Introduction: Functioning gonadotroph adenomas, also known as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-secreting pituitary adenomas (FSH-omas), are rare pituitary tumors characterized by the secretion of biologically active FSH. Unlike the more common clinically nonfunctioning gonadotroph adenomas, these tumors produce endocrine manifestations due to excessive FSH secretion. Clinical presentation may result from local mass effects such as headache, visual disturbances due to optic chiasmal compression, or from hormonal activity affecting reproductive function. The endocrine manifestations vary between males and females and can lead to diagnostic challenges. Cases: We report two patients with functioning gonadotroph adenomas presenting with distinct clinical manifestations. The first case involved a 23-year-old female who presented with secondary amenorrhea for 4 years, accompanied by personality changes. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated bilaterally enlarged multicystic ovaries suggestive of ovarian hyperstimulation, which subsequently regressed postoperatively. Biochemical evaluation revealed inappropriately elevated FSH levels (3.5-fold increase), with suppressed luteinizing hormone (LH) and markedly elevated estradiol levels (11-fold increase). Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a large sellar–suprasellar mass with mass effect, consistent with a pituitary macroadenoma. The second case involved a 68-year-old male who presented with progressively worsening vision over 2 years. Hormonal evaluation demonstrated elevated FSH levels (4.5-fold increase), with relatively normal LH and low testosterone levels. Pituitary MRI revealed a sellar mass consistent with a pituitary adenoma. Both patients subsequently underwent pterional craniotomy with tumor debulking. Histopathological examination confirmed gonadotroph adenomas, with positive immunohistochemical staining for FSH. Conclusion Functioning gonadotroph adenomas are rare and may present with diverse clinical features related to gonadal hyperstimulation or mass effects. Early recognition of the characteristic hormonal profile and radiological findings is crucial for diagnosis and appropriate management. These cases highlight the importance of considering functioning gonadotroph adenoma in patients presenting with unexplained gonadal hyperstimulation or atypical reproductive hormonal profiles.
Gonadotrophs ; Adenoma

Introduction: Functioning gonadotroph adenomas (FGPAs) in males are rare and typically present with macroorchidism. In elderly patients, the presentation can be confounding. This case illustrates a unique scenario where a pituitary tumor masked the physiological decline of testosterone, maintaining the patient’s stamina despite Introduction testicular involution. Case: A 65-year-old male was referred for a pituitary macroadenoma (10.7 × 10.6 × 11.4 mm) following progressive headaches. Remarkably, the patient denied symptoms of andropause; his stamina, mood, and libido were wellpreserved. Investigations revealed elevated folliclestimulating hormone (15.42 mIU/mL) and luteinizing hormone (12.1 mIU/mL) with normal testosterone levels. Scrotal ultrasound showed bilateral testicular involution (right: 8.66 mL, left: 7.21 mL), contradicting the expected macroorchidism of FGPA. Although the patient felt his vision was normal, a confrontation test revealed temporal visual field defects, indicating chiasmatic compression. This case presents a striking clinical discordance where tumorinduced gonadotropin hypersecretion provided a supraphysiological drive to the involuting testes, maintaining testosterone levels and masking andropause. The primary indication for transsphenoidal surgery is the Introduction evidence of visual field defects. However, removing the adenoma will abruptly eliminate this “hormonal drive.” Postoperative management will focus on rigorous hormonal monitoring. Testosterone replacement therapy is not immediately indicated; rather, it will be carefully planned only if postoperative evaluations demonstrate a significant hormonal decline accompanied by symptomatic hypogonadism. This tailored approach ensures that the benefits of intervention outweigh the potential risks in an elderly patient. Conclusion In elderly patients, FGPAs can mask age-related hormonal decline. In this case, clinicians must treat the patient, not just the tumor. Anticipating a potential decline in postoperative stamina is as crucial as the surgery itself. Comprehensive hormonal evaluation and a personalized approach to therapy are essential to preserve quality of life after the “masking” effect is removed.
Male ; Andropause ; Gonadotrophs

Introduction: Pituitary macroadenomas may present with mass effects, hypopituitarism, or hormone hypersecretion. Hyperprolactinemia, resulting from a prolactin-secreting tumor or stalk compression, typically suppresses gonadotropins. Thus, elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) with low testosterone in this context are unusual. We report a macroprolactinoma with a clinically non-functioning gonadotroph adenoma. Case: A 69-year-old male presented with acute giddiness and headache while in Vietnam. He reported reduced libido but no visual symptoms or galactorrhea. Examination showed no neurological deficits, normal visual fields, and secondary sexual characteristics; bilateral testes volume of 25 mL. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain revealed a 1.6 × 2.2 × 2.1 cm pituitary macroadenoma compressing the optic chiasm and pituitary stalk. Initial pituitary evaluation demonstrated hyperprolactinemia (prolactin >200 µg/L; normal 2.4–13.1), central hypothyroidism (T4 6.8 pmol/L [7.8–14.4], thyroid-stimulating hormone 2.3 mIU/L [0.38–5.3]), elevated FSH (21.5 IU/L [1.2–19.2]) and LH (191 IU/L [1.24–8.62]), low testosterone (8.88 nmol/L), normal insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (68 µg/L [46.5–191.9]), and cortisol 237 nmol/L. Cabergoline was initiated at 0.25 mg twice weekly and titrated to 1 mg twice weekly over 4 months, alongside levothyroxine 25 µg daily. Repeated MRI brain 2 months after cabergoline initiation showed a persistent macroadenoma (1.7 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm) with bilateral cavernous sinus extension. Prolactin decreased to <170 µg/L, central hypothyroidism persisted; levothyroxine was optimized, and hydrocortisone was initiated. At the 5-month follow-up, prolactin further improved to 57 µg/L. Central hypothyroidism and borderline adrenal function persisted, requiring continued replacement therapy. Testosterone remained low-normal (10.2 nmol/L) despite elevated FSH (15.4 IU/L) and LH (92 IU/L). Followup MRI and hormonal reassessment were planned in May 2026. Conclusion Profoundly elevated prolactin level >200 µg/L and response to cabergoline reflect true prolactinoma rather than stalk effect. Persistently low testosterone with discordant high FSH/LH suggests a non-functioning gonadotroph component producing biologically inactive gonadotropins. Definitive diagnosis requires histopathological confirmation, while serial biochemical and radiological follow-up guides management and clarifies tumor subtype.
Gonadotrophs ; Hyperprolactinemia

Adult ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Gonadotrophs ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: Silent corticotroph adenomas (SCA) are endocrine-inactive pituitary adenomas with positive immunohistochemistry staining for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). We investigated whether SCA-associated clinical profiles were more aggressive than hormonally negative adenomas (HNA).METHODS: Among 627 patients with pathologically proven endocrine-inactive pituitary adenomas between 2004 and 2013, positive immunohistochemistry revealed 55 SCAs and 411 HNAs. Surgical outcomes and radiological and endocrinological characteristics were compared.RESULTS: Strong female predominance was observed in the SCA group (p<0.001). Cavernous sinus invasion was identified in 22 (40%) SCA patients and 72 (17.6%) HNA patients (p<0.001). There were no differences in ACTH or cortisol levels between the two groups. The incidence of preoperative hypopituitarism and postoperative hormonal outcome did not differ between two groups. Total resection was achieved in 35 patients (63.7%) with SCA and 332 patients (80.8%) with HNA (p=0.007). When tumors were completely removed, recurrence rates were not statistically different between two groups (p=0.60). When complete resection was not achieved, tumors regrew from these remnants in seven patients (35.0%) with SCA and 12 patients (15.2%) with HNA (p=0.05).CONCLUSION: Total surgical resection for SCA is often challenging as these tumors frequently invade a cavernous sinus. Early remnant tumor intervention is justified, because untreated residual pituitary tumors regrow when patients were followed up for a long time. Prophylactic radiotherapy is not warranted for completely resected SCAs as tumor recurrence is uncommon.
ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; Adenoma ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Cavernous Sinus ; Corticotrophs ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypopituitarism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder caused by germline mutation of the MEN1 gene. It is characterized by tumors of the anterior pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, and endocrine pancreas. Thymic carcinoid tumor is uncommon and associated with a high mortality, but its natural history has not been investigated yet. We report a case of asymptomatic MEN 1 with a thymic carcinoid tumor. A 37-year-old man underwent a routine medical checkup and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Further studies showed the coexistence of pancreatic tumor, parathyroid hyperplasia, pituitary adenoma, and thymoma. The patient underwent duodenal endoscopic mucosal resection, distal pancreatectomy, subtotal parathyroidectomy, and thymectomy. The pathological test revealed a duodenal NET, pancreatic NET, parathyroid hyperplasia, and thymic carcinoid tumor. He was treated for MEN 1. We report this asymptomatic case of MEN 1 with a literature review.
Adult ; Carcinoid Tumor ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Hyperplasia ; Islets of Langerhans ; Mortality ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia ; Natural History ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Pancreatectomy ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parathyroidectomy ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Thymectomy ; Thymoma

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin (OXT) has been reported to act as a growth regulator in various tumor cells. However, there is a paucity of data on the influence of OXT on cell proliferation of corticotroph adenomas. This study aimed to examine whether OXT affects cell growth in pituitary tumor cell lines (AtT20 and GH3 cells) with a focus on corticotroph adenoma cells. METHODS: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted with AtT20 cells to confirm the effects of OXT on hormonal activity; flow cytometry was used to assess changes in the cell cycle after OXT treatment. Moreover, the impact of OXT on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), nuclear factor κB, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: OXT treatment of 50 nM changed the gene expression of OXT receptor and pro-opiomelanocortin within a short time. In addition, OXT significantly reduced adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion within 1 hour. S and G2/M populations of AtT20 cells treated with OXT for 24 hours were significantly decreased compared to the control. Furthermore, OXT treatment decreased the protein levels of PCNA and phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (P-ERK) in AtT20 cells. CONCLUSION: Although the cytotoxic effect of OXT in AtT20 cells was not definite, OXT may blunt cell proliferation of corticotroph adenomas by altering the cell cycle or reducing PCNA and P-ERK levels. Further research is required to investigate the role of OXT as a potential therapeutic target in corticotroph adenomas.
ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Corticotrophs ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; Oxytocin ; Phosphotransferases ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pro-Opiomelanocortin ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Protein Kinases ; Reverse Transcription

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome is characterized by combined occurrence of tumors of endocrine glands including the parathyroid, the pancreatic islet cells, and the anterior pituitary gland. Parathyroid involvement is the most common manifestation and usually the first clinical involvement inMEN1 syndrome, followed by gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Here we present a case where the patient initially presented with metastatic gastric NET and a single parathyroid adenoma was detected incidentally on ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT done as part of post ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE therapy (PRRT) follow-up. Further ¹⁸F-fluorocholine PET/CT showed four adenomas for which the patient subsequently underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy.
Adenoma ; Endocrine Glands ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrinoma ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism ; Islets of Langerhans ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Parathyroidectomy ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Receptors, Somatostatin ; Somatostatin

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) involves the occurrence of a thin or absent pituitary stalk, hypoplasia of the adenohypophysis, and ectopic neurohypophysis. Diagnosis is confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with PSIS have a variable degree of pituitary hormone deficiency and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The clinical course of the disease in our patient is similar to that of a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. This is thought to be caused by failure in the suppression of vasopressin secretion due to hypocortisolism. To the best of our knowledge, there is no case report of a patient with PSIS presenting with hyponatremia as the first symptom in Korean children. Herein, we report a patient with PSIS presenting severe recurrent hyponatremia as the first symptom, during adolescence and explain the pathophysiology of hyponatremia with secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Insufficiency* ; Child ; Delayed Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyponatremia* ; Hypopituitarism ; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pituitary Gland* ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Pituitary Gland, Posterior ; Vasopressins

This study was conducted to determine the effects of biophoton treatment during in vitro maturation (IVM) and/or in vitro culture (IVC) on oocyte maturation and embryonic development in pigs. An apparatus capable of generating homogeneous biophoton energy emissions was placed in an incubator. Initially, immature pig oocytes were matured in the biophoton-equipped incubator in medium 199 supplemented with cysteine, epidermal growth factor, insulin, and gonadotrophic hormones for 22 h, after which they were matured in hormone-free medium for an additional 22 hr. Next, IVM oocytes were induced for parthenogenesis (PA) or provided as cytoplasts for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Treatment of oocytes with biophoton energy during IVM did not improve cumulus cell expansion, nuclear maturation, intraoocyte glutathione content, or mitochondrial distribution of oocytes. However, biophoton-treated oocytes showed higher (p < 0.05) blastocyst formation after PA than that in untreated oocytes (50.7% vs. 42.7%). In an additional experiment, SCNT embryos produced from biophoton-treated oocytes showed a greater (p < 0.05) number of cells in blastocysts (52.6 vs. 43.9) than that in untreated oocytes. Taken together, our results demonstrate that biophoton treatment during IVM improves developmental competence of PA- and SCNT-derived embryos.
Blastocyst ; Cumulus Cells ; Cysteine ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Female ; Glutathione ; Gonadotrophs ; In Vitro Techniques ; Incubators ; Insulin ; Mental Competency ; Oocytes* ; Parthenogenesis* ; Pregnancy ; Swine