<p>In this thesis, the importance of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system and sex steroids for male bone metabolism has been investigated, and the effects of continuous low dose GH replacement in GH deficient (GHD) adults. In a population-based sample of men, positive correlations were found between bone mineral density (BMD) and IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 and the testosterone/sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) ratio. Serum IGFBP-3 and testosterone levels and weight accounted for 34% to 48% of the variation in BMD at different sites. Compared to healthy age matched controls, men with idiopathic osteoporosis had lower estradiol/SHBG ratio and higher SHBG levels. There were no differences between the groups in serum levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, 24 hour cumulated GH secretion or peak GH secretion. In the patients, there was a positive correlation between the estradiol/SHBG ratio and BMD in femoral neck. Treatment of patients and controls with GH 0.8 mg/day for one week resulted in similar increases in serum markers for bone turnover in both groups. Several positive correlations between indices of GH secretion and markers for bone turnover were found in the patients. Men with idiopathic osteoporosis were treated with GH, continuously (0.4 mg/day) or intermittently (0.8 mg/day for two weeks every third month), for two years followed by one year of follow-up. After two years, the BMD and bone mineral content in lumbar spine and total body and serum osteocalcin levels were increased in both groups. This increase was sustained one year post treatment. Treatment of GHD adults with a low fixed dose of GH (0.17 mg/day) for three months, resulted in increases in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels and lean body mass, and a reduction in fat mass and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These beneficial effects were accomplished without serious side effects. These findings indicate that: i) the sex hormone and GH/IGF systems are important in male bone metabolism, ii) a combination of subtle disturbances in these two systems could contribute to the development of male idiopathic osteoporosis, iii) GH treatment could be considered as a treatment option in this condition.</p>

In this thesis, the importance of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system and sex steroids for male bone metabolism has been investigated, and the effects of continuous low dose GH replacement in GH deficient (GHD) adults. In a population-based sample of men, positive correlations were found between bone mineral density (BMD) and IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 and the testosterone/sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) ratio. Serum IGFBP-3 and testosterone levels and weight accounted for 34% to 48% of the variation in BMD at different sites. Compared to healthy age matched controls, men with idiopathic osteoporosis had lower estradiol/SHBG ratio and higher SHBG levels. There were no differences between the groups in serum levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, 24 hour cumulated GH secretion or peak GH secretion. In the patients, there was a positive correlation between the estradiol/SHBG ratio and BMD in femoral neck. Treatment of patients and controls with GH 0.8 mg/day for one week resulted in similar increases in serum markers for bone turnover in both groups. Several positive correlations between indices of GH secretion and markers for bone turnover were found in the patients. Men with idiopathic osteoporosis were treated with GH, continuously (0.4 mg/day) or intermittently (0.8 mg/day for two weeks every third month), for two years followed by one year of follow-up. After two years, the BMD and bone mineral content in lumbar spine and total body and serum osteocalcin levels were increased in both groups. This increase was sustained one year post treatment. Treatment of GHD adults with a low fixed dose of GH (0.17 mg/day) for three months, resulted in increases in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels and lean body mass, and a reduction in fat mass and total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These beneficial effects were accomplished without serious side effects. These findings indicate that: i) the sex hormone and GH/IGF systems are important in male bone metabolism, ii) a combination of subtle disturbances in these two systems could contribute to the development of male idiopathic osteoporosis, iii) GH treatment could be considered as a treatment option in this condition.

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Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biological and Medical Science Author: Marcela Čuchalová Supervisor: doc. MUDr. Josef Herink, DrSc. Title of diploma thesis: The hypothalamic - pituitary - gonadal axis and epilepsy: mutual relationships The content of the diploma thesis is an overview of the anatomy and physiology of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HHG). Further chapters are devoted to the influence of epilepsy on HHG function, the effect of HHG hormones on epileptic activity itself. The effect of anti-epileptics on HHG functions will also be elucidated. The second part of the diploma thesis deals with separate chapters - catamenial epilepsy and epilepsy during pregnancy. Keywords: antiepileptic drugs, gonadotropin, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, prolactin, sex hormones, temporal lobe epilepsy.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:23:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6454.pdf: 1517132 bytes, checksum: 7b7709a440e2df5e824c4e22e76d991c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-11-11 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Sex hormones may influence many physiological processes. However, it is still unclear whether sex hormones and hormonal fluctuations that occur during the estrous cycle can affect breathing. Our study aimed to evaluate the ventilation (VE), tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (fR), oxygen consumption (VO2) ventilatory equivalent (VE/VO2) and body temperature (Tc) of rats at different stages of estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, metaestrus and diest responses of intact and orchidectomized (ORX) rats to females in estrous phase (when plasma concentrations of estradiol and progesterone are lower) and ovariectomized (OVX) rats during normocapnia and hypercapnia (7% CO2). VE, VT, fR, VO2 and VE/VO2 were not different among animals in different stages of the estrous cycle in normocapnia and hypercapnia. However, Tc was higher in female rats in estrus. Hormone replacement in females did not change the ventilatory and metabolic parameters. Nevertheless, OVX, OVX+E2 and OVX+EP presented lower ventilatory responses to hypercapnia compared to intact females in estrus phase. Intact animals - both males and females in estrus - showed a higher VE and VE/ VO2 in hypercapnia than castrated animals. We also observed that females in estrus had a higher ventilatory response compared to intact male rats. Thus, our data demonstrated that the different phases of the estrous cycle did not change ventilation in normocapnia and hypercapnia. We also observed that gonadectomy reduces the ventilatory response to CO2. Additionally, rats in estrus have higher ventilatory responses to hypercapnia than males. / Os hormônios sexuais podem influenciar diversos processos fisiológicos. No entanto, ainda não estão claros os efeitos dos hormônios sexuais e também se as variações hormonais durante o ciclo estral podem afetar a respiração. Nosso estudo teve como objetivos avaliar a ventilação (VE), volume corrente (VT), frequência respiratória (fR), consumo de oxigênio (VO2) e equivalente respiratório (VE/VO2) e temperatura corporal (Tc) de ratas nas diferentes fases do ciclo estral (proestro, estro, metaestro e diestro) e em ratas ovarectomizadas (OVX) e com reposição hormonal com estrógeno (OVX+E2) e estrogeno+progesterona (OVX+EP). Adicionalmente, foi comparada a resposta ventilatória e metabólica durante normocapnia e hipercapnia de ratos intactos e orquidectomizados (ORX) com ratas intactas em estro (fase que as concentrações plasmáticos de estradiol e progesterona estão mais baixas) e ovarectomizadas (OVX) durante a normocapnia e hipercapnia (7% CO2). A VE, VT, fR, VO2 e VE/VO2 não foram diferentes entre as ratas nas diferentes fases do ciclo estral em normocapnia e hipercapnia. Contudo, a Tc foi maior nas ratas em estro comparando com as demais fases do ciclo estral. A reposição hormonal em fêmeas não alterou os parâmetros ventilatórios e metabólicos. Entretanto, fêmeas OVX, OVX+E e OVX + EP apresentaram uma resposta ventilatória à hipercapnia menor quando comparadas com fêmeas intactas em estro. Animais intactos, tanto machos quanto fêmeas em estro, apresentaram a VE e VE/VO2 significativamente maiores em hipercapnia, do que animais castrados. Observamos também que fêmeas no estro apresentaram uma maior resposta ventilatória que ratos intactos. Desta forma, nossos dados demonstram que as diferentes fases do ciclo estral não alteram a ventilação em normocapnia e hipercapnia e que a gonadectomia reduz a resposta ventilatória ao CO2. Adicionalmente, ratas em estro apresentam maior resposta ventilatória à hipercapnia que machos.

Submitted by JULIANA POLLONI SILVA null (ju_polloni@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-05-05T15:55:40Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_UNESPSorocaba_JulianaPolloniSilva_2017.pdf: 5158035 bytes, checksum: 4293a506e5ebdca8245dde20cdbecec4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-05-05T16:08:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_jp_dr_soro.pdf: 5158035 bytes, checksum: 4293a506e5ebdca8245dde20cdbecec4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-05T16:08:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 silva_jp_dr_soro.pdf: 5158035 bytes, checksum: 4293a506e5ebdca8245dde20cdbecec4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-07 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Produtos químicos capazes de causar desregulação endócrina em vertebrados e invertebrados têm sido detectados a baixas concentrações em ambientes aquáticos do mundo. Desta maneira, tornou-se de interesse mundial a busca por metodologias de remoção mesmos nos ambientes aquáticos. Por isso pesquisa teve como objetivo investigar três materiais (carvão ativado em pós – PAC, zeólitas naturais em pó – ZP e substâncias húmicas aquáticas – AHS) na remediação química e ecotoxicológica de 17ß-estradiol (E2) e 17α-etinilestradiol (EE2) em água mediante ensaios químicos e biológicos in vitro e in vivo. Uma concentração ambientalmente relevante de hormônios (30 ng.L-1) foi utilizada durante os ensaios em laboratório. Os resultados obtidos por meio de uma extensa relação de parâmetros morfológicos, reprodutivos e histológicos adotados permitiram concluir o significativo impacto dos HSFs sobre o desenvolvimento e manutenção de peixes expostos. Comprovou-se a superior eficiência do PAC em relação aos demais substratos na remoção de interferentes endócrinos (IEs) em água. Não obstante, suas propriedades não garantiram o mesmo desempenho com relação a amostras ambientais e, tampouco possibilitou a recuperação das injurias biológicas monitoradas após período de depuração investigado. Um estudo adicional também permitiu a elaboração de um protocolo histoquímico capaz de identificar a produção de vitelogenina (VTG) incitada pela exposição ao esteróide sintético EE2. / Chemicals with potential to cause endocrine disruption in vertebrates and invertebrates have been detected at low concentrations in the world's aquatic environments. Therefore, the search for removal methodologies in aquatic environments became a worldwide interest. The aim of this research was to investigate three materials (powered activated carbon - PAC, powered natural zeolites - ZP and aquatic humic substances - AHS) in chemical and ecotoxicological remediation of 17ß-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in water through chemical and biological tests in vitro and in vivo. An environmentally relevant concentration of hormones (30 ng.L-1) was used during laboratory tests. The results obtained through an extensive list of morphological, reproductive and histological parameters showed the significant impact of HSFs on the development and maintenance of exposed fish. The superior efficiency of PAC was verified in relation to the other substrates in the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) removal in water. Nevertheless, their properties did not guarantee the same performance to the environmental samples, neither allow biological injuries monitored to be recovered after the period of depuration investigated. An additional study also allowed the development of a histochemical protocol capable of identifying the production of vitellogenin (VTG) prompted by exposure to the synthetic steroid EE2. / FAPESP: 2012/24495-6 / FAPESP: 2014/22733-2

Submitted by Luanna Matias (lua_matias@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-03-09T12:02:45Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ruiter Lima Morais - 2012.pdf: 3021094 bytes, checksum: 27be9baa70326a6cc9804a7ef02c8220 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luanna Matias (lua_matias@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-03-09T14:12:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ruiter Lima Morais - 2012.pdf: 3021094 bytes, checksum: 27be9baa70326a6cc9804a7ef02c8220 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-09T14:12:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Ruiter Lima Morais - 2012.pdf: 3021094 bytes, checksum: 27be9baa70326a6cc9804a7ef02c8220 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-29 / Contaminations of water and wastewater with endocrine disrupters from domestic and industrial discharges have been proven in several regions of the planet. Among the endocrine disruptors, the synthetic sex hormones cause great concern because the presence of phenolic rings in their structures makes them stable and recalcitrant in the environment. In Goiás, the presence of synthetic sex hormone concentrations of ethinylestradiol in mg.L-1 in the Meia Ponte River, which goes accross the metropolitan area of Goiânia, was recently confirmed. Studies have shown that concentrations of ng.L-1 can affect sexual differentiation and cause serious damage to the reproductive system in fish and humans. Further, there are few techniques that are proven of being effective on removing this type of substance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of synthetic sex hormones ethinylestradiol, gestodene, and cyproterone acetate by the hydrothermal carbonization process and biological treatment with fungi decomposing white Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trametes villosa. For this purpose, solutions were prepared, individually and in combination with a concentration of 1,0 μg.mL-1 and pH correction into the range of 2-3 with solutions of phosphoric acid or citric acid for treatment with hydrothermal carbonization. For the treatment with the fungus in liquid culture medium and under the condition of stirring, a solution was prepared containing all three hormones (ethinyl estradiol, cyproterone acetate and gestodene) in concentrations of 0,333 μg.mL-1. The carbonization treatments by the process of hydrothermal three hormones with pH correction made with phosphoric acid and reaction time of 90 minutes showed satisfactory removal of Ethinylestradiol and Gestodene, above 90%. Already in the individual treatments, removal achieved was higher than 99% for all three hormones. The biological treatment with Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trametes villosa show significant removal of hormones and cyproterone acetate Ethinylestradiol above 99% and 78.9% for Gestodene for both fungi. It was possible to notice that the presence of hormones increased the enzymatic production of laccase, with peak production anticipated for the fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus. The toxicity test with Artemia salina was observed that the solution with the three hormones after carbonization hydrothermal treatment had fewer dead larvae of Artemia salina, than the solution with hormones without treatment. In test germination of Allium cepa, the solution treated with hormones hydrothermal carbonization showed the same germination rate of the control group, however, less vigor of the shoots. As the control group, the solution to the three hormones before treatment and after biological treatment, the 9.09% concentration, showed no mortality of larvae of Artemia salina. These results show that both the hydrothermal carbonization process as with the fungus Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trametes villosa, show potential for future applications of synthetic sex hormones removal of contaminated waters and effluents. / A contaminação de águas e esgotos com interferentes endócrinos proveniente de lançamentos domésticos e industriais tem sido comprovada em diversas regiões do planeta. Entre os interferentes endócrinos, os hormônios sexuais sintéticos causam grande preocupação, pois a presença de anéis fenólicos nas suas estruturas, os tornam estáveis e recalcitrantes no meio ambiente. Em Goiás, a presença do hormônio sexual sintético Etinilestradiol em concentrações de μg.L-1 no Rio Meia Ponte, que corta a região metropolitana de Goiânia, foi confirmada recentemente. Estudos mostraram que concentrações de ng.L-1 podem afetar a diferenciação sexual e causar sérios danos ao sistema reprodutor em peixes e humanos. Existem, ainda, poucas técnicas comprovadamente eficazes na remoção desse tipo de substância. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a remoção dos hormônios sexuais sintéticos Etinilestradiol, Gestodeno e Acetato de Ciproterona através do processo de carbonização hidrotermal e por enzimas oxidativas produzidas pelos fungos de decomposição branca Pycnoporus sanguineus e Trametes villosa. Para tanto, foram preparadas soluções, individuais e em mistura, com concentração de 1,0 μg.mL-1 e correção de pH para a faixa de 2-3, com soluções de ácido fosfórico ou ácido cítrico, para o tratamento com carbonização hidrotermal. Para o tratamento com os fungos, em meio de cultura líquido e sob a condição de agitação, foi preparada uma solução contendo os três hormônios (Etinilestradiol, Acetato de Ciproterona e Gestodeno) em concentração de 0,333 μg.mL-1. O tratamento pelo processo de carbonização hidrotermal dos três hormônios com correção de pH feita com ácido fosfórico e tempo de reação de 90 minutos apresentou resultados satisfatórios de remoção do Etinilestradiol e do Gestodeno, acima de 90%. Já nos tratamentos individuais, a remoção alcançada foi maior que 99% para os três hormônios. O tratamento biológico com Pycnoporus sanguineus e Trametes villosa apresentou resultados significativos de remoção dos hormônios Etinilestradiol e Acetato de Ciproterona, acima de 99% e 78,9% para o Gestodeno, para ambos os fungos. Foi possível notar ainda que a presença dos hormônios aumentou a produção enzimática de Lacase, com pico de produção antecipado para o fungo Pycnoporus sanguineus. No teste de toxicidade com Artemia salina observou-se que a solução com os três hormônios após o tratamento com carbonização hidrotermal apresentou menor número de larvas mortas de Artemia salina, do que a solução com os hormônios sem tratamento. No teste de germinação de sementes de Allium cepa, a solução de hormônios tratada com carbonização hidrotermal apresentou a mesma taxa de germinação do Grupo Controle, no entanto, menor vigor dos brotos. Assim como o Grupo Controle, a solução com os três hormônios do antes do tratamento e que após o tratamento biológico, a 9,09% de concentração, não apresentaram mortalidade de larvas de Artemia salina. Esses resultados mostram que tanto o processo de carbonização hidrotermal quanto o fúngico com Pycnoporus sanguineus e Trametes villosa, apresentam potencial para futuras aplicações de remoção de hormônios sexuais sintéticos de águas e efluentes contaminados.

O teleósteo Astyanax altiparanae, popularmente conhecido como lambari importância econômica e ecológica. Poucos são os trabalhos que visam demonstrar a morfologia dos testículos de brasileiros. O objetivo deste estudo foi classificar e demonstrar as alterações morfológicas do testículo de Astyanax altiparanae ao longo do ciclo gonadal e quantificar tais alterações. Foram encontrados os estádios: regredido, maturação inicial, maturação média, maturação final e regressão. O estudo ultraestrutural revelou que as células secretoras que revestem os ductos possuem organelas relacionadas à síntese de macromoléculas e gotículas de lipídio. O estudo imuno-histoquímico revelou detalhes da distribuição de receptor de andrógeno, claudina-1, citoqueratina, actina, colágeno do tipo I, laminina e fibronectina neste órgão. O presente trabalho revelou que os machos de Astyanax altiparanae são capazes de desenvolver o intersexo, já que foram encontrados oócitos no interior dos testículos de alguns indivíduos. / The Astyanax altiparanae (Characiformes, Characidae), popularly known as lambari, is a fish that has ecologic and economic importance. Morphological studies on testis of South American teleost species are not frequently found in the appropriated literature. The aim of this work was to show the changes in the morphology of the testis of Astyanax altiparanae occurred through the gonadal cycle. It was found five stages of the gonadal cycle: regressed, early maturation, mid maturation, late maturation and regression. Ultrastructural study, reveals that secretory cells showed a great amount of organelles responsible for macromolecules synthesis, and lipids droplets. Immunohistochemical studies reveal details of the distribution of androgen receptor, claudin-1, actin, cytokeratin, type I collagen fibers, laminin and fibronectin in this organ. This work demonstrated that males of Astyanax altiparanae were able to develop the intersex, once oocytes were found in the testis of some individuals.

Homens geralmente são mais permissivos quanto ao sexo casual, sendo considerados mais irrestritos. Evolutivamente, essa estratégia sexual foi selecionada pelos homens apresentarem menor investimento parental e consequente maior investimento na competição e busca por parceiras, enquanto as mulheres, por apresentar alto investimento e sucesso reprodutivo relacionado à qualidade da prole, foram selecionadas para ser seletivas. Numa perspectiva proximal, o nível de hormônios masculinizantes pré-natais e da puberdade pode gerar essas diferenças intersexuais, assim como distinções intrassexuais, mas as evidências são ambíguas. Ademais, não está clara a conexão entre hormônios e julgamentos de si e realizados por terceiros quanto à atratividade. Avaliou-se a variação intersexual e intrassexual na sociossexualidade em função de indicadores anatômicos, cognitivo e psicológicos de masculinização e em função da autoavaliação e da avaliação feita pelo sexo oposto da atratividade. Participaram 54 mulheres (24,02 anos ± 4,86) e 51 homens (23,57 anos ± 3,89), estudantes da cidade de São Paulo, compreendendo diferentes cursos. Eles responderam voluntária e anonimamente a um questionário, contendo autoavaliações facial, corporal, vocal e comportamental quanto à feminilidade/masculinidade e atratividade; Inventário de Orientação Sociossexual-Revisado; e teste de rotação mental de Vandenberg, e mediu-se a taxa digital 2D:4D das duas mãos e as razões cintura/quadril feminina e cintura/ombro masculina. Ademais, as faces foram fotografadas e avaliadas quanto à atratividade: 27 mulheres (23,81 anos ± 3,87) avaliaram os rostos masculinos e 24 homens (23,66 anos ± 3,70) julgaram os femininos. As diferenças intersexuais foram: homens foram mais irrestritos, autodeclaram-se mais masculinos, foram mais masculinos cognitivamente e foram julgados como menos atraentes facialmente. Não houve diferença entre as razões 2D:4D e a atratividade autodeclarada. Nas variações intrassexuais femininas, apenas indicadores psicológicos se associaram com a sociossexualidade: mulheres mais irrestritas avaliaram sua voz como mais masculina e menos atraente. Ademais, mulheres cognitivamente mais masculinas foram julgadas como facialmente mais atraentes, participantes mais masculinas na razão 2D:4D avaliaram seu corpo como mais atraente, aquelas que se declararam mais atraentes também se julgaram como mais femininas e mulheres que avaliaram seu comportamento como mais feminino foram mais femininas na razão cintura/quadril. Nas variações intrassexuais masculinas, homens que se declararam mais atraentes, mais masculinos corporalmente, mais velhos e que tiveram razão 2D:4D mais feminina foram mais irrestritos. Demais, homens que foram julgados como mais atraentes se declararam mais atraentes facialmente e mais femininos em seu comportamento; taxa 2D:4D mais feminina se associou com rosto autodeclarado mais masculino; e participantes que se avaliaram como mais atraentes corporalmente tiveram ombros mais largos. Então, este projeto mostrou que parte da sociossexualidade masculina pode ser explicada por algumas medidas anatômicas e por indicadores de valor de conquista, enquanto apenas os indicadores psicológicos se relacionaram com sociossexualidade feminina. Porém, indicadores de masculinização não se relacionaram entre si nem com a sociossexualidade, como algumas medidas se associaram de forma oposta ao esperado e algumas relações foram contraditórias entre si. Isso indica que o desenvolvimento dos indicadores de masculinização e seus efeitos podem ser parcialmente independentes entre si. Novos estudos examinando essas associações e outras amostras brasileiras são necessários / Men in general are more permissive on casual sex, for that reason they are considered more unrestricted. From an evolutionary perspective, this sexual strategy was selected because men have shown less parental investment and, for that reason, greater investment in competition and in search for partners. On the other hand, women were selected to be more selective due to their greater parental investment and reproductive success related to the offspring quality. From a proximate view, the level of prenatal and pubertal masculinization may cause these intersexual differences, as well as intrasexual variations, but the evidence is ambiguous. Moreover, it is not clear the relation among hormones and attractiveness (self-rated and evaluated by others). We assessed the inter- and intrasexual variation in the sociosexuality by using anatomical, cognitive, and psychological indicators of masculinization and the evaluation of attractiveness (self-rated and evaluated by others). Participants were 54 women (mean age = 24.02, SD = 4.86) and 51 men (mean age = 23.57, SD = 3.89), all students of Sao Paulo city, comprising different university courses. First, they answered, voluntarily and anonymously, a questionnaire that included facial, bodily, vocal, and behavioral self-reported femininity/masculinity and attractiveness; the revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory; and the Vandenberg Mental Rotation Test. Then we then measured the 2D:4D digit ratio of both hands, the female waist-to-hip ratio and the male waist-to-shoulder ratio. The participants faces were photographed and rated for attractiveness: 27 women (mean age = 23.81, SD 3.87) assessed the male faces, and 24 men (mean age = 23.66, SD 3.70) judged the female faces. The intersex differences we found were: men that were more unrestricted declared themselves as more masculine, their cognition was more masculine, and they were judged as less facially attractive. We found no differences between the 2D:4D ratio and the self-rated attractiveness. In the female intrasexual variations, we found that only the psychological indicators were associated with the sociosexuality: more unrestricted women rated their voices as more masculine and as less attractive. Moreover, women who were more cognitively masculine were judged as more facially attractive; participants who had more masculine 2D:4D evaluated their body as more attractive; women who rated themselves as more attractive also judged themselves as more feminine, females who evaluated their behavior as more feminine had more feminine waist-to-hip ratio. As for the male intrasexual variations: men who rated themselves as more attractive, more bodily masculine, older, and who had more feminine 2D:4D ratios were more unrestricted. Furthermore, men who were judged as more attractive declared themselves as more facially attractive and were more behavioral feminine; the more feminine 2D:4D ratios were associated with more masculine self-rated faces; and participants who evaluated themselves as more bodily attractive had wider shoulders. This study showed that part of the male sociosexuality might be explained by some anatomical measures and by the indicators of mate value, while only the psychological indicators might be related to the female sociosexuality. However, indicators of masculinization were not associated to each other or with the sociosexuality; some measures had opposite relations, and some associations were contradictory. This indicates that the development of the indicators of masculinizing and their effects may be partly independent. New studies are needed to examine those associations and other Brazilian samples

Les hommes et les femmes diffèrent devant la survenue de plusieurs types d’arythmies cardiaques. Ainsi, la prévalence des fibrillations auriculaires, ou celle du syndrome de Brugada est plus élevée chez les hommes, tandis que les femmes sont plus susceptibles de développer des torsades de pointe. La survenue de ces arythmies pourrait être affectée par l’existence de disparités entre les sexes au niveau de l’activité électrique cardiaque normale. Des différences ont d’ailleurs été décrites dans les paramètres électrocardiographiques des hommes et des femmes, et notamment au niveau des paramètres traduisant la phase de repolarisation ventriculaire. Par ailleurs, plusieurs études cliniques et expérimentales ont permis d’avancer que les androgènes pourraient contribuer à expliquer les différences homme-femme observées dans la repolarisation ventriculaire. Leur influence sur les autres paramètres électrocardiographiques a toutefois reçu peu d’attention jusqu’à aujourd’hui. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de ce travail était de mieux comprendre l’implication de la testostérone dans les différences sexuelles observées au niveau de l’électrocardiogramme. En travaillant à partir d’une cohorte de volontaires sains, nous avons tout d’abord confirmé l’existence de différences électrocardiographiques rapportées précédemment dans la littérature. Nous avons de plus noté un segment PR plus long chez les hommes, bien que l’onde P et l’intervalle PR n’étaient pas significativement différents entre les sexes. Par la suite, nous avons évalué l’association de la testostérone avec les différents paramètres de l’électrocardiogramme humain. La testostérone était le plus fortement associée au complexe QRS, au segment ST et à l’intervalle QTc. Nous avons donc examiné la contribution de la testostérone dans les mécanismes responsables des différences sexuelles pour ces trois paramètres. D’après les résultats obtenus, la testostérone ne semblait toutefois pas expliquer ces différences homme-femme. En conclusion, les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la testostérone n’est pas responsable des différences observées au niveau du complexe QRS, du segment ST et de l’intervalle QTc des hommes et des femmes de notre cohorte. D’autres médiateurs, seuls ou en association avec la testostérone, pourraient jouer un rôle dans l’établissement de ces différences électrocardiographiques associées au sexe. / The incidence of various cardiac arythmias subtypes differs between men and women. Indeed, atrial fibrillation or Brugada syndrome are more prevalent in men, while women are more susceptible to Torsades de Pointe. The development of various arrhythmias may be affected by sexual disparities in the normal electrical cardiac activity. Sex differences have been described in the electrocardiographic parameters of men and women, particularly in the parameters representing the ventricular repolarisation phase. Besides, the results obtained in several clinical and experimental studies suggested that androgens could contribute to explain differences in ventricular repolarization of men and women. However the effects of this hormone on other electrocardiographic parameters have received little attention. In this context, the aim of the current study was to better understand the implication of testosterone in the sex differences observed in the electrocardiogram. We examined the electrocardiograms of a cohort of healthy volunteers, and first confirmed sex differences in parameters, that had been previously described in the literature. While P wave and PR interval showed no significant differences, we did note a longer PR segment in men compared to women. Secondly, we evaluated the association of circulating levels of testosterone with the human electrocardiographic parameters. The correlation was the strongest with QRS complex, ST segment and QTc interval. Therefore, we assessed the mediating role of testosterone in the relationship between sex and these three parameters. However, the results showed that this androgen did not seem to explain these sex-related differences. In conclusion, this study suggests that testosterone is not responsible for the differences observed in QRS complex, ST segment and QTc interval of our cohort of men and women. Additional mediators may be involved in these sex-related electrocardiographic differences, alone or in conjunction with testosterone.