background: Due to various sociological factors, couples in developed countries are increasingly delaying childbearing. Besides ethical, economical and sociological issues, this trend presents us with several complex problems in reproduction. Although it is well-known that maternal age has a negative effect on fertility and increases the risk of adverse outcome during pregnancy and in offspring, the paternal influence on these outcomes is less well researched and not well-known.methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, and retrieved original articles and review articles to update our previous survey in this journal.results: This review highlights the link between male age and genetic abnormalities in the germ line and summarizes the knowledge about the effects of paternal age on reproductive function and outcome. Increasing paternal age can be associated with decreasing androgen levels, decreased sexual activity, alterations of testicular morphology and a deterioration of semen quality (volume, motility, morphology). Increased paternal age has an influence on DNA integrity of sperm, increases telomere length in spermatozoa and is suggested to have epigenetic effects. These changes may, at least in part, be responsible for the association of paternal age over 40 years with reduced fertility, an increase in pregnancy-associated complications and adverse outcome in the offspring. conclusion: Although higher maternal age can be an indication for intensive prenatal diagnosis, including invasive diagnostics, consideration of the available evidence suggests that paternal age itself, however, provides no rationale for invasive procedures.

If FT measurements are requested and direct measurement impractical, cFT formulae using TT and SHBG immunoassays provide an approximation to direct FT measurement that is strongly dependent on the TT, cFT formula used and, to a lesser extent, SHBG immunoassays.

Serum T, DHT and E(2) displayed no decrease associated with age among men over 40 years of age who self-report very good or excellent health although obesity and ex-smoking status were associated with decreased serum androgens (T and DHT) but not E(2). These findings support the interpretation that the age-related decline in blood T accompanying non-specific symptoms in older men may be due to accumulating age-related co-morbidities rather than a symptomatic androgen deficiency state.

Commonly used cFT formulae significantly overestimate FT relative to laboratory measurement by ED in male serum samples. The accuracy of the formulae is not influenced by correction for serum albumin, obesity, ethnicity or gonadal status. Such inaccuracy relative to the reference method renders some cFT estimates unreliable for evaluating androgen deficiency as recommended by clinical best practice guidelines.

BACKGROUND:Steroid immunoassays originally required solvent extraction, chromatography, and structurally authentic tracers to avoid interference from steroid cross-reactivity and matrix effects. The demand for steroid assays has driven assay simplification, bypassing this triplet of validity criteria to allow use of unextracted serum, which has introduced bias and nonspecificity at low steroid concentrations. We aimed to evaluate the performance of commercial direct estradiol (E 2 ) immunoassays relative to the reference method of LC-MS and compared serum E 2 measurements from each assay with biomarkers of estrogen action.

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Introduction Hormonal contraception is available worldwide in many different forms. Fear of side effects and health concerns are among the main reasons for not using contraceptives or discontinuing their use. Although the safety and efficacy of contraceptives have been extensively examined, little is known about their impact on female sexual function, and the evidence on the topic is controversial. Aim To review the available evidence about the effects of hormonal contraceptives on female sexuality in order to provide a position statement and clinical practice recommendations on behalf of the European Society of Sexual Medicine. Methods A comprehensive review of the literature was performed. Main Outcome Measure Several aspects of female sexuality have been investigated, including desire, orgasmic function, lubrication and vulvovaginal symptoms, pelvic floor and urological symptoms, partner preference, and relationship and sexual satisfaction. For each topic, data were analyzed according to the different types of hormonal contraceptives (combined estrogen-progestin methods, progestin-only methods, and oral or non-oral options). Results Recommendations according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence criteria and specific statements on this topic, summarizing the European Society of Sexual Medicine position, were developed. Clinical Implications There is not enough evidence to draw a clear algorithm for the management of hormonal contraception-induced sexual dysfunction, and further studies are warranted before conclusions can be drawn. A careful baseline psychological, sexual, and relational assessment is necessary for the health care provider to evaluate eventual effects of hormonal contraceptives at follow-up. Strengths & Limitations All studies have been evaluated by a panel of experts who have provided recommendations for clinical practice. Conclusion The effects of hormonal contraceptives on sexual function have not been well studied and remain controversial. Available evidence indicates that a minority of women experience a change in sexual functioning with regard to general sexual response, desire, lubrication, orgasm, and relationship satisfaction. The pathophysiological mechanisms leading to reported sexual difficulties such as reduced desire and vulvovaginal atrophy remain unclear. Insufficient evidence is available on the correlation between hormonal contraceptives and pelvic floor function and urological symptoms.

Purpose: Phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted from chromosome 10 (PTEN) and p27 kip1 proteins are key players of the Akt pathway, which is nutritionally regulated by insulin receptor signaling and influenced by estrogens. In this study, the prognostic relevance of the PTEN/ p27 kip1 protein expression in endometrial carcinoma in relationship to the body mass index (BMI) was determined. Endometrial cancer represents a major health problem. During the first half of the 20th century, the incidence of cervical cancer was greater than the cancer of the endometrium by a ratio of >3:1, but this trend reversed during the last 50 years (1). Today, endometrial carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the female genital tract and the fourth most common cancer in women after carcinomas of the breast, colon, and lung in the western world (2). Epidemiologic data provide a strong link between excess body weight and the risk of developing endometrial carcinoma (3 -6).Endometrial carcinomas are subdivided into two major types based on epidemiology, histopathology, and clinical behavior. Type I tumors are endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EEC) and type II tumors are non-EEC (NEEC). Type I tumors occur predominantly in perimenopausal women under unopposed estrogenic stimulation. These tumors are frequently preceded by atypical endometrial hyperplasia. They are usually low-grade and confined to the uterus, and most women are cured due to an early detection following the initial symptom of irregular uterine bleeding. In contrast, type II tumors develop mainly in elder women in whom the endometrium is atrophic due to the absence of an estrogenic effect. These tumors are predominantly high-grade serous or clear-cell carcinomas. NEEC invade early into the myometrium. They are aggressive and associated with a less favorable clinical outcome. Whereas EEC are due to increased estrogen hormone levels, mainly in obese, younger patients, NEEC are observed in older patients without increased estrogen levels and without an association with obesity.