Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Giant prolactinomas are rare tumours, representing 2–3% of all prolactin (PRL)-secreting tumours. Their definition is restricted to pituitary adenomas with a diameter ≥4 or ≥2 cm of suprasellar extension, very high PRL concentrations (≥1000 ng/ml) and no concomitant GH or ACTH secretion. They are more common in young to middle-aged men. Endocrine symptoms are often present for a long period of time, but most times the diagnosis is made when...

Introduction: The Bethesda System 2010 introduced six diagnostic categories and divided follicular proliferation in two risk classes: Thyr3 and Thyr4. In literature about 5–15% of Thyr3 nodules are malignant and the risk of malignancy for Thyr4 is closer to 15–30%. We have analysed our cases surgically treated in recent years.Materials and method: We have prospectively categorised into a dedicated database patients submitted to thyroidectomy at...

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction is closely associated with the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Two distinct types of adipose tissue, white (WAT) and brown (BAT), are present in mammals. Development of ‘brown-like’ adipocytes within white adipose tissue has potential antiobesity and insulin-sensitizing effects. Genetic manipulation of cGMP formation suggests a new role for this pathway in preadipocytes commitme...

Introduction: Digito-rectal examination (DRE) of the prostate is provides useful information on the state of prostate growth and on the presence of suspected peripheral nodules. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and biochemical correlates of finding an enlarged prostate size at DRE in subjects with sexual dysfunction (SD).Methods: A consecutive series of 2379 patients was retrospectively studied. The analysis was focused on a subset of su...

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a diagnostic category which identifies subjects at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction (ED) and male hypogonadism. However, MetS impact on male infertility has been poorly studied. We systematically evaluated possible associations between MetS and clinical characteristics in men with couple infertility.Methods: Out of 367 consecutive subjects, 351 men (36.0±8.0 years) wi...

Introduction: In subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED) responding poorly to sildenafil, metformin was reported to improve erections.Aims: To investigate metformin’s mechanism of action on erectile function, particularly focusing on adenosine (ADO), and NO signalling in an animal model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS).Methods: In vitro contractility studies of penile strips. Penile expression ...

In the last years estrogens have emerged as important regulators in male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis depends on the tight control of germ cell apoptosis and several studies indicated estrogens as playing a role in this process. The stem cell factor (SCF), a membrane-bound cytokine, and its receptor (c-kit), and the Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas receptor (FasR) system are powerful mechanisms controlling germ cell proliferation and apoptosis through the direct membrane commun...

Introduction: Smoking habit has always been considered to exert a detrimental effect on male reproductive health. However, several studies do not clearly demonstrate a negative effect of smoke on semen parameters. In addition, the effect of smoke on male genital tract has been poorly studied by ultrasound (US). We evaluated the correlations of smoking with seminal and US characteristics in males of infertile couples. Methods. A consecutive series of 426 men was systematically ...

Introduction: Measurement of testis volume (TV) is a reliable clinical procedure that predicts reproductive fitness. However, the role of TV in overall and cardiovascular (CV) fitness has never been studied.Aim: The study aims to analyze the clinical correlates of TV in patients with sexual dysfunction (SD) and to verify the value of this parameter and its determinants (i.e., luteinizing hormone (LH) levels) in predicting major adverse CV events (MACE).<...

Introduction: Sexual dysfunctions (SD) are dictated by predisposing, precipitating, maintaining, and contextual factors, the latter of which can help sexual problems to emerge. Even if the lack of sexual privacy is one of the most common contextual issues, it has not been extensively studied.Aim: Investigation of sexual privacy in a large sample of men consulting for SD.Methods: A consecutive series of 3736 men, attending the Outpa...