Endocrine Abstracts

Background: During spermatogenesis protamines replace histones in sperm head. Haploinsufficiency of the protamine (PRM) 1 or PRM2 gene causes infertility in mice. A mutation in PRM1 was associated with increased abnormal sperm morphology in infertile men1. We assessed the frequency of mutations and SNPs in the PRM1 and PRM2 gene in infertile patiens with normal sperm concentration and reduced morphology, a phenotype similar to that...

4-methylbenzylidene-camphor (4MBC) is an endocrine active compound used as an UV absorber in sunscreens and other cosmetics such as anti-aging lotions and day care products. 4MBC shows weak estrogenic effects on the reproductive system but strong anti-osteoporotic effects after chronic application (Seidlova-Wuttke D et al. 2005 Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 24:in press). Additionally, 4MBC can be resorbed through the skin (Janjua NR et al. 2004 J Invest Dermatol...

Partial lipodystrophy syndromes are characterised by a selective paucity of subcutaneous adipose tissue on the trunk and limbs but excessive fat on the face, neck, supraclavicular areas and pelvis. Metabolic complications include insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There have been no previous reports of genital disfiguremment in these conditions.We present the case of a 27 years old female, who initially presented to the gynaecology ...

Malignant glucagonomas are slow-growing tumours which more commonly cause symptoms through glucagon hypersecretion than through effects of tumour bulk. The glucagonoma syndrome includes necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), diabetes mellitus, weight loss, anaemia, chelitis, venous thrombosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The syndrome probably results from unrestrained proteolysis1, and rapid consumption of B-vitamins through accelerated intermediate metabolism2...

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for fetal development and before 14 weeks maternal supply of TH is critical to the fetus. Subtle abnormalities of maternal thyroid status have been reported to affect neurodevelopment in childhood (1,2). To explore this further, we examined the relationship between maternal thyroid status and newborn measures of growth potential. A cohort of uncomplicated pregnant women (n=480) was recruited. At antenatal booking (mean gestation 13.05 weeks) m...

Lipocortin 1 (LC1) is a well-characterized anti-inflammatory, -anti mitotic and anti-proliferative member of a structurally related family of Ca2+ and phospholipid-binding proteins. LC1 is readily detectable in the neuroendocrine system by Western blot analysis, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry (1). In these tissues, glucocorticoids regulate both the expression and subcellular distribution of LC1. Other studies have also demonstrated the presence of LC1 in endometrium tissue th...

Introduction: The diagnostic criteria of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are still under discussion and the hormonal parameters, including anti-Mullerian hormone range and hyperandrogenism, are not determined. Serum AMH level has been proposed as a surrogate marker for PCOM and could, therefore, be integrated in the diagnostic classifications for PCOS\. The aim of the present study was to characterize hormonal features of PCOS and to establish the most important hormonal para...

Background: Thyroid hormones have regulatory effect on serotonin and noradrenaline and thyroid dysfunction is closely linked to some mental disorders. Besides depression and anxiety, and increased risk for suicide is demonstrated in patients with Graves’ disease (GD).The aim: of our research was to determine the symptomatology of depression in patients with hyperthyroidism and Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) and compare it with hyperthyroid patients w...

Background: Low adiponectin levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have been largely attributed to obesity which is common among these patients. In addition, evidence also suggests that low adiponectin in PCOS may be related to androgen excess in these women. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the association of adiponectin levels and androgens in women with PCOS.Methods: A total of 60 women with PCOS who met the 2003 Rotterdam ...

Objectives: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Aim of our study was to determine the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors using Framingham Scoring system (FSS) in PCOS and controls.Methods: FFS included age, value of cholesterol and HDL (mmol/L), smoking and systolic blood pressure (sysBP, mmHg). We also determined LDL (mmol/l), oxidized LDL (OxLDL, U/l) and triglycerides (mmol/l). We studied...