Endocrine Abstracts

Immature testicular tissue was successfully xenografted in several species but did not lead to spermatogenesis with tissue obtained from the non-human primate Callithrix jacchus. Previous data indicate that the microenvironment provided by the mouse host might cause this failure. We conducted an in vivo study performing autologous ectopic transplantation of testicular fragments in newborn anaesthetised marmoset monkeys and compared transplanted animals to sham op...

Retrospective randomized blinded study was carried out to find differences in hormone levels in blood between groups of patients with normal endometrium and with endometrial benign hyperplastic lesions. Hospital cases were randomly selected from journals of admittance from 1997 to 2005 years. Only patient name, age and clinical diagnosis, in which endometrial histology was reflected, could be viewed at the time of cases selection. There were to groups of cases selected, with a...

Evaluation of male fertility, based on semen analysis, is complicated by high variability of semen parameters and the lack of evidence-based reference values. The standards are currently set by the WHO laboratory handbook (1999). We investigated whether taking into account abstinence time and testicular volume would reduce variation in sperm concentration / count and thereby consolidate the underlying principles of spermatogenesis.The database of our Ins...

Endothelin-1 has various paracrine and endocrine effects on the male reproductive system. It is supposed that the testosterone is probably responsible for the higher endothelin-1 levels in males and this may be related with the enhanced cardiovascular risk in males of reproductive age. In order to study in more detail the relationship between endothelin-1 and testosterone, we have studied 37 male patients with various forms of hypogonadism (14 with hypergonadotrophic hypogonad...

Limited data are available about pregnancy in acromegalic women. Forty-three women, 32±1 years, presented GH hypersecretion (GH=44±7 ng/ml, IGF-1=1009±82 ng/ml) due to micro (n=6) or macroadenoma (n=37). Thirty-six women had transsphenoidal incomplete surgical resection and 9 external radiation of the pituitary adenoma performed 2.8±0.5 and 7.1±3.3 years before pregnancy. Women received dopamine agonists (n=6), somatostatin analogu...

Introduction and objectives: Achieving and maintaining a penile erection are two essential components of the male sexual response. It has recently been suggested that distinct molecular mechanism could underlie the two disturbances. The aim of the present study is to verify possible clinical differences on pathogenetic factors underlying difficulties of achieving and maintaining an erection.Methods: We studied a consecutive series of 560 pa...

Introduction and objectives: Warning labels in cigarette packages often links smoking to a severe impairment in sexual health. To evaluate if this is the case, we studied the psychobiological correlates of smoking behavior in 1150 male patients, seeking medical care for erectile problems.Methods: All the patients have been interview using SIEDY, which explores organic, relational and intra-psychic components of erectile dysfunction (ED), and completed a ...

Introduction and objectives: Pathogenesis of delayed ejaculation (DE) is rather unknown, although the contribution of various psychological, marital, hormonal and neurological factors has been advocated.Methods: In this study we systematically investigated the relative relevance of the aforementioned factors in a large sample (1632) of men, seeking medical help for sexual dysfunction. Delayed ejaculation was defined according to Kaplan criteria. In parti...

Introduction and objectives: Anxiety has a relevant impact on everyday life, including sexual life, and therefore is considered the final common pathway by which social, psychological and biological stressors negatively affect sexual functioning. The aim of this study is to define the psycho-biological correlates of free-floating anxiety in a large sample of patients complaining erectile dysfunction (ED) based sexual problems.Methods: We studied a consec...

It is suggested that estrogen hormones involve pathways controlling histone acetylation to brought about their effects in the uterus. However, it is not known how the level of histone acetylation affect estrogen-dependent processes in the uterus, especially proliferation and morphogenetic changes. Therefore, effects of histone deacetylase blockers, trichostatin A and sodium butyrate, on proliferative and morphogenetic reactions in the uterus under long-term estrogen treatment ...

Galactorrhea (G) is a frequent symptom in endocrinology when breast are systematically examined. In literature there is few works about aetiologies of G. The aim of our work is to evaluate prevalence of G and to study it’s cause in 170 subjects with nipple discharge.Our methodology is based on anamnestic history, clinical exam and a complete hormonal exploration. Women with normal cycle has a temperature curve, endometrial biopsy and progesterone ev...

Mithun (Bos frontalis), a free-range domesticated ungulate, reared primarily for beef and occasionally for milk, is mainly distributed in the South-East Asia. Much scientific reports on reproductive-endocrinology in this species are not available at present. The current study was designed to standardise and validate a simple, sensitive and direct enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) on microtitre plates using second antibody coating technique to determine 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF<s...

The work presents results of examination of 60 obese fertile women (aged 31.1±2.35) with various reproductive disorders aiming at assessment of ‘Siofor’ efficacy in restoration of endocrine and reproductive function. In the women BMI, type of constitution and waist/hip index (WHI) were measured, before and after 6- month therapy with ‘Siofor’ glucose challenge test being performed and levels of LH, FSH, testosterone, PRL, cortisol, progesterone, estrad...

An association between testicular function and vasoconstrictive peptide endothelin-1 levels, which is produced by Leydig and Sertoli cells, is observed. Endothelin –1 regulates blood flow in the testis and stimulates testosterone secretion.The purpose of this study is (1) to estimate the influence of tamoxifene and raloxifene therapy on enthothelin-1 levels in men of reproductive age with idiopathic hypogonadism. (2) To find an association between i...

Most macroprolactinomas are responsive to dopamine against drugs. Bromocriptine (BRC) has been available and extensively used in our country. The aims are to assess the outcome in 29 patients with macroprolactinomas who were treated with BRC.Material and methods: A multicentric study of 29 patients with macroprolactinoma (19 female; 10 males). The mean age was 33 years. The pituitary mass was larger than 10 mm in diameter. There was no endocrinological e...

During pregnancy of healthy women, a great increase of serum little prolactin occurs. In has been also reported that a significant amount of serum big big prolactin (termed macroprolactinemia) may be detected in about 4% of healthy pregnant women. Because the occurrence of macroprolactinemia during pregnancy of women with prolactin-producing pituitary microadenomas has not been extensively investigated, we determined both little and big big prolactin in serum of 97 women with ...

Level of pituitary trophic hormone dictates dose of hormone replacement (HRT) in endocrine gland hypofunction. We examined 28 women receiving HRT in postmenopausis aged 46–63 yrs (54±4.27 yrs). In average patients started HRT two years after last spontaneous menstrual bleeding (28±3.76 months, 1–132 months). 8 patients used transdermal estradiol, 10 peroral combination of estradiol, estriol and norethisterone and 10 patients were treated by fixed peroral co...

Hypogonadism is the most common non-diabetic endocrinopathy in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). A recent review suggests a prevalence of hypogonadism in males with haemochromatosis to be 6.4%.1 We report three patients with HH in whom hypogonadism was not due to iron deposition.Patient 1 was homozygous for C282Y and liver biopsy revealed grade III siderosis without cirrhosis. His testosterone was borderline low (6.7 nmol/l), and...

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a clinical condition which is ideal for evaluating short-term effects of impaired glucose metabolism, ruling out the possibility that the platelet abnormalities are a consequence of diabetic complications.The aim of this study was to measure the velocity of platelet disaggregation and the activation of the platelet second messengers cGMP and cAMP by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and ATP, respectively, in vitro i...

Free radicals are continuously produced during normal metabolism. They play important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis, degenerative processes of the brain and skin, and some diseases connected with aging. Among several natural antioxidants, estrogens are important free-radical scavengers due to the hydroxyphenolic structure of their molecules Some authors have suggested that estrogens may also influence the activity of the cellular antioxidative enz...

Aim: To investigate the influence of Cimicifuga Racemosa in women with peri – and early postmenopause.Materials and Methods: 125 women were investigated. They created 2 groups. The group I – perimenopausal women, their age varied between 36–45 years (n=85); II – women with early postmenopause, their age varied between 46–55 years (n=40). They complained about hot flashes, skin irritating, excess hyperhidrosis, tachy...

Cushing’s syndrome is rare in males. Hypercortisolic consequences on male gonadal function are unknown. The aim of our study is to research gonadal and sexual abnormalities in 17 male subjects with endogenous cortisol excess: 10 Cushing’s diseases, 5 paraneoplastic Cushing syndrome, 1 malignant corticosurrenaloma, 1 micronodular dysplasia. Their mean age is 30.2 years (18 – 50). Our work is based on anamnestic, clinical and hormonal results. Our population is co...

Male- or female-like neural control of gonadal function and reproductive behaviour is determined by sex-specific activation of estrogen receptors (ER) in the developing brain during a limited, critical period during ontogenesis. Exposure of the neonatal female brain to inappropriately high estrogen concentrations results in irreversible defeminization of neuroendocrine function which is manifested by disturbed cyclic ovarian activity and decreased female sexual receptivity in ...

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that requires the formation of junctional complexes between somatic Sertoli cells and germ cells and hormonal regulation of the Sertoli cells. Androgens and oestrogens are both synthesised in the testis. In adults Sertoli cells contain both androgen receptor (AR) and oestrogen receptor beta (ERß). In the present study we used a transformed Sc cell line (SK11) that was prepared from the testes of mice expressing the large T antigen. Whe...

Hirsutism may be the expression of hyperandrogenia of ovarian or adrenal origin, iatrogenic or idiopathic/familial. Regardless of the etiology, there is a negative impact of body hair excess on the self-image, the self-esteem and the sexual satisfaction of subjects. The present study aimed to evaluate 60 women, aged 26.3 years, with hirsutism as the primary symptom. At presentation, basal FSH, LH and testosterone levels, urinary 24-hours 17-ketosteroids and DHEA, and an abdomi...

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is characterized by amenorrhea, hypergonadotropism and hypoestrogensm in women under 40 years. Sex steroids play an important role in maintaining bone mass and cessation of ovarian function results in significant bone loss.Objective: To evaluate bone mass density (BMD) and factors influencing it in women with POF.Design & methods: First group of 144 women with spontaneous POF (I), 39.7±7.6 y...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affects approximately 5% to 10% all women. Insulin resistance is highly associated with this syndrome. Insulin resistance is associated with increased oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Oxidized LDL autoantibody levels are generally measured to evaluate the degree of LDL oxidation. In the present study, we aimed to measure serum titers of oxidized LDL autoantibodies in patients with PCOS.Twenty-five ...

Introduction: Decidualisation of the endometrial stromal cell (ESC) is pivotal for successful implantation and is initiated in response to increasing progesterone levels. Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGFβ-1), a potent cytokine involved in many diverse cellular responses, is activated from the latent form in the mid-late secretory phase. Previous reports suggest that TGFβ-1 might oppose the action of progesterone, although no mechanism has been proposed. We hav...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy with hyperandrogenemia to be its strongest genetically determined characteristic. Our aim was to investigate the potential synergy of two functional polymorphisms: the (TAAAA)n polymorphism of the sex hormone-binding globulin gene (SHBG) known to be associated with PCOS and influence serum SHBG levels (longer repeats were associated with lower SHBG levels) and the (CAG)n polymorphism of androgen receptor gene (...

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition defined by hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction, is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. Women classified as having PCOS according to the most recent consensus statement are heterogeneous both clinically and biochemically, and are therefore likely to have differing aetiologies, long term sequelae and possible treatment options.Aim: To utilise principal components ...

Backround: Male hypogonadism is associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and approximately 25% of males suffering with coronary heart disease are hypogonadal. Few studies have assessed the impact of testosterone therapy on vascular function in hypogonadal individuals and none have investigated the weekly impact of gradually reducing testosterone concentrations on vasculature.Patients and Methods: 10 hypogonadal subjects (6 wi...

Rhesus macaques, like humans, express two molecular forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH-I and GnRH-II). Although the role of GnRH-I in the control of the reproductive axis is well-established, the physiological role of GnRH-II is less clear. Both forms of GnRH are highly expressed in the monkey hypothalamus and both forms are highly effective at stimulating LH and FSH release in vivo. However, estradiol appears to affect GnRH-I and GnRH-II gene expression diff...

After they are released from the testis, spermatozoa pass into the epididymis where they mature. The epididymis is a single, highly coiled duct that develops from a portion of the embryonic Wolffian duct (WD) under the control of testosterone. We have used a model system in which the androgen receptor (AR) antagonist flutamide is administered to pregnant rats to investigate the cellular mechanisms responsible for androgen-dependent WD differentiation.Tim...

PCOS is a disorder of chronically abnormal ovarian function and hyperandrogenism, and associated sub-fertility. Insulin resistance is an integral feature of PCOS, particularly in obese women, and non-pregnant women with PCOS exhibit many of the features of the metabolic syndrome, including disturbed lipid metabolism. Treatments to improve conception rates include lifestyle intervention and insulin-sensitising therapy. When a woman with PCOS becomes pregnant she is at increased...

Mutation of the GPR54 receptor is associated with a failure of reproductive function. The endogenous neuropeptide agonist for GPR54, kisspeptin, potently stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in rodents and primates.Objective: The present study was designed to determine the effects of elevating circulating kisspeptin levels on LH, FSH and testosterone in male volunteers.Method: Study (i) Volunteers were infused w...

Objectives: Radical prostatectomy is an effective therapy for clinically localized prostate cancer. A significant number of men develops post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (PPED), due to surgery-related nervous damage. PPED is relatively refractory to PDE5i therapy. In a rat model of bilateral cavernous neurotomy we evaluated whether chronic tadalafil treatment (CTT) could ameliorate anatomical and functional damage to corpora cavernosa (CC).Methods...

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a brain-gut peptide originally isolated from porcine spinal cord, and later found in other species. NMU acts through two receptors named NMU1R (abundant in peripheral tissues) and NMU2R (apparently restricted to specific brain regions). Besides its potential implication in the control of stress responses, NMU is abundantly expressed in the ventromedial hypothalamic area and has been involved, as satiety factor, in the regulation of food intake. Very recen...

Through its circadian pattern of melatonin (MT) secretion, the pineal gland helps to keep the internal physiology of animals in synchrony with the day-night cycle and with the annually changing seasons.Currently, however, the influence of MT on the human reproductive axis appears to be marginal and the available evidence supporting its physiological role is largely circumstantial; there is no clear consensus whether MT levels change during the menstrual ...

Background/aims: Prostatic specific antigen (PSA) is the best prostatic tumor marker in man; Recently PSA has been detected in a variety of tissues and fluids in women and is considered a marker of hyperandrogenism. However no precise information are avaible about the physiology of PSA in females. The goal of this study was to assess serum concentrations of PSA in healthy pre-menopausal women (healthy pre-menopausal group) and menopausal women (menopause group) and compare the...

Expressions of KISS-1 and GPR54 have been demonstrated in a variety of tissues, including pituitary. Given their role in reproduction and in gonadotrophin secretion, we examined the regulation of their expression by steroids and GnRH in the rat pituitary using real-time PCR procedure.After ovariectomy (OVX), pituitary KISS-1 mRNA levels dramatically decrease whereas GPR54 transcripts slightly increase compared with intact cycl...

AMH, the fetal testicular sexual differentiative factor, is now implicated in adult ovarian function. Antral follicle immunohistochemistry demonstrated AMH protein and message, the staining peaking around 4 mm. Interestingly, AMH-knockout mice have increased FSH sensitivity. Our aim was to measure AMH in follicular fluid and cell-conditioned medium and AMHRII in normal ovaries from women undergoing TAH/BSO.Follicles were dissected intact, follicular flui...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine diseases in women, affecting up to 10% of women in reproductive age. The evidence of polycystic ovaries at ultrasonography has been recently considered as a further criteria to diagnose PCOS. In order to determine whether FSH receptor gene affects hormonal and/or metabolic parameters of PCOS women the presence of FSH receptor gene mutations was investigated. Forthy women aged between 18 and 40 years with poly...

Kisspeptin is a 54 amino acid peptide, encoded by the anti-metastasis gene KiSS-1, that activates the G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR54. The kisspeptin/GPR54 system is critical to normal reproductive development. KiSS-1 gene expression is increased in the human placenta in normal and molar pregnancies. Circulating kisspeptin is dramatically increased in normal pregnancy but levels in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) have not previously been reported. The...

The kisspeptins are KiSS-1 gene-derived peptides which signal through the G protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), and have recently been shown to be critical regulators of reproduction. Acute intracerebroventricular (ICV) or peripheral administration of kisspeptin to rodents and primates, and peripheral administration to humans, stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal (HPG) axis. This effect is thought to be mediated via the hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (G...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is currently believed a common endocrine-plurimetabolic disorder often associated to insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperandrogenism, dyslipidemia and obesity, pathological conditions predisposing to high cardiovascular risk. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction could represent early mechanisms of the cardiovascular risk in patients with PCOS. In order to confirm this hypothesis, 25 young (23.8±1.3 yr), over-w...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age often associated with insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hyperandrogenism, dislipidemia, obesity and hypertension, pathological conditions predisposing to high cardiovascular risk. Insulin resistant subjects may have higher plasma renin activity and it is well known that aldosterone plays a well-recognized role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and in the development of...

Hyperinsulinaemia has an important role in the aetiology of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Logical candidate genes for the development of PCOS therefore include those genes that influence β-cell insulin secretion such as ABCC8 and KCNJ11 on human chromosome 11. These two genes encode the SUR1 and kir6.2 components of the β-cell kATP channel respectively. To our knowledge, these genes have not been studied in women with PCOS previously.<p class="a...

Background and aims: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) have many features in common and may share the same pathogenesis. We examined the prevalence of the MS according to the ATP III criteria and the effect of family history for DM 2 on metabolic profile in young women with PCOS.Subjects and methods: We studied 75 women with PCOS aged (23.9±5.4) and 75 healthy age-matched women. We measured BMI, WHR and blood pressure ...

Cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, has been shown to be clinically valuable in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Recently, the effect of cimetidine on the reproductive system has been studied in detail and there are some reports showing the untoward effects of cimetidine on this system. In this paper was undertaken to evaluate the effect of cimetidine on serum testosterone, testes, prostate, seminal vesicle and vas deferens. Apart from the above objective,the mechanism throu...

The development of genital organs of rats chronically treated with cimetidine showed that the drug may present anti-androgenic activity. Rats were treated i.p. with cimetidine at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for 59 days. Accessory sex organ weights, were significantly reduced in the high dose treated groups. A high degree of variability characterized testis histology, with most tubules appearing normal and some tubules (15–17%) partially lacking or devoid of germ cells....

Cimetidine is a selective antagonist of histamine at gastric H2-receptor sites. A 24 month oral cimetidine toxicity and carcinogenicity study in rats at dose levels of 150, 378 and 950 mg/kg was performed. Cimetidine appeared to produce changes involving the liver and the male reproductive organs. In this paper non-tumour Leydig cell morphology was normal in cimetidine treated groups. It was concluded that the higher statistically significant incidence (apparent onl...

Objective: Ovarian cryopreservation is an emerging technique that may advance breeding of endangered species and preservation of reproductive capacity in young women cancer patients who will undergo chemo/radiotherapy destruction of ovarian tissue.Materials and methods: A total of twelve mature female rabbits were used in experiment. Rabbits were anesthetized and then subjected to laparotomy. Bilateral oophorectomy was used to save one ovary as fresh con...

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is closely associated with insulin resistance (IR) and about 50–70% of women with PCOS have significantly increased IR. Our study was performed to determine the effects of metformin on IR indices with lean PCOS patients.Methods: Our study was a single center, randomized prospective study, approved by the local ethical committee. 53 patients with BMI <25 kg/m2 who had chronic anovulation and ...

Objective: Hirsutism, is characterized by excessive growth of terminal hair in a male pattern. Idiopathic hirsutism (IH) is a common cause of hirsutism. Since there are few data demonstrating IH is associated with insulin resistance we tried to assess various insulin sensitivity indices in lean IH and compare with healthy subjects.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 71 lean (BMI between 20–25 kg/m2) women (17–39 years o...

Insulin resistance has been suggested to have a pathogenic role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The use of insulin sensitising drugs might therefore have a therapeutic role in its management.We studied 20 patients (mean age 32.6 years) with PCOS (diagnosed by the Rotterdam Consensus Workshop group criteria, 2003) before and after treatment with metformin (1.5–3 grams daily) for 6 to 12 months.Clinical features studied wer...

Hyperandrogenism of adrenal origin evidenced by elevated dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) levels has been reported in 20% to 30% of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.We studied 50 patients with PCOS (defined by the Rotterdam Consensus Workshop group criteria, 2003). Adrenal hyperandrogenaemia was defined as a DHEAS level> 10.5 micromoles/litre was found in 10 patients (20%). Clinical features studied were body mass index (BMI) and hirsut...

Introduction and objective: Prevalence of obesity is increasing in fertile women. We aimed to investigate its relation with pregnancy outcome.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 37 obese pregnant women (O group) was undertaken in the Endocrinology/Obstetric Unit, from 1998 to 2004. Control group included 33 pregnant women (C group) with normal body mass index (BMI).Results: Our O and C groups were age matched (O: 27.9±4.35; C...

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not only the first cause of female infertility but also a complex, endocrine, multifaceted disease with important health implications. PCOS is often associated to the metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance represents the main characteristics for both these syndromes. The metabolic disturbances characteristic of insulin-resistant states have been linked to the role of mitochondrial function and in particular to the maximal oxygen cons...

Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance play a key role in the development of the PCOS. Amenorrhoea, polycystic ovaries, hirsutism, high fasting insulin and high testosterone concentrations characterize polycistic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hyperinsulinaemia is associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Elevated CRP in association with hyperinsulinemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.We aimed to evaluate the effect of me...

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is essential for primate reproduction, acting via the FSH-receptor (FSHR) which is expressed in Sertoli and granulosa cells only. Despite its highly specific expression pattern, knowledge of the FSHR promoter and transcriptional regulation is still very limited. To gain insights into the regulatory elements controlling FSHR expression we characterized the core promoter activity of all important primate lineages including human. We isolated DN...

Objectives: Hypogonadism is often associated with diabetes mellitus and both conditions represent major risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diabetes-induced hypogonadism on ED using two distinct animal models: alloxan-rabbits and streptozotocin (STZ)-rats.Methods: A subgroup of diabetic animals was Testosterone (T) replaced. After 8 weeks from induction of diabetes, erectile function was evaluat...

Exon 1 of AR gene contains a variable number of CAG triplets, which encode a polyglutamine stretch of variable length in the N-terminal domain of the receptor. Experimental evidence has accumulated in demonstrating that the length of this stretch influences AR transcriptional activity and therefore modulates target organs responsiveness to androgens. Aim of our study was to evaluate CAG repeats length [(CAGr)n] in various conditions hypothetically influenced by AR function. 35...

SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) is a transport protein specific for dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol. The missense mutation in exon 8 (GAC→AAC) causing the amino acid exchange D327N correlates accordingly to literature data with higher SHBG levels.We studied the possible association of this polymorphism with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its influence on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in 247 PCOS patients in com...

Background: Men who receive gonadotoxic treatment for cancer may be at risk of hypogonadism. The extent of this risk is unknown. Severe hypogonadism is associated with fatigue, sexual dysfunction, reduced muscle mass and obesity. Diagnosing mild or moderate hypogonadism is difficult and requires evaluation.Aim: The aim of this study was to identify hypogonadism in young male survivors of cancer.Subjects and Methods: The study was a...

Introduction: The hCG stimulation test is a useful indicator of functional testicular tissue and may also have a place in treating undescended testes (UDT). However, its utility is limited by the inconsistency in the regimens used. We have looked at the clinical and biochemical response in a group of children with UDT who had a prolonged hCG stimulation as part of their clinical management.Methods: The retrospective review in 17 cases with a median EMS (...

Recent evidence indicates that the increase in follicle numbers seen in PCOS occurs early in folliculogenesis, and that androgens are implicated in this. In primates and sheep, androgen excess in-utero results in ovarian changes similar to those in PCOS. We have recently shown using a novel in ovo model, that testosterone added to implanted human tissue increased primary follicles compared to untreated tissue (Qureshi et al. 2005). This is similar to the p...

Prolactin is present in serum in a variety of forms defined by different molecular masses. Macroprolactin is the best-known variant, a high molecular mass (150–170 kD) form of prolactin usually representing a prolactin–IgG complex which reacts in immunoassays causing apparent hyperprolactinaemia. Big-prolactin is a smaller high molecular mass (50–60 kDa) form of prolactin found more commonly than macroprolactin; however, the origin and significance of big-prolac...

Introduction: Testogel is now established treatment for male hypogonadism. The aim of TRT is to resolve hypogonadal symptoms and achieve physiological levels of testosterone.Objective: To determine the efficacy of Testogel 50 mg/day, in achieving symptomatic benefit and physiological testosterone level in 100 male patients.Method: Retrospective review of 100 case notes from the andrology clinic. Men included were between 16 and 80 ...

Background: Metformin is increasingly used in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but there remain differences in opinion as to its precise role in terms of clinical benefit. We retrospectively reviewed the effects of metformin on menstrual regularity, fertility, weight and hirsutism in 244 patients with PCOS treated routinely with metformin in our clinics.Results: Patients were of median age 27 years (range 12–47) with median BMI of ...

Objectives: There is strong epidemiological evidence that insulin resistance confers a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the study is to compare the insulin resistance levels in metabolic syndrome of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with that of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods: The biological variation of IR was assessed by measuring IR at four day intervals on 10 consecut...

In the ovary, glucocorticoids are metabolised by 11βHSD enzymes. The bi-directional 11βHSD1 enzyme usually acts as an NADPH-dependent 11-ketoreductase to regenerate cortisol (F) from circulating cortisone (E), while 11βHSD 2 inactivates F using NAD+ as cofactor. Having isolated endogenous inhibitors of 11βHSD1 from porcine follicular fluid (pFF) and ovarian cysts, the aims of this study were to establish whether 11βHSD enzymes interconvert F...

Pregnancy, a state of insulin resistance (IR), is associated with elevated levels of cytokines and profound alterations in metabolism, directed towards supplying adequate nutrition for the fetus. Adiponectin, an adipokine with anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitising properties, plays an important role in energy homeostasis. Interestingly, in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a state of greater insulin resistance, serum adiponectin levels are lower than normal subjects. We...

Nowadays, though highly improved, the efficiency of human assisted reproduction protocols remains affected by a decrease in embryo yields after IVF. The aim of the current study was to evaluate a possible relationship between poor embryos and the functionality of follicles stimulated to grow with exogenous gonadotrophins, using a monovular species (sheep) as a model. In ewes, follicles can ovulate from ≥6 mm in unstimulated cycles, but from ≥4 mm in FSH treatments....

Turner’s Syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities found in 1 in 2500 live female births. Y chromosome material is detected in up to 6% of patients by karyotype, but with new technologies (DNA analysis), Y chrmosome sequences have been reported in 60% of patients. The presence of Y material has been associated with virilization and with the development of gonadal neoplasia.Aim: Determine the frequency of Y chromosome sequences in ...

Introduction: AMH is produced by the sertoli cells in the testes and is responsible for the regression of the Mullerian structures in the male fetus. It is also produced by the granulosa cells of the ovaries in females to a lesser degree. Serum AMH measurements may be important for detecting testicular tissue and monitoring ovarian activity. The objective of this study was to establish a cross-sectional reference range for AMH in UK children.Method: Seru...

P450 Oxidoreductase Deficiency (ORD) is a novel form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia with biochemical evidence of combined 21-hydroxylase and 17α-hydroxylase deficiency. Mutations in P450 oxidoreductase (POR), a crucial electron donor to microsomal P450 enzymes including CYP17 and CYP21, have recently been identified as the cause of disease. Clinical features in ORD include ambiguous genitalia, glucocorticoid deficiency and craniofacial malformations resembling the Antl...

A 20 yr old woman was referred for primary amenorrhea. At examination BMI was 19 and displayed a pubertal development at S4P4. Hormonal evaluation showed normal prolactin, low estradiol (18 pg/ml) and gonadotropins (LH=1.5IU; FSH=1.9 IU/L). Testosterone was normal (0.25 ng/ml) but curiously plasma progesterone (P) was increased (from 3.9 to 5 ng/ml). Initial ovarian sonography and adrenal CT scan didn’t show any abnormal mass. ACTH stimulation tests showed normal response...

The possible role of inhibin in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is controversial. This study was designed to investigate levels of serum inhibin in women with PCOS.In a case-control setting 41 women with PCOS and 44 women with normal cycles (control group) aged 15–40 year-old were evaluated. Mean age of cases and controls was 23.6±5.3 and 23.1±3.9 years, respectively. Mean body mass index (BMI) in cases and controls were 2...

Background: It is generally believed that glycemic targets in diabetic pregnancies should mimic those found in normal pregnancies.Aim: The aim of the present work was to reveal how glycemia indices in pregnant patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), their infants’ birth weight (IBW).Methods: Totally, 128 pregnant women with T1DM were enrolled in the study (mean age – 26±7 yrs; diabetes duration – 10.2&#17...

Background: The different changes are seen on skin and it’s accessories in patients (pts) with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D); some of them represent the prognostic indicator of complicated diabetes and some directly contribute in development of them. The aim of our study was to examine the prevalence of characteristic changes of skin and its accessories in T2D considering the grade of severity of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN).Materials and methods: T...