scholarly journals The crosstalk between melatonin and sex steroid hormones

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Cipolla-Neto ◽  
Fernanda Gaspar Amaral ◽  
José Maria Soares-Jr ◽  
Camila Congentino Gallo ◽  
André Furtado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Contraceptive Pills ◽  
Circulating Levels

Melatonin, an indolamine mainly released from the pineal gland, is associated with many biological functions namely the modulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, sleep inducer, regulator of energy metabolism, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic. Although several evidences also recognize the influence of melatonin in the reproductive physiology, the crosstalk between melatonin and sex hormones is not clear. Here, we review the effects of sex differences in the circulating levels of melatonin and update the current knowledge on the link between sex hormones and melatonin. Furthermore, we explore the effects of melatonin on gonadal steroidogenesis and hormonal control in females. The literature review shows that despite the strong evidence that sex differences impact on the circadian profiles of melatonin, reports are still considerably ambiguous and these differences may arise from several factors, like the use of contraceptive pills, hormonal status and sleep deprivation. Furthermore, there has been an inconclusive debate about the characteristics of the reciprocal relationship between melatonin and reproductive hormones. In this regard, there is evidence for the role of melatonin in gonadal steroidogenesis brought about by research that shows that melatonin affects multiple transduction pathways that modulate Sertoli cell physiology and consequently spermatogenesis, and also estrogen and progesterone production. From the outcome of our research, it is possible to conclude that understanding the correlation between melatonin and reproductive hormones is crucial for the correction of several complications occurring during pregnancy, like pre-eclampsia and for the control of climacteric symptoms.

scholarly journals Regulatory Role of Sex Hormones in Cardiovascular Calcification

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4620
Author(s):  
Holly J. Woodward ◽  
Dongxing Zhu ◽  
Patrick W. F. Hadoke ◽  
Victoria E. MacRae
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Aortic Stenosis ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Primary Male

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD), including aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular calcification, are well documented. High levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular calcification, whilst estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is considered cardioprotective. Current understanding of sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular calcification is still very limited. This review assesses the evidence that the actions of sex hormones influence the development of cardiovascular calcification. We address the current question of whether sex hormones could play a role in the sexual dimorphism seen in cardiovascular calcification, by discussing potential mechanisms of actions of sex hormones and evidence in pre-clinical research. More advanced investigations and understanding of sex hormones in calcification could provide a better translational outcome for those suffering with cardiovascular calcification.

scholarly journals Sex Differences and the Influence of Sex Hormones on Cognition through Adulthood and the Aging Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Gurvich ◽  
Kate Hoy ◽  
Natalie Thomas ◽  
Jayashri Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis that regulate reproductive function have multiple effects on the development, maintenance and function of the brain. Sex differences in cognitive functioning have been reported in both health and disease, which may be partly attributed to sex hormones. The aim of the current paper was to provide a theoretical review of how sex hormones influence cognitive functioning across the lifespan as well as provide an overview of the literature on sex differences and the role of sex hormones in cognitive decline, specifically in relation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A summary of current hormone and sex-based interventions for enhancing cognitive functioning and/or reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is also provided.

Kinetics, molecular basis, and differentiation of l-lactate transport in spermatogenic cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (3) ◽  
pp. C523-C534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Brauchi ◽  
Maria C. Rauch ◽  
Ivan E. Alfaro ◽  
Christian Cea ◽  
Ilona I. Concha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Round Spermatid ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Lactate Transport ◽  
Glycolytic Activity ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Pachytene Spermatocytes

Round spermatid energy metabolism is closely dependent on the presence of l-lactate in the external medium. This l-lactate has been proposed to be supplied by Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules. l-Lactate, in conjunction with glucose, modulates intracellular Ca2+ concentration in round spermatids and pachytene spermatocytes. In spite of this central role of l-lactate in spermatogenic cell physiology, the mechanism of l-lactate transport, as well as possible differentiation during spermatogenesis, has not been studied in these cells. By measuring radioactive l-lactate transport and intracellular pH (pHi) changes with pHi fluorescent probes, we show that these cells transport l-lactate using monocarboxylate-H+ transport (MCT) systems. RT-PCR, in situ mRNA hybridization, and immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry data show that pachytene spermatocytes express mainly the MCT1 and MCT4 isoforms of the transporter (intermediate- and low-affinity transporters, respectively), while round spermatids, besides MCT1 and MCT4, also show expression of the MCT2 isoform (high-affinity transporter). These molecular data are consistent with the kinetic data of l-lactate transport in these cells demonstrating at least two transport components for l-lactate. These separate transport components reflect the ability of these cells to switch between the generation of glycolytic l-lactate in the presence of external glucose and the use of l-lactate when this substrate is available in the external environment. The supply of these substrates is regulated by the hormonal control of Sertoli cell glycolytic activity.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Otolaryngology: Focus on the Emerging Role of Estrogens in Inflammatory and Pro-Resolving Responses

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8768
Author(s):  
Sheng-Dean Luo ◽  
Tai-Jan Chiu ◽  
Wei-Chih Chen ◽  
Ching-Shuen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Vocal Fold ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Proinflammatory Responses ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Nose And Throat

Otolaryngology (also known as ear, nose, and throat (ENT)) diseases can be significantly affected by the level of sex hormones, which indicates that sex differences affect the manifestation, pathophysiology, and outcomes of these diseases. Recently, increasing evidence has suggested that proinflammatory responses in ENT diseases are linked to the level of sex hormones. The sex hormone receptors are present on a wide variety of immune cells; therefore, it is evident that they play crucial roles in regulating the immune system and hence affect the disease progression of ENT diseases. In this review, we focus on how sex hormones, particularly estrogens, regulate ENT diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis, vocal fold polyps, thyroid cancer, Sjögren’s syndrome, and head and neck cancers, from the perspectives of inflammatory responses and specialized proresolving mediator-driven resolution. This paper aims to clarify why considering sex differences in the field of basic and medical research on otolaryngology is a key component to successful therapy for both males and females in the future.

scholarly journals The Role of the Gastric Hormones Ghrelin and Nesfatin-1 in Reproduction

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11059
Author(s):  
Martha A. Schalla ◽  
Andreas Stengel
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Gastric Mucosa ◽  
Reproductive System ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Peptide Hormones ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Hpg Axis ◽  
Physiological Systems

Ghrelin and nesfatin-1 are enteroendocrine peptide hormones expressed in rat X/A-like and human P/D1cells of the gastric mucosa. Besides their effect on food intake, both peptides are also implicated in various other physiological systems. One of these is the reproductive system. This present review illustrates the distribution of ghrelin and nesfatin-1 along the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, their modulation by reproductive hormones, and effects on reproductive functions as well as highlighting gaps in current knowledge to foster further research.

scholarly journals Role of sex hormones in modulating myocardial perfusion and coronary flow reserve

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Haider ◽  
Susan Bengs ◽  
Angela Portmann ◽  
Alexia Rossi ◽  
Hazem Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Myocardial Perfusion ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Coronary Flow Reserve ◽  
Coronary Flow ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Flow Reserve

Abstract Background A growing body of evidence highlights sex differences in the diagnostic accuracy of cardiovascular imaging modalities. Nonetheless, the role of sex hormones in modulating myocardial perfusion and coronary flow reserve (CFR) is currently unclear. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of female and male sex hormones on myocardial perfusion and CFR. Methods Rest and stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) was conducted by small animal positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]flurpiridaz in a total of 56 mice (7–8 months old) including gonadectomized (Gx) and sham-operated males and females, respectively. Myocardial [18F]flurpiridaz uptake (% injected dose per mL, % ID/mL) was used as a surrogate for myocardial perfusion at rest and following intravenous regadenoson injection, as previously reported. Apparent coronary flow reserve (CFRApp) was calculated as the ratio of stress and rest myocardial perfusion. Left ventricular (LV) morphology and function were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Results Orchiectomy resulted in a significant decrease of resting myocardial perfusion (Gx vs. sham, 19.4 ± 1.0 vs. 22.2 ± 0.7 % ID/mL, p = 0.034), while myocardial perfusion at stress remained unchanged (Gx vs. sham, 27.5 ± 1.2 vs. 27.3 ± 1.2 % ID/mL, p = 0.896). Accordingly, CFRApp was substantially higher in orchiectomized males (Gx vs. sham, 1.43 ± 0.04 vs. 1.23 ± 0.05, p = 0.004), and low serum testosterone levels were linked to a blunted resting myocardial perfusion (r = 0.438, p = 0.020) as well as an enhanced CFRApp (r = −0.500, p = 0.007). In contrast, oophorectomy did not affect myocardial perfusion in females. Of note, orchiectomized males showed a reduced LV mass, stroke volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on CMR, while no such effects were observed in oophorectomized females. Conclusion Our experimental data in mice indicate that sex differences in myocardial perfusion are primarily driven by testosterone. Given the diagnostic importance of PET-MPI in clinical routine, further studies are warranted to determine whether testosterone levels affect the interpretation of myocardial perfusion findings in patients.

Sex Differences and the Role of Sex Hormones in Pulmonary Hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-465
Author(s):  
Hannah Takahashi Oakland ◽  
Phillip Joseph
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Hormones

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: The Role of Sex Hormones

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1946-1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Makrygiannis ◽  
Audrey Courtois ◽  
Pierre Drion ◽  
Jean-Olivier Defraigne ◽  
Helena Kuivaniemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Aortic Aneurysm ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Abdominal Aortic

scholarly journals Sex and gender in asthma

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (162) ◽  
pp. 210067
Author(s):  
Nowrin U. Chowdhury ◽  
Vamsi P. Guntur ◽  
Dawn C. Newcomb ◽  
Michael E. Wechsler
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Therapeutic Response ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Sex And Gender ◽  
Asthma Incidence ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Incidence Prevalence

Asthma is a heterogenous disease, and its prevalence and severity are different in males versus females through various ages. As children, boys have an increased prevalence of asthma. As adults, women have an increased prevalence and severity of asthma. Sex hormones, genetic and epigenetic variations, social and environmental factors, and responses to asthma therapeutics are important factors in the sex differences observed in asthma incidence, prevalence and severity. For women, fluctuations in sex hormone levels during puberty, the menstrual cycle and pregnancy are associated with asthma pathogenesis. Further, sex differences in gene expression and epigenetic modifications and responses to environmental factors, including SARS-CoV-2 infections, are associated with differences in asthma incidence, prevalence and symptoms. We review the role of sex hormones, genetics and epigenetics, and their interactions with the environment in the clinical manifestations and therapeutic response of asthma.

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