ESPE Abstracts

Rapidly accumulating evidence supports the role of synthetic chemicals as obesogens and cardiometabolic risks. This presentation provides an overview of the latest evidence, safe and simple steps for prevention, and business case for policy intervention....

The generation of functional, long-lived adrenocortical cells through reprogramming from pluripotent stem cells or via lineage conversion strategies, could offer an alternative treatment modality for adrenal insufficiency (AI) due to a variety of causes, such as mutation in steroidogenic enzymes as seen in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The recent generation of human induced steroidogenic cells (hiSCs) from fibroblasts, blood- and urine-derived cells established from he...

Mitochondrial diseases are multisystemic disorders which often involve endocrine system, as defective oxidative phosphorylation can lead to decreased hormones production or secretion and all steroid hormones are synthesized in the mitochondria. Endocrine dysfunctions can therefore represent the initial symptoms of these pathologies and the incidence of various endocrinopathies varies between different mitochondrial disease. Diabetes mellitus is the most frequently described en...

Background: Both undernutrition and chronic inflammation impair linear growth through resistance to GH. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is known as an important regulator of the metabolic adaptation to fasting. Elevated expression of FGF21, secondary to prolonged undernutrition has been identified to develop GH resistance and subsequent attenuation of skeletal growth and growth plate chondrogenesis in both mice and human. However, the mechanism of FGF21&#1...

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the master hormone regulating the reproductive axis and its pulsatile secretion is crucial for puberty onset and fertility. Disruption in GnRH neuron development or hypothalamic function can lead to absent or delayed puberty (DP) due to GnRH deficiency, with a phenotypic spectrum from severe delayed puberty to partial or complete Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (HH). HH can also be present as a shared trait with other neurodevelopmental d...

Background: The TRH receptor (TRHR) is a G-protein coupled receptor activated by hypothalamic TRH. In thyrotropes, TRH-TRHR signalling controls synthesis, secretion and bioactivity of TSH. Human TRHR defects are extremely rare, and only three cases are known with central hypothyroidism and short stature as variable presenting feature.Objective and hypotheses: Phenotypical characterization of a family with suspected central hypothyroidism and inv...

Whilst several key genetic contributors to the phenotype of central precocious puberty (CPP) have been recognized, many familial cases remain without clear a genetic aetiology. Causal genetic variants are reported in imprinted genes Makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) and Delta-like homolog 1 (DLK1), alongside Kisspeptin-1 (KISS1) and (KISSR1), implicating mis-regulation of transcriptional control of the kisspeptin and GnRH neuroendocrine systems in onset of CPP. We recently...

Background: Concerns about a child's growth are one of the most common topics parents express during pediatric visits and are a leading cause for referral to a pediatric endocrinologist. For the general pediatric, when short stature is diagnosed, its clinical management remains a challenge.Objective: The aim of the study was to approach and understand the perception from the general pediatrician about short stature,...

Background: Self-limited delayed puberty (DP) is an extreme variant of normal pubertal timing and it often clusters in families. Although it is highly heritable and is the most common cause of delayed puberty, little is known about the genetic control. GnRH neuronal biology has been implicated as a key element in the pathogenesis of DP. By focusing on genes involved in GnRH neuron development, migration and function we may understand more about the genetic bas...

Background: The initiation of puberty is orchestrated by the augmentation in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from a few thousand neurons located in the hypothalamus. Recent findings identified that the neuroendocrine control of puberty is regulated by a network of transcriptional factors hierarchically organized, but this still remains not fully elucidated. Enhanced At Puberty 1 (EAP1) is one of the main regulators of pubertal onset and it is ex...