Androstenedione

The human chemosignal, Delta 4,16-androstadien-3-one modulates psychological state without being consciously discernible as an odor. This study demonstrates that Delta 4,16-androstadien-3-one (androstadienone) alters cerebral glucose utilization both in subcortical regions and in areas of the neocortex not exclusively associated with olfaction. These widely distributed changes are consistent with modulation of an integrated neural network for regulation of emotional and attentional states. This is the first study to demonstrate the effects of a sustained chemosignal on brain metabolism and to show that they are similar to those of long acting chemical substances that affect psychological states. Moreover, this provides the first evidence that a human chemosignal has distributed effects on cortical processes and brain metabolism even when it is not detected consciously.

The change of fundamental voice frequency in continuous speech in female puberty was analysed in 47 girls by comparison of 2000 consecutive electroglottographic cycles in a reading situation. The results were compared with serum concentrations of androgens (dihydroepiandrosterone, delta-4-androstenedione, testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin), oestrogens (oestradiol, oestrone, and oestronesulphate), and somatic puberty (weight, height, mamma stages, and pubic hair stages). Fundamental frequency in continuous speech was related only to oestrone r = -0.34, (P less than 0.05). But the tone range in continuous speech and the lowest tone in the phonetogram were found to be significantly correlated with many of the pubertal and hormone parameters. All these correlations could be explained by a common age-dependency. By multiple regression analysis different sets of variables for prediction of speaking fundamental frequency were found before and after menarche.

Are differences in androgen levels among women with various forms of ovarian dysfunction associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities? Androgen levels differed substantially between women with and without ovarian dysfunction, and increased androgen levels were associated with impaired cardiometabolic features in all women irrespective of their clinical condition. Sex steroid hormones play important roles in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Extremes of low as well as high androgen levels have been associated with increased CVD risk in both men and women. This cross-sectional study included 680 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), natural post-menopausal women (NM), or regular menstrual cycles (RC) (170 women per group). Measurements of serum testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Assessments were taken of body mass index (BMI)...

Comparisons of numbers of antral ovarian follicles and corpora lutea (CL), of blood hormone concentrations, and of follicular fluid steroid concentrations and IGFBP activity were conducted between cows selected (twinner) and unselected (control) for twin births to elucidate genetic differences in the regulation of ovarian follicular development. Ovarian follicular development was synchronized among cows by a single i.m. injection of PGF2alpha on d 18 of the estrous cycle; six cows per population were slaughtered at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after PGF2alpha. Jugular vein blood was collected from each animal at PGF2alpha injection and at 24-h intervals until slaughter. Ovaries of twinner cows contained more small (< or = 5 mm in diameter, P < 0.05), medium (5.1 to 9.9 mm, P < 0.05), and large (> or = 10.0 mm, P < 0.01) follicles and more (P < 0.01) CL than ovaries of controls. Follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, and progesterone ref...

This article refers to the issues of alopecia and acne pathogenesis: anatomy of hair and sebaceous glands, biological factors affecting the stages of hair development and function of sebaceous glands. Alopecia is divided into two large groups: scaring and non-scaring alopecia, the later is represented by alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and female pattern hair loss/androgenetic alopecia (FPHL/AGA). Before starting the search for systemic causes it is necessary to predetermine the type of alopecia on the basis of medical history and external manifestations. FPHL /AGA as a most common form of alopecia can often coexist with another common pathology – telogen effluvium, this fact determines therapeutic approaches and their results.

Main pathogenetic mechanisms, approaches to differential diagnostics and treatment of the main specified types of non-scarring alopecia are reviewed. FPHL/AGA is a main type of alopecia which is often referred to gynecologists/endocrinologists. It is now regarded a multifactorial pathology with the involvement of a genetic component, androgen receptor gene expression, dihydrotestosterone synthesis and local low grade inflammation specifics. FPHL/AGA can be with and without hyperandrogenism, in both cases it can be accompanied by an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. In case of FPHL/AGA with hyperandrogenism the success of treatment depends on the consistent coordinated work of gynecologist/endocrinologist and dermatologist/trichologist, which allows combining systemic and local therapy in a timely manner.

Also contemporary views on the acne pathogenesis are reviewed. Given the complex nature of acne its therapy is also complex and stepwise. According to current clinical guidelines and recent studies of the microbial component of acne pathogenesis the following conclusions are formulated. Patients with acne require assessment of androgen status, determination of the hyperandrogenism source, including evaluation of tissue androgens; phenotype of the syndrome and cardio-metabolic risks should be determined in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome; it is advisable to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated from the inflamed pilosebaceous unit if acne form requires the local or systemic antibacterial therapy.