Endocrine Abstracts

Hormone-secreting adrenal tumours are rare occurrences in women or reproductive age. The commonest is phaeochromocytoma, followed by primary aldosteronism and Cushing’s syndrome. The shared maternal phenotypic feature of these tumours in marked hypertension. They may be difficult to diagnose as many of the clinical features are mimicked by pregnancy, e.g. flushing, weight gain, palpitations. Furthermore hypertensive disease occurs in approximately 5% of pregnant women. Ho...

Introduction: Accumulating evidence has shown that not only maternal health during pregnancy, but also the paternal metabolic status at the time of conception may have an impact on the subsequent health of the offspring. Cholestatic liver diseases are metabolic conditions characterised by increased circulating serum bile acid and lipid levels. In this study we hypothesised that paternal cholestasis alters disease susceptibility in the offspring.Methods: ...

Introduction: Accumulating evidence has shown that not only maternal health during pregnancy, but also the paternal metabolic status at the time of conception have an impact on the subsequent health of the offspring. Cholestatic liver diseases are metabolic conditions characterised by increased circulating serum bile acid and lipid levels. A previous study has shown that long-term cholestasis results in destruction of the blood–testis barrier and germ cell apoptosis. We h...

Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with maternal metabolic adaptations (increased cholesterol and triglycerides) that are essential for the development and maintenance of the fetus. Physiological and behavioural changes are driven via biological clocks entrained by the light–dark/rest–activity cycles that define feeding time and body temperature. A number of oscillators are present in the peripheral organs that are synchronised by cues from the suprachiasmatic nuc...

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common condition, affecting approximately 1% of the general population. In women of childbearing age, the correct diagnosis and management is particularly important since PHPT is associated with miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery and postpartum neonatal hypocalcaemia. We describe a case series of six women diagnosed with PHPT and their management during pregnancy. In four cases, the PH...

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterised by maternal pruritus and raised serum bile acids, and is associated with adverse fetal outcomes (e.g. preterm birth, neonatal unit admission and stillbirth). Maternal metabolic impacts include higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Glucose and lipid metabolism are influenced by gut incretin release, and bile acids are ...

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is characterised by maternal pruritus and raised serum bile acids, and is associated with adverse fetal outcomes (e.g. preterm birth, neonatal unit admission and stillbirth). Maternal metabolic impacts include higher rates of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Glucose and lipid metabolism are influenced by gut incretin release, and bile acids are ...

Introduction: The importance of the liver-X receptors (LXRs) in the maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis within the testis has yet to be fully characterised. By 7 months of age, Lxrα/β double knockout male mouse (Lxrα/β DKO) develops sterility with aberrations in testosterone production and lipid homeostasis. However, the underlying testicular LXR-regulated pathways are not well understood.Aim: The aim of this study was to further u...

Objective: To examine the monitoring, management and outcomes of adrenal tumours in pregnancy.Design: A national, prospective observational, cohort study over 4 years using the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS).Setting: Consultant led obstetric units.Patients: Women with hormone-secreting adrenal tumours (pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism or Cushing’s syndrome) diagnosed before or during pre...

Introduction: LXRs are transcription factors that regulate cholesterol homeostasis and likely modulate other aspects of lipid metabolism. In the testis, tightly regulated lipid metabolism is crucial to maintain fertility. Testicular LXRs are highly expressed but their role in regulating lipid homeostasis is not fully understood. Lxrα/β double knockout male mice (Lxrα/β DKO) are sterile by 7 months of age, with aberrations in lipid...