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- Abstract: adrenarche x
- Abstract: amenorrhoea x
- Abstract: fertility x
- Abstract: Gender x
- Abstract: Hypogonadism x
- Abstract: infertility x
- Abstract: Kallmann x
- Abstract: Klinefelter x
- Abstract: menopause x
- Abstract: puberty x
- Abstract: testes x
- Abstract: transsexual x
- Abstract: Turner x
- Abstract: sperm* x
- Abstract: ovary x
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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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Background
Patients suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are often insulin resistant and at elevated risk for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of this study was to explore afamin, which can be determined preconceptionally to indicate patients who will subsequently develop GDM. Serum concentrations of afamin are altered in conditions of oxidative stress like insulin resistance (IR) and correlate with the gold standard of IR determination, the HOMA index.
Methods
Afamin serum concentrations and the HOMA index were analyzed post hoc in 63 PCOS patients with live births. Patients were treated at Essen University Hospital, Germany, between 2009 and 2018. Mann–Whitney U test, T test, Spearman’s correlation, linear regression models and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed for statistical analysis.
Results
Patients who developed GDM showed significantly higher HOMA and serum afamin values before their pregnancy (P < 0.001, respectively). ROCs for afamin concentrations showed an area under the curve of 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65–0.90) and of 0.77 (95% CI 0.64–0.89) for the HOMA index. An afamin threshold of 88.6 mg/L distinguished between women who will develop GDM and those who will not with a sensitivity of 79.3% and a specificity of 79.4%. A HOMA index of 2.5 showed a sensitivity of 65.5% and a specificity of 88.2%.
Conclusion
The HOMA index and its surrogate parameter afamin are able to identify pre-pregnant PCOS patients who are at risk to develop GDM. Serum afamin concentrations are independent of fasting status and therefore an easily determinable biomarker.
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Background
We describe the phenotypic spectrum and timing of diagnosis and management in a large series of patients with disorders of sexual development (DSD) treated in a single pediatric tertiary center.
Methods
DSD patients who had visited our tertiary center during the survey period (between 2004 and 2014) were identified based on an ICD-10 inquiry, and their phenotypic and molecular genetic findings were recorded from patient charts.
Results
Among the 550 DSD patients, 53.3% had 46,XY DSD; 37.1% had sex chromosome DSD and 9.6% had 46,XX DSD. The most common diagnoses were Turner syndrome (19.8%, diagnosed at the mean age of 4.7 ± 5.5 years), Klinefelter syndrome (14.5%, 6.8 ± 6.2 years) and bilateral cryptorchidism (23.1%). Very few patients with 46,XY DSD (7%) or 46,XX DSD (21%) had molecular genetic diagnosis. The yearly rate of DSD diagnoses remained stable over the survey period. After the release of the Nordic consensus on the management of undescended testes, the age at surgery for bilateral cryptorchidism declined significantly (P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Our results show that (i) Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome, the most frequent single DSD diagnoses, are still diagnosed relatively late; (ii) a temporal shift was observed in the management of bilateral cryptorchidism, which may favorably influence patients’ adulthood semen quality and (iii) next-generation sequencing methods are not fully employed in the diagnostics of DSD patients.
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Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Research Centre in Diabetes Genomics and Precision Medicine, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Research Centre in Diabetes Genomics and Precision Medicine, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. FGF19, FGF21 and lipocalin-2 have emerged as important markers of metabolic risk. This study aims to compare the levels of FGF19, FGF21 and lipocalin-2 between subjects with or without PCOS, and to investigate the relationship between proteins and diabetes progression. In this nested case–control cohort study, 128 Chinese PCOS women and 128 controls were recruited and followed-up. All subjects underwent the oral glucose tolerance test for the evaluation of glycaemic status. Baseline serum protein levels were measured using ELISA. Compared with controls, PCOS subjects had higher levels of FGF19 (P < 0.001) and FGF21 (P = 0.022), but had lower lipocalin-2 (P < 0.001). In total, 20.8% of PCOS and 9.2% of controls developed diabetes over a mean duration of 10.4 ± 1.2 and 11.3 ± 0.5 years, respectively. Logistic regression analyses suggested FGF19 was positively associated with diabetes progression in controls, after adjusting for age, follow-up duration, waist and fasting glucose (P = 0.026, odds ratio (OR) (95% CI): 7.4 (1.3–43.6)), and the positive relationship between FGF21 and diabetes progression in controls was attenuated by adjusting for age and follow-up duration (P = 0.183). Lipocalin-2 was positively correlated with diabetes progression in PCOS group (P = 0.026, OR (95% CI)): 2.5 (1.1–5.6)); however, this became attenuated after adjusting for waist and fasting glucose (P = 0.081). In conclusion, there is differential expression of FGF19, FGF21, and lipocalin-2 in PCOS. The serum level of FGF19, and FGF21 is associated with diabetes progression in women without PCOS, while lipocalin-2 was related to diabetes progression in PCOS women.
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life. We aimed to study the effect of liraglutide intervention on markers of VTE and CVD risk, in PCOS. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 72 overweight and/or insulin-resistant women with PCOS were randomized, in a 2:1 ratio, to liraglutide or placebo 1.8 mg/day. Endpoints included between-group difference in change (baseline to follow-up) in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels and in thrombin generation test parameters: endogenous thrombin potential, peak thrombin concentration, lag time and time to peak. Mean weight loss was 5.2 kg (95% CI 3.0–7.5 kg, P < 0.001) in the liraglutide group compared with placebo. We detected no effect on endogenous thrombin potential in either group. In the liraglutide group, peak thrombin concentration decreased by 16.71 nmol/L (95% CI 2.32–31.11, P < 0.05) and lag time and time to peak increased by 0.13 min (95% CI 0.01–0.25, P < 0.05) and 0.38 min (95% CI 0.09–0.68, P < 0.05), respectively, but there were no between-group differences. There was a trend toward 12% (95% CI 0–23, P = 0.05) decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the liraglutide group, and there was a trend toward 16% (95% CI −4 to 32, P = 0.10) reduction, compared with placebo. In overweight women with PCOS, liraglutide intervention caused an approximate 5% weight loss. In addition, liraglutide affected thrombin generation, although not significantly differently from placebo. A concomitant trend toward improved fibrinolysis indicates a possible reduction of the baseline thrombogenic potential. The findings point toward beneficial effects of liraglutide on markers of VTE and CVD risk, which should be further pursued in larger studies.
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Context
Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may increase the risk of reactive hypoglycaemia (RH) and decrease glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. The possible effects of treatment with oral contraceptives (OCP) and/or metformin on GLP-1 secretion and risk of RH in PCOS is undetermined.
Setting
Outpatient clinic.
Patients and interventions
Randomized, controlled clinical trial. Ninety women with PCOS were randomized to 12-month treatment with OCP (150 mg desogestrel + 30 mg ethinylestradiol), metformin (2 g/day) or metformin + OCP. Five-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (5-h OGTT) measuring fasting and area under the curve (AUC) for GLP-1, glucose, insulin and C-peptide were performed before and after the intervention period. Sixty-five women completed the study and 34 weight-matched healthy women were included as controls.
Main outcome measures
Changes in GLP-1, glucose, insulin and C-peptide during 5-h OGTT.
Results
Fasting GLP-1 levels increased during metformin + OCP vs OCP treatment, whereas AUC GLP-1 levels were unchanged during medical treatment. The prevalence of reactive hypoglycemia increased from 9/65 to 14/65 after intervention (P < 0.01) and was more common after treatment with metformin + OCP (increase from 3/23 to 6/23, P = 0.01). Reactive hypoglycaemia was associated with higher insulin and C-peptide levels during 5-h OGTT, but was unassociated with BMI and AUC GLP-1. GLP-1 levels were comparable in PCOS vs controls. AUC GLP-1 levels were significantly lower in obese vs lean patients and were inversely associated with BMI.
Conclusions
AUC GLP-1 levels were unchanged during treatment. Increased risk of hypoglycemia during metformin + OCP could be associated with increased insulin secretion.
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Background
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, which is the most appropriate way to evaluate dysglycemia in women with PCOS and who are at increased risk are as yet unclear.
Aim of the study
To determine the prevalence of T2DM, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in PCOS women and potential factors to identify those at risk.
Subjects and methods
The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), biochemical/hormonal profile, and ovarian ultrasound data from 1614 Caucasian women with PCOS and 362 controls were analyzed in this cross-sectional multicenter study. The data were categorized according to age and BMI.
Results
Dysglycemia (T2DM, IGT, and IFG according to World Health Organization criteria) was more frequent in the PCOS group compared to controls: 2.2% vs 0.8%, P = 0.04; 9.5% vs 7.4%, P = 0.038; 14.2% vs 9.1%, P = 0.002, respectively. OGTT was essential for T2DM diagnosis, since in 88% of them basal glucose values were inconclusive for diagnosis. The presence of either T2DM or IFG was irrespective of age (P = 0.54) and BMI (P = 0.32), although the latter was associated with IGT (P = 0.021). There was no impact of age and BMI status on the prevalence of T2DM or IFG. Regression analysis revealed a role for age, BMI, fat deposition, androgens, and insulin resistance for dysglycemia. However, none of the factors prevailed as a useful marker employed in clinical practice.
Conclusions
One-third of our cohort of PCOS women with either T2DM or IGT displayed normal fasting glucose values but without confirming any specific predictor for dysglycemic condition. Hence, the evaluation of glycemic status using OGTT in all women with PCOS is strongly supported.
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Purpose: Our study aimed to assess the relationship between serum adipokines and insulin resistance (IR) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as explore the predictive value of adipokines on IR in PCOS.
Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. 154 women with PCOS were included from July 2021 to September 2022 who underwent gonadal steroid hormone measurement, lipid profile, oral glucose tolerance test and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR. Adiponectin (APN), leptin and secreted frizzled-related protein (Sfrp5) were measured by immunoturbidimetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Women with PCOS were categorised based on the presence of IR.
Results: Women with PCOS with IR (n=99) had significantly lower APN level and APN to leptin ratio (A/L ratio) than those without IR (n=55), whereas serum levels of leptin and Sfrp5 were similar between the two groups. In multivariable linear regression analysis, serum log (APN) and log (A/L ratio) were associated with log(HOMA-IR), the association was statistically significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI) and free androgen index. The area under the ROC curve (95% CI) for APN and A/L ratio were 0.726 (0.644–0.807; P<0.001) and 0.660(0.569–0.751; P<0.01), with cutoff values of 5.225 mg/L (Youden index ¼ 0.364) and 1.438 (Youden index ¼ 0.265) respectively.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that serum APN was negatively related to IR. Serum APN may be useful as a clinical marker for IR in women with PCOS. Our findings warrant further investigations into the function of APN in the pathogenesis of IR in women with PCOS.
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Endocrinology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Sex chromosome abnormalities (SCAs) are chromosomal disorders with either a complete or partial loss or gain of sex chromosomes. The most frequent SCAs include Turner syndrome (45,X), Klinefelter syndrome (47,XXY), Trisomy X syndrome (47,XXX), and Double Y syndrome (47,XYY). The phenotype seen in SCAs is highly variable and may not merely be due to the direct genomic imbalance from altered sex chromosome gene dosage but also due to additive alterations in gene networks and regulatory pathways across the genome as well as individual genetic modifiers. This review summarizes the current insight into the genomics of SCAs. In addition, future directions of research that can contribute to decipher the genomics of SCA are discussed such as single-cell omics, spatial transcriptomics, system biology thinking, human-induced pluripotent stem cells, and animal models, and how these data may be combined to bridge the gap between genomics and the clinical phenotype.
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Objective
Seamless transition of endocrine patients from the paediatric to adult setting is still suboptimal, especially in patients with complex disorders, i.e., small for gestational age, Turner or Prader–Willi syndromes; Childhood Cancer Survivors, and those with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency.
Methods
An expert panel meeting comprised of European paediatric and adult endocrinologists was convened to explore the current gaps in managing the healthcare of patients with endocrine diseases during transition from paediatric to adult care settings.
Results
While a consensus was reached that a team approach is best, discussions revealed that a ‘one size fits all’ model for transition is largely unsuccessful in these patients. They need more tailored care during adolescence to prevent complications like failure to achieve target adult height, reduced bone mineral density, morbid obesity, metabolic perturbations (obesity and body composition), inappropriate/inadequate puberty, compromised fertility, diminished quality of life and failure to adapt to the demands of adult life. Sometimes it is difficult for young people to detach emotionally from their paediatric endocrinologist and/or the abrupt change from an environment of parental responsibility to one of autonomy. Discussions about impending transition and healthcare autonomy should begin in early adolescence and continue throughout young adulthood to ensure seamless continuum of care and optimal treatment outcomes.
Conclusions
Even amongst a group of healthcare professionals with a great interest in improving transition services for patients with endocrine diseases, there is still much work to be done to improve the quality of healthcare for transition patients.