Endocrine Abstracts

Little is known about the factors affecting preantral follicle growth but we have recently shown that IGF-I stimulates growth of follicles in human cortical tissue in culture (Stubbs et al, Endocrine Abstracts 2003, 6, OC7). The aim of this study was to extend the study of the effects of IGF-I on follicle recruitment and test the specificity of action by examining the ability of the type 1 IGF receptor antibody, alpha-IR3, to inhibit IGF action. Small ovarian cortical biopsies...

Little is known about the factors affecting preantral follicle growth but we have recently shown that IGF-I stimulates growth of follicles in human cortical tissue in culture (Stubbs et al, Endocrine Abstracts 2003, 6, OC7). The aim of this study was to extend the study of the effects of IGF-I on follicle recruitment and test the specificity of action by examining the ability of the type 1 IGF receptor antibody, alpha-IR3, to inhibit IGF action. Small ovarian cortical biopsies...

Little is know about the effects of IGFs on the early preantral stages of follicle development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of IGF-I on recruitment and survival of human preantral follicles in vitro. Small ovarian cortical biopsies were obtained at laparoscopy, with informed consent and local ethical committee approval, from 27 premenopausal women. The tissue was divided and randomly allocated to 5 conditions. The first piece was fixed immediately as a...

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest cause of anovulatory infertility, and menstrual disturbances. The mechanism of anovulation is complex but the characteristic ovarian feature is arrest of antral follicles at 5–8 mm in diameter. Follicle arrest probably reflects the abnormal endocrine environment in which elevated LH and or hyperinsulinaemia (together with a relative deficiency of FSH) are important elements. However, recent studies also point to abnormali...

The ovary may not be an obvious target tissue for insulin action but there is ample evidence to suggest that insulin affects glucose metabolism, steroidogenesis and cell growth/differentiation, and that these effects are relevant to both normal ovarian physiology and to disorders of ovarian function. Glucose uptake and glycolysis by granulosa cells - important for providing energy for the maturing oocyte are regulated by both insulin and gonadotrophins. In the human ovary, ins...

Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance (IR) are well recognised features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There is an interaction of BMI with ovarian morphology so that the more obese the subject with PCOS the greater the degree of IR compared with weight-matched controls. There is an associated dyslipidaemia and it has been suggested that women with PCOS are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, although there is, as yet, little direct evidence for this. It is, h...

Modern methods of induction of ovulation and assisted conception techniques have offered renewed hope for many infertile couples, including those with genetic causes of infertility. Turner's syndrome is, of course, characterised by primary ovarian failure and although spontaneous ovulation and conceptions have occasionally been reported, (usually in mosaic forms of Turner's) these events are rare and unpredictable. Attempts to induce ovulation are futile. The most realistic ch...

A 29 year old male and his wife presented with an 18 month history of primary infertility. History and initial investigations suggested no major female component but a semen analysis revealed azoospermia. There was no history of any sexual dysfunction and neither partner was receiving any medication. Clinical examination revealed normal secondary sexual characteristics. Both testicles were of normal consistency with a volume of approximately 15mls but a 4x2cm mass was palpable...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised by hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. It is thought that androgen excess contributes to the mechanism of insulin resistance. Granulosa cells in PCOS demonstrate impaired insulin-induced glucose uptake and lactate accumulation1. The aim of this study was to characterise insulin signalling (via the PI3-Kinase (PI3-K) pathway) and glucose metabolism in an immortalised mouse granulosa cell line (KK1)2, a...