Einfluss des Wachstumsfaktors Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) auf das Follikelwachstum beim Weißbüschelaffen (Callithrix jacchus) Aus dem Veterinär-Physiologisch-Chemischen Institut der Veterinärmedizinischen Fakultät der Universität Leipzig Eingereicht im September 2010 (86 S., 16 Abb., 9 Tab., 225 Lit., 4 S. Anhang) Schlüsselwörter: Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I), Granulosazellen, Steroidhormone (Östradiol, Progesteron), Gonadotropine (FSH, hCG) In der vorliegenden Studie wurde die Rolle von IGF-I und das Zusammenwirken mit den Gonadotropinen (FSH, hCG) auf die Sekretion der Steroidhormone (Progesteron, Östradiol) kultivierter Granulosazellen von 13 Weißbüschelaffen untersucht, um zu prüfen, ob und wie weit IGF-I die Sekretion und Reifung der Granulosazellen beeinflusst. Für die in vitro-Experimente wurden Zellkulturen mit Granulosazellen kleiner ( 0,5 - 1 mm) und präovulatorischer Follikel ( > 2 mm) von Ovarien am 7. Tag der Follikelphase verwendet. Vor jedem Versuch wurde das Wachstum der Follikel durch zwei Ultraschalluntersuchungen kontrolliert. Während der Kultur wurden drei Inkubationsintervalle von je 48 h durchgeführt. Die Zellen wurden mit IGF-I allein oder in Kombination mit FSH bzw. hCG stimuliert. Zum Teil wurden die Gonadotropine auch zur Prästimulation verwendet. Das Signifikanzniveau der Hormoneffekte lag bei p<0,05. Bei den Granulosazellen kleiner Follikel lässt sich durch die alleinige Gabe von IGF-I nur am Ende der Kultur (144 h) eine signifikante Erhöhung der Progesteronsekretion feststellen. Bei einer Kombinationsgabe von IGF-I und FSH findet sich schon am Anfang (48 h) ein signifikanter Einfluss auf die Sekretion von Progesteron und Östradiol. Bei der Progesteronsekretion ist der Effekt der Kombination signifikant höher als bei Einzelgabe beider Hormone. Dagegen ist bei der Östradiolsekretion der Effekt der Kombination zwar nicht höher als bei einer alleinigen Gabe von FSH, aber die Zellen reagieren wesentlich schneller auf IGF-I, wenn sie zusammen mit FSH stimuliert werden. Keine signifikante Wirkung in der Steroidhormonsekretion ruft die Hormonkombination IGF-I und hCG im Vergleich zur alleinigen Gabe der beiden Hormone hervor. Bei dem Vergleich beider Gonadotropine ist eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion nur bei alleiniger Gabe von FSH zu beobachten. Bei den Experimenten mit Prästimulationen (FSH oder hCG) lässt sich nur bei der FSH-Prästimulation mit einer nachfolgenden Kombinationsgabe von hCG und IGF-I eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion feststellen. Dies bedeutet, dass FSH die kleinen Granulosazellen auf die Wirkung von hCG sensibilisiert, wobei IGF-I diesen Vorgang unterstützt. Im Gegensatz zu den kleinen Follikeln lässt sich bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel ein signifikanter Effekt von verschiedenen Hormonstimulationen schon früh beobachten. Durch alleinige IGF-I-Gabe lässt sich bereits am Anfang der Kultur (48 h) eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion feststellen. Eine Kombinationsgabe von IGF-I und der Gonadotropine (FSH oder hCG) zeigt, dass die Kombination mit FSH zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung beider Steroide im Vergleich zur Kontrolle führt. Dagegen zeigt sich bei einer Kombination von IGF-I und hCG eine signifikante Erhöhung der Steroidhormonsekretion schon ab 48 h sowohl im Vergleich zur Kontrolle als auch zur alleinigen Gabe dieser Hormone. Bei der Untersuchung des Effekts beider Gonadotropine (FSH oder hCG) ist schon ab 48 h ein signifikanter Effekt auf beide Steroidhormone zu erkennen. Beide Gonadotropinprästimulationen (FSH oder hCG) mit nachfolgender Hormonkombination (hCG und IGF-I) führen bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel zu einer signifikant geringeren Steroidhormonsekretion im Vergleich zur Gabe von hCG und IGF-I ohne Prästimulation. Die Zellen reagieren offenbar in dieser Art und Weise, um eine mögliche übermäßige Steroidgenese, und somit eine pathologische Situation, zu verhindern. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt, dass IGF-I bei den kleinen und präovulatorischen Follikeln unterschiedliche Wirkungen hervorruft. Es scheint, dass IGF-I die Sekretion von Progesteron und Östradiol auf unterschiedliche Art und Weise beeinflusst, und dass die Granulosazellen der Weißbüschelaffen erst während der Follikelentwicklung die Fähigkeit erwerben, auf IGFI entsprechend zu reagieren. Die Ergebnisse zeigen weiterhin, dass IGF-I bei den Granulosazellen der kleinen Follikel eine eher unterstützende Rolle für die Gonadotropine spielt, und dass IGF-I mit den Gonadotropinen bei der Reifung und der Differenzierung der Follikel mitwirkt. Möglicherweise spielt IGF-I auch während der Entwicklung und des Wachstums des präovulatorischen Follikels sowie bei der Regulierung der Progesteronsekretion eine Rolle. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse unterstützen die Hypothese, dass IGF-I zusammen mit hCG die Zelldifferenzierung bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel fördert. Außerdem kann vermutet werden, dass bei den Granulosazellen der präovulatorischen Follikel IGF-I zusammen mit FSH in unabhängiger Weise wirkt. Abschließend kann gesagt werden, dass ein Zusammenwirken zwischen den Gonadotropinen und IGF-I in Bezug auf die Bildung des präovulatorischen Follikels und die darauffolgende Ovulation existiert, dies gilt es auch bei pathologischen Situationen der Follikelreifung und Ovulation zu berücksichtigen.

Influências de secreções endógenas e estímulos ambientais durante o período neonatal parecem ser determinantes para programar a atividade neuroendócrina e comportamental na vida adulta. O propósito do presente trabalho foi estudar a interação entre os hormônios gonadais e a manipulação durante o período neonatal sobre a concentração plasmática de corticosterona, gonadotrofinas (hormônios luteinizante e folículo estimulante), e hormônios gonadais (estradiol, progesterona e testosterona) em ratos adultos machos e fêmeas. Para alguns grupos experimentais, filhotes de ratos Wistar foram gonadectomizados, ou submetidos à cirurgia fictícia, antes de 6 horas após o nascimento, ou foram mantidos sem cirurgia. Metade destes animais foram estimulados diariamente, ou foram mantidos sem a manipulação neonatal, durante os primeiros 10 dias de vida. Para outros grupos experimentais, machos foram manipulados diariamente durante o período dos 10 primeiros e gonadectomizados aos 80 dias de vida. Somente a manipulação neonatal não provocou diferenças na concentração plasmática de corticosterona e gonadotrofinas, tanto em machos quanto em fêmeas, mas reduziu a secreção de hormônios gonadais em fêmeas. Enquanto a manipulação em fêmeas gonadectomizadas logo após o nascimento induziu um menor aumento na resposta de corticosterona comparada com às fêmeas não-manipuladas, em machos, a ausência de hormônios gonadais aboliu a redução da resposta ao estresse induzida pela gonadectomia neonatal no grupo não-manipulado. A manipulação aumentou a responsividade do feedback negativo para as gonadotrofinas em machos e fêmeas gonadectomizados no período neonatal. Mas a gonadectomia na idade adulta, em ratos machos manipulados no período neonatal induziu a um menor aumento no LH, comparado aos machos não-manipulados. Deve-se considerar que a castração realizada logo após o nascimento provoca a ausência dos hormônios gonadais durante todo o restante da vida do animal. Em fêmeas, a estimulação ambiental atuou sobre um sistema que não estava sob a influência dos hormônios gonadais. Mas em machos, além dos efeitos pré-natais dos esteróides gonadais, uma interação entre a estimulação neonatal e os efeitos destes hormônios durante o período neonatal provavelmente ocorreu. A estimulação ambiental durante o período neonatal e os hormônios gonadais interagem exercendo um profundo impacto a longo-prazo sobre a atividade do sistema de estresse hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenais e também sobre os mecanismos de controle neuroendócrino do sistema reprodutivo na vida adulta. / Endogenous hormones and environmental stimuli during the neonatal period appear to be determinant to program the behavioral and neuroendocrine profile in adult life. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the interaction between gonadal hormones and handling stimulation during the neonatal period on plasma corticosterone, gonadotrophins (luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones), and gonadal hormones (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) in adult male and female rats. For experimental groups, newborn Wistar pups were gonadectomized, or submitted to sham surgery or kept without surgery, at up to 6 hours after delivery. These pups were or stimulated daily by experimental handling, or kept without handling, during the first 10 postnatal days. For another experimental groups, males were stimulated daily on neonatal period (until 10 postnatal days) and gonadectomized at 80 days. Only neonatal handling shows no differences on plasma corticosterone and gonadotrophins, both in male or female rats, but reduced gonadal hormones in female rats. While handling in neonatal gonadectomized females induced a lesser increase in corticosterone response compared with the non-handled ones, in males, the absence of the gonadal hormones abolished the reduction of the stress response induced by neonatal gonadectomy in the non-handled group. Handling increased the negative feedback responsiveness to gonadotrophins of neonatal gonadectomized male and female rats. But, adult gonadectomy of neonatal handled males induced a lesser increase in LH compared with the non-handled ones. It is noteworthy that those castration performed just after birth, provoked the absence of the hormones occurred throughout the life of the animal. In females, early life environmental stimulation occurred upon a nervous system that has not been under the influence of gonadal hormones. In males, besides pre-natal effects of gonadal steroids, an interaction between environmental stimulation and hormonal effects during the neonatal period probably occurred. Environmental stimulation during the neonatal period and gonadal hormones interact and exert a profound long-lasting impact on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress system and also on the reproductive neuroendocrine control mechanisms in adulthood.

Infertility is one of the major problems of obesity. Studies have shown that administration of leptin reversed obesity-induced infertility in rats and mice. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant and also supplies the energy needed for ovulation and embryo development. We hypothesized that leptin when combined with CoQ10 could greatly improve obesity-induced infertility. The results showed a significant decrease in food intake, body weight, and the regular estrous cycle was restored after treatment with leptin+CoQ10. There was a significant increase (p10 significantly (p10 can improve fertility in obese infertile female rats. This study could provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of infertility and formulation of new drugs for the treatment of obesity-induced infertility in females.

The wave-like developmental pattern of follicles ≥1 mm in temporal relationship with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the existence of 2- and 3-waves of follicular development during an interovulatory interval (IOI) have been clearly defined in cattle. However, information about the developmental pattern of antral follicles <1 mm and the repeatability of the wave pattern (2- or 3-wave IOI) is lacking. Using approaches such as immunization against GnRH (to suppress circulating concentrations of FSH) and histomorphometric study of ovarian tissues collected from cyclic heifers on different days after ovulation, the developmental pattern of antral follicles <1 mm and the role of FSH in their development were studied in heifers. Ultrasonographically acquired follicular data were used to determine the repeatability of 2- and 3-wave patterns and the effect of season on the wave patterns. The ovulatory follicle in 3-wave IOI is exposed to a shorter term high-progesterone environment than that of 2-wave IOI, and it has been argued that the less-aged ovulatory follicle of 3-wave IOI yields a more fertile oocyte than the 2-wave IOI. The developmental competence of oocytes in preovulatory follicles of 2- versus 3-wave IOI was compared using in vivo environments created to mimic short-term low- and high-progesterone environments similar to 2- and 3-wave IOI, respectively. The developmental competence of oocytes in persistent dominant-type follicles was also determined.<p>The vaccination against GnRH attenuated FSH surges but did not suppress the basal circulating concentrations of FSH. The attenuation of FSH surges suppressed the wave-like emergence of follicles ≥4 mm but not of the antral follicles <4 mm. The study revealed an inverse relationship between the mean and peak circulating concentrations of FSH and the number of follicles recruited into ≥1 mm size category. Histomorphometric study revealed that antral follicles <1 mm developed in a wave-like fashion in response to a rise in the circulating concentrations of FSH. After treatment with exogenous FSH, the growth rate of follicles in GnRH-immunized heifers was similar to controls. <p>The duration of IOI was predictive of the wave pattern (i.e., 2- or 3-wave IOI), and the pattern was repeatable within individuals throughout the year. The dominant follicle of Wave 1 in 2-wave IOI had a longer duration of dominance than in 3-wave IOI. Hence, the dominant follicle of Wave 1 may have a primary role in the regulation of 2- and 3-wave patterns. Greater attrition of follicles in 3-wave IOI, due to the emergence of an extra wave compared to 2-wave IOI, may contribute to earlier follicular depletion and onset of reproductive senescence in heifers with primarily a 3-wave pattern. The fertilization capacity of oocytes that were exposed to the short-term low-progesterone environment (i.e., similar to the early growing phase of the ovulatory follicle of 3-wave IOI) was increased, but the developmental competence post-fertilization was not different from oocytes that were exposed to a short-term high-progesterone environment (i.e., similar to the early growing phase of preovulatory follicle of 2-wave IOI). Multiple follicles developed under the prolonged-low progesterone environment, but failed to ovulate.

La signalisation cellulaire induite par les r écepteurs à sept domaines transmembranaires (R7TM) contrôle les principales fonctions physiologiques humaines. Ces R7TMs sont cibles de m édicaments et initient de larges réseaux d'interactions. Nous avons modélisé dynamiquement les réseaux de signalisation du récepteur à l'hormone folliculo-stimulante (FSH) régulant la fonction de reproduction et du récepteur angiotensine, un R7TM modèle régulant la tension pour comprendre le fonctionnement de ces réseaux et prédire des données inaccessibles expérimentalement. Notre modélisation a utilisé des équations différentielles ordinaires, en assimilant une variable par espèce et un paramètre par constante cinétique. Les paramètres manquant ont été déterminés par optimisation paramétrique. Puis, nous avons d éveloppé un environnement afin de comparer plusieurs algorithmes d'optimisation et de créer une nouvelle méthode hybride plus performante et adaptée à la paramétrisation des réseaux de signalisation.

The wave-like developmental pattern of follicles ≥1 mm in temporal relationship with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the existence of 2- and 3-waves of follicular development during an interovulatory interval (IOI) have been clearly defined in cattle. However, information about the developmental pattern of antral follicles <1 mm and the repeatability of the wave pattern (2- or 3-wave IOI) is lacking. Using approaches such as immunization against GnRH (to suppress circulating concentrations of FSH) and histomorphometric study of ovarian tissues collected from cyclic heifers on different days after ovulation, the developmental pattern of antral follicles <1 mm and the role of FSH in their development were studied in heifers. Ultrasonographically acquired follicular data were used to determine the repeatability of 2- and 3-wave patterns and the effect of season on the wave patterns. The ovulatory follicle in 3-wave IOI is exposed to a shorter term high-progesterone environment than that of 2-wave IOI, and it has been argued that the less-aged ovulatory follicle of 3-wave IOI yields a more fertile oocyte than the 2-wave IOI. The developmental competence of oocytes in preovulatory follicles of 2- versus 3-wave IOI was compared using in vivo environments created to mimic short-term low- and high-progesterone environments similar to 2- and 3-wave IOI, respectively. The developmental competence of oocytes in persistent dominant-type follicles was also determined.<p>The vaccination against GnRH attenuated FSH surges but did not suppress the basal circulating concentrations of FSH. The attenuation of FSH surges suppressed the wave-like emergence of follicles ≥4 mm but not of the antral follicles <4 mm. The study revealed an inverse relationship between the mean and peak circulating concentrations of FSH and the number of follicles recruited into ≥1 mm size category. Histomorphometric study revealed that antral follicles <1 mm developed in a wave-like fashion in response to a rise in the circulating concentrations of FSH. After treatment with exogenous FSH, the growth rate of follicles in GnRH-immunized heifers was similar to controls. <p>The duration of IOI was predictive of the wave pattern (i.e., 2- or 3-wave IOI), and the pattern was repeatable within individuals throughout the year. The dominant follicle of Wave 1 in 2-wave IOI had a longer duration of dominance than in 3-wave IOI. Hence, the dominant follicle of Wave 1 may have a primary role in the regulation of 2- and 3-wave patterns. Greater attrition of follicles in 3-wave IOI, due to the emergence of an extra wave compared to 2-wave IOI, may contribute to earlier follicular depletion and onset of reproductive senescence in heifers with primarily a 3-wave pattern. The fertilization capacity of oocytes that were exposed to the short-term low-progesterone environment (i.e., similar to the early growing phase of the ovulatory follicle of 3-wave IOI) was increased, but the developmental competence post-fertilization was not different from oocytes that were exposed to a short-term high-progesterone environment (i.e., similar to the early growing phase of preovulatory follicle of 2-wave IOI). Multiple follicles developed under the prolonged-low progesterone environment, but failed to ovulate.

Influências de secreções endógenas e estímulos ambientais durante o período neonatal parecem ser determinantes para programar a atividade neuroendócrina e comportamental na vida adulta. O propósito do presente trabalho foi estudar a interação entre os hormônios gonadais e a manipulação durante o período neonatal sobre a concentração plasmática de corticosterona, gonadotrofinas (hormônios luteinizante e folículo estimulante), e hormônios gonadais (estradiol, progesterona e testosterona) em ratos adultos machos e fêmeas. Para alguns grupos experimentais, filhotes de ratos Wistar foram gonadectomizados, ou submetidos à cirurgia fictícia, antes de 6 horas após o nascimento, ou foram mantidos sem cirurgia. Metade destes animais foram estimulados diariamente, ou foram mantidos sem a manipulação neonatal, durante os primeiros 10 dias de vida. Para outros grupos experimentais, machos foram manipulados diariamente durante o período dos 10 primeiros e gonadectomizados aos 80 dias de vida. Somente a manipulação neonatal não provocou diferenças na concentração plasmática de corticosterona e gonadotrofinas, tanto em machos quanto em fêmeas, mas reduziu a secreção de hormônios gonadais em fêmeas. Enquanto a manipulação em fêmeas gonadectomizadas logo após o nascimento induziu um menor aumento na resposta de corticosterona comparada com às fêmeas não-manipuladas, em machos, a ausência de hormônios gonadais aboliu a redução da resposta ao estresse induzida pela gonadectomia neonatal no grupo não-manipulado. A manipulação aumentou a responsividade do feedback negativo para as gonadotrofinas em machos e fêmeas gonadectomizados no período neonatal. Mas a gonadectomia na idade adulta, em ratos machos manipulados no período neonatal induziu a um menor aumento no LH, comparado aos machos não-manipulados. Deve-se considerar que a castração realizada logo após o nascimento provoca a ausência dos hormônios gonadais durante todo o restante da vida do animal. Em fêmeas, a estimulação ambiental atuou sobre um sistema que não estava sob a influência dos hormônios gonadais. Mas em machos, além dos efeitos pré-natais dos esteróides gonadais, uma interação entre a estimulação neonatal e os efeitos destes hormônios durante o período neonatal provavelmente ocorreu. A estimulação ambiental durante o período neonatal e os hormônios gonadais interagem exercendo um profundo impacto a longo-prazo sobre a atividade do sistema de estresse hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenais e também sobre os mecanismos de controle neuroendócrino do sistema reprodutivo na vida adulta. / Endogenous hormones and environmental stimuli during the neonatal period appear to be determinant to program the behavioral and neuroendocrine profile in adult life. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the interaction between gonadal hormones and handling stimulation during the neonatal period on plasma corticosterone, gonadotrophins (luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones), and gonadal hormones (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) in adult male and female rats. For experimental groups, newborn Wistar pups were gonadectomized, or submitted to sham surgery or kept without surgery, at up to 6 hours after delivery. These pups were or stimulated daily by experimental handling, or kept without handling, during the first 10 postnatal days. For another experimental groups, males were stimulated daily on neonatal period (until 10 postnatal days) and gonadectomized at 80 days. Only neonatal handling shows no differences on plasma corticosterone and gonadotrophins, both in male or female rats, but reduced gonadal hormones in female rats. While handling in neonatal gonadectomized females induced a lesser increase in corticosterone response compared with the non-handled ones, in males, the absence of the gonadal hormones abolished the reduction of the stress response induced by neonatal gonadectomy in the non-handled group. Handling increased the negative feedback responsiveness to gonadotrophins of neonatal gonadectomized male and female rats. But, adult gonadectomy of neonatal handled males induced a lesser increase in LH compared with the non-handled ones. It is noteworthy that those castration performed just after birth, provoked the absence of the hormones occurred throughout the life of the animal. In females, early life environmental stimulation occurred upon a nervous system that has not been under the influence of gonadal hormones. In males, besides pre-natal effects of gonadal steroids, an interaction between environmental stimulation and hormonal effects during the neonatal period probably occurred. Environmental stimulation during the neonatal period and gonadal hormones interact and exert a profound long-lasting impact on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress system and also on the reproductive neuroendocrine control mechanisms in adulthood.

Influências de secreções endógenas e estímulos ambientais durante o período neonatal parecem ser determinantes para programar a atividade neuroendócrina e comportamental na vida adulta. O propósito do presente trabalho foi estudar a interação entre os hormônios gonadais e a manipulação durante o período neonatal sobre a concentração plasmática de corticosterona, gonadotrofinas (hormônios luteinizante e folículo estimulante), e hormônios gonadais (estradiol, progesterona e testosterona) em ratos adultos machos e fêmeas. Para alguns grupos experimentais, filhotes de ratos Wistar foram gonadectomizados, ou submetidos à cirurgia fictícia, antes de 6 horas após o nascimento, ou foram mantidos sem cirurgia. Metade destes animais foram estimulados diariamente, ou foram mantidos sem a manipulação neonatal, durante os primeiros 10 dias de vida. Para outros grupos experimentais, machos foram manipulados diariamente durante o período dos 10 primeiros e gonadectomizados aos 80 dias de vida. Somente a manipulação neonatal não provocou diferenças na concentração plasmática de corticosterona e gonadotrofinas, tanto em machos quanto em fêmeas, mas reduziu a secreção de hormônios gonadais em fêmeas. Enquanto a manipulação em fêmeas gonadectomizadas logo após o nascimento induziu um menor aumento na resposta de corticosterona comparada com às fêmeas não-manipuladas, em machos, a ausência de hormônios gonadais aboliu a redução da resposta ao estresse induzida pela gonadectomia neonatal no grupo não-manipulado. A manipulação aumentou a responsividade do feedback negativo para as gonadotrofinas em machos e fêmeas gonadectomizados no período neonatal. Mas a gonadectomia na idade adulta, em ratos machos manipulados no período neonatal induziu a um menor aumento no LH, comparado aos machos não-manipulados. Deve-se considerar que a castração realizada logo após o nascimento provoca a ausência dos hormônios gonadais durante todo o restante da vida do animal. Em fêmeas, a estimulação ambiental atuou sobre um sistema que não estava sob a influência dos hormônios gonadais. Mas em machos, além dos efeitos pré-natais dos esteróides gonadais, uma interação entre a estimulação neonatal e os efeitos destes hormônios durante o período neonatal provavelmente ocorreu. A estimulação ambiental durante o período neonatal e os hormônios gonadais interagem exercendo um profundo impacto a longo-prazo sobre a atividade do sistema de estresse hipotálamo-hipófise-adrenais e também sobre os mecanismos de controle neuroendócrino do sistema reprodutivo na vida adulta. / Endogenous hormones and environmental stimuli during the neonatal period appear to be determinant to program the behavioral and neuroendocrine profile in adult life. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the interaction between gonadal hormones and handling stimulation during the neonatal period on plasma corticosterone, gonadotrophins (luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones), and gonadal hormones (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) in adult male and female rats. For experimental groups, newborn Wistar pups were gonadectomized, or submitted to sham surgery or kept without surgery, at up to 6 hours after delivery. These pups were or stimulated daily by experimental handling, or kept without handling, during the first 10 postnatal days. For another experimental groups, males were stimulated daily on neonatal period (until 10 postnatal days) and gonadectomized at 80 days. Only neonatal handling shows no differences on plasma corticosterone and gonadotrophins, both in male or female rats, but reduced gonadal hormones in female rats. While handling in neonatal gonadectomized females induced a lesser increase in corticosterone response compared with the non-handled ones, in males, the absence of the gonadal hormones abolished the reduction of the stress response induced by neonatal gonadectomy in the non-handled group. Handling increased the negative feedback responsiveness to gonadotrophins of neonatal gonadectomized male and female rats. But, adult gonadectomy of neonatal handled males induced a lesser increase in LH compared with the non-handled ones. It is noteworthy that those castration performed just after birth, provoked the absence of the hormones occurred throughout the life of the animal. In females, early life environmental stimulation occurred upon a nervous system that has not been under the influence of gonadal hormones. In males, besides pre-natal effects of gonadal steroids, an interaction between environmental stimulation and hormonal effects during the neonatal period probably occurred. Environmental stimulation during the neonatal period and gonadal hormones interact and exert a profound long-lasting impact on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal stress system and also on the reproductive neuroendocrine control mechanisms in adulthood.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Infertility is currently a serious problem that is escalating, not only in South Africa, but also worldwide. In Cape Town, a culturally diverse, urban community of approximately 1000 couples are referred to the Groote Schuur Hospital Infertility Clinic annually. Although infertility is primarily regarded as a medical condition, the treatments have emotional effects on infertile couples due to the recurring highs and lows that often accompany treatments. This study aimed to qualitatively explore and understand the emotional and psychological experiences of infertility and its treatments (specifically In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryo Transfer). Social constructionism is based on the premise that realities are not constructed in a vacuum but rather undergo a process whereby the subjective and inter-subjective experiences over time and through cultural processes come to be regarded as truths. These truths become internalised and function as lenses through which we see ourselves, compose and invent ourselves accordingly, making sense of what would otherwise have been chaotic and meaningless experiences. Additional aims were to examine women's experiences of infertility care whilst undergoing treatment and describe their experiences of coping with infertility and In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET). Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 21 women presenting with primary infertility at a fertility clinic. This study utilised an ethnographic case study design. The results of the study suggested that women perceived themselves as not conforming to a dominant belief system that promotes motherhood as the most important role for women. The women described their 'failure' to fulfill socio-cultural expectations as emotionally turbulent. Some of the psychological responses to infertility included feelings of disappointment, shock, denial, devastation, anger, frustration, sadness, inadequacy, poor self-image and self-esteem. The women's personal accounts of their experiences of In Vitro Fertilisation and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) revealed that they found the treatment to be highly stressful, with emotional bouts of anxiety, nervousness, excitement and optimism. A psychological synopsis of infertility and IVF-ET is infertility and IVF-ET presents. The fmdings in this study suggest the need for the incorporation of presented. This diagrammatic representation shows the intensity of the emotional rollercoaster that psychosocial intervention into infertility management. Greater attention to the psychological and emotional repercussions of infertility treatment could lead to a more personalised approach which, in turn, would optimise patient satisfaction and also prepare couples for the demands of the program by informing them about better ways of coping.

No description available.