Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by excessive androgen secretion and women with PCOS are at risk of developing anxiety disorders. Maternal testosterone levels in humans have been shown to affect brain development and to be correlated to mental function. During pregnancy, women with PCOS display high circulating androgen levels that may affect the fetus and increase the risk of mood disorders in offspring. This study investigated whether maternal androgen exces...

Introduction: 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is a dimeric enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of cortisone to cortisol within the endoplasmic reticulum. Loss of this activity results in a disorder termed cortisone reductase deficiency type 1 (CRD). Only mutations in H6PD gene, which encodes an enzyme supplying cofactor for the reaction, have been identified as the cause of disease. Biochemical features of CRD are increased cortisol clearance and A...