Endocrine Abstracts

The hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis undergoes adaptive changes in response to increased energy expenditure at puberty, a process called thyroidarche. Furthermore, the secretion of thyroid hormones (THs) is influenced by various kinds of acute and chronic stresses. Amongst others, persistent and severe physical stress may affect the secretion of THs. The present study investigates changes in the secretion of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TSH), trioiodothyronine (T3) and tet...

Serum of infertile males and that of proven fathers (n=717) was analysed for the measurement of sperm concentration, serum LH, FSH and testosterone. Earlier, when classified on the basis of sperm count, 13% males turned out to be azoospermic, 15% oligozoospermic, 0.025% polyzoospermic and 42% normozoospermic in a five year analysis. Oligozoospermic subjects were further classified as mild, moderate and severe oligozoospermic. Hormonal analysis indicated normal levels of LH and...

Asthenozoospermia was seen in 43% patients (n = 516), either singly, or in combination with other semen disorders. For this study, 186 patients were divided into two groups of 93 patients each. In the treated group, the patients were advised vitamin A and E therapy for 12 weeks, while the placebo group was not administered anything. In all the patients in the treated group, sperm motility increased significantly (p < 0.05). The mean motility increase in the treated group w...

The reawakening of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) leading to attainment of sexual maturation and reproductive capacity is influenced by several internal and external factors. Amongst external factors, adverse physical or psychological conditions may alter the timing of onset of puberty. The present study examined the effect of persistent and severe physical stress on timing of onset of puberty. The study included non-working school/college going and working boys of 10...

Adrenarche is a normal maturational event that in humans occurs at around 6–8 years of age. During adrenarche, a new zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis, is developed, resulting in increased production of adrenal androgens, androsteindione, DHEA and DHEAS. The increase in the secretion of adrenal androgens causes the appearance of axilliary and pubic hair, a brief increase in linear growth velocity and bone maturation, and the development of the brain. The pr...