Endocrine Abstracts

The critical role played by local microvasculature in ovarian and uterine events during different functional states is well established. Surprisngly, little is known about the cervix, particularly the microvascular changes and roles associated with cervical ripening (a process of tissue remodeling, characterized by an inflammatory reaction, which facilitates passage of fetus at term). Because vascular remodeling is crucial in inflammatory responses it may (along with other fac...

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...

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...