Endocrine Abstracts

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) is a rare condition characterized by impairment of pubertal development, that can be associated with hypo/anosmia (Kallmann Syndrome, KS) or normosmia (nCHH). A genetic basis can be identified in nearly 50% of cases, with increasingly common detection of oligogenicity. CHH has a strong male predominance (MtoF ratio 5–3:1), although sex ratio for CHH in families with autosomal inheritance has been proven to be close to equal....

Background: Recent data suggest a direct effect of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on the skeletal metabolism. Particularly, it can encourage bone resorption and also inhibit osteoblast differentiation. High FSH levels have been found to correlate with impaired bone health in females, whilst evidence in males remains somewhat poor and conflicting. Intriguingly, men with primary and central hypogonadism might represent a novel study model in this context.<p class="abstex...

Diagnosis of Central Hypothyroidism (CeH) is commonly given when FT4 concentrations are below the lower limit of normal range. A reduction in FT4 concentrations greater than 20% was proposed in ETA 2018 Guidelines as an unphysiological fluctuation indicating the onset of milder forms of CeH with FT4 still within the normal range. Similarly, TSH-index was proposed to quantify thyrotrope reserve, hence as a tool to detect patients at risk of CeH. Here we verified the performance...

CHH is a rare disease with a relevant genetic background, and is characterized by a failure to enter (complete forms) or to complete (partial forms) pubertal development. It requires a treatment to allow the completion of puberty, and in male this goal can be achieved either using testosterone replacement therapy or administering gonadotropins (Gn); the latter allows both testicular development and the endogenous testosterone production. There are few studies evaluating the th...

Introduction: Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) often occurs in the pre-pubertal period but it can also manifest in post-puberal age. Recent position statements and guidelines differentiate between a ‘true’ hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, intended as congenital or acquired organic defect (characterized by frankly pathological total Testoterone values, TTe <3.5 nmol/l), and a ‘false’ or functional hypogonadism, associated to older age and comor...

Introduction: The effects of testosterone on coagulation have not yet been clarified. In particular, it is still controversial whether male hypogonadism, or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), may slightly increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, in particular during the first months of therapy. This study aimed to assess the hemostatic balance in hypogonadal men before and after short-term TRT, compared to healthy controls.Methods: Thrombin gene...

Background: In patients affected with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) a high prevalence of hypogonadism has been reported, even if there is no consensus on its metabolic and cardiovascular implications, especially according to the type of hypogonadism. The aim of this observational study is to evaluate: (1) the prevalence of different types of hypogonadism in T2DM according to validated criteria from the EMAS study; (2) look for correlations of gonadal status with severity or ...

Background: Pubertal induction in girls with hypogonadism through estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) aims at mimicking physiological puberty. To date, the best induction regimen is still to be established.Aims: By setting up a multicentre clinical registry, we analysed longitudinal data on pubertal induction in girls with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or premature ovarian insufficiency (congenital, acquired, isolated or associated with multiple pituitary...

Background: As of December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly, therefore Governments from all over the world promoted a strategy of social confinement through a general lockdown in order to contain it. During the months following its introduction, many studies reported a significant increase in the incidence of idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) throughout several countries, especially in girls.Purpose: The aim of our study was to co...

Background: Male hypogonadism is known to be associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events, although the underlying biochemical mechanisms are so far not fully understood. The clinical condition characterized by low levels of testosterone offers a unique model to unravel the possible role of lipoprotein-associated abnormalities in CV risk. In particular, the assessment of the functional capacities of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) may provide novel insi...