ESPE Abstracts

Duplications of the dosage sensitive sex locus Xp21.2 have been associated with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis (GD) for nearly 25 years. In the past, duplications have always included the NR0B1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B, member 1, also known as DAX1) gene, a known antagonist of SF1 (Steroidogenic Factor 1) dependent SOX9 (SRY Box 9) activation and the GD was attributed to its "double gene dose". However, recent findings have questioned the neces...

Background: Children with structural hypothalamic-pituitary anomalies, e.g. ectopic posterior pituitary (EPP) with/without pituitary stalk interruption syndrome, septo-optic dysplasia (SOD), and isolated anterior pituitary aplasia/hypoplasia (AP/HP) usually have more severe GHD and better auxological outcomes with GH therapy than those with normal hypothalamic-pituitary magnetic resonance imaging findings. However, adult height data is limited.Objective:...

Background: Steroidogenic factor 1 (encoded by the NR5A1 gene) is a transcriptional regulator of genes involved in gonadal development and steroidogenesis. Mutations in NR5A1 are associated with a wide phenotypic spectrum in 46,XY individuals ranging from partial/complete gonadal dysgenesis or anorchia, ambiguous genitalia, hypospadias, to infertility. However, little is known about the longitudinal course of endocrine markers for Sertoli and Leydig cell func...

Background: Disorders (or differences) of sex development (DSD) are rare congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex is atypical. The luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is important for male sex development. LHCGR mutations can cause Leydig cell hypoplasia, which is an autosomal recessive disorder.Objective and hypotheses: We found two heterozygous mutations in the LHCGR, a n...

Background: To date, one randomized, controlled, clinical trial (RCCT) demonstrated that GH-treated patients with SHOX deficiency (SHOX-D) had GH-mediated height gain comparable to that of girls with Turner syndrome (TS). No new safety concerns were identified, but the study was limited by small sample size.Objective and hypotheses: To examine long-term outcomes in patients treated in standard clinical practice, we assessed final height (FH) and safety o...

Background: Progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH) is a rare condition characterized by extensive heterotopic ossification (HO) of connective tissues. Associations of HO and Albright hereditary dystrophy (AHO) lead to the identification of GNAS mutations to be causative for ectopic none formations. The highly imprinted GNAS locus is known to cause a broad spectrum of pathologic conditions, including pseudohypoparathyrodism (PHP), pseudoPHP AHO. While PHP is caused by maternal ...

Background: Concern remains regarding the potential influence of growth hormone (GH) treatment on neoplasia because of the general growth-inducing effect of GH and associations between high serum IGF1 concentrations and certain cancers in adulthood. Many studies that evaluated risk for primary cancer in GH-treated patients without previous malignancy found no increased rates of primary neoplasia. A higher risk for colorectal cancer was observed in a single-country cohort treat...

Background: GH treatment in children born small for gestational age (SGA) has both short- and long-term growth-promoting effects and is approved in Europe and the USA (recommended dosages 0.25–0.47 mg/kg per week).Objective and hypotheses: To assess final height (FH) and safety outcomes in SGA patients receiving GH treatment in routine clinical practice using data from GeNeSIS.Method: 1208 GH-treated SGA patients were enrolled...

Introduction: Androgens are essential for the development of male sex characteristics. Testosterone (T) production from androstenedione (A) by the Hydroxysteroid 17-Beta Dehydrogenase 3 (HSD17B3) in gonadal Leydig cells triggers the differentiation of the Wolffian ducts into epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and the prostate. Shortly after, the virilisation of the external male genitalia starts through the conversion of T into dihydrotestosterone (DHT...

Background: Homozygotes for the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs242941 and rs1876828 of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) gene were previously associated with lower stimulated and basal cortisol levels respectively in asthmatic children on inhaled corticosteroids. Heterozygotes for rs41423247 of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) gene were found to have higher basal cortisol levels.Objectives</stro...