Endocrine Abstracts

In mammals, the preovulatory LH surge is thought to be triggered by enhanced release of GnRH into the hypothalamic–pituitary portal blood vessels. Recently, we discovered that the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) contains two distinct populations of GnRH-producing neurones. One of these populations expresses the traditional mammalian form of GnRH (i.e. GnRH-I) while the other expresses a more conserved vertebrate form of GnRH (i.e...

Fetal growth restriction is associated with abnormal placental cell (cytotrophoblast) proliferation. Using an explant model of human first trimester placenta, we have demonstrated that the IGFI and -II stimulate proliferation in cytotrophoblast and are probably essential for normal placental growth. IGF activates signalling through both Akt and ERK, so the regulation of these pathways in placenta is important for normal pregnancy outcome. The tissue contains high levels of mic...

Glial cells missing B (GCMB), which is the mammalian homologue of the Drosophila GCM gene, encodes a 506 amino acid parathyroid-specific transcription factor that contains: a DNA-binding domain (residues 21–174); a predicted nuclear localization signal (residues 176–193); an inhibitory domain (residues 258–347); and two transactivation domains (residues 174–263, and residues 428–506). To date only two different GCMB m...

Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone mainly produced by the lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland. Besides its pivotal role in reproduction, PRL has also been found to have immuno-modulatory properties. The pituitary is the main source of circulating PRL, however it is also expressed in humans at extra-pituitary sites1. In extra-pituitary tissues, PRL mRNA contains an extra exon (exon 1a), and expression is regulated by an alternative promoter upstream of the pit...

Background: The Scottish Genital Anomaly Network (SGAN) is a national managed clinical network for patients with a suspected disorder of sex development (DSD). The SGAN register contains data on patients with DSD in Scotland. Factors that influence the decision to perform a karyotype in these patients are unclear.Objectives: To explore the SGAN register to study the factors that influence the decision to perform a karyotype.Methods...

Saliva contains the free unbound fraction of testosterone, which has been shown to correlate with the free circulating serum testosterone, and may better reflect the physiologically active form. Recently, measurement of free testosterone has gained international recommendations for the diagnosis of hypogonadism in the ageing male. Saliva collection is a non-invasive technique, offering more flexibility to the patient, e.g. the collection of samples at home. Liquid chromatograp...

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and is important for maintaining health and preventing disease. Se exhibits its biological function as the 21st proteinogenic amino acid selenocysteine (Sec). Different cis and trans acting factors are necessary for incorporation of Sec into proteins. Se can be transported and stored as Sec in selenoprotein P (SePP), a liver-derived protein which contains up to 10 Sec residues per protein in humans. Thus, SePP functions...

Scientific literature contains data on HCO3−-activated and Mg2+-stimulated ATPase detected in various tissues of vertebrate animals, specifically in the pancreas mucus, liver, kidneys, erythrocytes, diaphragm and various structures in the brain. It has been discovered that maximum enzymatic activity is characteristic to secretory tissues.The nature and function of this ferment has not been fully discovered, although...

Introduction: The Gasser Ganglion is a large semi lunar-shaped ganglion of the trigeminal nerve. It contains the cells of origin of the most sensory fibers of the fifth cranial nerve.Aim: Our purpose is to describe a case where Gasser ganglion has an anatomic variant (near the sella turcica), mimicking a hypophyseal tumor.Case presentation: Of 17 years female patient has a history of bradispaniomenorrhea (menses at 30–50 days)...

Overweight and obese subjects often suffer from hypoglycaemic symptoms due to hyperinsulinemia. This increases subjects’ need to eat excessive amount of food enriched in sugar causing rebound hyperglycaemia which in turn stimulates endogenous insulin release perpetuating a vicious circle that limits weight loss under diet restriction programme. Two previous studies showed that administration of Glucose RapidSpray™ (GRS) in quantity of ~ 0.5 g increases blood glucose ...