Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology

ea0006p60 | Reproduction | SFE2003

Aromatase is abundantly expressed in neonatal rat penis but down-regulated in adulthood

Jesmin S , Mowa C , Sakuma I , Hattori Y , Togashi H , Kitabatake A

Although synthesis of estrogen by male gonads has been well documented for over half a century, it is only recently that the role of estrogen in male reproductive events has gained appreciation. We recently reported abundant expression of ER-alpha and -beta in perinatal rat penis, whose levels diminished with advancing age. The present study investigates whether the penis is capable of synthesizing its own estrogen by examining presence of aromtase, the microsomal enzymatic co...

ea0006dp14 | Diabetes, metabolism and cardiovascular | SFE2003

Onset of insulin-resistant stage in a Type II diabetic rat model is associated with diminished levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in the penis: implications in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction in diabetes

Jesmin S , Sakuma I , Mowa C , Salah-eldin A , Hattori Y , Kitabatake A

The role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of numerous complications associated with diabetes is well established. However, little is known of VEGF's role in erectile dysfunction (ED), a condition commonly experienced by diabetic men. We hypothesized that expression of VEGF, its receptors and its signaling pathway, Akt, may be altered in diabetic penile tissues and, consequently, induce expression of molecules involved in the development of ED in...