Male testosterone decreases during fatherhood, study says

The intensive demands of parenting require huge adjustments from both parents. However, the study, Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, suggests that men undergo extra adjustment to cope better with child rearing. Encompassing three generations of participants in Cebu from the 1980’s up to the present, the survey collected data on various aspects of human health and nutrition including, reproductive health and sexuality.

During the presentation of the results of the study at the Department of Health (DOH) 13^th National Health Forum for Action, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC) - Cebu City, shared that the level of testosterone in men is affected by courtship, marriage and subsequent fatherhood.

Researchers measured morning and evening salivary testosterone level of the 624 single, adult male participants. Baseline data were first collected in 2005. The test was repeated after four years in 2009 when some of the participants were already married. Study showed that levels of morning and evening salivary testosterone of men who became fathers declined by 26% and 34%, respectively, whereas single non-fathers only experienced a decrease of 12% and 14% in their respective morning and evening testosterone level. Researchers also discovered that the men who spend most time with their kids are likelier to get lower testosterone levels than the others. These fathers whose youngest child was less than a month old experienced the most drastic decline in testosterone levels. Dr. Mayol revealed, “The more involved you are in taking care of the children, especially the very young ones, the lower your testosterone.”

Though there were researches made on primates showing similar results, no other paper has been published yet that links child rearing with decline in testosterone in human males until the Cebu longitudinal study. The study was the first to conclusively connect child rearing to lowered testosterone levels in men.

While traditionally, child rearing has always been designated solely as a woman’s responsibility, the study proves otherwise. The researchers explained that while high testosterone ensures mating success in men, the steep decline in testosterone level showed that men are innately wired to actively help in the child rearing. Dr. Mayol stressed, “Testosterone is often high during mating periods but then declines to allow for caregiving of the resulting children.”

Created on Thursday, 14 February 2013 17:28

Last Updated on Thursday, 14 February 2013 17:28

Written by Richmond Q. Acosta

Medical informatics, biobanks and genomics research enriches evidence-based medicine, says expert

With certain genetic type involved in heart disease in Filipinos, you can get some idea of which molecular targets should be good for the development of new drugs,” said Ms. Ma. Luisa Daroy, Scientist I, Research and Biotechnology Division of the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) during the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium (MMHRDC) Research Forum for World Heart Day last October 10, 2012 at the Adamson University.

The genetic uniqueness of each individual is reflected in the different signs of heart disease in a patient. Knowing one’s genetic profile provides deep insight into the biological dynamics of heart disease which can guide the doctors in managing their patients.

"In a disease-focused research, the key component is a combination of medical informatics, systematized specimen archiving, and genetic profiling,” explained Dr. Daroy.

To determine the genetic profile of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients observed at the Heart Institute in SLMC, the Genomics and Cardiovascular Medicine Initiative (GCMI) of SLMC embarked on a long-term program of research that covers Cardiovascular Disease Information System (CVDIS), GCMI Biobank and CVD Genomics Research.

"We integrated this to facilitate our genetic variation profiling where genomics work in response to the lack of genetic data on Filipinos in the web. If we look at the genetic data on the internet, you will see that it is really voluminous and there are very large scale efforts to document the genetic variations in different population. But sadly for Filipinos, it is very sparse,” reported Ms. Daroy.

To address the situation, the SLMC created the first component of this integrated approach which is the CVDIS. This involves the electronic archiving of patient information, clinical symptoms, laboratory results, treatment regimes and clinical outcomes. This informatics accompanies the systematic collection of blood samples from patients who were examined at SLMC for coronary artery disease (CAD).

According to Ms. Daroy, researchers isolated serum, plasma and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from the blood samples of patients. Specimen quality is assessed periodically to ensure its usefulness for research.

“Our patients were required to sign informed consent prior to enrolment in the GCMI Biobank. We have several review process. All patients were made to understand that they can withdraw their samples from the Biobank at any time,” clarified Ms. Daroy.

Patient DNA is then analyzed for genetic variations, specifically single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in several genes that have been previously reported to be associated with CAD. Allele and genotype frequencies are calculated and usefulness of a SNP as risk factor for CAD is assessed statistically. Researchers used TaqMan Genotyping System which is a faster, cheaper and more efficient way of doing the genotyping.

Ms. Daroy said, “This is an initial report on the first genomics data generated on Filipinos with CAD. This patient-centered strategy for research produces a wealth of information that enriches evidence-based medicine with previously unforeseen options for health promotion, preventive care, risk reduction and appropriate cure.”

Written by Rachel Ann Doreen D. Nadal

beastfeeding protects infants against diarrhea

Study confirms exclusive breastfeeding protects infants against diarrhea

Researchers, using data from the results of the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey, discovered that breastfeeding is effective in lowering the risk of diarrhea in infants even if environmental sanitation is compromised.

During her study presentation, Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Research Associate at the University of San Carlos (USC), shared, “We know that breastfeeding is protective of infants against infectious disease, especially diarrhea. In this study, we see the relationship of exclusive breastfeeding and sanitation with decrease or increase in the probability of getting diarrhea.”

Covering 2,355 infants less than six months of age, the study gathered information on breastfeeding practices in 17 communities in Cebu in a span of one year. On their second month after birth, 19% of the infants were completely weaned from breastfeeding, 38% were mixed-fed, and 20% received nonnutritive liquid substitutes in addition to breast milk. Researchers then compared the effects of full breastfeeding, mixed feeding and weaning on the chances of infants to acquire diarrheal disease at different levels of sanitation.

CVHRDC Calls for Proposal

CVHRDC Call for Proposal

What proposals may qualify

Research proposals that will be entertained by the CVHRDC are those which address priority health problems identified under the PNHRS National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA).

WHO issues new guidance on dietary salt and potassium

31 JANUARY 2013 | GENEVA - Adults should consume less than 2,000 mg of sodium, or 5 grams of salt, and at least 3,510 mg of potassium per day, according to new guidelines issued by the WHO. A person with either elevated sodium levels and low potassium levels could be at risk of raised blood pressure which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Sodium is found naturally in a variety of foods, including milk and cream (approximately 50 mg of sodium per 100 g) and eggs (approximately 80 mg/100 g). It is also found, in much higher amounts, in processed foods, such as bread (approximately 250 mg/100 g), processed meats like bacon (approximately 1,500 mg/100 g), snack foods such as pretzels, cheese puffs and popcorn (approximately 1,500 mg/100 g), as well as in condiments such as soy sauce (approximately 7,000 mg/100 g), and bouillon or stock cubes (approximately 20,000 mg/100 g).

Potassium-rich foods include: beans and peas (approximately 1,300 mg of potassium per 100 g), nuts (approximately 600 mg/100 g), vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and parsley (approximately 550 mg/100 g) and fruits such as bananas, papayas and dates (approximately 300 mg/100 g). Processing reduces the amount of potassium in many food products.

Currently, most people consume too much sodium and not enough potassium.

“Elevated blood pressure is a major risk for heart disease and stroke – the number one cause of death and disability globally,” says Dr Francesco Branca, Director of WHO’s Department of Nutrition for Health and Development. “These guidelines also make recommendations for children over the age of 2. This is critical because children with elevated blood pressure often become adults with elevated blood pressure.”

The guidelines are an important tool for public health experts and policymakers as they work in their specific country situations to address noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. Public health measures to reduce sodium and increase potassium consumption and thereby decrease the population’s risk of high blood pressure and heart disease can include food and product labelling, consumer education, updating national dietary guidelines, and negotiating with food manufacturers to reduce the amount of salt in processed foods.

WHO is also updating guidelines on the intake of fats and sugars associated to reduced risk of obesity and noncommunicable diseases.

For more information please contact:

Gregory Härtl

Coordinator, News, Social Media and Monitoring

Telephone: +41 79 203 6715

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Created on Wednesday, 06 February 2013 09:17

Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 February 2013 09:17

Written by Mr. Ricardo J. Apolinario III

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