ESPE Abstracts

Background: In some recent materials of blood samples from boys with cryptorchidism gonadotropins are higher and serum inhibin-B lower than normal. Inhibin-B is produced by the Sertoli-cells and to some extent serum values of inhibin-B reflect the state of germinative epithelium in cryptorchid testes. In boys with bilateral vanished testes the serum inhibin-B level is close to zero.Objectives and hypotheses: Aim of study was to evaluate the serum inhibin...

Background/aim: Osteoporosis is a known complication in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), but whether the bones are affected in children and adolescents with T1DM remains controversial. The study aim was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents with T1DM and identify risk factors associated to lower BMD.Method: In a single-center cohort of children and adolescents with T1DM, BMD was examined by dual-energy X-ray absor...

Background: Intermittent breast budding (girls entering stage B2 and then subsequently regressing to B1) in healthy girls is a frequent phenomenon observed by most clinicians. However, little is known of normal progression of female puberty, and the phenomenon of transient breast development has, to our knowledge, never been studied in details.Objective and hypotheses: We present and validate the female Puberty Nomogram indicating age specific SD<...

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous competitive inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which prevents synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). Low levels of NO are associated with endothelial dysfunction and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Diseases associated with high levels of ADMA include metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, hyperthyroidism and multiple organ failure. Notable, GH tr...

Background: The anogenital distance (AGD) is considered a valid marker of altered androgen action in utero. Recently, reduced AGD has been shown in males with hypospadias, cryptorchidism, reduced semen quality and infertility. It has also been proposed as a new marker to be used by clinicians when managing patients with Disorders of Sex Development. However, little normative data exist and measurement methods vary.Objective and hypotheses: We established...

Background: Pubertal gynaecomastia is thought to be a clinical sign of an oestrogen-androgen imbalance, affecting up to 60% of boys. In most cases no underlying endocrinopathy can be identified. In boys, Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by immature Sertoli cells and circulating level decreases as testosterone increases during pubertal maturation. In a previous cross sectional study we found significant lower levels of AMH in boys with pubertal gynaecomastia (Mieri...

Context: The early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis during infancy can be used in the evaluation of infants suspected of disorders of sex development (DSD). However, few data exists on sex-specific reference ranges for these hormones during early life.Objective: To evaluate sex-differences in reproductive hormone concentrations in serum from healthy infants in order to define sex-specific cut-off values and to apply these in infants ...

Background: Minipuberty denotes a transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) hormone axis in infancy. This activation provides an opportunity to examine the gonadal function in infants suspected of hypogonadism before the axis is silenced during childhood. However, female minipuberty remains poorly elucidated. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate dynamic changes in luteinizing hormone (LH), follic...

Background: Minipuberty denotes a period 1–6 months postnatally in boys during which a transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is observed. This early hormone activation can be used diagnostically in patients suspected of pituitary deficiency and differences in sex development. However, its significance for prediction of reproductive function in healthy young men is unknown.Objective: To eval...

Background: Growth during infancy is a continuation of the rapid fetal growth and its regulation is complex and multifactorial. It is well-established that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and its regulators (e.g. IGF binding proteins (IGFBP-3) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 (PAPP-A2)) are important for prenatal and postnatal growth; however, their significance for growth during infancy is not fully explored.Aims: The aim...