ESPE Abstracts

Approximately 25 of 100 000 children are born with an atypical appearance of their genitalia as part of a more or less defined disorder of sex development (DSD). Due to improved medical knowledge and better classification, the aetiology and pathophysiology behind a growing number of these cases have been clarified, although a large number still remains obscure with respect to the underlying biology. In line with this, there are growing insights into the functional consequences...

Background: The phytoestrogen resveratrol found in grapes and other plants has attracted considerable interest due to its proposed ability to extend lifespan, attenuate the development of metabolic syndrome in obese subjects and protect against cardiovascular disease. Among other functions resveratrol has been reported to affect the endocrine system. Self-medication with high pharmacological doses of this polyphenol with the aim to improve metabolic parameters and health canno...

Introduction: A low oxygen and/or nutrient supply to the fetus, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), can affect gonadal development of the offspring and have a potential impact on fertility. Epidemiological studies on subjects born small for gestational age (SGA), as a surrogate measure of IUGR, have reported contradictory results. Data derived from animal models of placental insufficiency are limited.Objective and hypotheses: To investig...

Background: Obesity and metabolic syndrome related co-morbidities are increasingly recognized in children. Reproduction is an important target of obesity complications, including adverse effects on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in males. Adipocytokines are key players in various complications of obesity.Objective and hypotheses: The aim was to study the potential effects of adipocytokines on Sertoli cell function and possibly link the findings to t...

Background: Obesity in females is often associated with metabolic complications and hyperandrogenism. However, the source of androgens is not entirely clear.Objectives and hypotheses: Our objective was to find out if adipose tissue (AT) is a site of steroid production during childhood and adolescence, and if this source could add to hyperandrogenism in obese females.Methods: Parametrial and inguinal adipose tissue was collected and...

Background: Childhood obesity is a global health problem and co-morbidities develop already during childhood and adolescence. Male obesity impacts negatively on reproductive function. Testosterone is decreased, sperm quality reduced, and the physical and molecular structure of germ cells altered in obese males. However, less is known about the role of prepubertal obesity on future reproductive function. We therefore explored Leydig cell function and reproductive potential in a...

It is generally accepted that androgens produced by fetal Leydig cells (FLC) control proper masculinization of the male external genitalia. Here, we hypothesized that the human genital tubercle (GT) has potential to synthesize androgens independently of FLC at early pregnancy. We observed that human GT of both genders have capacity to synthesize steroids of the Δ4, Δ5 and alternative pathway of DHT synthesis including the androgen itself. The presence of steroids in ...

Background: The influence of intrauterine life on long term health is supported by a wealth of epidemiological and experimental studies. A low oxygen and/or nutrient supply to the fetus, resulting in intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), may affect gonadal development of the offspring, with a potential impact on fertility. Data derived from animal models of placental insufficiency are very limited.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the effects of...

Background: A common polymorphism in the growth hormone receptor gene (d3-GHR) was found to be associated with pre- and postnatal growth and GH-induced growth. D3-GHR was associated with glucose metabolism in adults with GHD and acromegaly, but this has not previously been explored in children.Objective and hypotheses: We examined the impact of the GHR-exon-3 deletion on glucose metabolism and anthropometrics in short SGA children before and following 1 ...

Background: There is wide heterogeneity in responses to GH treatment in children born small for gestational age (SGA).Objective and Hypotheses: The aim was to explore the impact of genetic markers on glucose metabolism and growth during first year high-dose GH treatment in SGA children.Method: In North European Small for Gestational Age Study (NESGAS) patients received high-dose GH (67 μg/kg per day) the first year. 97 patient...