Endocrine Abstracts

The development of Leydig cells and steroidogenesis are controlled by activation of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors by placental HCG during intrauterine life and by pituitary LH after birth. Naturally occurring isolated LH deficiency in man thus provide useful information to understand the intriguing role of this gonadotrophin.The patient was a 23 yr-old man from Afghanistan with a 46, XY karyotype. He presented with absent pubertal development and pr...

Background: Current available data demonstrate the ability of somatostatin analogues (Ssan) to reduce tumoral size in GH-secreting pituitary adenomas. Somatostatin receptors are present on both tumour cells and vascular endothelium; therefore, potential mechanisms for tumour shrinkage with Ssan include inhibition of cell proliferation, increased cell loss, and inhibition of angiogenesis.Objective: To assess the mechanisms for tumour shrinkage in GH-secre...

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a common feature of many malignancies including papillary and follicular thyroid cancer. During mitosis, there are multiple stages which, if dysregulated, may result in CIN. One critical stage is the regulation of sister-chromatid separation at the metaphase-anaphase transition. Three key protein complexes regulate this process: separase, cohesins and securin (also known as pituitary tumor transforming gene). In vivo, most tumours studied demon...

Effects of paint thinner inhalation on serum testosterone synthesis and secretion were investigated in the male rat. A control group inhaled normal air ventilation. The remaining animals were divided into three groups and exposed to paint thinner in a glassy cage for 15 and 30 days. A group of animals was allowed to recover for 15 day after 30 days of exposure. Toluene concentration (the largest constituent in thinner, 66%) was set at 1500 ppm in the inhalation air. At the end...

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) occurs in approximately 1 in 3000 individuals. Rapid detection and treatment by neonatal screening and administration of T4, is essential to prevent severe mental retardation and impaired growth.We report on two Welsh siblings, detected by neonatal screening, which had normal sized and placed glands but negative isotope uptake. Mutations resulting in CH are known to occur in 11 known genes, given the clinical presentation, we investigated the...

Introduction:Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic growth factor, has been implicated in various disease states, particularly pre-eclampsia. VEGF exerts its biological activities through two different receptor tyrosine kinases: KDR and Flt-1. Alternative splicing of Flt-1 pre-mRNA produces two products, one encoding the full-length receptor and the other a soluble form, sFlt-1. As sFlt-1 inhibits VEGF activities the regulation of...

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) occurs in approximately 1 in 3000 individuals. Rapid detection by neonatal screening and T4 administration is essential to prevent severe mental retardation and impaired growth. About one third of CH is due to mutations in known genes including the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR).Two Welsh male siblings with CH were detected, both had normally sized and located thyroid glands, no iodide uptake and were negative for thyroid bloc...

Despite the availability of synthetic thyroid hormone for therapeutic use, a significant number of patients with hypothyroidism do not feel well on replacement doses of thyroid hormones suggesting that better individualized therapy is needed. For this reason, hypothyroidism resulting from congenital lack of functional thyrocytes, surgical tissue removal, or gland ablation, represents a particularly attractive endocrine disease target that may be conceivably cured by transplant...

Background: It was shown that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at an increased risk of COVID-19. However, it is not known whether COVID-19 has any effects on reproductive health of PCOS patients.Objectives: Aim of the study was to evaluate possible effects of COVID-19 on reproductive health in patients with PCOS.Methods: An anonymous survey about reproductive health was conducted in PCOS patients and healthy control ...

Background: Reproductive health is an integral part of a women’s general health and is influenced by various endogenous and exogenous factors.Objectives: The aim was to detect the possible effects of COVID-19 on women’s reproductive health.Methods: We created an anonymous survey about reproductive health and shared it with women of reproductive age. Regarding menstrual cycle characteristics all women used the smartphone a...