beta-endorphin and Infertility--Female

The Damaraland mole-rat is a subterranean mammal exhibiting extreme reproductive skew with a single reproductive female in each colony responsible for procreation. Non-reproductive female colony members are physiologically suppressed while in the colony, exhibiting reduced concentrations of plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and a decreased response of the pituitary, as measured by the release of bioactive LH, to an exogenous dose of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Removal of the reproductive female from the colony results in an elevation of LH and an enhanced response of the pituitary to a GnRH challenge in non-reproductive females comparable to reproductive females, implying control of reproduction in these individuals by the reproductive female. The Damaraland mole-rat is an ideal model for investigating the physiological and behavioral mechanisms that regulate the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. In contrast, we know less about the control of reproduction at the level of the hypothalamus. The immunohistochemistry of the GnRH system of both reproductive and non-reproductive female Damaraland mole-rats has revealed no significant differences with respect to morphology, distribution or numbers of immunoreactive GnRH perikarya. We examined whether the endogenous opioid peptide beta-endorphin was responsible for the inhibition of the release of the GnRH from the neurons indirectly by measuring LH concentrations in these non-reproductive females following single, hourly and 8 hourly injections of the opioid antagonist naloxone. The results imply that the endogenous opioid peptide, beta-endorphin, is not responsible for the inhibition of GnRH release from the perikarya in non-reproductive females. Preliminary data examining the circulating levels of cortisol also do not support a role for circulating glucocorticoids. The possible role of kisspeptin is discussed.

Topics: Africa, Southern; Animals; beta-Endorphin; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Gonads; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Immunohistochemistry; Infertility, Female; Kisspeptins; Luteinizing Hormone; Mole Rats; Naloxone; Social Environment

beta-Endorphin has a role in the regulation of the normal menstrual cycle and possibly in the onset of puberty. We have reviewed the evidence pointing to an alteration in this neuropeptide that may contribute to the pathogenesis of various reproductive dysfunctions. Elevated or high levels of beta-endorphin have been associated with exercise-associated amenorrhea, stress-associated amenorrhea, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Depressed or low levels of beta-endorphin have been associated with PMS and menopause. Alterations in the levels of beta-endorphin may change the pulsatile release of GnRH via noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic pathways. We have primarily focused on beta-endorphin as representative of the endogenous opioid peptides, but other opioid peptides may also contribute to the pathogenesis of various types of reproductive dysfunction. Perhaps it will become possible to characterize and hone our understanding of the function of beta-endorphin and the other substances composing the endogenous opioid peptides. A better understanding of their role in physiological as well as pathophysiological processes may allow for the development of rational approaches to the treatment of specific disorders pertaining to reproduction. Many questions remain unanswered. Among the most relevant are: what is the precise mechanism of action by which beta-endorphin exerts its influence on pulsatile GnRH release? Is there a functional relationship between CNS and peripheral (serum) levels of beta-endorphin? Are the detected changes in beta-endorphin levels merely associated, or are they a cause of a particular disorder? Since it took almost 40 years between the time prostaglandins were first discovered and eventual realization of their clinical application, it may take some time before the beta-endorphin story is complete.

Topics: beta-Endorphin; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Reproduction

To explore the impact and effect mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) on oocyte quali ty in the patients with infertility of kidney deficiency pattern.. Sixty-six cases differentiated as kidney de ficiency and with in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation (IVF-ET), aged fromnt 35 to 42 years were rando- mized into an observation group and a control group, 33 cases in each one. The IVF-ET therapy of the long proto- col with gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist was adopted in the two groups. In the observation group. on the 5th day of menstruation in IVF cycle, EA was applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6). Zigong (EX CA 1), Zhongji (CV 3) and Guanyuan (CV 4). In the control group, the sham-acupuncture was applied to the same acupoints. The treatment was given once every two days till the date of egg collection and the needles were retained for 30 min each time. The change in the score of kidney deficiency syndrome, the high-quality oocyte rate, the high-quality embryo rate and clinical pregnant rate were observed in the two groups. The levels of insulin-like growth factor-i (IGF-1) and IGF-2 in follicular fluid and the serum β-endorphin β-EP) on the date of egg collection and the correlation with oocyte quality were compared bIetween the two groups.. 1) In the observation group, the kidney deficiency syndrome score after treatment was reduced apparently as compared with that before treatment (P<0. 05), the score after treatment in the observation group was reduced much more apparently as compared with the control group (P<0.05). 2) The high-quality egg rate and the high-quality embryo rate in the observation group were both higher than those in the control group [81.3% (161/198) vs 57.6% (98/170), 59.8% (58/97) vs 37.7% (26/69), both P<0.05]. 3) Compared with the control group. the levels of IGF-1 and IGF-2 in follicular fluid and serum β-EP on the day of egg collection were all increased obviously in the observation group (all P<0. 05). 4) The levels of IGF-1 and IGF-2 in follicular fluid and serum β-EP presented the linear positive correlation with the high-quality egg rate.. EA effectively improves the expressions of IGF in follicular fluid and serum β-EP, increases the high-quality egg rate and high-quality embryo rate and relieves the symptoms of kidney deficiency.

Topics: Acupuncture Points; Adult; beta-Endorphin; Electroacupuncture; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Infertility, Female; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Kidney; Oocytes; Pregnancy

Repeat breeding (RB) is one of the major problems that affect the reproductive efficiency and economy of milk production in dairy animals. So far, the etiopathogenesis of this pathology has not been defined completely. Stress has been hypothesized to be a cause of impaired reproductive efficiency. Stress may cause an overproduction of beta-endorphins and free radicals; in particular, reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this work is to determine the concentrations of these substances in RB cows and to evaluate the correlation with the serum level of progesterone. The study was performed on 60 dairy cows: 26 RB and 34 control cows. Blood samples were collected on day 12 and day 16, after artificial insemination (AI) in all subjects, in order to assess the concentrations of progesterone, free radicals and beta-endorphins. The stressors, free radicals and beta-endorphins, that we considered, were higher in repeat breeders (day 12, 93.32(+/-1.91) UCarr and 0.50(+/-0.03) ng/ml; day 16, 94.42(+/-1.91) UCarr and 0.61(+/-0.03) ng/ml), with a lower level of progesterone, which probably is responsible for failure to conceive. The stress factors (free radicals and beta-endorphins) may actually enhance each other and induce an inhibition of progesterone synthesis in repeat breeders.

Topics: Animals; beta-Endorphin; Cattle; Corpus Luteum; Female; Free Radicals; Infertility, Female; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Stress, Physiological

The place of laparoscopic surgery continues to increase in the field of surgery in our specialty. Although the advantages would seem to be obvious, it seemed to us interesting to quantify, if possible, the parameters of operative stress and compare laparoscopic surgery with conventional surgery. Markers studied are Prolactin, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Nor-Adrenaline, Dopamine and the Beta-Endorphins. The only marker that shows any difference in the two procedures in our study is Beta-Endorphin which is significantly less raised in laparoscopic surgery directly after the operation (p less than 0.01). This was very specific for pain, which is one of the benefits of this technique and shown in this parameter which confirms the clinical impression. The curves of the changes in the different markers have been analysed and discussed.

Topics: Adult; beta-Endorphin; Biomarkers; Body Weight; Dopamine; Epinephrine; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Infertility, Female; Intraoperative Complications; Laparoscopy; Laparotomy; Norepinephrine; Ovarian Cysts; Prolactin; Stress, Physiological; Time Factors

Recent research indicates that opioid peptides may be participants in the coordination and control of the menstrual cycle. The peripheral ovarian steroids (progesterone and estradiol) seem to modulate endogenous opioid activity and thereby hypothalamic LH-RH-secretion. This mechanism works during the luteal-phase under the influence of progesterone. The purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction of endogenous opioid peptides and peripheral ovarian steroids in 24 women by comparing progesterone and beta-endorphin levels of unstimulated and HMG-stimulated cycles. The women with stimulated cycles showed significantly higher progesterone and beta-endorphin levels. The interaction of progesterone und beta-endorphin may partly be explained by the fact that progesterone acts on progesterone receptors in the central nervous system. This leads to activity of opioid neurons in the brain and finally influences LH-RH- and LH-release. Beta-endorphin production is also discussed to come from the ovary. Beta-endorphin is involved maintaining normal luteal phase and therefore plays an important role in reproduction.

Topics: beta-Endorphin; Female; Humans; Infertility, Female; Luteal Phase; Progesterone