Endocrine Abstracts

DHEA, the most abundant circulating adrenal steroid in humans has an uncertain role. DHEA declines with age, and has been suggested to antagonise some glucocorticoid actions. Previous studies have suggested that DHEA may have immunoregulatory, and metabolic functions. In rodent studies DHEA has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, possibly by opposing glucocorticoid action. Glucocorticoids act on multiple tissues and employ a variety of mechanisms of action.<p class...

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a common cause of female infertility affecting about 1–2% of women under the age of 40. This heterogeneous disorder is characterized by primary or secondary amenorrhea and elevated gonadotropin values. Several defects can cause POF, including autoimmunity, X chromosome abnormalities and gene mutations, but its pathogenesis is still unknown in the vast majority of women with normal karyotype. We recently described two sisters affected wit...