Endocrine Abstracts

Background: vitamin D has been associated with different beneficial effects on the immune system. The vitamin D activating (CYP2R1 and CYP27B1) and inactivating (CYP24A1) enzymes, including the vitamin D receptor (VDR) are expressed in several types of white blood cells (WBC). A range of studies have explored whether vitamin D positively affects risk of and severity of respiratory tract infections such as tuberculosis, influenza, cold and COVID-19.Object...

More than 90% of malignant testicular tumors arise in the germ cells and are denoted testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). TGCTs are one of the most common cancers among men between 15 to 40 years of age and arise from a common precursor cell, the germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), an arrested and transformed fetal gonocyte that become invasive after puberty. TGCTs are divided into seminomas and nonseminomas based on histology. Fortunately, TGTCs are highly sensitive to cispl...

Introduction: Vitamin D (VD) metabolism is active in normal testis, but lost during the malignant progression from carcinoma in situ (CIS) to overt germ cell tumors (TGCTs). CIS and TGCTs are often associated with intratubular deposition of hydroxyapatite (microlithiasis). Imbalance in FGF23 and PTH homeostasis may result in calcification of mesodermal-derived tissue, so we hypothesized that this mechanism may be involved in testicular microlithiasis. Here, we investi...

Today there exist no treatment that can improve semen quality in more than 85% of infertile men. Interaction between germ and Sertoli cells is critical for sperm production, and Denosumab, an inhibitor of RANKL, has previously been shown to stimulate sperm production in a fraction of infertile men. Here, we show in a humanized RANKL mouse that Denosumab dose dependently increase germ cell proliferation and testicular weight. RANKL was modified so it can be blocked by Denosumab...

Context: Steroid hormone-producing tumors account for 0.1% of all primary ovarian tumors. According to the cellular origin they are classified into stromal luteomas, Leydig cell tumors and steroid tumors not otherwise specified. Symptoms and phenotype depend on the specific hormones and concentrations released from the tumor. In this report, we present a postmenopausal woman with virilization during two pregnancies and in menopause caused by an androgen producing ovarian tumor...

Background and Purpose: Infertility affects 15% of couples globally, and only few treatment options are available. Gonadotropins are classic and potent regulators of ovarian and female reproductive function, but novel endocrine crosstalk appears to exist between gonads and the skeleton that may influence female fertility. One of the new players include the RANKL signalling system, which consists of the receptor activator of nuclear factor κβ ligand (RANKL), the recep...

Background: Numerous studies have suggested that optimal vitamin D status increases treatment success of women undergoing assisted reproductive treatments. However, conflicting data exist, and the relationship remains controversial, prompting the need for more comprehensive studies investigating all the metabolites of vitamin D in women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. Objective: To investigate the relationship between follicular fluid levels of the three ...

Currently, no treatment options exist to improve semen quality for the majority of infertile men, but it is well known that the interaction between Sertoli- and germ cells is essential to ensure complete spermatogenesis. A recent study suggested that denosumab, an inhibitor of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) signaling, may decrease germ cell apoptosis in human ex vivo testis cultures and stimulate sperm production in some infertile men. Her...