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Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2019 Jan 31:1-13. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Wisconsin , Madison , WI , USA.

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis comprises combinations of female hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularity and polycystic ovaries. While it is a familial and highly prevalent endocrine disorder, progress towards a cure is hindered by absence of a definitive pathogenic mechanism and lack of an animal model of naturally occurring PCOS. Areas covered: These include an overview of PCOS and its potential etiology, and an examination of insights gained into its pathogenic origins. Read More

JCI Insight 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition of unknown etiology, characterized by elevated intracranial pressure frequently manifesting with chronic headaches and visual loss. Similar to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), IIH predominantly affects obese women of reproductive age. In this study, we comprehensively examined the systemic and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) androgen metabolome in women with IIH in comparison to sex-, body mass index- and age-matched control groups with either simple obesity and PCOS, i. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2019 Feb 4. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05030, South Korea.

Analyses using the largest Korean cohort of adrenal incidentaloma (AI) revealed that subtle cortisol excess in premenopausal women and reduced dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) in postmenopausal women and men are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) reduction in Asian patients with subclinical hypercortisolism (SH).

Introduction: Few studies evaluated bone metabolism in Asians with SH. We investigated associations of cortisol and DHEA-S, an adrenal androgen, with BMD in Asians with AI, with or without SH. Read More

J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK. Electronic address:

Objective: This study compared the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and characterized type 2 diabetes (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles between Canadian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy women recruited from the general population. Furthermore, within the PCOS cohort, the study contrasted the CVD and DM2 risk profiles of women with or without MetS.

Methods: Measures of MetS (International Diabetes Federation; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and the American Heart Association definition), DM2 (Diabetes Canada Clinical Guidelines), and CVD risk factors (Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society statement) were evaluated for 237 women with PCOS (Androgen Excess and PCOS Society definitions) and 42 controls (aged 18-36) in a prospective observational study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Read More

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of Adolescent Medicine, 700 Children's Drive, Suite LA3A, Columbus, Ohio, USA 43205.

Study Objective: Existing literature on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MBS) in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is inconsistent, likely due to the application of differing diagnostic criteria. The objective was to assess the prevalence of MBS in adolescents with PCOS depending on the PCOS diagnostic criteria utilized.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A retrospective chart review of female patients (N=37), ages 11-22 years, diagnosed with PCOS between 01/2013-12/2017. Read More

Metabolism 2019 Jan 30. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Diabetes, Obesity and Hum Reprod Research Group, Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal & Universidad de Alcalá & Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS) & Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, 28034, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: The risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (dysglycemia) may be increased in women with PCOS. Whether an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be performed routinely in all PCOS women at presentation or should be recommended only to a selected subset of patients is still controversial.

Basic Procedures: At a tertiary care center, we conducted a retrospective, observational study including 400 women with PCOS submitted to an OGTT. Read More

Life Sci 2019 Mar 29;220:44-49. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, United States of America; Women's Health Research Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, United States of America. Electronic address:

The immune etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an intriguing area. However, whether there is alteration in the leukocyte populations in different tissues remain ambiguous.

Aim: To characterize the leukocyte populations of hyperandrogenemic female (HAF) rat tissues. Read More

Interdiscip Sci 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

ESEI-Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad de Vigo, Edificio Politécnico, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004, Ourense, Spain.

Protein-protein interaction (PPI) data is essential to elucidate the complex molecular relationships in living systems, and thus understand the biological functions at cellular and systems levels. The complete map of PPIs that can occur in a living organism is called the interactome. For animals, PPI data is stored in multiple databases (e. Read More

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Department of BioMedical Research, University Hospital Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Androgens are steroid hormones essential for human male and female development. Steroid reductases 5α (SRD5As) are key enzymes in androgen biosynthesis. Mutations in the human SRD5A2 are known to cause loss-of-function and severe 46,XY undervirilization. Read More

Int J Obes (Lond) 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.

Background/objectives: Maternal obesity together with androgen excess in mice negatively affects placental function and maternal and fetal liver function as demonstrated by increased triglyceride content with dysfunctional expression of enzymes and transcription factors involved in de novo lipogenesis and fat storage. To identify changes in molecular pathways that might promote diseases in adulthood, we performed a global proteomic analysis using a liquid-chromatography/mass-spectrometry system to investigate total and phosphorylated proteins in the placenta and fetal liver in a mouse model that combines maternal obesity with maternal androgen excess.

Methods: After ten weeks on a control diet (CD) or high fat/high sugar-diet, dams were mated with males fed the CD. Read More

Endocrinology 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

School of Women's & Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility. Hyperandrogenism is both a major symptom and key diagnostic trait of PCOS; however, the direct impact of this androgen excess on ovarian dynamics is unclear. By combining a DHT-induced PCOS mouse model with an ex vivo follicle culture system, we investigated the impact of hyperandrogenism on ovarian function. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2019 Jan 16:1-3. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical College of Georgia , Augusta University , Augusta , GA , USA.

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and important complex endocrine metabolic disorder affecting women mainly in the reproductive age. The prevalence of the disorder varies depending on the epidemiologic design and criterion used to study the disease. This variation in methodology and subsequent effect on epidemiologic estimate makes it difficult to compare prevalences and phenotypes across geographical areas and assess the effect of cultural and racial variations on PCOS phenotypes. Read More

J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019 Jan 11;128:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Reproductive Medicine, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China; Institute of Embryo-Fetal Original Adult Disease, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030，China. Electronic address:

High circulating androgen in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in offspring. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether maternal androgen excess in the rat PCOS model would lead to cardiac hypertrophy in offspring. Maternal testosterone propionate (maternal-TP)-treated adult female offspring displayed cardiac hypertrophy associated with local high cardiac dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Read More

Mol Reprod Dev 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy and an important metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of its most important clinical features in patients with PCOS. Androgen excess-induced mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to skeletal muscle IR in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS mice. Read More

Pediatr Res 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Background: Low birth weight in term-born individuals correlates with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes; excess glucocorticoid exposure has been linked to these relationships. We hypothesized that cortisol and adrenal androgens would correlate inversely with birthweight and directly with markers of cardiometabolic risk in school-aged children born extremely preterm; further, preterm-born would have increased cortisol and adrenal androgens compared to term-born children.

Methods: Saliva samples were obtained at age 6 from 219 preterm-born children followed since birth and 40 term-born children and analyzed for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol. Read More

Gynecol Endocrinol 2019 Jan 9:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

b 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine , Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary.

Vitamin D (vitD) insufficiency affects 1 billion people worldwide. Androgen excess (AE) occurs in 8% of fertile females. There are few data about the combined effect of vitD deficiency and AE on the early biomechanical changes of cerebral arterioles in fertile-aged female. Read More

Mol Med 2019 01 7;25(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People's Republic of China.

Background: Sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) is primarily responsible for glucose regulation in normal conditions. Here, we sought to investigate the glucose metabolism characteristics of SUR1 rats.

Methods: The TALEN technique was used to construct a SUR1 gene deficiency rat model. Read More

J Endocrinol 2019 Jan 1. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

F Mauvais-Jarvis, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tulane University, New Orleans, United States.

One of the most sexually dimorphic aspects of metabolic regulation is the bidirectional modulation of glucose homeostasis by testosterone in male and females. Severe testosterone deficiency predisposes men to type 2 diabetes (T2D), while in contrast, androgen excess predisposes women to hyperglycemia. The role of androgen deficiency and excess in promoting visceral obesity and insulin resistance in men and women respectively is well established. Read More

J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2018 Nov 1;11(11):25-35. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Dr. Alexis is with Mount Sinai St. Luke's in New York, New York.

Acne vulgaris is a highly prevalent and multifactorial skin disorder that can adversely impact health-related quality of life. Factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of acne include pilosebaceous proliferation of proinflammatory () bacteria, presence of circulating androgens, excess sebum production, abnormal follicular keratinization, and multiple inflammatory cascades. Oral tetracyclines-especially doxycycline and minocycline-are frequently prescribed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne, given their anti-inflammatory properties and their effect on reduction. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS.

Background: As part of transition, transmasculine persons often use testosterone gender-affirming hormone therapy; however, there is limited data on its long-term effects. The impact of exogenous testosterone on uterine pathology remains unclear. While testosterone achieves amenorrhea in the majority of this population, persistence of abnormal uterine bleeding can be difficult to manage. Read More

Eur J Endocrinol 2019 Mar;180(3):213-221

Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham.

Objective Androgen excess in childhood is a common presentation and may signify sinister underlying pathology. Data describing its patterns and severity are scarce, limiting the information available for clinical decision processes. Here, we examined the differential diagnostic value of serum DHEAS, androstenedione (A4) and testosterone in childhood androgen excess. Read More

Eur J Endocrinol 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

H Falhammar, Depatment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Stockholm, 171 76, Sweden.

Non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) is a relatively common disorder regardless of ethnicity, but most cases are never diagnosed, especially in males. A baseline 17-hydroxyprogesterone measurement may be used for screening, but 17-hydroxyprogesterone measurement after ACTH-stimulation is the gold standard. We advocate a CYP21A2 mutation analysis to verify the diagnosis, for genetic counselling and for better prognostic and treatment guidance. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2018 Dec 15;2(12):1363-1380. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder of unclear etiology in women and is characterized by androgen excess, insulin resistance, and mood disorders. The gut microbiome is known to influence conditions closely related with PCOS, and several recent studies have observed changes in the stool microbiome of women with PCOS. The mechanism by which the gut microbiome interacts with PCOS is still unknown. Read More

Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019 Jan 29;30(1):54-65. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; http://repro.ucsd.edu/thackray. Electronic address:

Recent studies have shown that sex and sex steroids influence the composition of the gut microbiome. These studies also indicate that steroid regulation of the gut microbiome may play a role in pathological situations of hormonal excess, such as PCOS. Indeed, studies demonstrated that PCOS is associated with decreased alpha diversity and changes in specific Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, previously associated with metabolic dysregulation. Read More

Microvasc Res 2019 Mar 28;122:78-84. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.

Vitamin D (VitD) hypovitaminosis and androgen excess (AE) are both risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in fertile women. However, the possible early interaction between AE and VitD status is not clear. Our goal was to describe how VitD status influences early changes in the biomechanical reactivity of small coronary arterioles in adult female rats after transdermal testosterone treatment. Read More

Pharmacol Rep 2018 Sep 22;71(1):96-104. Epub 2018 Sep 22.

Laboratorio de Fisio-patología Ovárica, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) is a nuclear factor that may act on the early development of ovarian follicles and on follicular steroidogenesis. However, the exact mechanism of PPARG action remains unknown. We have previously found that androgen excess alters early ovarian function and the PPARG system. Read More

Singapore Med J 2018 Nov;59(11):567-571

Department of Endocrinology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) presents with a spectrum of conditions resulting from androgen excess, anovulation and metabolic syndrome. Patients with PCOS may see their primary care physicians for various presentations, including hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, infertility, obesity, and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Management of these patients should include screening for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Read More

Eur Urol 2018 Nov 26. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Translational Oncology & Urology Research (TOUR), School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK; Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Some studies suggest that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are associated with higher risk of adverse events than antiandrogens (AAs) monotherapy. However, it has been unclear whether this is due to indication bias.

Objective: To investigate rates of change in comorbidity for men on GnRH agonists versus AA monotherapy in a population-based register study. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2018 Nov 22;2018. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Endocrinology, South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, Ireland.

Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism is a relatively rare diagnosis resulting from excess androgen production from the adrenals or ovaries. The exclusion of malignant causes is a priority. Laboratory tests and imaging are utilised to help differentiate the source of excess androgens. Read More

Acta Clin Belg 2018 Nov 26:1-6. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

a Department of Urology , Ghent University Hospital , Ghent , Belgium.

Objectives:  Disease progression in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is dependent on androgen signaling. This case describes the complex adaptive androgen signaling mechanisms in mCRPC and illustrates that caution should be exercised when treating these patients with drugs influencing the androgen axis.

Methods:  Single case report and review of the literature. Read More

Cancer 2019 Feb 14;125(4):524-532. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: Abiraterone acetate suppresses adrenal androgens and glucocorticoids through the inhibition of CYP17; however, given the risk of mineralocorticoid excess, it is administered with glucocorticoids. Herein, the authors performed a phase 2, single-arm study that was designed to assess the safety of abiraterone acetate without steroids in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Methods: Eligible patients had castration-resistant prostate cancer with controlled blood pressure and normal potassium. Read More

Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019 01 5;271:61-72. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA; University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, PO Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; University of Georgia, Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology, 140 E. Green Street, Athens, GA 30602. Electronic address:

The thyroid gland is sensitive to steroid hormone signaling, and many thyroid disrupting contaminants also disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis, presenting the possibility that thyroid disruption may occur through altered steroid hormone signaling. To examine this possibility, we studied short-term and persistent impacts of embryonic sex steroid exposure on thyroid physiology in the American alligator. Alligators from a lake contaminated with endocrine disrupting contaminants (Lake Apopka, FL, USA) have been shown to display characteristics of thyroid and steroid hormone disruption. Read More

Endocr Relat Cancer 2018 Nov 1. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

V Krogh, Nutritional Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCSS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, 20133, Italy.

The aim of this review is to highlight the pivotal role of androgen excess in the development of breast cancer. Available evidence suggests that testosterone controls breast epithelial growth through a balanced interaction between its two active metabolites: cell proliferation is promoted by estradiol while it is inhibited by dihydrotestosterone. A chronic overproduction of testosterone (e. Read More

Clin Pediatr Endocrinol 2018 30;27(4):203-213. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Jichi Medical University Children's Medical Center Tochigi, Tochigi, Japan.

Twenty-one-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is one of the most common forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasias. Since the disease requires life-long steroid hormone replacement, transition from pediatric clinical care to adolescent and adult care is necessary. Recently, several studies have shown that morbidity and quality of life in adolescent and adult patients with 21-OHD are impaired by obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis. Read More

Nutr Metab (Lond) 2018 20;15:75. Epub 2018 Oct 20.

1Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 USA.

Background: An ability to switch between primarily oxidizing fat in the fasted state to carbohydrate in the fed state, termed metabolic flexibility, is associated with insulin sensitivity. Metabolic flexibility has been explored previously in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), yet the independent or synergistic contributions of androgen excess and/or insulin resistance is not yet known. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to characterize metabolic flexibility in women with PCOS compared to women of normal BMI, obesity, or type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Oct 27;8(10):e021860. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

Faculty of Sciences, El-Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder affecting approximately one in seven women who experience androgen excess, menstrual cycle irregularities, frequent anovulation and a tendency for central obesity and insulin resistance. Chronic subclinical inflammation is now recognised as being common in the context of PCOS, which led to the postulation that PCOS may fundamentally be an inflammatory process. This study aimed to: (1) evaluate serum C reactive protein (CRP)/albumin ratio as a potential predictive biomarker for PCOS; (2) compare the relationship between CRP/albumin and PCOS to variables classically associated with the syndrome. Read More

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2018 Nov;31(11):1191-1197

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Background Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with hypogonadism in men but this is not well described in adolescents. The aim is to evaluate gonadal dysfunction and the effects of weight loss after gastric banding in obese adolescent boys. Methods Thirty-seven of 54 boys (age 16. Read More

Endocrinol Diabetes Metab Case Rep 2018 Oct 13;2018(1):18-0108. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Department of Endocrinology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to the three-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) enzyme deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting with sexual precocity in a phenotypic male. Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most common sex chromosome aneuploidy presenting with hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in a male. However, only a handful of cases of mosaic KS have been described in the literature. Read More

Clin Genitourin Cancer 2019 Feb 24;17(1):e92-e96. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

University of California San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA. Electronic address:

Background: Patients with biochemically recurrent prostate cancer and short prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) are at risk for metastasis yet may wish to avoid androgen deprivation therapy. Itraconazole may have antitumor activity without affecting circulating androgen levels. We therefore evaluated itraconazole as a potentially noncastrating treatment approach in biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. Read More

Arch Esp Urol 2018 Sep;71(8):651-663

Servicio de Urología. Hospital Universitario de Jerez de la Frontera. Cádiz. España.

Objectives: Prostate cancer is the most frequent neoplasia diagnosed in males. Treatment of metastatic prostate cancer is based on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) up to its change to the castration resistance state. Recently, new molecules have been developed that significantly increase survival and quality of life of these patients. Read More

PLoS One 2018 11;13(10):e0203903. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics and Department of BioMedical Research, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Background: Although the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women with vast metabolic consequences, its etiology remains unknown and its diagnosis is still made by exclusion. This study aimed at characterizing a large number of urinary steroid hormone metabolites and enzyme activities in women with and without PCOS in order to test their value for diagnosing PCOS.

Methods: Comparative steroid profiling of 24h urine collections using an established in-house gas-chromatography mass spectrometry method. Read More

Reproduction 2018 Oct 1;156(4):R101–R109. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina

In mammals, the reproductive function is controlled by the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. During development, mechanisms mediated by gonadal steroids exert an imprinting at the hypothalamic–pituitary level, by establishing sexual differences in the circuits that control male and female reproduction. In rodents, the testicular production of androgens increases drastically during the fetal/neonatal stage. Read More

J Mol Histol 2018 Dec 9;49(6):631-637. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Histology and Embryology Department, School of Medicine, UdelaR, General Flores 2125, CP 11800, Montevideo, Uruguay.

This study analyzes the effects of neonatal androgenization on follicular growth and first ovulation in response to gonadotrophins, using a model of exogenous stimulation or the use of subcutaneous ovary grafts in castrated animals to replace the hypothalamus-pituitary signal. Neonatal rats (days 1-5) were treated with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or vehicle. At juvenile period, rats were stimulated with PMSG, hCG (alone or combined) or used as ovarian donors to be grafted on castrated adult female rats. Read More

Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2018 Dec;25(6):377-384

Service de Gynécologie Endocrinienne et de Médecine de la Reproduction, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU, Lille, France.

Purpose Of Review: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism in young women and represents a true public health concern and an economic burden.

Recent Findings: The pathophysiology of PCOS is still not fully understood, but progresses have been made and the relationships between anti mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, E2 and androgens have been explored. The follicle excess plays a central role in the syndrome and AMH is definitively a major component of this phenomena. Read More

Endocrinology 2018 Nov;159(11):3791-3800

University/British Heart Foundation Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Equine Cushing disease [pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID)] is a common condition of older horses, but its pathophysiology is complex and poorly understood. In contrast to pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in other species, PPID is characterized by elevated plasma ACTH but not elevated plasma cortisol. In this study, we address this paradox and the hypothesis that PPID is a syndrome of ACTH excess in which there is dysregulation of peripheral glucocorticoid metabolism and binding. Read More

Clin Kidney J 2018 Oct 20;11(5):688-690. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

IIS-Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, School of Medicine, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid; Fundacion Renal Iñigo Alvarez de Toledo-IRSIN and REDINREN, Madrid, Spain.

Drug-induced hypertension offers the opportunity to further understand pathways involved in the regulation of blood pressure. Posaconazole is an antifungal agent known to induce hypertension and hypokalaemia. In recent months, a flurry of reports has unravelled the metabolic processes involved. Read More

Int J Endocrinol 2018 10;2018:7956951. Epub 2018 Sep 10.

Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism and Ageing (CHROMETA), Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Background: Diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is based on ovulatory dysfunction, ovarian ultrasound data, and androgen excess. Total testosterone is frequently used to identify androgen excess, but testosterone is mainly bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Only 1-2% of nonprotein-bound testosterone (so-called free testosterone) is biologically active and responsible for androgen action. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Sep 30;2018. Epub 2018 Sep 30.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, India.

Clitoromegaly is an important sign of virilisation and poses difficulty in sex determination, when present since birth. The diagnosis and treatment in an adult is a major challenge to the treating gynaecologist. The primary reason for its development is androgen excess due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, ovarian virilising tumours, neurofibromas, adrenal neoplasm and prolonged intake of anabolic steroids. Read More

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018 Nov;103(11):4097-4103

Evidence-Based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Background: Individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) require glucocorticoid therapy to replace cortisol and to control androgen excess. We sought to evaluate the effects of glucocorticoid therapy on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes in individuals with CAH.

Methods: We searched bibliographical databases through January 2016 for studies evaluating cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with CAH treated with glucocorticoids compared with controls without CAH. Read More