New treatment strategies for uterine sarcoma using secreted frizzled­related proteins.

Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are involved in the development of various types of cancer and function by suppressing the Wnt signaling pathway. To elucidate the clinical implications of SFRPs in uterine sarcoma, SFRP expression levels and their effects on uterine leiomyosarcoma cells were examined. Immunostaining for SFRP4 was performed on uterine smooth muscle, uterine fibroid and uterine leiomyosarcoma tissues. Additionally, the effects of SFRP4 administration on cell viability, migration and adhesion were evaluated in uterine leiomyosarcoma SKN cells using the WST-1 assay (Roche Diagnostics) and the CytoSelect™ 24-well Cell Migration Assay Kit and the CytoSelect™ 48-well Cell Adhesion Assay Kit. The expression levels of SFRP4 in uterine leiomyosarcoma tissues were lower than those in normal smooth muscle and uterine fibroid tissues. In addition, SFRP4 suppressed the viability and migration, and increased the adhesion ability of uterine leiomyosarcoma cells compared with in the control group. In conclusion, SFRP4 may suppress the viability and migration, and enhance the adhesion of sarcoma cells. These results suggested that SFRP4 could be considered as a novel therapeutic target for uterine sarcoma.

Stress responses to bacterial and viral mimetics in polycystic ovary syndrome model rats.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an increased risk of psychological distress as well as enhanced responses to psychosocial stress. Recently, it was hypothesized that PCOS patients may be at high risk of novel COVID-19 infections and worse clinical presentations during such infections. Here, we evaluated the effects of PCOS on stress responses to bacterial and viral mimetics using dihydrotestosterone-induced PCOS model rats. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; a bacterial mimetic) or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly-IC; a viral mimetic) was injected into PCOS model rats (PCOS) and non-PCOS rats (control), and the rats' stress responses were evaluated. In the PCOS group, the rats' anorectic and febrile responses to LPS injection were enhanced, whereas their anorectic and febrile responses to Poly-IC injection were unaltered. The PCOS group also exhibited greater changes in peripheral cytokine levels in response to LPS, but not Poly-IC. On the contrary, after the injection of Poly-IC depressed locomotor activity was more evident in the PCOS group, whereas no such changes were observed after LPS injection. These findings indicate that although the stress responses of PCOS model rats to infection may be enhanced, the patterns of change in stress responses and their underlying mechanisms may differ between bacterial and viral infections.

Kisspeptin administration may promote precopulatory behavior in male rats independently or supplementally to testosterone and contribute to proceptive behavior in female partners, reducing mating failure.

Kisspeptin is a peptide that plays an important role through its effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. It has also been implicated in sexual behavior. The present study investigated whether the relationship between kisspeptin and sexual behavior is independent of the HPG axis, i.e., testosterone. Sexual behavior was examined after the administration of kisspeptin to gonadally intact male rats and gonadectomized male rats that received testosterone supplementation. Other male rats were also observed for sexual behavior once a week from 2 to 5 weeks after gonadectomy and receiving kisspeptin for the sixth postoperative week. Sexual behavior in female rats serving as the partner for each male was also observed. Female rats were not administered kisspeptin in the present study. The results obtained showed that the administration of kisspeptin increased precopulatory behavior in gonadally intact male rats and gonadectomized male rats that received testosterone supplementation and proceptive behavior in their female partners. Precopulatory behavior in males and receptive behavior in females increased, while copulatory behavior in males and receptive behavior in females remained unchanged. Furthermore, the administration of kisspeptin increased precopulatory behavior in gonadectomized males, but did not affect receptive behavior in females. These results suggest that kisspeptin affected males independently and/or supplementally to testosterone, and also that changes in the presence of testosterone in males had an impact on proceptive behavior in their female partners. In conclusion, kisspeptin may involve an as-yet-unidentified neural pathway in sexual desire independently of the HPG axis.

Generalized Transition Moment and Oscillator Strength for Optimal Control of Excited States Using Near-Field Light.

The near field is a highly localized light field that is present in the vicinity of materials. It holds considerable potential for manipulating molecular excitation through the design of nanostructures. To that end, a simple yet applicable computational method is required. This letter presents an optimization strategy to achieve targeted electronic excitation in molecules using near-field light. The generalized transition moment and oscillator strength based on the multipolar Hamiltonian can incorporate key parameters affecting the near field, including shape, size, and material composition. This calculation helps optimize electronic transitions through manipulation of the aforementioned parameters. The feasibility of the proposed scheme was demonstrated using a scanning tunneling microscopic setup with light, wherein the near field is controlled by varying the tip position in two dimensions. This approach paves the way for further innovations, which may ultimately enable precise control of molecular behavior by using tailored near-field interactions.

A Safe Laparoscopic Approach for Ovarian Tumors during Pregnancy.

Objectives: Surgery for pregnant women with ovarian tumors poses the risk of uterine irritation. We aimed to demonstrate the superiority of our laparoscopic technique over conventional methods and to compare the outcomes of laparoscopy with those of laparotomy for ovarian tumors during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 50 patients undergoing procedures for ovarian tumors during pregnancy at the Tokushima University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2021. We compared surgical outcomes between laparoscopic procedures and laparotomy, along with complications. In addition, we compared the frequency of uterine stimulation with the conventional trocar position to that with the currently used trocar position in laparoscopic surgery. Results: Forty patients in the laparoscopy group and 10 in the laparotomy group underwent procedures. The laparoscopy group had less bleeding (16.4 ± 28.8 vs. 58 ± 72.2 mL, P < 0.05) and shorter hospital stays (7.6 ± 1.7 vs. 12.8 ± 13.1 days, P < 0.05) compared with those of the laparotomy group. The outcomes showed no significant differences between groups. All laparoscopies and laparotomies were successful and without complications. Furthermore, the current trocar position tended to stimulate the uterus less frequently. Conclusion: The results suggested that, compared to laparotomy, laparoscopy for ovarian tumors during pregnancy had better outcomes. The trocar position in our technique allows for easy operation of ovarian tumors without interference by forceps or cameras, resulting in minimal irritation of the uterus. Our original laparoscopic method may be safer with superior outcomes over the conventional method.

Expression of SMADs in orthotopic human endometrium, ovarian endometriosis, and endometriotic lesions in a murine model.

Activin A promotes the development of endometriotic lesions in a murine model of endometriosis, and the immunohistochemical localization of phosphorylated suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2/3 (pSMAD2/3) complex in endometriotic lesions has been reported. Activin may therefore be involved in the development and proliferation of endometriotic cells via the SMAD signaling pathway. However, few detailed reports exist on SMAD7 expression in endometriosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of pSMAD2/3 or pSMAD3 and SMAD7 in the orthotopic human endometrium, ovarian endometriosis, and endometriotic lesions in a murine model and the effect of activin A on pSMAD2/3 and SMAD7 expression. We established an endometriosis murine model via the intraperitoneal administration of endometrial tissue and blood from donor mice. Activin A was intraperitoneally administered to the activin group. We immunohistochemically evaluated orthotopic endometria, ovarian endometriotic tissues, and endometriotic lesions in the murine model followed by western blotting. We found that pSMAD3 and SMAD7 were expressed in ovarian endometriosis and orthotopic endometria from patients with and without endometriosis. In the murine model, endometriotic lesions expressed pSMAD2/3 and SMAD7 in the activin and control groups, and higher SMAD7 expression was found in the activin group. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to show that SMAD7 expression is upregulated in endometriosis. In conclusion, these results suggest that activin A activates the SMAD signaling pathway and promotes the development of endometriotic lesions, thus identifying SMAD7 as a potential therapeutic target for endometriosis.

Progesterone treatment reduces food intake and body weight in ovariectomized female rats.

While the effects of progesterone on body weight and appetite in pre-menopausal conditions have been well elucidated, its effects in post-menopausal conditions have not been clarified. On the contrary, the effects of estrogen on body weight and appetite in post-menopausal conditions have been well established. In this study, the effects of progesterone treatment on body weight, appetite, and fat mass in ovariectomized rats were evaluated. In addition, the central and/or peripheral levels of oxytocin (OT), leptin, and their receptors, which are potent anorectic factors, were examined. Female rats were ovariectomized and divided into control, progesterone-treated, and estrogen-treated groups. Body weight, food intake, and subcutaneous fat mass were lower in both the progesterone and estrogen groups than in the control group. The estrogen group exhibited higher serum OT levels than the control group, whereas the OT levels of the progesterone and control groups did not differ. The serum leptin levels of both the progesterone and estrogen groups were lower than those of the control group. Gene expression analysis of OT, leptin, and their receptors in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue found few significant differences among the groups. Hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels involved in appetite regulation were slightly altered in the progesterone and estrogen groups. These findings suggest that progesterone treatment may have favorable effects on body weight, appetite, and fat mass regulation in post-menopausal conditions and that the mechanisms underlying these effects of progesterone differ from those underlying the effects of estrogen.

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan: A summary report for 2021 by the Ethics Committee of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) registry gathers comprehensive data from registered assisted reproductive technology (ART) facilities in Japan. Herein, we report 2021 ART cycle characteristics and outcomes. Methods: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and analyze 2021 data. Results: In 2021, 625 ART facilities participated in the registry; 27 facilities did not conduct ART cycles and 598 registered treatment cycles. In total, 498 140 cycles were registered, and there were 69 797 neonates (increases of 10.7% and 15.5%, respectively, from the previous year). The number of freeze-all in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles decreased in 2021; the number of neonates born was 2268 for IVF-embryo transfer (ET) cycles and 2850 for ICSI cycles. Frozen-thawed ET (FET) cycles increased markedly from 2020 (11.2% increase). In 2021, 239 428 FET cycles were conducted, resulting in 87 174 pregnancies and 64 679 neonates. For fresh transfers, the total single ET, singleton pregnancy rate, and singleton live birth rates were 82.7%, 97.0%, and 97.3%; for FET, these rates were 84.9%, 96.9%, and 97.1%. Conclusions: The 2021 Japanese ART registry analysis showed marked increases in both total treatment cycles and live births from the previous year.

Preimplantation genetic testing using comprehensive genomic copy number analysis is beneficial for balanced translocation carriers.

Balanced chromosomal translocation is one of chromosomal variations. Carriers of balanced chromosomal translocations have an increased risk of spontaneous miscarriage. To avoid the risk, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) using comprehensive genomic copy number analysis has been developed. This study aimed to verify whether and how embryos from couples in which one partner is a balanced translocation carrier have a higher ratio of chromosomal abnormalities. A total of 894 biopsied trophectoderms (TEs) were obtained from 130 couples in which one partner was a balanced translocation carrier (Robertsonian translocation, reciprocal translocation, or intrachromosomal inversion) and grouped as PGT-SR. Conversely, 3269 TEs from 697 couples who experienced recurrent implantation failure or recurrent pregnancy loss were included in the PGT-A group. The transferable blastocyst ratio was significantly lower in the PGT-SR group, even when bias related to the sample number and patient age was corrected. Subgroup analysis of the PGT-SR group revealed that the transferable blastocyst ratio was higher in the Robertsonian translocation group. Because the PGT-SR group had a higher proportion of untransferable embryos than the PGT-A group, PGT using comprehensive genomic copy number analysis was more beneficial for balanced translocation carriers than for infertility patients without chromosomal translocations. The frequencies of de novo aneuploidies were further analyzed, and the frequency in the PGT-SR group was lower than that in the PGT-A group. Therefore, we could not confirm the existence of interchromosomal effects in this study.

Oncologic, fertility, and obstetric outcomes with MPA therapy in women with endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia.

AIM: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is one of the treatments of atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) and endometrial cancer (EC) to preserve the fertility. Efficacy of MPA therapy and fertility and obstetric outcomes after remission were evaluated in EC or AEH patients. METHODS: Among patients diagnosed with EC or AEH at Tokushima University Hospital between January 2002 and October 2020, we retrospectively analyzed patients, ages range from 26 to 40, who underwent conservative management using MPA (400-600 mg/day). RESULTS: In total, 19 patients underwent MPA therapy. The 18 (94%) patients achieved complete response (CR), and 1 (5%) patient achieved partial response (PR). Relapse occurred in 6 (32%) patients who had achieved CR. Of the patients who relapsed, 4 patients resumed MPA therapy and were in remission. Among 19 patients, 13 patients attempted pregnancy after CR. All of them underwent ovulation induction or assisted reproductive technology. As a result, 20 pregnancies in 10 (77%) patients and 12 live births in 9 (69%) patients were achieved. Rate of spontaneous abortion was 35% (7/20). CONCLUSIONS: MPA therapy can produce a high remission rate, and be considered an effective treatment for patients who wish fertility preservation. Around 70% patients who attempt to pregnancy can have at least one baby by infertility treatments. Because recurrence rate after MPA therapy is high, it may be desirable to aim for early pregnancy by active intervention.

Age-Dependent Changes in the Effects of Androgens on Female Metabolic and Body Weight Regulation Systems in Humans and Laboratory Animals.

In recent years, the effects of androgens on metabolic and body weight regulation systems and their underlying mechanisms have been gradually revealed in females. In women and experimental animals of reproductive age, androgen excess can adversely affect metabolic functioning, appetite, and body weight regulation. In addition, excess androgens can increase the risk of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. These unfavorable effects of androgens are induced by alterations in the actions of hypothalamic appetite-regulatory factors, reductions in energy expenditure, insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, and ß-cell dysfunction. Interestingly, these unfavorable effects of androgens on metabolic and body-weight regulation systems are neither observed nor evident in ovariectomized animals and post-menopausal women, indicating that the adverse effects of androgens might be dependent on the estrogen milieu. Recent findings may provide novel sex- and age-specific strategies for treating metabolic diseases.

Effects of activation with a Ca ionophore and roscovitine on the development of human oocytes that failed to fertilize after ICSI.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of oocyte activation with a Ca ionophore and roscovitine (Ca+R), a selective inhibitor of M-phase promoting factor, on unfertilized oocytes after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or testicular sperm extraction (TESE)-ICSI were evaluated. METHOD: Oocytes without pronuclei at 18 hours after ICSI were judged to be unfertilized and were exposed to the Ca ionophore A23187 (5 ?M) with or without roscovitine (50 ?M). The activation rate was measured 3, 7, and 18 hours later. Oocytes with two polar bodies and two pronuclei with a sperm tail were judged to have been activated. RESULTS: At 18 hours, the activation rates in the control, Ca ionophore, and Ca+R groups were 3.5% (4/112), 26.9% (7/26), and 32.1% (17/53), respectively. The activation rate of the Ca+R group was significantly higher than that of the control and similar to that of the Ca ionophore group. Among the oocytes that remained unfertilized after TESE-ICSI, the activation rates of the Ca ionophore and Ca+R groups were 22.2% (2/9) and 43.8% (7/16), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sequential treatment with an Ca ionophore and roscovitine activates oocytes that remain unfertilized after ICSI. In TESE-ICSI, the activation rate tended to be increased by the co-administration of roscovitine with a Ca ionophore. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 321-324, August, 2023.

Comparison of 1-year cumulative live birth and perinatal outcomes following single blastocyst transfer with or without preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy: a propensity score-matched study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated whether preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) could increase the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). METHODS: The clinical records of 7,668 patients who underwent oocyte retrieval (OR) with or without PGT-A were reviewed for 365 days and retrospectively analyzed. Using propensity score matching, 579 patients in the PGT-A group were matched one-to-one with 7,089 patients in the non-PGT-A (control) group. Their pregnancy and perinatal outcomes and CLBRs were statistically compared. RESULTS: The live birth rate per single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfers (SVBTs) significantly improved in the PGT-A group in all age groups (P < 0.0002, all). Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were comparable between both groups regarding both RIF and RPL cases. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that in the RIF cases, the risk ratio per OR was significantly lower in the PGT-A group than in the control group (P = 0.0480), particularly in women aged < 40 years (P = 0.0364). However, the ratio was comparable between the groups in RPL cases. The risk ratio per treatment period was improved in the PGT-A group in both RIF and RPL cases only in women aged 40-42 years (P = 0.0234 and P = 0.0084, respectively). CONCLUSION: Increased CLBR per treatment period was detected only in women aged 40-42 years in both RIF and RPL cases, suggesting that PGT-A is inappropriate to improve CLBR per treatment period in all RIF and RPL cases.

Sonographic confirmation of placental detachment during placental delivery for uterine inversion prevention.

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of transabdominal sonographic confirmation of placental detachment in preventing uterine inversion. METHODS: This was 14-year retrospective cohort study that included women who had transvaginal deliveries in our hospital. We introduced routine transabdominal ultrasonography during placental delivery to prevent uterine inversion. Followed by the confirmation of placental detachment by ultrasonography, we started placental delivery procedure. The frequency of uterine inversion during placental delivery was compared before and after the ultrasonography was introduced. Moreover, the duration of the third stage of labor and bleeding volume during labor were compared between the ultrasonography performing group (USG group) and the non-performing group (non-USG groups). RESULTS: Five thousand and eighty-one women, including 1724 and 3357 women who delivered before and after the ultrasonography was introduced, respectively. The frequency of uterine inversion after the introduction of the ultrasonography system was significantly reduced compared to that before the introduction (0.03% vs. 0.23%, p = 0.03). Even after the introduction of ultrasonography, the actual rate of performing ultrasonography remained 54.1% due to various restrictions. The mean duration of the third stage of labor in the USG group was slightly longer than that in the non-USG group (8.4 ± 5.0 vs. 6.8 ± 3.6, p < 0.01). The mean bleeding volume during labor in the USG group was higher compared with the non-USG group (457 ± 329 vs. 418 ± 285, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Transabdominal sonographic confirmation of placental detachment may be useful in preventing uterine inversion.

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) is a rare urogenital malformation. The clinical symptoms of OHVIRA include uterine morphology abnormality, persistent vaginal discharge, and renal anomaly or agenesis. Delayed diagnosis can lead to complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, adhesion to the oviduct, and endometriosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 12-year-old girl who presented with severe dysmenorrhea and abnormal vaginal discharge. The patient was diagnosed with OHVIRA based on magnetic resonance imaging findings. The patient underwent combined transvaginal and laparoscopic surgery for drainage of hematocolpos and adhesiolysis of the pelvic cavity. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery and normal menstrual cycle after surgery. DISCUSSION: OHVIRA is a rare syndrome, of which delayed diagnosis may result in the development of endometriosis. CONCLUSION: We report that a combined laparoscopic and transvaginal approach was useful for treating OHVIRA with oviductal hematoma.

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and chromosomal structural rearrangement: A summary of a nationwide study by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Purpose: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology conducted a nationwide clinical study to evaluate the pregnancy outcomes of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy or chromosomal structural rearrangement (PGT-A/SR). Methods: Patients that had experienced recurrent implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, or chromosomal structural rearrangement were recruited from 200 fertility centers in Japan. For patients in whom one or more blastocysts were classified as euploid or euploid with suspected mosaicism, a frozen-thawed single embryo transfer (ET) was performed. Results: A total of 10 602 cycles, maternal age 28-50 years, were enrolled in this study. 42 529 blastocysts were biopsied, and 25.5%, 11.7%, and 61.7% of embryos exhibited euploidy, mosaicism, and aneuploidy, respectively. At least one euploid blastocyst was obtained in 38.3% of egg retrieval cycles with embryo biopsy. A total of 6080 ETs were carried out, and the clinical pregnancy rate per ET, ongoing pregnancy rate per ET, and miscarriage rate per pregnancy were 68.8%, 56.3%, and 10.4%, respectively. The rates of clinical pregnancy and miscarriage remained relatively constant across all maternal ages. Conclusions: Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy or chromosomal structural rearrangement may improve the pregnancy rate per ET and reduce the miscarriage rate per pregnancy, especially in patients of advanced maternal age.

Developmental Changes in Hypothalamic and Serum Oxytocin Levels in Prenatally Normally Nourished and Undernourished Rats.

Changes in the activities of some metabolic factors have been suggested to increase the risk of conditions associated with the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD). We examined changes in oxytocin (OT), a metabolic factor, and OT receptor (OTR) mRNA levels throughout the developmental period in rats of intrauterine undernutrition. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups: a maternal normal nutrition (mNN) and maternal undernutrition (mUN) group. Serum OT concentrations and hypothalamic mRNA levels of OT and OTR were measured in both offspring at various postnatal stages. Both offspring showed significant increases in serum OT concentrations during the neonatal period, significant reductions around the pubertal period, and significant increases in adulthood. Hypothalamic OT mRNA expression levels gradually increased from the neonatal to pubertal period and decreased in adulthood in both offspring. In the pre-weaning period, hypothalamic OT mRNA expression levels were significantly lower in the mUN offspring than in the mNN offspring. In the mUN offspring, hypothalamic OTR mRNA expression levels transiently increased during the neonatal period, decreased around the pubertal period, and increased again in adulthood, whereas transient changes were not detected in mNN offspring. These changes could affect nutritional and metabolic regulation systems in later life and play a role in the mechanisms underlying DOHaD.

Associations of LH and FSH with reproductive hormones depending on each stage of the menopausal transition.

INTRODUCTION: Associations of luteinizing hormone (LH) with androgens during the menopausal transition and associations between follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and various diseases related to reproductive hormones in postmenopause have received much attention. LH and FSH are also known to be associated with activities of enzymes related to reproductive hormones. We examined the associations of LH and FSH with androgens and estrogens in each stage of the menopausal transition according to a classification from menopausal transition to postmenopause. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional design. We basically used the Stage of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) + 10. We divided the 173 subjects into 6 groups according to menstrual regularity and follicle-stimulating hormone level: mid reproductive stage (Group A), late reproductive stage (Group B), early menopausal transition (Group C), late menopausal transition (Group D), very early postmenopause (Group E) and early postmenopause (Group F). Levels of LH, FSH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), estradiol, estrone, testosterone (T), free T, androstenedione and androstenediol were measured. RESULTS: In Group A, LH showed significant positive correlations with androstenedione and estrone. In Group D, LH was positively associated with T and free T and was negatively associated with estradiol. In Groups B, C, D and F, LH showed significant positive correlations with FSH, and there was a tendency for an association between LH and FSH in Group E. FSH was associated with estradiol but not with estrone in Groups C and D. CONCLUSION: The associations of LH and FSH with reproductive hormones are different depending on the stage of the menopausal transition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number 2356-1; Date of registration: 18/02/2018, retrospectively registered.

New discoveries on the interaction between testosterone and oxytocin in male rats - Testosterone-mediated effects of oxytocin in the prevention of obesity.

Sex steroid hormones are important for the maintenance of metabolism in both sexes. Oxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide that is synthesized in hypothalamic regions, secreted from the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and is involved in the control of appetite, body weight, and metabolism. Estrogen and OT both play a role in the metabolism of nutrients, and OT has potential in the prevention of obesity. However, the relationship between testosterone and OT remains unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between testosterone and OT in hypogonadal male rats and male rats receiving testosterone replacement therapy. The results obtained showed that testosterone increased serum OT levels and promoted the secretion of adiponectin from visceral fat, and reduced body fat directly and/or indirectly through OT and adiponectin. Testosterone also increased the expression of OT receptors in the hypothalamus to increase sensitivity to OT, and perhaps because of this, OT administration had the effect of reducing food intake and body weight gain in both normal and castrated rats, and this effect was stronger in normal rats. In other words, the preventative effects of OT on obesity may be synergistic with testosterone. Collectively, the present results indicate that testosterone exerts indirect effects to prevent obesity and atherosclerosis through OT and adiponectin. In conclusion, testosterone replacement therapy is useful for preventing obesity caused by hypogonadism, and OT has potential in supportive medicine to prevent obesity and adult diseases.

Key factors for connecting silver-based icosahedral superatoms by vertex sharing.

Metal nanoclusters composed of noble elements such as gold (Au) or silver (Ag) are regarded as superatoms. In recent years, the understanding of the materials composed of superatoms, which are often called superatomic molecules, has gradually progressed for Au-based materials. However, there is still little information on Ag-based superatomic molecules. In the present study, we synthesise two di-superatomic molecules with Ag as the main constituent element and reveal the three essential conditions for the formation and isolation of a superatomic molecule comprising two Ag13-xMx structures (M = Ag or other metal; x = number of M) connected by vertex sharing. The effects of the central atom and the type of bridging halogen on the electronic structure of the resulting superatomic molecule are also clarified in detail. These findings are expected to provide clear design guidelines for the creation of superatomic molecules with various properties and functions.