Endocrine Abstracts

The oocyte-derived growth and differentiation paracrine factor BMP15 has emerged as an essential regulator of the ovarian folliculogenesis, from evidences in animal models (knockout mice and sheeps with naturally occurring mutations) and humans. Indeed, several BMP15 mutations have been identified in association with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), a heterogeneous and frequent fertility disorder characterized by the premature depletion of ovarian follicles in women <4...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine whether the distribution of SHBG (TAAAA)n repeat variants contributes to the exposure of the female fetus to androgen excess, by influencing the, in utero, androgen availability.Methods: The study population consisted of 100 pregnant women that carried female fetuses and underwent the procedure of amniocentesis due to age (older than 35). Blood samples and amniotic fluid samples were dr...

Introduction: PCOS-related hormonal and metabolic alterations seem to persist later in life. The aim was to investigate age-related hormonal and metabolic parameters in PCOS and in healthy women in order to determine cut-off values predicting PCOS.Subjects and methods: PCOS women and 230 healthy controls were divided accordingly: 18–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49 and >50 years. A particular interest was to analyze...

Background: Recently, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the FSHB promoter (−211G>T, rs10835638) was found to be associated with lower serum FSH levels and oligozoospermia in males. In contrast, a SNP in the FSH-receptor gene (FSHR, 2039A>G, rs6166) was previously shown to be associated with FSH levels in women only.Subjects and methods: One thousand two hundred and thirteen male partners in infertile couples without known c...

Context: Potency of the FSH-pathway varies according to polymorphisms in the promoter of the gene encoding the FSH beta subunit (FSHB −211 G>T, rs10835638) and in the gene encoding the FSH receptor (FSHR 2039 A>G, rs6166). A recent study suggested that carriers of the combination of FSHB GG and FSHR AA had the most reproductive ‘fit’ phenotype (higher serum FSH and a more sensitive FSH receptor). In pre-pubertal girls...

Context: Insulin-like peptide three (INSL3) is a testicular hormone, secreted by Leydig cells, during fetal life, in newborns, and after puberty. These 3 phases of testicular activation are impaired in CHH.Objective: To evaluate in a single center circulating INSL3 in a significant series of men with CHH in order to asses the consequences of pre- and postnatal gonadotropin deficiency, to specify the INSL3 regulation by gonadotropins and to evaluate the p...