Endocrine Abstracts

The survival of an organism relies on its ability to promptly, effectively and reproducibly communicate with brain networks that control food intake and energy homeostasis. To achieve this, circulating factors of hunger and satiety reflecting nutrient availability must cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to reach effectors neurons. A defect in this process invariably leads to uncontrolled body weight. Here we will discuss the key role played in this process by a peculiar type ...

The neuroendocrine fraction of GnRH neurons sends axon to the median eminence of the hypothalamus where they release their neurohormone into the pituitary portal vasculature to regulate the reproductive axis. Specialized unciliated ependymal cells named tanycytes, which line the floor of the third ventricle, confer to the median eminence its peculiar cytoarchitecture. Tanycyte cell bodies are located in the ventral border of the third ventricle but they also send processes to ...

Introduction: Few studies to date have attempted to evaluate the early efficacy of first-generation somatostatin analogs in somatotroph macroadenomas.Objective: To investigate the short-term efficacy of primary therapy with lanreotide 120 mg on tumor shrinkage and ophthalmologic symptoms in newly diagnosed patients with acromegaly.Design and patients: This single-center retrospective study included 21 patients who were newly diagno...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder affecting women in reproductive age. Women with PCOS exhibit 2-3x higher levels of circulating Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) as compared to healthy women and it is unclear if the elevation of AMH is a bystander effect or is driving the condition. Moreover, PCOS has a strong heritable component, however the etiopathology of the disease and the mechanisms underlying its transmission remain t...

Background: Few studies to date have attempted to measure serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in adult men, and solid references ranges have not yet been defined on a large cohort.Objective: In this study, we aimed to first establish the reference ranges for serum AMH and AMH-to-total testosterone ratio (AMH/tT) in adult males. Secondly, we investigated the relationship between serum AMH and both reproductive hormones and semen parameters....

Background: Kisspeptin is a critical activator of hypothalamic GnRH neurons and is essential for reproductive health. Emerging data reveals that kisspeptin-based therapeutics have substantial potential to treat reproductive, psychosexual and bone disorders. However, current delivery is limited to the subcutaneous or intravenous routes, presenting barriers to development. Alternative routes of administration would overcome this and capitalise on the benefits of kisspeptin-based...

Background: Kisspeptin is a potent regulator of GnRH neurons with potential to treat reproductive and psychosexual disorders. However, administration is limited to the subcutaneous or intravenous routes. These invasive routes limit clinical development. Herein, we comprehensively examine the translational potential of intranasal kisspeptin administration for the first-time using rodent, human and pharmaceutical studies.Methods:</...

Loss of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and cognitive deficits have recently been demonstrated by our group in conditions including Down syndrome and Alzhiemer’s disease. In some patients with COVID-19, olfactory and cognitive alterations persist, and persistent hypotestosteronemia in SARS-CoV-2-infected men could be a consequence of deficient GnRH. To understand whether neuroinvasion of GnRH system by SARS-CoV-2 could explain some post-COVID symptoms and thus resul...