Endocrine Abstracts

There are a number of endocrine changes which occur during the aging process, including changes in the growth hormone – IGF1 axis, a fall in DHEAS levels, changes in the renin-angiotensin system, and alterations in the hypothalamo-pituitary gonadal axis. Testosterone levels decline with age, with an average decrease in testosterone levels of approximately 1.5% per year. The prevalence of subphysiological testosterone levels is approximately 20% by the age of 50 and 50% by...

Anosmin-1, a protein defective in X-linked Kallmann's syndrome (X-KS), presents a structure comprising a cysteine rich N terminus (CR), a whey acid protein (WAP) domain followed by four fibronectin-like III domains (FnIII); and its function is heparan sulphate (HS) dependent. However, anosmin-1 and HS binding affinity is unknown. Although the WAP domain belongs to a protein family demonstrating serine protease inhibitory activity, the interacting serine protease remains to be ...

Background: The most efficacious and acceptable form of testosterone replacement therapy remains a matter of debate. Proponents of testosterone implant therapy suggest implant therapy is the most acceptable form to patients with high continuation rates. Current practise within our hospital has led to increasing numbers of patients receiving implant therapy.Methods: We performed a retrospective postal questionnaire to determine the views of our implant recipients. Recipient...

Introduction: Anosmin-1, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of X-linked Kallmann`s syndrome, consists of a cysteine rich region, followed by a WAP domain and 4 fibronectin type III (FN3) domains. The N-terminal region of anosmin-1, WAP and 1st FN3 domain, is highly conserved in a wide variety of species which suggests that the activity of the protein resides in these conserved segments. Difficulties in the expression of the full-length anosmin-1 by Chinese hamster ovary c...

Hypothalamic GnRH neuronal dysfunction is a frequent cause of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH) in women with secondary amenohrroea. However, the entity is poorly characterized in men, possibly due to lack of a sensitive equivalent clinical marker of the condition.A 40-year-old man presented with a 7-year history of progressive lack of energy, loss of libido, decreased sexual function, and loss of morning erections. Puberty had occurred normally and h...

History: A 63 year old female presented with nausea, vomiting and loss of balance. She had no other symptoms. An MRI of the brain revealed a large incidental pituitary lesion occupying both the sella and suprasellar region, causing distortion of the optic chiasm and tracts. She had no headache, visual disturbance, tiredness, thirst or daytime frequency although she had long standing nocturia.Examination: Visual fields showed mild bitemporal desaturation ...

Background: Endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is an alternative to microscopic transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. The technique may provide a safer, quicker and more effective treatment.Objectives: To assess preliminary results of this technique when introduced at a single centre with a single surgeon.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 62 patients who underwent transsphenoidal surgery, 33 microscopic and 29 endosco...

We report the case of a 26 year old man who presented to his GP with infertility; biochemical investigations revealed elevated serum free thyroid hormones (FT4 41 pmol/l (12–22); FT3 13.4 pmol/l (2.8–7.1); and a normal TSH (2 pmol/l (0.27–4.2). He was referred to the endocrine department.On examination, he was found to be clinically well though thin (BMI 18), anxious and tremulous. His heart rate was 110 bpm and blood pressure was normal. ...

IntroductionThe mechanism by which hypertrophy of skeletal muscle occurs in response to anabolic androgens is incompletely understood. This study used a cell culture model of human skeletal muscle-derived cells, with samples obtained from consenting subjects and local ethics committee approval. The objective was to determine changes in myogenicity upon exposure to exogenous androgen +/− IGF-1 and to see whether an additive effect would be observed....

We report the case of a 53 year old woman with a history of refractory focal epilepsy with complex partial and secondary generalised seizures. She has been on multiple anti-epileptic drugs since childhood. At 42 years of age she was referred to the Endocrinology Department complaining of capital hair loss and hirsutism. At this time her epilepsy was controlled on phenytoin and carbamazepine.A diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) was made, wi...