Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) regulates mammalian reproductive system. It binds receptors (GnRHRs) expressed in gonadotrope cells of anterior pituitary, regulating the synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). GnRHR is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) coupled to Gαq/11 protein and, to a lesser extent, to Gαi/Gαs proteins, simultaneously activating Ca2+, β-cate...

Introduction: The developmental stages of the ovarian follicle are characterized by changes of gonadotropin and steroid hormone receptor expression and their potential interactions on the surface of granulosa cells. In this study in vitro, we aim to evaluate whether the co-existing follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) form heteromers, which may play role in selecting the dominant ovarian follicle.<p class="abs...

Pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) and placental human choriogonadotropin (hCG) are two heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones regulating reproduction. They bind the same receptor (LHCGR) expressed in gonadal cells, activating hormone-specific G protein- and β-arrestins-dependent signaling cascades, before LHCGR internalization. LH induces preferential proliferative signals, while hCG activates mainly the steroidogenic pathway, reflecting their physiological roles. In this s...

Introduction: A primate-specific luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor (LHCGR)-variant was suspected to discriminate between maternal choriogonadotropin (hCG)- and fetal LH-functioning. It is the so-called “LHCGRex6A”, truncated, intracellular receptor isoform produced by alternative cryptic exon stop-codons located between the 6th-7th out of 11 exons. Its function is unknown, although pseudohermaphroditism and 46-XY female-like phenotype were associated with LHCGRex...

Introduction: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) biosimilars, differing for source cell and glycosylation pattern, are commercially available for therapy of hypogonadism and assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Although these molecules are commonly used in clinical practice, comparison of their action in vitro was poorly investigated.Aim: The aim of the study is to compare recombinant FSH- and biosimilars-induced cell response in vitro</e...

Introduction: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human choriogonadotropin (hCG) regulate reproduction through binding the same receptor (LHCGR). They act via activation of G protein- and β-arrestin-dependent signals, resulting in ligand-specific pattern of signaling cascades and LHCGR internalization into endosomal vesicles. Previous studies differentiated the action of these two hormones in LH-related proliferative signals and hCG-related steroidogenic signals.Aim. We compared...

Introduction: Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which may impact reproduction. It is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon generated by the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. BaP may be accumulated in the environment, achieving effective concentrations in the nanomolar range and exerting genotoxic effects in long-term exposed humans.Aim: We evaluated the short-term impact of BaP on luteinizing-hormone (LH)/choriogonadotropin ...

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and it is a key hormone in the reproductive system. FSH is a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed with two extensively glycosylated protein sobunits (α and β) N-glycosylated in two positions (Asn52 and Asn78 in the FSHα subunit and Asn7 and Asn24 in the FSHβ subunit) giving rise to numerous isoforms of FSH. Glycosylation has been shown t...

The human luteinizing hormone (LH)/choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor (LHCGR) discriminates its two hormone ligands. LHCGR differs to the murine receptor (Lhr) in aminoacid residues potentially involved in qualitative discerning of LH and hCG, the latter absent in rodents. We aim to identify LHCGR residues involved in hCG/LH discrimination, indicating evolutionary determinants of human LH/hCG endocrine system. After comparing the LHCGR and Lhr sequences, we developed eight ...

Introduction: The use of multigene panels in thyroid nodule diagnosis is still limited, due to high costs and need for ad hoc sampling. Since BRAF-V600E is the commonest genetic alteration in differentiated thyroid cancer, this is the mostly tested genetic parameter in clinical practice.Aim: To evaluate the use of BRAF mutation analysis in wash-out liquid from fine needle aspiration (FNA) in clinical practice, characterizing th...