NEW PERSPECTIVE OF AJA KSHEERA W.S.R TO VRUSHYA ACTIVITY - A REVIEW

Shukra dhatu is meant for procreation, its Kshaya (diminution) causes Male Infertility. Shukra dhatu is formed by the transformation of Aahara rasa (food) with the help of Agni (digestive fire). Aahara is one of three important sub pillars which supports life. Ksheera is Satmya (wholesome), and it is Dhatu Vardhaka (nourishes the body tissues), Rasayana (rejuvenation), Vajikarana / Vrushya (aphrodisiac), generally indicated in Shukra Doshas (sem- inal disorders). Aja Ksheera (Goat milk) attributes Laghu (light), Balya guna (Strength promotor) along with Deep- ana (kindles the digestive fire), Grahi Karma (absorptive) praised for its Sarva-Vyadi Hara (cures all ailments) and Shukrala karma (spermatogenic measure). It is easily digestible when compared to Goksheera (cow milk) and it is a good source of essential fatty acids such as linoleic, vitamin A, and trace elements like Zinc, Mg which are essen- tial factors for the production of sperm and male hormone. Formulations of Aja Ksheeera namely Chagaladya ghrutha, Tilagokshuradi yoga possess Vrushya property and are indicated in Nastashukra (diminution of semen), Shukra Nisarana, Shanda (impotency) conditions. The Guna Karma of Aja Ksheera along with its rich nutritive value supports the spermatogenesis thus it can be considered in the treatment of Shukrakshaya as Aahara as well Aushadha. Keywords: Aja Ksheera, Goat Milk, Vrushya, Spermatogenic, Aphrodisiac

Alterations in Pattern Baldness According to Sex: Hair Metabolomics Approach

Pattern baldness has been associated with the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone. In this study, we tried to determine how the overall metabolic pathways of pattern baldness differ in patients and in normal controls. Our study aimed to identify alterations in hair metabolomic profiles in order to identify possible markers of pattern baldness according to sex. Untargeted metabolomics profiling in pattern baldness patients and control subjects was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. To identify significantly altered metabolic pathways, partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed. Our analysis indicated differences in steroid biosynthesis pathway in both males and females. However, there was a remarkable difference in the androgen metabolic pathway in males, and the estrogen metabolic and arachidonic acid pathways in females. For the first time, we were able to confirm the metabolic pathway in pattern baldness patients using hair samples. Our finding improves understanding of pattern baldness and highlights the need to link pattern baldness and sex-related differences.

ENDOCRINE HISTORY: The history of discovery, synthesis and development of testosterone for clinical use

As the most important male hormone, testosterone has an impact on almost all organs and body functions. The biological effects of testosterone and the testes have been known since antiquity, long before testosterone was identified as the active agent. Practical applications of this knowledge were castration of males to produce obedient servants, for punishment, for preservation of the prepubertal soprano voice and even for treatment of diseases. Testes were used in organotherapy and transplanted as treatment for symptoms of hypogonadism on a large scale, although these practices had only placebo effects. In reaction to such malpractice in the first half of the 20th century science and the young pharmaceutical industry initiated the search for the male hormone. After several detours together with their teams in 1935, Ernst Laqueur (Amsterdam) isolated and Adolf Butenandt (Gdansk) as well as Leopold Ruzicka (Zürich) synthesized testosterone. Since then testosterone has been available for clinical use. However, when given orally, testosterone is inactivated in the liver, so that parenteral forms of administration or modifications of the molecule had to be found. Over 85 years the testosterone preparations have been slowly improved so that now physiological serum levels can be achieved.