Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The 1 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ONDST) is recommended as a first-line test for the investigation of Cushing Syndrome. Measurement of dexamethasone alongside cortisol in a 9am serum sample has been credited with improving diagnostic sensitivity of the test. Previous studies have also looked at the utility of salivary dexamethasone and have observed poor correlation with serum dexamethasone. Herein we introduce the concept of measuring 11-dehydrode...

Introduction: Alternative biofluids such as sweat, which can be obtained non-invasively and present a simpler matrix composition than serum/plasma or urine, may be useful for monitoring biomarkers. The long-term sampling with patches either on the chest or back can be conveniently used under both rest and exercise conditions to provide an integrated response of free biomarkers over the course of a day. The smaller sample volumes generated by sweat collection can be convenientl...

Although oxytocin is a potent stimulant of myometrial contractions, its role in parturition is controversial. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the functional mechanisms of oxytocin receptors in isolated human myometrium before and after labour-onset.Myometrial biopsies were obtained from consenting women (aged 21–34 years) undergoing Caesarean section at term pregnancy, not in labour (n=6), or in early (n=6) or late (n<...

Dysfunctional prostanoid and oxytocin receptors have been implicated in the development of myometrial hyperactivity, causing dysmenorrhoea and infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the topographical differences in functional contractile PG and oxytocin receptors in mid-cycle isolated myometrium.Longitudinal, full-thickness sections of the anterior uterus were obtained from consenting pre-menopausal donors (aged 39–48 years) un...