, particularly in young girls.

Malakoplakia of the prostate gland--report of two cases and review of the literature.

Malokoplakia of the prostate is extremely rare. We report two cases of prostatic malokoplakia in one 60-year-old and one 64-year-old Libyan man, who both were presented with enlarged prostate containing firm to hard nodules. These cases may be misdiagnosed as carcinoma clinically, but the histology points out the correct diagnosis with the presence of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies in the proliferating histiocytes.