TLDR Diet changes hormone levels in pregnant ewes by affecting metabolism, not placental synthesis.
The study investigated ovine placental steroid synthesis and metabolism during late gestation, focusing on enzyme activities and the effects of dietary intake and finasteride treatment. It found that dietary changes altered serum progesterone and estradiol levels but did not affect placental enzyme activities. Finasteride inhibited 5α-reduced progesterone metabolism without impacting serum progesterone levels. The study concluded that diet-induced changes in steroid concentrations were due to extra-placental metabolism, not altered placental synthesis, and that 5α-reduction was not a major determinant of systemic progesterone levels in late-gestation ewes. The findings underscored the complexity of placental steroid metabolism and its critical role in maintaining pregnancy and initiating parturition in sheep.
7 citations,
January 2018 in “Reproduction” Inhibiting 5α-reductase increases progesterone levels in late pregnant mares.
1040 citations,
October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride effectively treats BPH but may increase sexual dysfunction risk.
137 citations,
March 2006 in “Cns Drug Reviews” Finasteride treats enlarged prostate and hair loss, but may cause side effects in some patients.
233 citations,
November 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Creating stronger blockers for skin enzymes might lead to better treatment for conditions like acne and excessive hair growth.
218 citations,
January 2012 in “Advances in Urology” The document concludes that the 5 alpha-reductase enzymes are important in steroid metabolism and related to various human diseases, with inhibitors used to treat conditions like male pattern baldness and prostate issues.
21 citations,
May 2015 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Progesterone byproduct 5αP stimulates mammary tumor growth, but finasteride can suppress it.
46 citations,
September 2011 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Natural 5α-reduced glucocorticoids might be anti-inflammatory with fewer side effects than current options.
