Endocrine Abstracts

Orexins, the novel pluripotent hypothalamic peptides, have been shown to exert important roles in the regulation of multiple physiological functions and behaviors including appetite, sleep and wakefulness and energy homeostasis through neural and endocrine mechanisms. Evidence emerging from recent research indicates that orexins may be involved in many other physiological functions. Our previous results have suggested that orexin-A and B activate Ca2+ signaling in c...

Ghrelin, a recently isolated hormone, has been reported to have modulatory effects on smooth muscle contractility. In this study, we investigated the effects of ghrelin on spontaneous contractions in the rat uterus in vitro.Myometrium strips were removed from Wistar rats following decapitation and placed in a jacked tissue bath containing Krebs solution at 37 oC and pH 7.4, constantly bubbled with 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. The myometrial strips w...

Chronic central administration of KiSS-1 peptide to immature female rats induces pubertal maturation, characterized by advanced vaginal opening, increased uterine and ovarian weights, elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estrogen. There is evidence that the pineal gland may be also involved in puberty onset because melatonin secretion declines near puberty. We have investigated whether there is an interaction between kisspeptin and melatonin in timing of puberty ons...

Preterm labour is a serious clinical problem in obstetrics, and affective treatment of this condition still far from satisfactory. The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of isradipine, a calcium channel antagonist, on oxytocin-induced contractions of myometrium. Myometral strips were removed from late pregnant (18th day) Wistar rats following decapitation and placed in a jacked tissue bath containing Krebs’ solution and isometric contractions...

Seminal vesicles play important roles in male infertility due to their secretions and contractile properties. Beside their sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve supply, seminal vesicles are also innervated by purinergic stimuli. Additionally, prolactin affects the gonadal, seminal vesicle, prostate functions and contributes to seminal plasma and sexual function. Medical treatment of hyperprolactinemia usually involves dopamine agonists. In the present study, effects of treated...