CYP19 encodes aromatase, a key enzyme essential for estrogen biosynthesis. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2470152 in CYP19 is associated with serum estradiol (E2) level and the E2/T (estradiol/testosterone) ratio. A case‑control study including 661 individuals [364 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and 297 controls] was conducted t...

The steroidogenic enzyme CYP17 is responsible for catalyzing the production of androgenic precursors, while CYP19 converts testosterone to estradiol. De novo neurosteroidogenesis in specific brain regions influences steroid hormone dependent behaviors. In the all-female lizard species Cnemidophorus uniparens, individuals alternately display both male-like mounting and female-like receptivity. M...

There is increasing concern that certain chemicals in the environment can cause endocrine disruption in exposed humans and wildlife. Investigations of potential effects on endocrine function have been limited mainly to interactions with hormone receptors. A need exists for the development of alternate in vitro methods to evaluate chemicals for their potential to disturb various endocrine functi...

Epidemiological studies show that maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is a risk factor for autism. However, mechanisms for how MIA affects brain development and behaviors in offspring remain poorly described. To determine whether placental interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling is required for mediating MIA on the offspring, we generated mice with restricted deletion of the receptor for I...

In premenopausal women, the ovaries are the principle source of estradiol, which functions as a circulating hormone to act on distal target tissues. However, in postmenopausal women when the ovaries cease to produce estrogen, and in men, this is no longer the case, because estradiol is no longer solely an endocrine factor. Instead, it is produced in a number of extragonadal sites and acts local...

Background: Hyper-androgenemia is one of the main clinical features of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Letrozol is an aromatase inhibitor drug, which is co-administered with gonadotropins in most cases of PCOS, to improve ovulation. Aromatase has a critical role in catalyzing the conversion of androgens to estrogens and is responsible for keeping the homeostatic balance between them. Hence ...

BACKGROUND Besides androgens, estrogens produced in Leydig cells are also crucial for mammalian germ cell differentiation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is now known to have multiple effects on regulation of Leydig cell function. The objective of the present study is to determine whether TGF-β1 regulates estradiol (E2) synthesis in adult rat Leydig cells and then to assess the impact o...

The report of Tsuchiya et al represents an area of research that has the potential to impact personalized genomic medicine; this area is the use of inherited genetic markers to predict clinical outcomes, including prognosis and recurrence, in cancer patients. Tsuchiya et al report that longer repeat polymorphisms in the IGF1 and/or CYP19 genes are significantly associated with poorer prostate c...