Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The predictive role of sperm motility and morphology was recently detected in a large sample of more than 20000 assisted reproductive technology (ART) fresh cycles. However, the complete ART procedure consisted in both fresh and frozen-embryos transfers and only a comprehensive evaluation of the entire process could really confirm if these parameters really predict the ART success.Aim of the study: To identify predictive parameters of ART suc...

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and it is a key hormone in the reproductive system. FSH is a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed with two extensively glycosylated protein sobunits (α and β) N-glycosylated in two positions (Asn52 and Asn78 in the FSHα subunit and Asn7 and Asn24 in the FSHβ subunit) giving rise to numerous isoforms of FSH. Glycosylation has been shown t...

Introduction and aim: Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasia affecting 0.2–1.5% of the individuals worldwide and its incidence is increasing [1]. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the main histotype (80–90%). PTC susceptibility is the result of genetic predisposition, environmental factors and lifestyle. We hypothesized that genetic predisposition to PTC is poligenic and characterized by a genetic signature involving combinations of genes previously...

Background and aim: Several ultrasound (US) classifications for thyroid nodules have been proposed. Since most of them are hardly applicable in clinical practice, we set up the Modena US Thyroid Classification (MUT) that stratifies the risk of malignancy considering both knowledge derived from scientific literature and clinician subjective impression. The aim of the present study was to test the diagnostic accuracy of different thyroid US classification systems, AACE/ACE-AME, ...

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (HyperPT) and primary hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) are often underdiagnosed. Several strategies have been investigated in the past in order to identify diagnostic parameters, although the diagnosis of both HyperPT and HypoPT remains challenging so far, especially in asymptomatic patients. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are inversely related together, thus the Ca/P ratio could be an useful tool to define these conditions. Recently, we pro...

Human luteinizing hormone (LH) and human choriogonadotropin (hCG) were considered biologically equivalent for decades due to structural similarities and binding to the same receptor (LHCGR). However, LHCGR triggers differential, LH- and hCG-specific, cAMP production, steroidogenesis, ERK and AKT activation and gene expression in granulosa cells. Besides the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway, hCG and LH bioactivity on β-arrestin- and Gq/PLC-dependent pathways are yet to be determined. W...

Background: Luteinizing hormone (LH) and choriogonadotropin (hCG) are glycoprotein hormones regulating ovarian function and pregnancy. They were routinely used in assisted reproduction techniques (ART) assuming they are equivalent, due to their binding to a common receptor (LHCGR). However, differences between LH and hCG were demonstrated at molecular and physiological level.Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate how follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)...

Background: Endothelial dysfunction leads to cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), through a reduction of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have hemodynamic effects, improving NO levels.Aim: To investigate if long term, chronic treatment with the PDE5i Vardenafil improves systemic endothelial function in men with T2DM.Methods: A longitudinal, prospective, invest...

Background: HIV-infection is associated to an increased prevalence of age-related comorbidities, such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and testosterone (T)-deficiency.Aim: Definition of ED and T-deficiency in HIV-infected men using validated sexual questionnaires and the gold standard assay for T measurement: isotopic dilution–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (ID–LC–MS/MS)Methodology: Prospective, cros...

The human luteinizing hormone (LH)/choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor (LHCGR) discriminates its two hormone ligands. LHCGR differs to the murine receptor (Lhr) in aminoacid residues potentially involved in qualitative discerning of LH and hCG, the latter absent in rodents. We aim to identify LHCGR residues involved in hCG/LH discrimination, indicating evolutionary determinants of human LH/hCG endocrine system. After comparing the LHCGR and Lhr sequences, we developed eight ...