Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Mice in which the prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene is knocked out have reduced adipose tissue in later life. Abundance of the PRLR is greatest in adipose tissue at birth and is reduced following placental restriction. The present study investigated the impact of maternal nutrient restriction over the final two months of gestation on PRLR abundance in developing lambs.Methods: Eighteen multiparous twin bearing ewes were entered into the study,...

Introduction: Umbilical cord occlusion (UO) sufficient to restrict fetal blood supply by 30 percent results in a range of fetal endocrine adaptations including increased fetal plasma cortisol. The extent to which this may promote premature maturation of fetal organs and tissues is not known. This study aimed to determine if UO results in premature maturation of mitochondria within fetal adipose tissue.Methods: Nine ewes were entered into the study, which...

It is well established that neonatal mortality is greater in the leaner commercial (C) porcine genotypes compared to the ancient Meishan (M) breed, which has a higher percentage of body fat. Piglets do not express UCP1, responsible for heat production in neonatal mammals, although they do express UCP2. The aim of this study was to investigate the endocrine and metabolic control of UCP2 expression between the C and M genotypes.Piglets from 15 C and 15 M l...

Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid n-octanoylated peptide which is the natural agonist for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and which potently stimulates GH release in vivo (1). We studied the effects of a somatostatin infusion on Ghrelin release in normal subjects.STUDY PROTOCOLFour females and five males, 25-40 years of age, body mass index < 28 kg per m2 were studied. Local ethics committee permission was obtained for ...

Final height outcome is important in survivors of childhood brain tumours. Growth hormone replacement is indicated in those found to be GH deficient (GHD). More recently, GnRH analogues (GnRHa) have been introduced to delay early or rapidly progressing puberty. Studies to final height are important to determine the effectiveness of growth promoting strategies.SUBJECTS & METHODS Final height results in children receiving GH replacement for radiation i...

BackgroundPatients with Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) are known to have an excess risk of vascular disease. Previous work has shown an increase in their arterial stiffness. The effect of GH on blood pressure is still unclear.Materials and Methods16 patients with GHD (6 males) and no history of existing vascular disease or hypertension, between the ages of 18 and 65 were recruited (mean 45.4 plus/minus 3.5 y...

IntroductionWomen with Turner Syndrome have an increased prevalence of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss (CHL) is thought to be caused by craniofacial abnormalities or defective mucociliary transport resulting in impaired middle ear ventilation, increased otitis media and tympanic perforations. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) progresses with age, possibly due to premature aging. An adult population was assessed for the impact of childhood treatment...

Objective: To identify a range of IGF-I values representative of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), which could be utilised to reduce the risk of 'functional' GHD in Pegvisomant treated acromegaly.Method: We analysed centrally measured IGF-I data from the KIMS European GHD database. We stratified this cohort into six gender based, age ranges and assessed IGF-I and IGF-I standard deviation scores (SDS).Results: Baseline measurements f...