Endocrine Abstracts

There is a plethora of information about the extragonadal expression of gonadotrophin receptors (R), i.e. for LH/hCG and FSH, many of the studies published in high-profile journals. LHCGR has been found to be expressed in almost all organs of the body, and FSHR is expressed in fat and bone tissues, as well as in multiple malignant tumours. On the basis of these findings it has been proposed that direct gonadotrophin action participat...

The ageing of men is affected by gender-specific environmental and lifestyle factors. In addition, hereditary factors in the form of gene polymorphisms apparently contribute to the large interindividual variability of the basal activity and age-related decline of the male pituitary–gonadal function. Only limited information is currently available on polymorphisms in genes affecting the regulation, production, actions and metabolisms of androgens. Therefore, the assessment...

As in all fields of the life sciences, enormous development has taken place in my special field of interest, i.e. reproductive endocrinology, during the nearly 50 years’ time that I have been involved in basic and clinical research. My research has focused to large extent on functions of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and more specifically on physiology and pathophysiology of gonadotrophin function. My research career in not unlike the human life-span, because my...

The gonadotrophin receptors, luteinising hormone receptor (LHR) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) are G-protein coupled receptors, vital in regulating reproductive functions. Whilst FSHR and LHR are known to form homomers, and have been recently shown to heterodimerise/oligomerise, the functional and physiological significance of LHR/FSHR heteromerisation remains elusive. This study aimed to explore the functional significance of LHR/FSHR crosstalk, exploring me...

The gonadotropic hormones, LH and FSH are critical regulators of normal sexual functions including steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. Their essential role is underscored by the development of various hypogonadal phenotypes arising from genetic mutations. Constitutive activation of their cognate receptors also disturbs their function. We earlier showed that transgenic expression of an activating mouse Fshr mutant (mFSHRD580H) in granulosa c...

We have earlier shown that treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist blocked adrenocortical tumour progression through gonadotropin suppression in inhibin α/SV40 T-antigen (inhα/Tag) transgenic (TG) mice. Hereby, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the GnRH antagonist (Cetrorelix acetate; GnRH-a) treatment induced potential antitumor effects on gonadal somatic cell and adrenocortical tumors in vivo and in vitro. In...

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of mammalian receptors, modulating most aspects of endocrine homeostasis. GPCRs can associate to form dimers and higher order oligomers, acting to diversify receptor functionality. Most studies have explored the functional significance of GPCR dimerization in vitro and we have recently demonstrated the functional relevance of GPCR dimerization in vivo. Using the LH receptor (LHR), we have shown that t...

The gonadotrophin receptors, LH receptor (LHR) and FSH receptor (FSHR) are G-protein coupled receptors, vital in regulating reproductive functions. During the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, FSHR and LHR are separately localised to discrete cellular compartments, granulosa and theca cells respectively, where they control steroidogenesis and follicle maturation. However, as the follicle develops, LHR expression is induced in granulosa cells, resulting in temporary co-exp...

The gonadotrophin receptors, LH receptor (LHR) and FSHR are G-protein coupled receptors, vital in mediating reproductive functions. During the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle, FSHR and LHR are separately localised to discrete cellular compartments, granulosa and theca cells respectively, where they control steroidogenesis and follicle maturation. However, as the follicle develops, LHR expression is induced in granulosa cells, resulting in co-expression of FSHR and LHR in...

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues are now the standard hormonal treatment for prostate cancer. A fundamental difference between GnRH agonist and antagonist treatment is the permanent suppression of both gonadotropins (LH and FSH) by antagonist, while a rebound in FSH is associated with agonist treatment. The benefits of antagonist include the immediate onset of action and profound long-term suppression of FSH, suggested to be an independent growth factor in prost...