OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of plasma ghrelin and adenohypophyseal hormone levels in female precocious puberty.

METHODSA total of 84 patients aged from 6 to 9 years were enrolled in this study. They were divided into idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) and premature thelarche(PT)groups according to their secondary sexual characteristics, bone age, volumes of uterus and ovary, and results of GnRH test. Plasma ghrelin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. ACTH, TSH, PRL, GH, LH and FSH were measured by chemoluminescence technique.

RESULTSGhrelin levels in ICPP group were Log (2.42+/-0.26) ng/L, which were significantly lower than those in PT group and controls [Log (2.62+/-0.21) ng/L and Log (2.58+/-0.44) ng/L, respectively, P<0.05]. However there was no significant difference between PT group and controls(P>0.05). Ghrelin levels of ICPP girls with Tanner III were Log (2.31+/-0.24) ng/L, significantly lower than those of ICPP girls with Tanner II [Log (2.53+/-0.24) ng/L, P<0.05]. By bivariate correlation analysis, ghrelin levels in precocious puberty girls were negatively correlated with ACTH, PRL and LH15, LH30 and LH60 in GnRH test(r=-0.248, -0.235, -0.445, 0.405, 0.398, respectively, P<0.05). No significant correlation was found between ghrelin and GH, LH0(-2), FSH0(-2), and FSH15, FSH30 and FSH60 in GnRH test.

CONCLUSIONICPP girls have lower plasma ghrelin levels, which are decreased with the development of Tanner stage. The plasma ghrelin levels are negatively correlated with ACTH, PRL and LH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Ghrelin ; blood ; Gonadotropins, Pituitary ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyse the heritabilities of serum luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) in twin boys, and to study the genetic contributions to gonadotropin-gonadal axis.

METHODSA total of 51 pairs of male twins, 35 monozygotic (MZ) and 16 dizygotic(DZ) aged 5 to 11 years, were investigated. Serum gonadotropin and sex hormone were measured by radioimmunoassay. The twin zygosity was verified by determination of short tandem repeat amplified fragment length polymorphism systems. The genetic analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient method.

RESULTSThe intraclass correlation coefficient was greater in the MZ twins than in the DZ twins. The estimated heritabilities were respectively LH 0.51, FSH 0.32, T 0.81, E2 0.41.

CONCLUSIONGenetic factors are major determinants of gonadotropin-gonadal axis in boys.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Radioimmunoassay

Inhibin B is a gonadal hormone that downregulates the pituitary production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). In recent years, inhibin B has proved to be an excellent marker of spermatogenesis and even a predictive factor for the recovery of fertility in patients undergoing orchiectomy and antineoplastic treatments. We propose to study inhibin B levels in orchiectomised testicular cancer patients, in order to identify a minimum value representative of normal semen quality. This retrospective study evaluates hormonal and semen parameters of 290 normozoospermic patients attending the Laboratory of Seminology - Sperm Bank "Loredana Gandini" (Rome, Italy) for cryopreservation of seminal fluid following a diagnosis of testicular cancer (TC group) and 117 healthy, normozoospermic men as a control group (CTR group). The percentile distribution of gonadotropin and inhibin B values in the TC and CTR groups was analyzed. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the levels of all hormones (P ≤ 0.001) and in all semen parameters (P < 0.05). About 20% of TC patients revealed inhibin B levels below the 5^th percentile of CTR group, despite normozoospermia, and 31.4% had normal spermatogenesis in the presence of FSH values >95^th percentile of CTR group. Orchiectomised patients for testicular cancer presented inhibin B levels lower than healthy patients, despite normozoospermia. Our study revealed the poor sensitivity of the current inhibin B reference range when applied to monorchidic patients, suggesting the need to establish more representative ranges to enable more appropriate counseling in relation to the patient's new endocrine condition.
Adult ; Gonadotropins/blood* ; Humans ; Inhibins/blood* ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Reference Values ; Testicular Neoplasms/surgery* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Young Adult

Serum levels of LH, FSH and prolactin and plasma levels of estradiol and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassay from 8 healthy volunteers on no medication for at least 3 months prior to study and with histories of regular menstrual cycle. The following criteria were used to define a normal menstrual cycle:1) mid-cycle LH surge, 2) luteal phase duration between 12 and 16 days, 3) plasma progesterone levels above 5 ng/m1 5-10 days after LH surge. Six of eight cycles studied were considered normal. Serum levels of LH from 6 women were fair1y constant through the cycle, except at midcycle, when a surge occurred. The rapid increase of LH secretion was during the late follicular phase with a mean peak value of 147.5 mIU/ml. Concentration of FSH started to rise after the onset of menses and decreased slight1y during the late follicular phase. FSH rose sharply at midcycle with a mean peak value reaching 36.8 mIU/ml. Following the midcycle FSH and LH surge, FSH and LH decreased sharply and remained at lower concentration during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase. Serum prolactin concentrations fluctuated throughout the menstrual cycle. There was no peak value of prolactin concomitant to the LH peak. Plasma estradiol gradually increased during the follicular phase reaching a maximum of 354.3 pg/ml prior the midcycle LH surge. Following its peak, the level of estradiol dropped sharply and started to increase from the 3rd day after LH peak, rising to 235.9 pg/ml during the midluteal peak. Plasma progesterone levels remained consistently low during the follicular phase and started to rise after the midcycle surge of LH. This rise persisted from day 5 to day 9 after the LH surge, showing a mean value of 26.1 ng/m1. Afterward, a sharp decline occurred resulting in menstruation. Two cycles studied were considered abnormal. Both cycles showed a "short luteal phase".
Estradiol/blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood ; Gonadotropins, Pituitary/blood* ; Human ; Korea ; Luteinizing Hormone/blood ; Menstruation* ; Progesterone/blood ; Prolactin/blood ; Sex Hormones/blood*

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of valproate sodium (VPA) on the level and axle of pituitary gonadotropin in adolescent girls with epilepsy.

METHODSTwenty-three adolescent girls with epilepsy aged from 8 to 14 years were treated with VPA for 1 year. The levels of serum pituitary gonadotropin including estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and testosterone were measured before treatment and 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after treatment.

RESULTSThe serum levels of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin in the children with epilepsy were not significantly different during the 1 year VPA treatment compared with pretreatment. However, the serum level of testosterone was reduced 1 year after treatment (0.4±0.3 ng/mL) compared with pretreatment (0.7±0.4 ng/mL) and 3 months after treatment (0.7±0.4 ng/mL) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVPA treatment for 1 year does not increase serum levels of androgen in adolescent girls with epilepsy, suggesting that VPA is an ideal choice of treatment for the girls.

Adolescent ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Epilepsy ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Gonadotropins, Pituitary ; blood ; Humans ; Valproic Acid ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of the simplified gonadorelin stimulation test for precocious puberty.

METHODSTwo hundred and ninety-two girls with signs of advanced breast development received the gonadorelin stimulation test. According to the result of gonadorelin stimulation test, the girls were divided into 3 groups: 151 with central precocious puberty (CPP),119 with premature thelarche (PT) and 22 with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP).

RESULTSLH or FSH levels at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min in PPP group were not significantly different (P>0.05). Those were significantly different in PT group (P<0.01). The highest levels of LH were at 30 min and the highest levels of FSH were at 60 min. LH or FSH levels at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min in CPP group were significantly different (P<0.01) with the highest levels at 30 min. The ratio of basal LH and FSH >0.2 had a diagnostic sensitivity of 48.3 % and specificity of 69.7%. Taking the LH/FSH ratio >0.9 at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min as cut-off value, the diagnostic sensitivity was 80.1%, 68.9% and 38.4%, and the specificity was 90.8%, 96.6% and 69.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe LH/FSH ratio>0.9 at 15 min after gonadorelin stimulation test can be used as a cut-off value to differentiate CPP from PT and blood sample at 60 min were not necessary.

Child ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Puberty, Precocious ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

To investigate the relationship between low unconjugated estriol (uE3) levels in the second trimester and adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnancies without increased risk for Down's syndrome, 1,096 women under 35 years of age underwent a mid-trimester AFP-hCG-uE3 screening test between January 1995 and June 1998. Multiple pregnancies, maternal diabetes, smoking and elevation of AFP and hCG levels more than 2.0 multiple of median (MoM) were excluded from our study population. The results were divided into a low-uE3 group with uE3 levels at or below 0.75 MoM and a normal uE3 group with uE3 levels above 0.75 MoM. The risk for adverse pregnancy outcome was compared between the two groups and the role of low uE3 as a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome was determined. The data were assessed using chi 2 or Fisher exact test and then logistic regression was used for the final analysis. The odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated. Unconjugated E3 levels at or below 0.75 MoM was significantly associated with fetal growth restriction after adjustment for maternal age, weight, sampling weeks, AFP and hCG levels (OR 0.413, 95% CI 0.174-0.900; P = 0.035). Low uE3 levels in the second-trimester could help in the detection of fetal growth restriction by a low risk group in Down's syndrome. Careful gestational dating and serial clinical and sonographic assessment of fetal growth may be required for the clinician to manage these parturients.
Adult ; Down Syndrome/diagnosis ; Estriol/blood* ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation/diagnosis* ; Gonadotropins, Chorionic/blood ; Human ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Risk ; alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis

BACKGROUNDDelayed puberty can result either from constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDP) or idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test has been generally accepted as a current method for diagnosing delayed puberty. The objective of this research was to assess the cut-off values and the efficacy of GnRH stimulation test in the diagnosis of delayed puberty in both males and females.

METHODSA study of 91 IHH, 27 CDP patients, 6 prepubertal children, and 20 pubertal adults was undertaken. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min after GnRH administration and the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured. For each parameter, the sensitivities and specificities were estimated, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed.

RESULTSThe ROC curves indicated that a serum basal LH <0.6 IU/L or peak LH <9.74 IU/L resulted in moderate sensitivity (73.8% or 80.0%) and specificity (90.9% or 86.4%) in the diagnosis of HH in males. Serum basal LH <0.85 IU/L or basal FSH <2.43 IU/L resulted in moderate sensitivity (80.0% or 100.0%) and specificity (75.0% or 50.0%) in the diagnosis of HH in females.

CONCLUSIONSOur data suggest that isolated use of the gonadorelin stimulation test is almost sufficient to discriminate between HH and CDP in males, but unnecessary in females. The most useful predictor is serum basal or peak LH to differentiate these two disorders in males, but serum basal LH or FSH in females.

Adolescent ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; pharmacology ; Gonadotropins ; deficiency ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; blood ; diagnosis ; Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Pituitary Gland ; drug effects ; Puberty, Delayed ; blood ; diagnosis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Launaea acanthodes, a blood glucose lowering plant in folk medicine of Iran, on the structure of seminiferous tubules and serum gonadotropin and testosterone levels in hyperglycemic rats.

METHODSTwenty-four Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n=6): control, streptozotocin (STZ), STZ + insulin [STZ + Ins, 5 IU/(kg•day)], and STZ + Launaea acanthodes extract [STZ + Ext, 150 mg/(kg•day)]. Blood samples were collected at the 2nd and 4th weeks for detection of testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) with enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), and the right testes of rats were removed at the 7th week for the evaluation of diameter and wall thickness of seminiferous tubules and number of Leydig cells using unbiased stereological techniques.

RESULTSIn comparison with the control group, at the 2nd week FSH (0.45 vs 0.03, 0.02, 0.02 IU/L in STZ, STZ + Ins and STZ + Ext groups, respectively) and LH (1.02 vs 0.37, 0.2, 0.29 IU/L) showed significant decreases (all P<0.05) and testosterone (4.2 vs 8.37, 7.78, 11.8 ng/mL) showed a remarkable increase (all P<0.05). The levels of these hormones became closer in the STZ + Ext and the STZ + Ins groups to the control at the 4th week. A significant decrease in diameter and wall thickness of seminiferous tubules and number of Leydig cells were observed in the STZ group as compared with the control (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSAdministration of Launaea extract demonstrated a beneficial impact on the protection of testis from pathogenic and degenerative effects of hyperglycemia which may be partly due to its potential antioxidative effects.

Animals ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cell Count ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Gonadotropins ; blood ; Hyperglycemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Insulin ; blood ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Wistar ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Testosterone ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Water ; chemistry