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Salma R Ali Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Office for Rare Conditions, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

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Melissa Gardner Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

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Yiqiao Xin Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

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Stuart O’Toole Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK

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Martyn Flett Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK

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Boma Lee Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK

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Mairi Steven Department of Paediatric Surgery, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK

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David E Sandberg Susan B Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

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S Faisal Ahmed Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Office for Rare Conditions, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

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Background

There is a paucity of information on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in parents and children with conditions affecting sex development. The objective of this study was to develop short forms of HRQoL questionnaires which consist of a 63-item and 25-item parent self-report (PSR) and parent proxy-report (PPR), respectively, optimizing use in routine clinical settings.

Methods

Short questionnaires were developed following exploratory factor analysis using raw data from 132 parents. Long and short PSRs were completed by 24 parents of children with conditions affecting sex development, with a median age of 3.6 years (range 0.1, 6.6); 21 (88%) were boys, and 11 (46%) had proximal hypospadias. A subset of 19 parents completed both long and short PPRs.

Results

Item selection, based on factor loadings of >0.8 and expert consultation, produced short PSRs and PPRs containing 16 and 7 items, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in 11 out of 12 (92%) scales on the PSR and 4 out of 5 (80%) scales on the PPR when comparing short and long questionnaire scores. The short and long questionnaires took <1 min and 5 min to complete, respectively. Eighteen parents (75%) reported that the time taken to complete the short questionnaires was acceptable; 10 (42%) preferred short questionnaires. Ten (42%) versus 6 (25%) stated a preference for completing the short versus long questionnaires.

Conclusion

The short versions were largely representative of the long questionnaires and are acceptable for evaluating psychosocial distress in young children and their caregivers. Further psychometric validation of the short forms is warranted.

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Theodoros Karampitsakos Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Fotini Kanouta Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ALEXANDRA University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Christos Chatzakis Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IPPOKRATEIO General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Aristotle, University of Thessaloniki, Athens, Greece

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Vassilios Bakoulas Athens, Greece

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Alexandros Gryparis Department of Speech and Language Therapy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Petros Drakakis Third Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ATTIKON University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Djuro Macut Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Diseases of Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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George Mastorakos Unit of Endocrinology, Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, ARETAIEION University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

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Introduction

To investigate whether synthetic (s) glucocorticoids (GCs) administered between the 24th and the 34th gestational weeks in pre-term labor might precipitate labor, studies on sGCs administration were reviewed. The physiology of endogenous glucocorticoid-related increase in fetal–maternal circulation and its association with labor, followed by a scoping review of studies on exogenous sGCs administered for fetal lung maturation and the timing of labor, were included.

Materials and methods

The methodology of systematic reviews was followed. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases were searched until October 2023, for original studies investigating the administration of sGCs in pregnancies risking pre-term labor. Duplicates were removed, and 1867 abstracts were excluded as irrelevant. Six controlled and four non-controlled studies were included. The index group consisted of 6001 subjects and 7691 controls in the former, while in the latter, the index group consisted of 2069 subjects.

Results

In three out of the six controlled studies, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in sGC-treated women than in controls, while in three studies, gestational age at labor was lower in sGC-treated women than in controls, with a trend toward statistical significance. In one study, gestational age at labor was significantly lower in controls than in sGC-treated women. In the non-controlled studies, the majority of women delivered less than 1 week from the day of sGC administration.

Conclusions

In this scoping review, studies lack homogeneity. However, in the controlled studies, a pattern of earlier labor emerges among sGC-treated pregnant women. The use of multiple courses of antenatal sGCs appears to be associated with precipitated labor. Their use should be carefully weighed. Carefully designed trials should examine this ongoing scientific query.

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Rohit Barnabas Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Swati Jadhav Department of Endocrinology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India

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Anurag Ranjan Lila Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Sirisha Kusuma Boddu Consultant Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad, India

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Saba Samad Memon Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Sneha Arya Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Samiksha Chandrashekhar Hegishte Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Manjiri Karlekar Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Virendra A Patil Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Vijaya Sarathi Department of Endocrinology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bengaluru, India

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Nalini S Shah Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Tushar Bandgar Department of Endocrinology, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, India

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Background

The data on Leydig cell hypoplasia (LCH) resulting from biallelic Luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) inactivating variants is limited to case series.

Methods

We aim to describe our patients and perform systematic review of the patients with LHCGR inactivating variants in the literature. Detailed phenotype and genotype data of three patients from our centre and 85 (46,XY: 67; 46,XX: 18) patients from 59 families with LHCGR-inactivating variants from literature were described.

Results

Three 46,XY patients (age 6–18 years) from our center, with two reared as females, had two novel variants in LHCGR. Systematic review (including our patients) revealed 72 variants in 88 patients. 46,XY patients (n = 70, 56 raised as females) presented with pubertal delay (n = 41) or atypical genitalia (n = 17). Sinnecker score ≥3 (suggesting antenatal human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) inaction) was seen in 80% (56/70), and hCG-stimulated testosterone was low (<1.1 ng/mL) in 77.4% (24/31), whereas puberty/postpubertal age, high luteinizing hormone (LH) (97.6%, 41/42) and low (<1.0 ng/mL) basal testosterone (94.9%, 37/39) was observed in most. Follicle stimulating hormone was elevated in 21/51 of these patients. Variants with <10% receptor function were exclusively seen in cohorts with Sinnecker 4/5 (10/15 vs 0/5, P = 0.033). 46,XX patients (n = 18) presented with oligo/amenorrhea and/or anovulatory infertility and had polycystic ovaries (7/9) with median LH of 10 IU/L (1.2–38).

Conclusion

In summary, this study comprehensively characterizes LHCGR variants, revealing genotype-phenotype correlations and informing clinical management of LCH. In 46,XY LCH patients, pubertal LH inaction is uniform with variable severity of antenatal hCG inaction. Few mutant LHCGR have differential actions for LH and hCG.

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Jian Gong School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Yinjuan Lv School of Basic Medicine, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Yuhao Meng Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Weiheng Zhang Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Xiaocui Jiang Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Min Xiao Laboratory Animal Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China

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Prenatal stress can lead to the programming of the neuroendocrine system in male offspring, disrupting the hypothalamic testicular axis and adversely affecting the reproductive health of male offspring. This study aimed to determine the long-term effects of prenatal stress on the KISS1 system in male offspring and the effects on reproductive function in male offspring. Sixteen pregnant females were divided into a prenatal control group (PC, n = 8) and a prenatal stress group (PS, n = 8). The PS group was modeled with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) from day 1 of gestation to full-term delivery. Differences between the two groups in various maternal parameters, including glucocorticoid secretion, litter size, and the effects of male offspring birth weight, the KISS1 system, and reproductive function, were determined. Male offspring of PS dams had lower birth weights compared to prenatal controls.KISS1 gene expression is reduced at birth and in adult PS offspring, and its receptor KISS1-R protein is similarly reduced in PS offspring at birth and adulthood. In adulthood, PS male offspring show significantly reduced sex hormone production, altered testicular morphology, reduced maturation of their supporting cells, and decreased expression of connexin 43 (CX43), leading to an altered sperm microenvironment and reduced sperm quality. In conclusion, prenatal stress leads to adverse changes in the KISS1 system in male offspring and decreased reproductive function.

Open access
Mohamed Hssaini Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco
Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Food, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

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Sana Abourazzak Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Ihsane El Otmani Laboratory of Health Sciences and Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Morocco

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Mohamed Ahakoud Medical Genetics Laboratory, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Amina Ameli Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Laila Bouguenouch Medical Genetics Laboratory, University Hospital Center Hassan II, Fez, Morocco

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Hicham Bekkari Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment, Food, and Health, Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mahraz, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

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Background

Differences/disorders of sex development (DSD) encompass a wide range of conditions. Their clinical spectrum and etiological diagnosis have not been reported in Moroccan patients.

Aims

The study aims to highlight the clinical spectrum, etiological diagnosis, and management of patients with DSD.

Subjects and methods

This is a retrospective study of all patients diagnosed with DSD under the age of 18 years, who were referred to the Pediatric Endocrinology Department and the Medical Genetics Laboratory at HASSAN II University Hospital of Fez between June 2018 and June 2023.

Results

Out of 57 patients, 54.4% (n = 31) were diagnosed with 46,XX DSD, the most common type, while 45.6% (n = 26) had 46,XY DSD. Patients with 46,XX DSD presented earlier than those with 46,XY DSD, at a median age of 0.08 years and 0.96 years, respectively. The most commonly reported complaint was atypical genitalia. At the first presentation, the sex of rearing was already assigned to 26 males and 27 females. All patients with 46,XX DSD were diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) at a median age of diagnosis of 0.92 years. Of these, 11 patients were raised as males. Disorders of androgen action or synthesis were more common in XY patients (69.2%). The consanguinity rate was 46.5%, and there were 19 cases with a positive family history, with 10 siblings having died.

Conclusion

DSD are not rare in Morocco. Overall, CAH remains the most frequent DSD etiology. Molecular genetic analyses are needed to determine the accurate etiological distribution of DSD, especially in XY patients.

Open access
Peter Bond Department of Internal Medicine, Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
Department of Performance and Image-enhancing Drugs Research, Android Health Clinic, Utrecht, the Netherlands

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Tijs Verdegaal Department of Internal Medicine, Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
Department of Internal Medicine, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, the Netherlands

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Diederik L Smit Department of Internal Medicine, Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
Department of Performance and Image-enhancing Drugs Research, Android Health Clinic, Utrecht, the Netherlands

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Erythrocytosis, or elevated hematocrit, is a common side effect of testosterone therapy (TTh) in male hypogonadism. Testosterone stimulates erythropoiesis through an initial rise in erythropoietin (EPO), the establishment of a new EPO/hemoglobin ‘set point’, and a parallel decrease in the master iron regulator protein hepcidin, as well as several other potential mechanisms. Evidence shows an increased thrombotic risk associated with TTh-induced erythrocytosis. Several guidelines by endocrine organizations for the treatment of male hypogonadism recommend against starting TTh in patients presenting with elevated hematocrit at baseline or stopping TTh when its levels cannot be controlled. Besides dose adjustments, therapeutic phlebotomy or venesection is mentioned as a means of reducing hematocrit in these patients. However, evidence supporting the efficacy or safety of therapeutic phlebotomy in lowering hematocrit in TTh-induced erythrocytosis is lacking. In light of this dearth of evidence, the recommendation to lower hematocrit using therapeutic phlebotomy is notable, as phlebotomy lowers tissue oxygen partial pressure (pO2) and eventually depletes iron stores, thereby triggering various biological pathways which might increase thrombotic risk. The potential pros and cons should therefore be carefully weighed against each other, and shared decision-making is recommended for initiating therapeutic phlebotomy as a treatment in patients on TTh who present with increased hematocrit.

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Pamela Stratton Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

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Neelam Giri Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

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Sonia Bhala Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

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Martha M Sklavos Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA

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Blanche P Alter Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

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Sharon A Savage Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

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Ligia A Pinto Leidos Biomedical Research, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, USA

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Fanconi anemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita-related telomere biology disorders (DC/TBD), and Diamond–Blackfan anemia (DBA) are inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS) with high risks of bone marrow failure, leukemia, and solid tumors. Individuals with FA have reduced fertility. Previously, we showed low levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a circulating marker of ovarian reserve, in females with IBMFS. In males, AMH may be a direct marker of Sertoli cell function and an indirect marker of spermatogenesis. In this study, we assessed serum AMH levels in pubertal and postpubertal males with FA, DC/TBD, or DBA and compared this with their unaffected male relatives and unrelated healthy male volunteers. Males with FA had significantly lower levels of AMH (median: 5 ng/mL, range: 1.18–6.75) compared with unaffected male relatives (median: 7.31 ng/mL, range: 3.46–18.82, P = 0.03) or healthy male volunteers (median: 7.66 ng/mL, range: 3.3–14.67, P = 0.008). Males with DC/TBD had lower levels of AMH (median: 3.76 ng/mL, range: 0–8.9) compared with unaffected relatives (median: 5.31 ng/mL, range: 1.2–17.77, P = 0.01) or healthy volunteers (median: 5.995 ng/mL, range: 1.57–14.67, P < 0.001). Males with DBA had similar levels of AMH (median: 3.46 ng/mL, range: 2.32–11.85) as unaffected relatives (median: 4.66 ng/mL, range: 0.09–13.51, P = 0.56) and healthy volunteers (median: 5.81 ng/mL, range: 1.57–14.67, P = 0.10). Our findings suggest a defect in the production of AMH in postpubertal males with FA and DC/TBD, similar to that observed in females. These findings warrant confirmation in larger prospective studies.

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Xinyuan Zhang Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Suiyan Li School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Hongwei Liu Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Huai Bai Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Qingqing Liu Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Chunyi Yang Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Ping Fan Laboratory of Genetic Disease and Perinatal Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

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Oxidative stress and metabolic disorders are involved in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Heme oxygenase 2 (HMOX2) plays a critical role in preserving heme metabolism as well as in modulating glycolipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This study examined the correlation between HMOX2 G554A (rs1051308) and A-42G (rs2270363) genetic variants with the risk of PCOS and assessed the effects of these genotypes on clinical, hormonal, metabolic, and oxidative stress indices using a case–control design that included 1014 patients with PCOS and 806 control participants. We found that the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the HMOX2 G554A and A-42G polymorphisms were comparable between the PCOS and control groups in Chinese women (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, it was discovered that patients with the AA or AG genotype of A-42G polymorphism had notably elevated levels of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH ratio, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein (apo)B, and/or apoB/apoA1 ratio than those with the GG genotypes (P < 0.05). Patients with the GG or AG genotype of G554A polymorphism had elevated serum levels of LH, FSH, E2, LH/FSH ratio, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoB, and/or apoB/apoA1 ratio and lower 2-h glucose concentration compared with those with the AA genotype (P < 0.05). Our findings indicate a potential association between the genetic variants and endocrine abnormalities in the reproductive system and metabolic irregularities in glycolipid levels in patients, thus suggesting their potential role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

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Zheng Chen Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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Haixia Zeng Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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Qiulan Huang Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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Cuiping Lin Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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Xuan Li Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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Shaohua Sun Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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Jian-ping Liu Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China

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The aim of the study was to investigate the changes in serum glypican 4 (GPC4) and clusterin (CLU) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as well as their correlation with sex hormones and metabolic parameters. A total of 40 PCOS patients and 40 age-matched healthy women were selected. Serum GPC4 and CLU levels were compared between the PCOS and control groups, and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the relative risk of PCOS at different tertiles of serum GPC4 and CLU concentrations. Stepwise linear regression was used to identify the factors influencing serum GPC4 and CLU levels in PCOS patients. Serum GPC4 (1.82 ± 0.49 vs 1.30 ± 0.61 ng/mL, P < 0.001) and CLU (468.79 ± 92.85 vs 228.59 ± 82.42 µg/mL, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in PCOS patients than in healthy women after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). In the PCOS group, serum GPC4 was positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride, and CLU (P < 0.05), whereas serum CLU was positively correlated with BMI, FPG, FINS, and HOMA-IR (P < 0.05). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that HOMA-IR was independently associated with serum GPC4, and BMI and HOMA-IR were independently associated with CLU (P < 0.05). Serum GPC4 and CLU levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients than in healthy women, suggesting that GPC4 and CLU may be markers associated with insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

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Signe Kirkegaard Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

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Nanna Maria Uldall Torp Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

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Stig Andersen Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Geriatrics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

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Stine Linding Andersen Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

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Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are common gynecological disorders that constitute a significant burden of disease in women of fertile age. The disorders share a link to female reproduction and infertility; however, divergent effects on menstrual cycle, related hormones, and body composition have been proposed. Disorders of the thyroid gland including abnormal thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) and/or markers of thyroid autoimmunity similarly show a female predominance and onset in younger age groups. We reviewed the literature on the association between endometriosis, PCOS, and thyroid disease up until July 1, 2023, and identified 8 original studies on endometriosis and thyroid disease and 30 original studies on PCOS and thyroid disease. The studies were observational and heterogeneous regarding the design, sample size, and definitions of exposure and outcome; however, a tendency was seen toward an association between hyperthyroidism and endometriosis. Especially an association between endometriosis and slightly elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies has been found and corroborated in studies from different populations. On the other hand, the literature review turned a focus toward an association between hypothyroidism and PCOS, however, with uncertainties as to whether the association is caused by hypothyroidism per se and/or the thyroid autoantibodies (thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies). More evidence is needed to substantiate an association between endometriosis, PCOS, and thyroid disease, and to differentiate between the role of thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity. Furthermore, studies are warranted to extend knowledge on the different disease characteristics and underlying mechanisms.

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