Endocrine Abstracts

The successful establishment of pregnancy is dependent on appropriate embryo development and uterine receptivity. The latter consists of secretory transformation of the glandular epithelial cells followed by decidualisation of the stromal compartment. This phase of the cycle is also characterised by extensive tissue remodelling in the superficial layer of the endometrium in preparation for the invasion and implantation of the proliferating trophoblast cells. Ovarian steroids a...

Based on the hypothesis that ‘incessant ovulation’ and ‘ovulation-related inflammation’ are associated with the development of epithelial ovarian cancer, we have investigated in vitro the role of androgen and progesterone pre-receptor metabolism and steroid receptor signalling in human ovarian surface epithelium (hOSE) wound healing. Ovulation-associated injury was mimicked with exposure of primary hOSE cells to interleukin-1α, whereas post-ovul...

Introduction:The ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) covers the surface of the ovary, and is subjected to rupture and repair during ovulation. Ovulation bears hallmarks of a wound / heal event, including inflammation. Though integral to ovulation, inflammation may cause cellular damage leading to ovarian tumours, of which >90% are OSE derived. Progesterone, produced in large amounts at ovulation, has anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study wa...

Introduction:Steroid hormones exert numerous effects through their action on genomic receptors but little is known about the rapid effects mediated via membrane-bound proteins. Analyses in several vertebrate species indicate that three groups (alpha or A, beta or B, and gamma) of membrane progestin receptors (mPR) exist and have distinct tissue distributions.Objective:The aims of this study were to establish ...

The prokineticins (PK1 and PK2, also known as endocrine gland vascular endothelial growth factor [EG-VEGF] and Bv8 respectively), which bind to two closely homologous G-protein coupled receptors, PKR1 and PKR2, have been identified as novel angiogenic factors in endocrine tissue. However, little information is available on their expression and distribution in the uterus. The objectives of this study were to examine the expression and localisation of prokineticins and their rec...

At least 90% of human ovarian cancers may originate in the OSE. Most studies indicate that EOC is oestrogen responsive. Paradoxically, ovarian cancer generally occurs after the menopause, so the question arises if oestrogen is involved, where does it come from? We hypothesise that the high circulating concentrations of conjugated (inactive) oestrogens in post-menopausal women are substrates for formation of active oestrogen in the OSE through the hydrolytic enzyme activity of ...

IntroductionBased upon epidemiological evidence linking hyperthyroidism, inflammation of the ovarian surface and increased risk of ovarian cancer development, we have studied thyroid receptor expression in human ovarian surface epithelial cells (hOSE), and examined the possibility that triiodothyronine (T3) may have direct effects on hOSE cells, the origin of the vast majority of ovarian tumours.MethodsHuman ...

IntroductionOvulation involves rupture of the ovarian surface, and thus the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) is subjected to serial injury and repair with each ovulatory cycle. Inflammation is integral to the process of ovulation, but importantly, inflammatory damage is also thought to be a potential mechanism of ovarian tumour development. We have examined OSE responses to an inflammatory stimulus associated with ovulation, Interleukin-1alpha (IL1alpha)...

Aims: To compare the effect of a standard Sex Steroid Regimen (sSSR) with a physiological SSR (pSSR) on androgen status in young women with premature ovarian failure (POF).Patient Population: Seven women with POF were evaluated for the study. The median age was 28 years (range 21–36) and the median duration of ovarian failure was 14 years (range 4–25).Methods: An open label randomised, controlled, crossover study over 28 ...