Mammalian sex determination involves complex interacting networks of cellular and hormonal signals leading to the development of male or female phenotypes. Three main sequential processes are involved: first, the establishment of chromosomal sex at fecundation (genetic sex); second, the development of the undifferentiated gonad into either testes or ovaries (gonadal sex); and third, differentia...

during the islamic lunar month of ramadan millions of muslims abstain from drinking and eating from dawn to sunset. the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of intermittent islamic fasting on reproductive function, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and the peripheral metabolism of thyroid hormones in men. we measured serum levels of fsh. lh, testosterone, prolactin, fsh, t4 a...

Endocrine disruptors (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane [DDT], dioxin, and some pesticides) are estrogen-like and anti-androgenic chemicals in the environment. They mimic natural hormones, inhibit the action of hormones, or alter the normal regulatory function of the endocrine system and have potential hazardous effects on male reproductive axis causing in...

There is a complex, bidirectional interdependence between sex steroid hormones and epilepsy; hormones affect seizures, while seizures affect hormones thereby disturbing reproductive endocrine function. Both female and male sex steroid hormones influence brain excitability. For the female sex steroid hormones, progesterone and its metabolites are anticonvulsant, while estrogens are mainly procon...

Background and Aim: Diabetes can lead to reduced fertility in men by production of free radicals. Crocin (the effective component of saffron) with its antioxidant property can be effective in elimination of free radicals. We evaluated the effects of crocin on the reproductive parameters of the STZ –induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Materials and Method: Rats were made diabetic with...

BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that reproductive abnormalities are increasing in frequency in both human population and among wild fauna. This increase is probably related to exposure to toxic contaminants in the environment. The use of sentinel species to raise alarms relating to human reproductive health has been strongly recommended. However, no simultaneous studies at the same site...

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of angiogenesis. In adults, angiogenesis is an infrequent event in the normal tissue except in the female reproductive tract where angiogenesis occurs frequently during the cyclical repair and regeneration of the endometrium as well as in the ovary. Little is known about angiogenesis in the male reproductive tract. The role of VEGF in...

background: para-nonylphenol (p-np) is able to induce malformations in male reproductive system. objective: the aim of this study was to investigate the preventing role of vitamin e (vit.e) on sperm parameters and reproductive hormones in developing rats. materials and methods: pregnant rats were divided into 4 groups: control p-np vit.e and p-np+vit.e. treatments were performed on day 7 of ges...

background: the role of thyroid hormones has been recognized in normal embryo development many years ago. these hormones also affected the development of reproductive organs and their activity. objectives: this study was conducted to investigate the effect of inducing hypothyroidism by propyl-2-thiouracyl (ptu) on lambs testicular histomorpho-logy and plasma testosterone concentration. methods:...

Foreword William Pollin Plenary Session Presentation to Kay Croker of J. Michael Morrison Award for Outstanding Achievement in Science Administration in the Drug Field Martin W. Adler Introduction of Nathan B. Eddy Memorial Award Recipient--1984 Louis S. Harris The Analgesic Connection: The Nathan 8. Eddy Memorial Lecture Raymond W. Houde Symposium Opiate and Opioid Modulation of Reproductive E...