In the adult female rat, the densities of dendritic spines and synapses on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells are dependent upon the ovarian steroid estradiol; moreover, spine and synapse density fluctuate naturally as ovarian steroid levels vary across the estrous cycle. To determine whether the effects of estradiol on dendritic spine density require activation of specific neurotransmitter system...

Steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified (NOS), are rare ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors with malignant potential. The majority of these tumors produce several steroids, particularly testosterone. Various virilizing symptoms such as hirsutism, temporal balding, and amenorrhea are common in these patients; however massive ascites is an infrequent symptom. A 52-year-old woman with the sudden ...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and the underlying causes of infertility, preovulatory ovarian hormones, and ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation in patients undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. DESIGN Prospective, cross-sectional study. SETTING Assisted conception unit, university hospital. PATIENT(S) One hundred thirty women presenting ...

The aim of the study was to determine, in an experiment performed on conscious gilts, whether an increased amount of progesterone (P4) supplied to the porcine corpus luteum (CL), maintained within a physiological systemic concentration would influence its own secretion. On day 9 of the estrous cycle the jugular veins as well as both ovarian arteries and both ovarian veins were cannulated. In th...

To verity the role of metastasis-related nm23 genes in carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian carcinoma, we analyzed the mRNA levels of the nm23 genes of both isoforms, -H1 and -H2, together with those of the epidermal growth factor receptor, the c-erbB-2, and the c-erbB-3 genes in 45 ovarian carcinomas and 5 benign cystadenomas. Expressions of nm23 gene products/nucleoside diphosphate kinas...

Xenopus laevis has been used for many decades to study oocyte development and maturation. The Xenopus oocytes' large size, relative abundance, and clearly defined progression of physical characteristics from oogonia to eggs make them ideal for studying oogenesis. In addition, the ability of steroids to trigger Xenopus oocyte maturation in vitro has resulted in their extensive use for the study ...

Androgens in women either derive from direct ovarian production or from peripheral conversion of the adrenal sex steroid precursor, dehydroepiandrosterone, towards active androgens. Therefore, loss of adrenal or ovarian function, caused by Addison's disease or consequent to bilateral oophorectomy, results in severe androgen deficiency, clinically often associated with a loss of libido and energ...