The aim of the study was to provide a descriptive analysis of familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP), which is a rare inherited disease caused by heterozygous constitutively activating mutations of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene (LHCGR). The patient was a ten-month-old boy, presenting with penile enlargement, pubic hair formation, and spontaneous erections. Based on the clinical manifestations and laboratory data, including sexual characteristics, serum testosterone levels, GnRH stimulation test, and bone age, this boy was diagnosed with peripheral precocious puberty. Subsequently the precocious puberty-related genes were analyzed by direct DNA sequencing of amplified PCR products from the patient and his parents. Genetic analysis revealed a novel heterozygous missense mutation c.1732G>C (Asp578His) of the LHCGR gene exon11 in the patient, which had never been reported. His parents had no mutations. After combined treatment with aromatase inhibitor letrozole and anti-androgen spironolactone for six months, the patient's symptoms were controlled. The findings in this study expand the mutation spectrum of the LHCGR gene, and provide molecular evidence for the etiologic diagnosis as well as for the genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis in the family.
Heterozygote ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Puberty, Precocious ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Receptors, LH ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: There is increasing evidence for the expression of rat LH gene in several extrapituitary sites including testis and ovary. We also have demonstrated that the local LH expression in the rat epididymis and uterus, the major accessory sex organs in male and female reproductive system, respectively. DESIGN: The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the gene for LH receptor is expressed in rat uterus and whether the expression of uterine LH and its receptor are differentially regulated during estrous cycle. Presence of the transcripts for rat LH receptor in the rat uterine tissue were confirmed by touchdown reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: In LHbeta semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level was shown in estrus stage. The level of LH receptor transcripts was also fluctuated during estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats (OVX + Oil), the expressions of both uterine LH and LH-R were markedly reduced when compared to those from normal rats. Supplement with estradiol 17beta to the ovariectomized rats (OVX + E2) restored the expression levels of LH and its receptor to the levels in uteri from normal rats. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that 1) LH and its receptor gene are expressed in the rat uterus from cycling rats, 2) the expression of uterine LH and its receptor is mainly, if not all, under the control of ovarian sex steroid(s). These results suggested that the uterine LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner, though the posibility that the pituitary LH may act directly on the regulation of uterine functions could not be discarded.
Animals ; Epididymis ; Estradiol ; Estrous Cycle ; Estrus ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Lutein* ; Luteinizing Hormone* ; Male ; Ovary ; Rats* ; Receptors, LH ; Testis ; Uterus*

OBJECTIVE: We performed immunohistochemistry for the evaluation of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) expression in the ovarian tumors and examined the blood level of the gonadotropins in ovarian cancer patients to investigate ovarian carcinogenesis process related to gonadotropins. METHODS: Between January 2002 and July 2003, 25 patients with ovarian tumors were treated in the Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital. 25 ovarian tumors including 7 borderline tumors, 1 sex cord stromal tumor, 1 germ cell tumor, and 16 carcinomas were examined for FSHR, LHR expression by immunohistochemistry. Serum gonadotropins were collected from 13 cases of 25 ovarian tumors who were not taking hormones at the time of blood collection. RESULTS: Followings are results summarized. 1. Mean FSH levels were lower among cases compared with controls. LH levels were lower among cases than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. 2. The steady decline of FSHR, LHR expression from borderline tumor (86%, 100%) to carcinoma (56%, 43%) is observed. 3. Patients showing significant gonadotropins receptors expression showed lower serum FSH and LH levels when compared with patients with no detectable gonadotropins receptors. CONCLUSION: The presence of FSHR, LHR in ovarian tumors provide additional evidence supporting the relation of gonadotropins and ovarian carcinogenesis. But, this study did not support the hypothesis that pituitary goandotropins increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The decline of receptor expression from borderline tumors to carcinoma suggests that FSH, LH may be needed in early ovarian cancer development. If further studies of gonadal peptides and gonadotropins are done, we can suggest the cut-off value of gonadotropins on ovarian carcinogenesis.
Carcinogenesis ; Gonadotropins* ; Gonads ; Heart ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Peptides ; Receptors, FSH ; Receptors, Gonadotropin ; Receptors, LH ; Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors

The clinical models for studying ovary-determining genes may be premature ovarian failure (POF). POF is a condition causing amenorrhea, hypoestrogenism, and elevated gonadotropins in women under 40 years old. FSH receptor, LH receptor, inhibin, GDF-9 (growth differentiation factor-9), BMP-15 (bone morphogenetic protein-15), DIAPH2 (diaphanous gene) and XPNPEP2 (X-prolyl aminopeptidase) genes were proposed as a possible candidate gene, but until recently, only mutations in FSH receptor, LH receptor and inhibin genes have been identified in POF patients. Therefore mutation screening of another POF gene necessary to reveal the principal causative genes of POF. OBJECTIVE: The present study was performed to analyze the mutation of GDF-9 gene in Korean patient with POF and to investigate whether mutation of these gene is a likely main cause of POF. METHODS: Eighty-six women with POF were studied and thirty-six normal women were enrolled as control. Mutation screening of these genes were performed by denaturing HPLC and were confirmed by automatic sequencing. RESULTS: Three different mutations of GDF-9 gene were identified in Korean women with POF; Arg3Cys mutation in one patient, Leu40Val mutation in one patient, Asp57Tyr mutation in 10 patients and 5 normal controls. Arg3Cys mutation and Leu40Val mutation were likely cause of disease. Frequencies of Arg3Cys mutation and Leu40Val mutation were 1.2%, respectively. Asp57Tyr mutation was common polymorphism in Korean women. All mutations was a novel mutation found in the present study. CONCLUSION: POF was resulted by mutations of GDF-9 gene, but mutations of GDF-9 gene are not likely main causes of POF because of low frequency of mutations.
Adult ; Amenorrhea ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Gonadotropins ; Growth Differentiation Factor 9 ; Humans ; Inhibins ; Mass Screening ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency* ; Receptors, FSH ; Receptors, LH

Animals ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; toxicity ; Female ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, LH ; metabolism ; Receptors, LHRH ; metabolism ; Toxicity Tests

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of LH receptor in folliculogenesis, we confirm the expression level of LH receptor (LH-R) mRNA in human granulosa cells (GCs) and its expression levels were analyzed by comparison to embryo developmental rate and pregnancy rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GCs were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval from the patients undergoing IVF-ET program. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=20) is poor responder (retrieved oocyte(s)< or =3ea), Group II (n=80) is normal responder (retrieved oocytes>3ea). After the extraction of total RNA, semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed and the expression level of LH-R mRNA was normalized by beta-actin. Statistical analysis was performed by using Chi(2) test, Student's t-test and Pearson correlation. RESULTS: In Group II, the relative values of LH-R mRNA (0.680 vs. 0.463, p<0.005) and pregnancy rate (54.7% vs. 23.1%, p<0.05) were significantly higher than in Group I. Number of retrieved oocyte(s) was gradually increased when the expression of LH-R mRNA was increased (p<0.05). But the quality of retrieved oocyte and transferred embryo were not related with the expression of LH-R mRNA. When the pregnancy rate was compared with FSH only group and FSH combined with hMG group in the ovarian stimulation protocol, FSH combined with hMG group was significantly higher than FSH only group in Group I (37.5% vs. 0%), and the expression of LH-R mRNA was significantly higher in hMG combined group than FSH only group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Expression level of LH-R mRNA has important role in ovarian function related with the response to gonadotrophin in human folliculogenesis. Furthermore these data might provide the evidence that additional use of hMG is helpful to poor responders.
Actins ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy* ; Receptors, LH* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger

To investigate the possibility of in vivo transplantation of Leydig cells as a new biologic androgen replacement therapy, the Leydig cells procured from 6 week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were autotransplanted, and the level of testosterone secretion and histostructural changes were observed. The renal subcapsular and intraperitoneal transplant showed higher levels of testosterone compared to subcutaneous or scrotal counterparts, and the number of transplanted cells was correlated with the level of measured testosterone. Furthermore, if the Leydig cells were transplanted intraperitoneally after the uptake on synthetic collagen, testosterone levels were higher than the ones simply transplanted without synthetic collagen uptake, resulting in 27 fold increase at 3 months. The activity of 125I-hCG decreased 20 to 40% at each month after transplantation compared to the normal levels, but no statistical significance was noted among different periods. The histologic examination revealed neovascularized capillaries and well demarcated sheet-like group of eosinophilic Leydig cells were observed at 4 weeks. But the evidence of destructive changes such as a focal inflammation with central dystropic ossification could be noted after 3 month. On electron microscopy, the marked indentation of nucleus and presence of lipochrome pigment were seen, and the number and size of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were reduced after 3 month. In conclusion, testosterone output could be increased to the physiologic range by increasing the number of transplant cells or utilizing collagen uptake but further effort is necessary on delaying or preventing the structural and functional decrement of Leydig cells.
Animal ; Cell Count ; Leydig Cells/cytology/metabolism/*transplantation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, LH/metabolism ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Testosterone/*biosynthesis ; Transplantation, Autologous

Normal and abnormal follicular growth and steroidogenesis depend on gonadotropins as well as intraovarian peptides, which may mediate or potentiate gonadotropin action. Inhibin also affect follicular development and steroidogenesis and may play a role in dominant follicle selection and follicular atresia. Therefore, we studied the differences of serum inhibin, gonadotropin and androgen levels in the women with only the ultrasound findings and no disorder, and polycystic ovary (PCO) with ovulatory disturbance. We prospectively analysed forty-three women with PCO. The diagnosis of PCO was based on typical appearance of the ovaries on TVS. Twelve women with regular menstrual cycle and normal ovarian morphology were selected as control. Basal levels of inhibin, luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), estradiol(E2), testosterone(T), androstenedione(ADD), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate(DS), prolactin and TSH in serum were determined. There were significant differences in basal LH levels and LH/FSH ratio between the control and the women with PCO. The basal levels of inhibin and E2 in the oligo-amenorrheic PCO (N=34) were significantly higher than those in the control. There was higher negative correlation between the inhibin and T levels in the oligo-amenorrheic PCO, but, not in the regular cycling PCO. Also, there was higher positive correlation between the LH and T levels in the oligo-amenorrheic PCO, but not in the regular cycling PCO. These data presume that the initial event of PCO is elevated pituitary LH secretion. Elevated levels of LH may down-regulate LH receptors on granulosa cells and also cause hypertrophy of the thecal layer. High level of androgen secreted by the hypertrophied thermal layer may stimulate inhibin secretion from granulosa cells and can be converted to estrogen by extraovarian tissues and could serve to augment pituitary sensitivity to GnRH with a resultant secretion of more LH follicular development and dominant follicle selection resulted in ovulatory disturbance.
Diagnosis ; Estrogens ; Female ; Follicular Atresia ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Inhibins* ; Lutein ; Menstrual Cycle ; Ovary* ; Peptides ; Prolactin ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, LH ; Ultrasonography

It is ordinarily accepted that the synthetic testosterone administration is the choice of treatment for the primary testicular dysfunction. But recently not a few medical scientists reported that the long-standing testosterone replacement is not without side effects. For that reason, we tried to investigate a possibility of in vivo transplantation of Leydig cells as a new biologic androgen substitution therapy. The Leydig cells procured from 6 week-old male Sprague-Dawley rat were auto- transplanted and the level of testosterone secretion and histostructural changes were observed.The results obtained are summarized as follows :1. For the selection of transplantation sites, compared to subcutaneous or scrotal counterparts, renal subcapsular and intraperitoneal transplant showed higher levels of testosterone and the number of transplanted cells was correlated with the level of measured testosterone. 2. Furthermore, if the Leydig cells were transplanted intraperitoneally after the uptake on synthetic collagen, testosterone levels were higher than the ones simply transplanted, resulting in 2.7 times higher at 3 months. 3. The activity of 125-I-hCG decreased 20 to 40% at each month after transplantation compared to the normal levels, but no statistical significance was noted among different periods. 4. Histologic examination revealed neovascularized capillaries and well demarcated uptake of sheet-like group of eosinophilic Leydig cells were observed at 4 weeks. But the evidence of destructive changes such as a focal inflammation with central dystropic ossification was noted after S month. On electron microscopy, the marked indentation of nucleus and presence of lipochrome pigment were seen and the number and size of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria were reduced. In conclusion, testosterone output could be increased to the physiologic range by increasing the number of transplant cells or collagen uptake utilizing, etc. However the decrease of testosterone production after 3 months is believed to be a result of focal inflammation and degeneration which in turn caused the decrease in number of secreting Leydig cells and reduced activity of hCG receptors. Further effort is necessary on delaying or preventing the structural and functional decrement of Leydig cells.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Cell Transplantation* ; Collagen ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Leydig Cells ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitochondria ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, LH ; Testosterone ; Transplantation ; Transplants*

OBJECTIVEFamilial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP) is due to constitutive activation of a mutant luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LH/CGR) leading to elevated testosterone synthesis in testicular Leydig cells. In the present study, we have analyzed the LHCGR gene for members of a Chinese FMPP family.

METHODSPhysical examinations have included assessment of penile length, testicular volume and pubic hair. Bone age assessment, levels of testosterone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulations tests were measured. DNA was extracted from blood samples of the proband and his parents using an QIAGEN Blood DNA Mini Kit. The 11 exons of LHCGR gene were amplified using an AmpliTaq PCR system, and the PCR products were sequenced using an ABI3130xl Genetic Analyzer.

RESULTSThe affected boy was 3 year and 1 month old and showed typical clinical manifestation of peripheral precocious puberty. His height was 116.8cm (+5.1s) and Tanner stages were PH 2. Testicular volume was 8 mL bilaterally, penile was 8.5 cm × 2.5 cm. Basal testosterone was 2310 ng/L and bone age was 9 years. GnRH stimulation test revealed a prepubertal response to gonadotropin. The peak of LH was 2.66 IU/L, and the peak of FSH was 1.03 IU/L. Upon sequencing exon 11 of the LHCGR, a heterozygous point mutation of nucleotide 1703 from C to T was detected, which resulted in an amino acid transition from Ala (GCC) to Val (GTC) at position 568. Thus the mutation of LHCGR gene was confirmed to be constitutively active. After treating with aromatase inhibitors for half a year, the patient showed an increase in bone age and height by half a year and 4 cm, respectively. The same point mutation was detected in the patient's father, but did not have any influence on his puberty development.

CONCLUSIONA novel point mutation of the LHCGR gene has been identified in a family affected with FMPP. The c.1703C>T mutant LHCGR was confirmed to be constitutively active, which has led to maturation and proliferation of Leydig cells. The variable phenotype within the family suggested variable expressivity of the disease.

Adult ; Amino Acid Substitution ; Base Sequence ; Child, Preschool ; Codon ; Exons ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Molecular ; Mutation ; Protein Conformation ; Puberty, Precocious ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Receptors, LH ; chemistry ; genetics