Marija Barac

Finger Length Ratios in Serbian Transsexuals

Atypical prenatal hormone exposure could be a factor in the development of transsexualism. There is evidence that the 2nd and 4th digit ratio (2D : 4D) associates negatively with prenatal testosterone and positively with estrogens. The aim was to assess the difference in 2D : 4D between female to male transsexuals (FMT) and male to female transsexuals (MFT) and controls. We examined 42 MFT, 38 FMT, and 45 control males and 48 control females. Precise measurements were made by X-rays at the ventral surface of both hands from the basal crease of the digit to the tip using vernier calliper. Control male and female patients had larger 2D : 4D of the right hand when compared to the left hand. Control males left hand ratio was lower than in control females left hand. There was no difference in 2D : 4D between MFT and control males. MFT showed similar 2D : 4D of the right hand with control women indicating possible influencing factor in embryogenesis and consequently finger length changes. FMT showed the lowest 2D : 4D of the left hand when compared to the control males and females. Results of our study go in favour of the biological aetiology of transsexualism.

Adipose Tissue and Menstrual Disturbances: Obesity Versus Anorexia Nervosa

Maintaining body homeostasis is a prerequisite for normal reproductive function, which is vital for the survival of the species and an important process of natural selection. Body weight is an independent regulator of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis activity.

Gender-Specific Hypertension

It is well known that hypertension can be primary or secondary. However, among secondary causes of hypertension, gender-specific hypertension is one lately recognized.

Contraception in Climacterium

Climacterium is the phase in women’s life beginning with the first menopausal symptom and cycle irregularities and ending 1 year after the last menstruation. Endocrinological, biological and clinical changes become apparent at that time.

[PP.28.13] DIFFERENCES IN THE MONITORING AND DYSFUNCTION OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 1 AND TYPE 2 DIABETES

Objective: Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system can be diagnosed by spectral analysis of variability of cardiac frequencies of consecutive RR interval using TASK FORCE monitor. Design and method: Methodology and results: Study was done using TASK FORCE monitor and software analysis of HRV Fourier transform algorithm. Testing at rest (20 min) and passive orthostasis (tilt table 90° for 6 minutes and parameters from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) device Meditech ABPM 05. Diagnostic procedures were done in 110 patients, of which 48 treated for type 1 diabetes, average age 37 years, of which 28 men and 20 women. The second group contained 62 patients with type 2 diabetes, average age 62 years of which 35 men and 27 women. Results: In groups with type 1 diabetes LF HF at rest X ∼ 1.745 ± 0.91 SD; LF HF orthostasis X ∼ 3.08 ± 2.65 SD; LF-DBP at rest 44.79 SD ± 16:52; LF DBP orthostasis X ∼ 51.91SD ± 11:41, HF RRI at rest 36.01 SD ± 14.65, HF RRI orthostasis X ∼ 25.98 SD ± 8.2; BRS at rest 10.1, ± SD 6.18. In the group with type 2 diabetes LF HF at rest X ∼ 4.01 The SD ± 7.02, LF / HF orthostasis X 4.7 ± 8.9, LF DBP at rest X ∼ 37.17 ± 14.85, LF DBP orthostasis X ∼ 37.32 ± 10.89, HF RRI at rest 43.51, SD ± 17:48, HF RRI orthostasis X 43.51 ± 23:30, BRS at rest SD 9.78 ± 6.50. Correlation between the groups showed highly significant difference for LF DBP in orthostasis (p < 0.00067). Conclusions: Conclusion: Significantly lower values of LF DBP were registered in the group with type 2 diabetes, which represents the FAILURE of SYMPHATETIC in orthostasis. Orthostasis has been shown in ABPM analysis as well. It is common that patients with diabetes have a dominant parasympathetic dysfunction.

GENETIC ETIOLOGY OF PRIMARY PREMATURE OVARIAN INSUFFICIENCY

Primary premature ovarian insufficiency (PPOI) is characterized by hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and hypoestrogenism in women under 40 years of age. PPOI incidence is 1:10,000 in women aged 18-25, 1:1000 in women aged 25-30 and 1:100 in women aged 35-40. In 10%-28% of cases, PPOI causes primary and in 4%-18% secondary amenorrhea. The process is a consequence of accelerated oocyte atresia, diminished number of germinated cells, and central nervous system aging. Specific genes are responsible for the control of oocyte number undergoing the ovulation process and the time to cessation of the reproductive function. A positive family history of PPOI is found in 15% of women with PPOI, indicating the existing genetic etiology. Primary POI comprises genetic aberrations linked to chromosome X (monosomy, trisomy, translocation, deletion) or to autosomal chromosome. Secondary POI implies surgical removal of ovaries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and infections. Diagnostic criteria include follicle stimulating hormone level >40 IU/L and estradiol level <50 pmol/L.

Premature Ovarian Failure: Fertility Challenge

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) (also known as premature menopause) is a heterogeneous disorder of multifactorial origin defined as the occurrence of secondary amenorrhoea, hypergonadotropism (follicle-stimulating hormone above 40 IU/L) and hypoestrogenism (oestradiol below 50 pmol/L) in women under the age of 40 years.

Transsexualism: Endocrine Aspects

Harry Benjamin, the father and establisher of transsexualism, tried to describe this phenomenon as terra incognita or noli me tangere (1966), trying to explain that many doctors were blinded in the presence of a new undescribed and undiagnosed disorder [1]. Ira Pauly described one hundred transsexuals from 13 countries [2].

ESTRADIOL/NORETHINDRONE THERAPY EFFECT ON AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN HYPERTENSIVE POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN: PP.18.189

Objective: Numerous physicians are loath to prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women with elevated blood pressure (BP) because of their concern that hypertension might worsen. Studies have advocated that Drospirenone combined with estradiol significantly reduces BP in postmenopausal women with hypertension. Design and Method: In the present study, we examined the effects of estradiol / norethindrone acetate on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) in 182 hypertensive postmenopausal women (PMW, 52 ± 2 [mean ± SE] years, BMI 21.81 ± 3.29 kg/m2). Validated, Meditech ABPM 05 ambulatory blood pressure monitor was used to obtain 24-h BP before and during six months therapy with estradiol / norethindrone acetate. Most women did not change antihypertensive treatment during the study. Results and Conclusions: After six months on HRT BP was lowered by an average of 1 mmHg systolic and 2 mmHg diastolic per day and per night BP was lowered by an average of 2 mmHg systolic and 1 mmHg diastolic. BP reductions were not significantly lower with regard to systolic or diastolic BP before initiation of HRT nor to action on day and night-time BP. BP reduction in PMW with hypertension after six months receiving estradiol / norethindrone acetate may lower the physicians concern that hypertension might worsen if they prescribe HRT. Hormone replacement therapy should be considered as a first line therapy in postmenopausal women with hypertension if there is no contraindication.