An important complication of prolonged support of the left ventricle with an assist device when implanted in patients with heart failure is unloading-induced cardiac atrophy. Our recent study suggested that sex-linked differences in the development of atrophy induced by heterotopic heart transplantation (HTX) do exist, however, the role of the environmental conditions dependent on plasma concentrations of sex hormones remains elusive. We aimed to compare the course of HTX-induced cardiac atrophy in male and female rats after gonadectomy with substitution of steroid hormones of the opposite sex. In a separate series of experiments, we evaluated the course of unloading-induced cardiac atrophy in the female heart transplanted into a male recipient and vice versa. Cardiac atrophy was assessed as the ratio of the transplanted heart weight to native heart weight (HW), which was determined 14 days after HTX. In female rats, studied in both experimental variants, HTx resulted in significantly smaller decreases in whole HW when compared to those observed in male rats exposed to the same experimental conditions (-9 ± 1 and - 11 + 1 vs. -44 ± 2 and -42 ± 2 %, p?0.05 in both cases). The dynamic of changes in left and right ventricle was similar as in the whole HW. Our results show that the process of unloading-induced cardiac atrophy exhibits important sex-linked differences and that attenuation of this process in female rats cannot be simply ascribed to the protective effects of estradiol or to the absence of deleterious actions of testosterone. Keywords: Cardiac atrophy, Sex differences, Gonadectomy, Hormonal substitution, Heterotopic heart transplantation, Mechanical heart unloading.

• MeSH
• atrofie * MeSH
• estradiol krev   MeSH
• heterotopická transplantace * MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• pohlavní steroidní hormony * krev   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• srdce MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• transplantace srdce * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• estradiol MeSH
• pohlavní steroidní hormony * MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of resistance training (RT) alongside creatine-hydrochloride (Cr-HCl) or creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation on anabolic/catabolic hormones, strength, and body composition. Forty participants with an age range of 18-25 years were randomly divided into four groups (n=10): RT+Cr-HCl (0.03 g.kg-1 of body mass), RT+CrM-loading phase (CrM-LP) (0.3 g.kg-1 of body mass for five days (loading) and 0.03 g.kg-1 body mass for 51 days (maintenance)), RT+CrM-without loading phase (CrM-WLP) (0.03 g.kg-1 body mass), and RT+placebo (PL). The participants consumed supplements and performed RT with an intensity of 70-85 % 1RM for eight weeks. Before and after the training and supplementation period, strength (1RM), body composition (percent body fat (PBF), skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscular cross-sectional area (MCSA)) and serum levels of testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), follistatin and myostatin were measured. The results showed that in the supplementation groups, strength, arm and thigh MCSA, and SMM significantly increased, and PBF significantly decreased (P

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hormony * krev   MeSH
• hydrokortison krev   MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor I metabolismus   MeSH
• kosterní svaly metabolismus   účinky léků   MeSH
• kreatin * farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lidský růstový hormon krev   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• odporový trénink * metody   MeSH
• potravní doplňky * MeSH
• složení těla * účinky léků   MeSH
• svalová síla * účinky léků   MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• hormony * MeSH
• hydrokortison MeSH
• insulinu podobný růstový faktor I MeSH
• kreatin * MeSH
• lidský růstový hormon MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

This study hypothesized that SCFA, acetate impacts positively on hypothalamic pyroptosis and its related abnormalities in experimentally induced PCOS rat model, possibly through NrF2/HIF1-α modulation. Eight-week-old female Wister rats were divided into groups (n = 5), namely control, PCOS, acetate and PCOS + acetate groups. Induction of PCOS was performed by administering 1 mg/kg body weight of letrozole for 21 days. After PCOS confirmation, the animals were treated with 200 mg/kg of acetate for 6 weeks. Rats with PCOS were characterized with insulin resistance, leptin resistance, increased plasma testosterone as well as degenerated ovarian follicles. There was also a significant increase in hypothalamic triglyceride level, triglyceride-glucose index, inflammatory biomarkers (SDF-1 and NF-kB) and caspase-6 as well as plasma LH and triglyceride. A decrease was observed in plasma adiponectin, GnRH, FSH, and hypothalamic GABA with severe inflammasome expression in PCOS rats. These were accompanied by decreased level of NrF2/HIF1-α, and the alterations were reversed when treated with acetate. Collectively, the present results suggest the therapeutic impact of acetate on hypothalamic pyroptosis and its related comorbidity in PCOS, a beneficial effect that is accompanied by modulation of NrF2/HIF1-α.

• Klíčová slova
• Acetate, GABA, Hypothalamus, Insulin resistance, PCOS, Pyroptosis,
• MeSH
• adiponektin metabolismus   krev   MeSH
• faktor 1 indukovatelný hypoxií - podjednotka alfa * metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor 2 související s NF-E2 metabolismus   MeSH
• folikuly stimulující hormon krev   MeSH
• GABA metabolismus   MeSH
• hormon uvolňující gonadotropiny metabolismus   MeSH
• hypothalamus * metabolismus   účinky léků   patologie   MeSH
• inzulinová rezistence MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• leptin krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• letrozol farmakologie   MeSH
• luteinizační hormon krev   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• potkani Wistar * MeSH
• pyroptóza * účinky léků   MeSH
• syndrom polycystických ovarií * chemicky indukované   metabolismus   farmakoterapie   patologie   MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• triglyceridy krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adiponektin MeSH
• faktor 1 indukovatelný hypoxií - podjednotka alfa * MeSH
• faktor 2 související s NF-E2 MeSH
• folikuly stimulující hormon MeSH
• GABA MeSH
• Hif1a protein, rat MeSH Prohlížeč
• hormon uvolňující gonadotropiny MeSH
• leptin MeSH
• letrozol MeSH
• luteinizační hormon MeSH
• Nfe2l2 protein, rat MeSH Prohlížeč
• testosteron MeSH
• triglyceridy MeSH

This study focused on continuous monitoring of the immunocontraceptive effect of Improvac® vaccine on the sexual activity of male goats determined by measuring plasma testosterone levels, testicular biometric and ejaculate examination. The animals in the experimental group (n=12) were administered two doses of 2 ml of Improvac® at a four-week interval; the animals in the control group (n=5) received 2 ml of saline. Blood collection, semen collection and testicular measurements were performed at 14-day intervals. A total of 8 samples were collected from each animal. In 9 animals a significant decrease (p<0.05) in testosterone concentration was observed two weeks after the first dose. At the end of the experiment (16 weeks), eight goats reached a testosterone concentration below the detection limit and one goat had a concentration of 0.47nmol/L. The testicular size was significantly (p<0.01) smaller four weeks after the first dose. At the end of the experiment, the testicular size was approximately three times smaller (p<0.001). Motility was 0% in two goats at the end of the experiment, 1% in one animal and 10% in one animal. The median sperm concentration was significantly lower (p<0.01) at the end of the study. A significant (p<0.0001) shift in the percentage of morphological changes was recorded eight weeks after the first administration. At the end of the study, there were five animals with azoospermia, two with 100% morphologically altered sperm, one with 99% and one with 96% morphologically altered sperm. In the three male goats, a significant skin reaction occurred after the first application, which resulted in an inadequate response to the treatment. Our results show that Improvac had a significant effect on the sexual function and sperm production in 9 out of 12 male goats.

• Klíčová slova
• Improvac, buck, immunocontraception, sperm,
• MeSH
• antikoncepce imunologická veterinární   MeSH
• antikoncepční vakcíny farmakologie   imunologie   aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• kozy * fyziologie   MeSH
• sexuální chování zvířat * účinky léků   MeSH
• testis * účinky léků   MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• klinické zkoušky veterinární MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antikoncepční vakcíny MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

There is a link between metabolism and reproduction as metabolic hormones affect hypothalamus-pituitary-testis (HPT) hormonal functions and vice versa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of negative energy balance on the reproductive system in male goldfish exposed to testosterone (T) and 17β-estradiol (E2). Following 7 days of food deprivation (FD), ANOVA models showed significant FD × sex steroid interactions on sperm quality and circulating sex steroid levels. When FD effects were investigated, 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) level and sperm motility and velocity decreased in food-deprived goldfish in the control group. In E2-exposed goldfish, FD decreased sperm production in addition to sperm motility and velocity that coincided with an elevation of circulating E2 level. However, FD did not significantly impact sex steroids and sperm quality in T-exposed goldfish. ANOVA models showed non-significant FD × sex steroid interactions for HSI, GSI, circulating luteinizing hormone (Lh) level, and metabolic (preproghrelin, goat and nucb2) and reproductive (kiss1, gpr54 and gnrh3) mRNAs. Furthermore, results showed that FD decreased HSI, and increased Lh levels and testicular preproghrelin and goat mRNAs, while sex steroids increased mid-brain nucb2, kiss1 and gpr54 mRNAs. Together, our results suggest that FD-induced inhibition of androgenesis resulted in diminished sperm quality associated with activation of the testicular ghrelinergic system, and negative feedback of 11-KT increased Lh level. The FD-induced testicular metabolic and hormonal system was impacted in goldfish exposed to sex steroids. However, the negative effects of FD on sperm quality were accelerated in E2-exposed goldfish due to estrogenic activity. This study provides novel information to better understand metabolic-associated reproductive disorders in fish.

• Klíčová slova
• Preproghrelin mRNA, nucleobindin2 mRNA, Hypothalamus-pituitary-testis, Sperm motility, Sperm production, Sperm velocity,
• MeSH
• estradiol * krev   farmakologie   MeSH
• karas zlatý * fyziologie   MeSH
• motilita spermií účinky léků   MeSH
• pohlavní steroidní hormony krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• potravinová deprivace * fyziologie   MeSH
• rozmnožování účinky léků   MeSH
• spermie účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• testis účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• testosteron * analogy a deriváty   krev   farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 11-ketotestosterone MeSH Prohlížeč
• estradiol * MeSH
• pohlavní steroidní hormony MeSH
• testosteron * MeSH

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a single bench press (BP) vs. leg press (LP) resistance training sessions on testosterone, cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP) interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations, and creatine kinase (CK) activity in strength-trained males. Eleven strength-trained males participated in a cross-over randomized trial, undergoing two experimental sessions each consisting of five sets of the BP or the LP exercise to volitional failure with a load corresponding to 50% of one-repetition maximum. Blood samples were taken at baseline (BA), immediately post (POST), and 1 h after the cessation of exercise (POST-1). A significant increase in IL-6 concentration from BA to POST-1 was observed during the LP condition (p = 0.004; effect size [ES] = 0.64). Additionally, a significant main effect of time was found for increasing testosterone concentrations from BA to POST exercise (p = 0.014; ES = 0.25). A significantly lower cortisol concentration at POST-1 compared to POST (p = 0.001; ES = 1.02) was noted in the BP condition. Furthermore, a significantly lower cortisol concentration was found at POST-1 in the BP compared to the LP condition (p = 0.022; ES = 1.3). A significant increase in CK activity was reported from BA to POST (p = 0.024; ES = 0.69) and POST-1 (p = 0.045; ES = 0.55) during the LP condition, and from BA to POST-1 (p = 0.014; ES = 0.96) during the BP condition. No significant differences were found in the CRP (p = 0.659) and TNF-α concentrations (p = 0.487). These results suggest that the amount of muscle mass engaged during the resistance exercise may influence the changes in IL-6 and cortisol concentrations. Larger muscle groups, as engaged in the LP, more likely lead to elevated concentrations of IL-6 myokine.

• Klíčová slova
• CRP, TNF-α, bench press, cortisol, creatine kinase, interleukin, myokine, testosterone,
• MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hydrokortison * krev   MeSH
• interleukin-6 * krev   MeSH
• klinické křížové studie MeSH
• kreatinkinasa krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• odporový trénink * MeSH
• testosteron * krev   MeSH
• TNF-alfa * krev   MeSH
• zánět krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
• Názvy látek
• C-reaktivní protein MeSH
• hydrokortison * MeSH
• interleukin-6 * MeSH
• kreatinkinasa MeSH
• testosteron * MeSH
• TNF-alfa * MeSH

Clinical studies show that hypogonadism in the aging male is associated with obesity and osteoporosis. Experimental studies are mostly conducted on relatively young adult animals and the induced hypogonadism lasts for a relatively short time. The present study aimed to describe the effect of long-term hypogonadism beginning in puberty on body composition, morphometry, and bone mineral density in aged male rats. Morphometric measurements and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were conducted at the age of 30 months on control and gonadectomized males. Long-term hypogonadism did not affect body weight, but led to a higher fat mass (by 26 %), lower lean mass (by 44 %), shorter body length (by 9 %), and anogenital distance (by 26 %), as well as to lower tail circumference (by 15 %) in comparison to control males. Lower bone mineral density (by 13 %) and bone mineral content (by 15 %) were observed in gonadectomized males. Results showing sarcopenic obesity and osteoporosis in this model of long-term hypogonadism might mimic the situation in aging males better than the widely used short-term hypogonadism induced in young animals. The morphometric analysis could potentially be a useful tool to study normal weight obesity without the need for specific equipment.

• MeSH
• adipozita MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• hypogonadismus krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• kostní denzita MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• obezita krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• orchiektomie MeSH
• osteoporóza krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• sarkopenie krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• složení těla * MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• testosteron MeSH

Extracellular DNA (ecDNA) activates immune cells and is involved in the pathogenesis of diseases associated with inflammation such as sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic syndrome. DNA can be cleaved by deoxyribonucleases (DNases), some of which are secreted out of cells. The aim of this experiment was to describe plasma DNase activity in relation to extracellular DNA in adult rats, to analyse potential sex differences and to prove whether they are related to endogenous testosterone. Adult Lewis rats (n=28) of both sexes were included in the experiment. Male rats were gonadectomized or sham-operated and compared to intact female rats. Plasma ecDNA and DNase activity were measured using fluorometry and single radial enzyme diffusion assay, respectively. Concentrations of nuclear ecDNA and mitochondrial ecDNA were determined using real-time PCR. Females had 60% higher plasma DNase activity than males ( p=0.03). Gonadectomy did not affect plasma DNase in males. Neither the concentration of total ecDNA, nor nuclear or mitochondrial DNA in plasma differed between the groups. No significant correlations between DNase and ecDNA were found. From previous studies on mice, it was expected, that male rats will have higher DNase activity. In contrast, our study in rats showed the opposite sex difference. This sex difference seems not to be caused by endogenous testosterone. Interestingly, no sex differences were observed in plasma ecDNA suggesting a complex or missing association between plasma ecDNA and DNase. The observed sex difference in plasma DNase should be taken into account in animal models of ecDNA-associated diseases.

• MeSH
• deoxyribonukleasy krev   MeSH
• DNA krev   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• orchiektomie MeSH
• pohlavní dimorfismus * MeSH
• potkani inbrední LEW MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• deoxyribonukleasy MeSH
• DNA MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

Exposure to chronic stress stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and then simultaneously inhibits hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) axis activity. The inhibition formed by the HPA axis is the main mechanism of action of stress on reproductive function. HPG axis activity is known to be changed by various factors, including exercise. Exercise has been found to have a number of positive effects on sexual behavior, reproductive hormones, and sperm parameters in studies with animal models for many years. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of chronic treadmill exercise on chronically stressed-male rats' sexual behavior, reproductive hormones, and sperm parameters. A total of 40 sexually adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups as control, stress, exercise, and stress+exercise. Animals in the exercise group were subjected to the chronic treadmill exercise (moderate intensity) for 33 days with a periodic increase in speed and duration. Animals in the stress group were exposed to restraint stress for 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h during the first, second and third 15 days respectively. Sexual behavior parameters, hormone measurements, and sperm parameters were evaluated. The main effects of chronic exercise on sexual behavior were centered on a significant increase in the ejaculation frequency (EF) in the stress+exercise group. Also, sperm concentration and motility in the stress group significantly decreased, and then sperm motility was improved by exercise in the stress+exercise group. In sum, our results show that chronic treadmill exercise may improve the adverse effects of chronic stress on sexual behavior and sperm parameters in male rats in terms of some parameters.

• MeSH
• fyzické omezení MeSH
• kondiční příprava zvířat psychologie   MeSH
• kortikosteron krev   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• luteinizační hormon krev   MeSH
• motilita spermií * MeSH
• počet spermií * MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• psychický stres krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• sexuální chování * MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kortikosteron MeSH
• luteinizační hormon MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

Phthalates are chemicals interfering with the function of testosterone and are suspected to play a role in the emergence of neurodevelopmental diseases. This could be due to interference with brain development for which optimal testosterone levels are essential. We investigated the effect of prenatal and early postnatal exposure to a phthalate mixture on the anogenital distance (AGD), plasma testosterone levels and social behavior in rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to a mixture of diethylhexyl, diisononyl and dibutyl phthalate, each at a dose of 4.5 mg/kg/day, from gestational day 15 to postnatal day 4. A social interaction test was performed to assess sociability in the three ontogenetic stages (weaning, puberty, adulthood). AGD was measured in adulthood to assess changes in prenatal testosterone levels. Plasma testosterone levels were measured in adults by a radioimmunoassay. The total frequency and time of socio-cohesive interactions were decreased in phthalate exposed females in weaning, puberty and adulthood. Phthalate exposed males showed a decrease in the frequency of social interactions in weaning only. Shorter anogenital distance was observed in adult males exposed to phthalates. Decreased testosterone levels were observed in the exposed group in both sexes. Our results suggest that early developmental phthalate exposure may play an important role in the hormonal and behavioral changes associated with several neurodevelopmental diseases.

• MeSH
• dibutylftalát toxicita   MeSH
• diethylhexylftalát toxicita   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• kyseliny ftalové toxicita   MeSH
• matka - expozice noxám škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• novorozená zvířata MeSH
• pohlavní dospělost MeSH
• pohlavní orgány účinky léků   patologie   MeSH
• potkani Wistar MeSH
• sociální chování * MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• zpožděný efekt prenatální expozice chemicky indukované   patologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• zvláčňovadla toxicita   MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• dibutylftalát MeSH
• diethylhexylftalát MeSH
• diisononyl phthalate MeSH Prohlížeč
• kyseliny ftalové MeSH
• testosteron MeSH
• zvláčňovadla MeSH