Reproductive performance of male mice after hypothalamic ghrelin administration.

It has been demonstrated that food intake and reproductive physiology are both simultaneously modulated to optimize reproductive success under fluctuating metabolic conditions. Ghrelin (GHRL) is an orexigenic peptide identified as the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor that is being investigated for its potential role on reproduction. Considering that data available so far are still limited and characterization of GHRL action mechanism on the reproductive system has not been fully elucidated, we studied the participation of hypothalamus in GHRL effects on sperm functional activity, plasma levels of gonadotropins and histological morphology in mice testes after hypothalamic infusion of 0.3 or 3.0 nmol/day GHRL or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) at different treatment periods. We found that GHRL 3.0 nmol/day administration for 42 days significantly reduced sperm concentration (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 14.05 ± 2.44 × 106/mL vs ACSF = 20.33 ± 1.35 × 106/mL, P < 0.05) and motility (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 59.40 ± 4.20% vs ACSF = 75.80 ± 1.40%, P < 0.05). In addition, histological studies showed a significant decrease percentage of spermatogonia (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 6.76 ± 0.68% vs ACSF = 9.56 ± 0.41%, P < 0.05) and sperm (GHRL 3.0 nmol/day = 24.24 ± 1.92% vs ACSF = 31.20 ± 3.06%, P < 0.05). These results were associated with a significant reduction in luteinizing hormone and testosterone plasma levels (P < 0.05). As GHRL is an orexigenic peptide, body weight and food intake were measured. Results showed that GHRL increases both parameters; however, the effect did not last beyond the first week of treatment. Results presented in this work confirm that central GHRL administration impairs spermatogenesis and suggest that this effect is mediated by inhibition of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome in two Latin American populations.

Pregnancy complications and obstetric outcomes were compared in 80 Chilean (PPCOSCh) and 70 Argentinian (PPCOSAr) pregnant women. Reference groups of Chilean and Argentinian normal pregnant women from the same antenatal care units were also compared. PPCOSCh showed a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (OR, 2.28, 95% CI: 1.08-4.77, p = .030) and a lower prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) (OR, 0.20, 95% CI: 0.07-0.54, p = .001) compared to PPCOSAr. In the normal pregnant groups, the prevalence of PIH was lower in Chilean women compared to Argentinian women (OR, 0.24, 95% CI: 0.10-0.62, p = .001). Similar to the pattern observed in the normal populations, newborns from PPCOSCh had higher birth weight and length compared with the newborns of PPCOSAr (p = .006 and .014, respectively). In conclusion, differences in pregnancy complications and obstetric outcomes between Chilean and Argentinian pregnant women with PCOS could be determined by ethnic diversity together with environmental factors of both populations. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject: The reproductive and metabolic phenotypes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome vary between different populations, which could significantly influence the obstetric and neonatal outcomes in this syndrome. What the results of this study add: Pregnant women with PCOS from two Latin American countries (Chile and Argentina) exhibit differences in the prevalence of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension, and in the birth weight of their newborns. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research: Ethnic diversity together with environmental factors are fundamental elements that must be considered in the management of pregnant women with PCOS.

Adrenal activity and anxiety-like behavior in fur-chewing chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera).

Due to its complexity, in combination with a lack of scientific reports, fur-chewing became one of the most challenging behavioral problems common to captive chinchillas. In the last years, the hypothesis that fur-chewing is an abnormal repetitive behavior and that stress plays a role in its development and performance has arisen. Here, we investigated whether a relationship existed between the expression and intensity of fur-chewing behavior, elevated urinary cortisol excretion and anxiety-related behaviors. Specifically, we evaluated the following parameters in behaviorally normal and fur-chewing animals of both sexes: (1) mean concentrations of urinary cortisol metabolites and (2) anxiety-like behavior in an elevated plus-maze test. Urinary cortisol metabolites were higher only in females that expressed the most severe form of the fur-chewing behavior (P≤0.05). Likewise, only fur-chewing females exhibited increased (P≤0.05) anxiety-like behaviors associated with the elevated plus-maze test. Overall, these data provided additional evidence to support the concept that fur-chewing is a manifestation of physiological stress in chinchilla, and that a female sex bias exists in the development of this abnormal behavior.

[Evolution of nutritional status in physical education students, associated with the level of cardiovascular risk, food consumption and the level of physical activity]. / Evolución del estado nutricional en estudiantes de educación física, asociado al nivel de riesgo cardiovascular, los hábitos alimentarios y el nivel de actividad física.

Introduction: The prevalence of overweight and obesity increases in university students as a consequence of the modification of their eating habits and their level of physical activity. The general objective of this work was to analyze the relationship between the nutritional status of Physical Education students and the level of physical activity, cardiovascular risk and eating habits, during the first three years of the degree. Method: Observational, descriptive and longitudinal section study. 67 students were studied. To assess nutritional status and cardiovascular risk, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (CC) were measured, respectively. To inquire about eating habits, a survey was used based on the recommendations of the dietary guidelines for the Argentine population. To estimate the level of physical activity, the IPAQ International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short format, Spanish version was used. Results: Students with obesity, obesity, and elevated cardiovascular risk increased during the course of the study. For their part, healthy eating behaviors and a high level of physical activity in women decreased. BMI showed a positive correlation with CC. Healthy food selection in males was correlated with BMI. Conclusions: The evolution of the course in Physical Education indicated a progressive increase in the factors associated with obesity. These results would allow directing and promoting legislative actions that update the curriculum of the Physical Education career, according to the social and health needs of this population.

Introducción: La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad aumenta en estudiantes universitarios como consecuencia de la modificación de sus hábitos alimentarios y de su nivel de actividad física. El objetivo general del presente trabajo fue analizar la relación entre el estado nutricional de estudiantes de Educación Física y el nivel de actividad física, el riesgo cardiovascular y sus hábitos alimentarios, durante los primeros tres años de la carrera. Método: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y de corte longitudinal. Se estudiaron 67 estudiantes. Para valorar el estado nutricional y el riesgo cardiovascular se midieron el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la circunferencia de cintura (CC), respectivamente. Para indagar sobre los hábitos alimentarios se utilizó una encuesta basada en las recomendaciones de las guías alimentarias para la población argentina. Para estimar el nivel de actividad física se usó el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física IPAQ, formato corto, versión en español. Resultados: Los estudiantes con preobesidad, obesidad y riesgo cardiovascular elevado aumentaron durante el transcurso del estudio. Por su parte, las conductas alimentarias saludables y el nivel de actividad física alto en mujeres disminuyeron. El IMC mostró una correlación positiva con la CC. La selección alimentaria saludable en varones se mostró correlacionada con el IMC. Conclusiones: La evolución del cursado de la carrera de Educación Física indicó un aumento progresivo de los factores asociados a la obesidad. Estos resultados permitirían direccionar y promover acciones legislativas que actualicen la currícula de la carrera de Educación Física, conforme a las necesidades sociales y sanitarias de esta población.

[The nutritional status analysis in physical education students, associated with eating habits and level of physical activity] / Análisis del estado nutricional en estudiantes educación física, asociada a hábitos alimentarios y nivel de actividad física.

INTRODUCTION: numerous studies show that the college-aged student modifies their eating habits and levels of physical activity and, consequently, their Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds healthy values (?25). General objective: to analyze the nutritional status in students of two Physical Education Teaching training Institutes, located in Cordoba, Argentina, and their possible association with eating behaviours and level of physical activity. Method: observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study. 134 students were studied.To assess nutritional status, the MBI was measured. To investigate about food selection and habits which accompanied the ingestion, a survey was used based on the recommendations from the Food Guidelines for the Argentine Population. To estimate energy expenditure by physical activity, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used, in short format, in the Spanish version. Results: Se podría presumir que el saludable estado nutricional de la población estudiada se debe a sus hábitos alimentarios mayormente saludables y, principalmente, a su alto nivel de actividad física. No obstante, el seguimiento de esta población, en un estudio longitudinal, podría ratificar o rectificar estas primeras presunciones. Conclusion: it can be assumed that the healthy nutritional status of the study population is due to their mostly healthy eating habits, and mainly to their high level of physical activity.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Numerosas investigaciones señalan que el estudiante universitario modifica sus hábitos alimentarios y su nivel de actividad física y, como consecuencia, su Índice de masa corporal (IMC) supera los valores saludables (?25). OBJETIVO GENERAL: Analizar el estado nutricional en los estudiantes de dos Profesorados de Educación Física de Córdoba, Argentina y su posible asociación con los hábitos alimentarios y el nivel de actividad física.: MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y de corte transversal. Se estudiaron 134 estudiantes. Para valorar el estado nutricional se midió el IMC. Para indagar sobre la selección y las conductas alimentarias, se utilizó una encuesta basada en las recomendaciones de las guías alimentarias para la población argentina. Para estimar el gasto energético en actividad física se usó el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física IPAQ, formato corto, versión en español. RESULTADOS: El estado nutricional de la población estudiada mostró en general una mayor prevalencia con peso saludable (normopeso). Respecto a los hábitos alimentarios, las mayores proporciones de estudiantes evaluados presentaron una selección medianamente saludable y unas conductas saludables. En referencia al nivel de actividad física, ambos géneros mostraron, en una mayor proporción, un alto nivel de actividad física. Para todos los casos, el IMC resultó dentro de los valores saludables. CONCLUSIONES: Se podría presumir que el saludable estado nutricional de la población estudiada se debe a sus hábitos alimentarios mayormente saludables y, principalmente, a su alto nivel de actividad física. No obstante, el seguimiento de esta población, en un estudio longitudinal, podría ratificar o rectificar estas primeras presunciones.

Neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in mouse: a marker of epididymal function?

Neutral alpha-glucosidase (NAG) activity is considered a functional epididymal marker in several species. Unlike the rat, no NAG activity has been detected in mice. The aims of the present study were to evaluate NAG secretory activity (the supernatant of the incubated tissue) in mouse epididymis and to determine whether it could be used as a functional epididymal marker. Epididymides (whole or in parts) were incubated in the presence or absence of testosterone (10(-5) m) and secretory NAG activity was compared with known positive controls. Furthermore, we compared enzyme activity in epididymides from well-fed and undernourished mice (50% food restriction for 21 days), a model that alters the epididymal maturation processes. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed NAG activity in mouse epididymis (22.6 +/- 3.7 mU g(-1) tissue; n = 4), being higher in the caput. NAG activity was statistically higher in the caput than in the corpus and in the cauda. No significant differences existed between the caput NAG activity and complete epididymis NAG activity. In undernourished mice, we confirmed changes in epididymal maturation observed previously (i.e. increased number of immature spermatozoa and diminution of the sperm concentration). Concordantly, the epididymides of undernourished mice exhibited decreased enzyme secretory activity, which increased to values similar to those seen in controls following incubation in the presence of testosterone (22.5 +/- 2.6, 12.5 +/- 1.0 and 22.4 +/- 3.7 mU g(-1) tissue, n = 9 in control (n = 7), undernourished (n = 9) and undernourished + testosterone groups (n = 9), respectively). In conclusion, NAG activity was detected in mouse epididymis. Although the present study supports the possibility of using NAG as an epididymal marker, more studies are necessary to effectively prove that NAG activity can be used as an epididymal marker.

[Polycystic ovary sindrome: impact on reproductive and maternal fetal health]. / Síndrome de ovario poliquistico: impacto en la salud reproductiva y materno infantil.

UNLABELLED: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism (H), oligo-anovulation (O) and / or polycystic ovaries (P). There is currently little information on perinatal complications. OBJECTIVE: to investigate obstetric and neonatal characteristics of women with PCOS in our population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we studied 87 pregnant women with PCOS (categorized in four phenotypes according Rotterdam Consensus: A (H + O + P) n = 53; B (H + O) n = 9; C (H + P) n = 16 and D (O + P) n = 9) and 96 without PCOS (control). We analyzed clinical and biochemical features (age, anthropometry hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, OGTT, insulin, lipid profile, androgen and gonadotropins) during preconception, (weight gain, blood pressure, OGTT) through gestation and occurrence of perinatal complications. RESULTS: we found no differences in age (29.4 ± 4 and 28.7 ± 5 years) and body mass index (28.2 ± 6 and 27.8 ± 6 kg / m2) in both groups; while patients with PCOS had higher waist circumference, blood pressure and acanthosis nigricans versus control. Despite similar weight gain, patients with PCOS had higher percentage of perinatal complications. In the A phenotype RR for perinatal adverse outcomes was 2.37 (95%CI: 1.67-3.36, p <0.001). The HOMA-IR index preconception and fasting glucose during pregnancy were the predictors for these complications (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: patients with PCOS have a higher risk for complications during pregnancy and newborns more frequently have low weight or macrosomy. A careful history can recognize patients with higher perinatal risk to develop complications.

Ghrelin effects expression of several genes associated with depression-like behavior.

Ghrelin (Ghr) is an orexigenic peptide that is being investigated for its potential role in development of anxiety-like behavior and modulation of depressive-like symptoms induced by bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OB) in rodents. Olfactory bulbectomy is an animal model useful to study of depression and Ghr could be an alternative therapeutic tool in depression therapy. We studied the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) Ghr administration on the expression of hypothalamic genes related to depression and mood (delta opioid receptor (DOR), mu opioid receptor (MOR) and kappa opioid receptor (KOR), lutropin-choriogonadotropic hormone receptor (LHCGR), serotonin transporter (SERT), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b), vasopressin (AVP) and corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH)) in OB animals, as well as changes in plasma levels of AVP, CRH and adenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We found that acute Ghr 0.3 nmol/µl administration increases gene expression of DOR, SERT and LHCGR in OB mice and decreased expression of IL-1b, suggesting that these genes could be involved in the antidepressant-like effects of Ghr. In addition, OB animals exhibit high AVP gene expression and elevated plasma concentrations of AVP and ACTH and acute Ghr 0.3 nmol/µl administration reduces AVP gene expression and the concentration of these hormones, suggesting that peptide-effects on depressive-like behavior could be mediated at least in part via AVP. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence about genes, receptors and hormones involved in the antidepressant mechanism/s induced by Ghr in OB animals.

Effects of alcohol and cigarette consumption on human seminal quality.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of alcohol or cigarette consumption on seminal parameters in a large population of men attending an andrology laboratory. DESIGN: Analysis of ten years of data (1990-1999). SETTING: Andrology and Reproduction Laboratory (Córdoba, Argentina). PATIENT(S): Patients (3,976) were grouped according to nonsmokers; <==20 cigarettes/day; >20 cigarettes/day; nonalcohol consumers; <==500 mL of wine ( approximately 52 g of ethanol) or equivalent/day; and >500 mL of wine or equivalent/day. Patients who drank alcohol and smoked were also considered. INTERVENTION(S): A questionnaire was voluntarily filled out by patients. It provided data on drug consumption and genitourinary diseases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Seminal volume, sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphology. RESULTS: No statistical differences in seminal parameters were found between the degrees of alcohol or tobacco consumption; so, independently of the degree of consumption patients were considered as smokers or alcohol consumers. CONCLUSION(S): Alcohol or cigarette consumption did not alter the seminal parameters. Nevertheless, when the patients with these two habits were compared to those without these habits, a significant reduction in seminal volume, sperm concentration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, and a significant increase of the nonmotile viable gametes were detected. The synergic or additive effect of these two toxic habits is discussed.

Effects of PDC-109 on bovine sperm functional activity in presence or absence of heparin.

PDC-109, a heparin-binding protein (from the seminal vesicles) that binds to sperm surface phospholipids at ejaculation, may modulate several aspects of sperm activity. The objectives of the present study were to determine: (1) in the presence or absence of heparin, the effects of exogenous PDC-109 on sperm motility (Makler chamber), viability (Hoechst 33258) and membrane functional integrity (hypoosmotic swelling test) of bovine spermatozoa; (2) the role of PDC-109 as a capacitation-inducing factor; and (3) its ability to induce the acrosome reaction (fluorescein staining). After 4-h capacitation in the presence of heparin, the addition of PDC-109 (0.5, 1.5 or 3.0mg/ml) significantly decreased the percentages of motile, progressive, and viable cells; these effects were also detected in the absence of heparin. However, PDC-109 elicited a twofold increase (from 14 to 28%) in the proportion of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, but only in the presence of heparin. Progesterone (10 microM) or angiotensin II (100 or 1000 nM) stimulated the acrosome reaction after capacitation in the presence of PDC-109 without heparin (from 10 to 17, 23 and 22%, respectively). In conclusion, PDC-109 appears to modulate sperm functional activity, with some effects manifest in the absence of heparin.