Contact: Arlyn G. Riskind
Director, Media Relations
Phone: (301) 941-0240; Cell: (202) 431-9495
ariskind@endo-society.org

Contact: Aaron Lohr
Manager, Media Relations
(240) 482-1380

alohr@endo-society.org

1.    Obesity Linked to Hormone Imbalance that Impacts Sexual Quality of Life
2.    Study Sheds New Light on Link between Obesity and Infertility
3.   Last Call for Nominations: The Endocrine Society’s Award for Excellence in Science and Medical Journalism
4.   News Media Registration Opens for ENDO 09 in Washington, D.C.
5.   New Patient Fact Sheet, "Vitamin D, Calcium, and Bone Health" Available

1. Obesity Linked to Hormone Imbalance that Impacts Sexual Quality of Life

Weight loss through gastric bypass surgery can reverse hormonal changes

Hormonal changes and diminished sexual quality of life among obese men are related to the degree of obesity, and both are improved after gastric bypass surgery according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

“Previous studies have found that obesity is correlated to lower sperm count and can be associated with infertility, but we wanted to know if obesity was biologically associated with an unsatisfying sex life, and if so, could it be reversible,” said Dr. Ahmad Hammoud, MD, of the University of Utah and lead author of the study. “Our results show that the answer to both questions may be yes.”

For this study, researchers followed 64 men over two years who participated in the Utah Obesity Study, which investigated the two-year morbidity of severely obese men undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery compared to controls. Researchers measured weight, BMI (body mass index) and reproductive hormone levels of participants at the beginning of the study and once more two years later. Similarly subjects completed a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of weight on quality of life in obese individuals at the onset of the study and again two years later.

“In our study population, we found that lower testosterone levels and diminished ratings for sexual quality of life were correlated with increased BMI,” said Dr. Hammoud. “Subjects who lost weight through bariatric surgery experienced a reduction in estradiol levels, an increase in testosterone levels and an increase in ratings of sexual quality of life.”

Dr. Hammoud points out that results from this study highlight an association between sexual quality of life and hormonal measures independent from weight. Because this relationship is confounded by biopsychosocial aspects of obesity, further studies are required to determine a cause and effect relationship.

Other researchers working on the study include Mark Gibson, Stephen Hunt, Ted Adams, and Douglass Carrell of the University of Utah; Ronette Kolotkin of Obesity and Quality of Life Consulting in Durham, NC; and A. Wayne Meikle of the ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology at the University of Utah.

A rapid release version of this paper, “Effect of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery on the Sex Steroids and Quality of Life in Obese Men,” has been published on-line and will appear in the April 2009 issue of JCEM.

2. Study Sheds New Light on Link between Obesity and Infertility

Obesity Associated with Detrimental Changes in Ovary

Obese women have alterations in their ovaries which might be responsible for an egg’s inability to make an embryo, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Obese women trying to become pregnant experience longer times to conception, even if they are young and have a regular menstrual cycle. This study sought to determine if there are alterations in an egg’s environment in obese women which contribute to poorer reproductive outcomes.

“Characteristics of eggs are influenced by the environment in which they develop within the ovary,” said Dr. Rebecca Robker, PhD, of Adelaide University in Australia and lead author of the study. “Our study found that obese women have abnormally high levels of fats and inflammation in the fluid surrounding their eggs which can impact an egg’s developmental potential.”

According to Dr. Robker, the fats might alter the very sensitive metabolism of the egg and such changes are known to be harmful to embryo formation. In addition, inflammation can damage cells and when this happens to eggs it can affect embryo survival.

For this study, researchers followed 96 women seeking assisted reproduction at a private clinic in South Australia from February 2006 to April 2007.  Dr. Robker and her colleagues measured hormone and metabolite levels in follicular fluid obtained from the subjects’ ovaries during their egg collection procedures. They found that obese women exhibited an altered ovarian follicular environment, particularly increased metabolite and androgen activity levels, which may be associated with poorer reproductive outcomes.

“Obesity is well known to cause changes in blood lipids and heightened inflammation which detrimentally affects a person’s general health,” said Dr. Robker. “Our research shows that obesity similarly changes the environment in the ovary which bathes and nourishes a woman’s developing eggs.”

Other researchers working on the study include Lisa Akison, Brenton Bennett, Penny Thrupp, Lindsay Chura, Darryl Russell, Michelle Lane and Robert Norman of the University of Adelaide in Australia.

The article “Obese Women Exhibit Differences in Ovarian Metabolites, Hormones and Gene Expression Compared to Moderate Weight Women,” will appear in the May 2009 issue of JCEM.

3. Last Call for Nominations: The Endocrine Society’s Award for Excellence in Science and Medical Journalism

The Endocrine Society is calling for nominations for the second annual Award for Excellence in Science and Medical Journalism. The award recognizes outstanding reporting that enhances public understanding of health issues pertaining to the field of endocrinology.

The award is open to all credentialed journalists in print (both “hard” and electronic) or broadcast. Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by someone else. Only one nomination is permitted for each nominee. Submissions can include any work first published between March 1, 2008 and February 28, 2009.

Weight will be given to entries that demonstrate thorough research, accurate reporting, originality and contribute to the public understanding of endocrinology.

The honor consists of an award and $2,000 honorarium, to be presented in June 2009 at the Society’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The award recipient will also receive complimentary travel and one-night hotel accommodations to attend the annual meeting to accept the award.

Nomination forms, eligibility and submission requirements can be found at http://www.endo-society.org/media/Journalism-Award.cfm. To apply, submit the completed nomination form and three copies of the article/work, whether published or taped, to:

Aaron Lohr
The Endocrine Society
8401 Connecticut Ave., Ste. 900
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Submissions must be received by March 6, 2009.

4. News Media Registration Opens for ENDO 09 in Washington, D.C.

The Endocrine Society's 91st Annual Meeting, ENDO 09 will be held at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, June 10-13, 2009. Approximately 7,500 scientists and clinicians from all over the world are expected to assemble for this premier meeting of hormone research, health science, and endocrinology.

It is an opportunity for journalists to learn about the latest research in fields as diverse as anabolic steroids, obesity, endocrine disrupters, diabetes, aging, growth hormone, sex hormones, thyroid cancer, and much more.

For public information officers, ENDO provides a worldwide stage to promote your institution's research to reporters through press releases and participation by your scientists in press conferences.

Reporter Eligibility

•  Working press employed by bona fide news media: must present a press card, business card, or letter of introduction from an editor of a recognized publication.

•  Freelance writers: must present a current members card from the American Medical Writers Association or the National Association of Science Writers; evidence of by-lined work pertaining to science, health, medicine, or biomedical research intended for the general public and published within the past two years; or a letter of assignment from a recognized publication.

• Public information officers of scientific societies, medical associations, educational institutions, and government agencies: must present a business card.

•  Representatives of for-profit corporations and of the business side of news media must register onsite, pay the appropriate fees, and are not accredited as Press at the meeting.

•  Researchers and clinicians who are also reporters and who are presenting at this meeting (oral or poster session) may receive news media credentials if they qualify (see above), but must also register for the meeting and pay the appropriate fee as a presenter.

A full program, including press conferences and media activities, will be distributed as information becomes available. Registered news media receive a badge that provides access to all meeting sessions, as well as to the News Room and press conferences. No one will be admitted without a valid ENDO badge.

The News Media Registration Form and information are available online at http://www.endo-society.org/endo/media.cfm

5. New Patient Fact Sheet, "Vitamin D, Calcium, and Bone Health" Available

The Hormone Foundation has published a bilingual (English/Spanish) fact sheet that explains the importance of vitamin D and calcium in keeping bones healthy and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. The fact sheet offers recommended intake levels for adults, lists factors that may contribute to vitamin D and calcium deficiency, and identifies sources of these nutrients. To download free copies for your patients, visit the Foundation's Web site (www.hormone.org) or check the February issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

 

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Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 14,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Md. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology, visit our web site at www.endo-society.org.