Endocrine Abstracts

Abstract unavailable....

Prostaglandins are important mediators of reproductive function. However, comparative differences in functional prostanoid receptors during gestation and postpartum are not fully explored. The aim of this study was to compare the responsiveness to PGF2α, PGE2, and U46619 in the rat uterine horn at late gestation and postpartum. Rats were sacrificed at late gestation (n=5–6) and at postpartum (n=5–6). Uterine horns were opened longitudinally, cleare...

The aim of the investigation was to evaluate the effect exogenous of 17-β-estradiol propionate (E2) on working memory as assessed by the novel object recognition (NOR) paradigm following intermittent or delayed E2 regimens.15 rats were ovariectomised under anaesthesia and were divided into 3 groups namely: (1) vehicle (2) intermittent E2 dosing weeks 1–6 and 13–18, with no treatment weeks 7–12 and (3) delayed (no treatment in weeks 1&...

Background: Data remain conflicting regarding the long-term metabolic consequences of prematurity and the impact of early nutrition and catch-up growth. Adiponectin and leptin are adipocyte derived proteins (adipokines) and are thought to be important regulators of insulin action.Objectives: i) To investigate the influence of infant growth and contemporary body composition on adolescent adipokine secretion.ii) To investigate the co...

Background: Point-of-care tests (POCT) for glucose promote timely clinical management. We assessed the precision and accuracy of POCT compared with laboratory measurements in children undergoing dynamic function tests.Methods: Split samples of venous blood were tested on POCT meters (Precision PCx Plus and Precision Xceed Pro) and in the laboratory (ADVIA 2400). Clinical reliability was assessed against the ISO 15197 standard: In at least 95% of cases, d...

Background: Female sex steroids influence learning and memory and the neurobiology of brain regions involved in memory processing such as the hippocampus. Pregnancy allows overriding of regulatory feedback loops leading to substantial elevation of endogenous serum hormone levels, depending on concentration; oestradiol can be either neurologically protective or toxic. This investigation aimed to increase understanding of the influence of sex steroids on memory and attention dur...

Although glucocorticoids (Gc) are used to treat a range of pathologies, an individuals response to therapy varies considerably. There is a distinct correlation between certain cell types and steroid sensitivity. Aberrant glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function is well-characterised in lymphoid malignant cells but not small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (DMS79) or osteosarcoma (U2OS) cell lines, which are both Gc resistant.Previously we have shown reduced GR cont...

Background: Ovarian steroid action is not limited to the gonadal–pituitary–hypothalamic axis. A recent pre-clinical investigation by Sutcliffe et al. (2007) suggests female sex steroids influence learning and memory strategies. However, data from human trials involving various hormone replacement regimens and assessment of memory in pregnancy appear equivocal.Pregnancy allows overriding of regulatory feedback loops leading to elevation o...

Although oxytocin is a potent stimulant of myometrial contractions, its role in parturition is controversial. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the functional mechanisms of oxytocin receptors in isolated human myometrium before and after labour-onset.Myometrial biopsies were obtained from consenting women (aged 21–34 years) undergoing Caesarean section at term pregnancy, not in labour (n=6), or in early (n=6) or late (n<...

Introduction: The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented. Specific recommendations for the management of neuroendocrine disorders in the pandemic were rapidly released by Endocrine experts. To comply with COVID rules, NET patients, due to attend the endocrine unit in March 2020 for Somatostatin analogue therapy, were rapidly identified. 25 vulnerable patients had urgent domiciliary administration arranged. Other patients were taught to self-inject. Postal surveys wer...