Endocrine Abstracts

Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) is characterized by a lack of germ cells and thickened seminiferous tubule walls and is a frequent finding among men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Spermatogenesis is dependent upon the function and number of Sertoli cells (SC) to support the developing germ cells. Klinefelter syndrome is the most frequent genetic cause of SCOS and presents histological features in common with idiopathic SCOS. Aim of this study was to analyze the relationsh...

Objective: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has recently been evaluated as a marker for follicle reserve and as a new marker for ovarian function in women. In the male, it is produced in Sertoli cells (SC) in the testis. We evaluated serum levels of AMH as a marker of SC function and male fertility by comparing normo- and oligozoospermic men.Materials and methods: Serum levels of AMH were determined by enzyme immunoassay in two groups of men with normal...

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...

Evaluation of male fertility, based on semen analysis, is complicated by high variability of semen parameters and the lack of evidence-based reference values. The standards are currently set by the WHO laboratory handbook (1999). We investigated whether taking into account abstinence time and testicular volume would reduce variation in sperm concentration / count and thereby consolidate the underlying principles of spermatogenesis.The database of our Ins...

Introduction: A primate-specific luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor (LHCGR)-variant was suspected to discriminate between maternal choriogonadotropin (hCG)- and fetal LH-functioning. It is the so-called “LHCGRex6A”, truncated, intracellular receptor isoform produced by alternative cryptic exon stop-codons located between the 6th-7th out of 11 exons. Its function is unknown, although pseudohermaphroditism and 46-XY female-like phenotype were associated with LHCGRex...

Introduction: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) biosimilars, differing for source cell and glycosylation pattern, are commercially available for therapy of hypogonadism and assisted reproduction techniques (ART). Although these molecules are commonly used in clinical practice, comparison of their action in vitro was poorly investigated.Aim: The aim of the study is to compare recombinant FSH- and biosimilars-induced cell response in vitro</e...

Introduction: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human choriogonadotropin (hCG) regulate reproduction through binding the same receptor (LHCGR). They act via activation of G protein- and β-arrestin-dependent signals, resulting in ligand-specific pattern of signaling cascades and LHCGR internalization into endosomal vesicles. Previous studies differentiated the action of these two hormones in LH-related proliferative signals and hCG-related steroidogenic signals.Aim. We compared...

Background: The classical steroidogenic route to the synthesis of dihydrotestosterone in Leydig cells involves delta-5 and delta-4 precursors. Besides, the “backdoor pathway”, encompassing progesterone metabolites, is gaining increasing interest in fetal development and men pathophysiology. Nowadays, liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the ideal technique to simultaneously quantify large panels of steroids with elevated sensitivity and specif...

Introduction: Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which may impact reproduction. It is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon generated by the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. BaP may be accumulated in the environment, achieving effective concentrations in the nanomolar range and exerting genotoxic effects in long-term exposed humans.Aim: We evaluated the short-term impact of BaP on luteinizing-hormone (LH)/choriogonadotropin ...

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence in patients with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus (SARS-CoV-2) infection differs among studies, although pre-existing DM seems to double the risk of critical infection and mortality.Objectives: To evaluate incidence and mortality risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large diabetic population in Northern Italy in pre-vaccine era.Methods: Retrospective, observational, big data stud...