ESPE Abstracts

Summary Answer: Most primordial/primary oocytes were found to have a 46,XX karyotype. Chromosome patterns of the ovarian cells were different from that observed in other tissues.Background: TS is a chromosomal condition associated with partial or complete absence of one of the two X-chromosomes. Females with TS have a limited reproductive lifespan due to an accelerated loss of germ cells. It has been hypothesized that vi...

Disorders or Differences of sex development (DSD) are a heterogeneous group of congenital conditions, involving variations of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical development. Diagnosis is based on clinical, biochemical, imaging and genetic evaluation. In recent years knowledge about genetic causes has increased, mainly due to improved genetic techniques. In this study we investigated the yield of exome sequencing in our patients with DSD. Patients and methods: Genetic i...

Background: A reduced reproductive lifespan is one of the most significant implications for girls with Turner syndrome (TS) and is due to an accelerated loss of ovarian insufficiency. Lately, there has been a surge in scientific research aimed at whether ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is a viable option for fertility preservation in girls with TS. This required a unilateral ovariectomy for girls with TS who may already have a poor ovarian reserve.<p...

Three patients from two unrelated families in Malta; one consanguineous (siblings: Patient 1, male and Patient 2, female) and one non-consanguineous (Patient 3, male), manifested hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with delayed puberty, intellectual disability, scoliosis, and ataxia with cerebellar hypoplasia on MRI. GnRH tests revealed low peak LH and FSH concentrations in the patients: Patient 1; LH 2.3 IU/L, FSH 4.4 IU/L (14.3y), Patient 2; LH 3.6 IU/L, FSH 6.4 IU/L (12.5y), Pati...

Introduction: Ghrelin binds to its receptor GHSR1A, encoded by GHSR, on somatotrophs of the pituitary. Growth hormone (GH) secretion is enhanced by ghrelin binding as well as the receptor’s constitutive activity. Results from in vitro experiments, knock-out mice, and GWAS suggest that heterozygous loss-of-function of GHSR may be associated with short stature, but observations in case studies are equivocal. We aimed to better ch...

Introduction: Among children with short stature, some show persistent IGF-I levels <-2.0 SDS despite a normal growth hormone (GH) response in a stimulation test. This may be caused by conditions that could benefit from recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy (e.g. GH neurosecretory dysfunction, bioinactive GH, partial GH insensitivity). Therefore, the IGF-I generation test (IGFIGT) was implemented in 2006 using a national, standardized protocol. Children with a...

Background: Silver Russell syndrome (SRS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterised by intrauterine and post-natal growth retardation, relative macrocephaly, protruding forehead, feeding difficulties and body asymmetry. Variants in HMGA2 are a rare cause of SRS and despite strong evidence for the crucial role of HMGA2 in growth regulation, its functional role in human linear growth is unclear.Methods: Patients w...

Background: Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is caused by absence of expression of imprinted genes on the paternal chromosome 15 (15q11.2–q13) due to a paternal deletion, maternal uniparental disomy 15 and rarely an imprinting defect. The clinical signs of PWS are hypotonia, muscle weakness, excessive eating, morbid obesity, delayed global development, hypogonadism, and short stature. Marfan syndrome is caused by mutations in the FBN1 gene, located on chromosome ...

Summary Answer: The majority of the expert panel states that ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC)should be offered to young females with Turner syndrome (TS)Background: OTC is a valid option to preserve the fertility of young females at risk of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Offering OTC to females with a genetic cause of POI seems a logical next step. One of the most common genetic disorders related ...

Background: Although motor performance is often impaired in patients with Turner syndrome, the exact prevalence of motor problems is unknown. Detailed studies on specific motor profiles are lacking and the exact relationship between performal IQ and motor function is unknown.Aims and objectives: 1. To describe motor performance in our population of children and adolescents with Turner syndrome including the differentiation in specific motor skill domains...