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Rey RA, Grinspon RP. Anti-Müllerian hormone, testicular descent and cryptorchidism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1361032. [PMID: 38501100 PMCID: PMC10944898 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1361032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a Sertoli cell-secreted glycoprotein involved in male fetal sex differentiation: it provokes the regression of Müllerian ducts, which otherwise give rise to the Fallopian tubes, the uterus and the upper part of the vagina. In the first trimester of fetal life, AMH is expressed independently of gonadotropins, whereas from the second trimester onwards AMH testicular production is stimulated by FSH and oestrogens; at puberty, AMH expression is inhibited by androgens. AMH has also been suggested to participate in testicular descent during fetal life, but its role remains unclear. Serum AMH is a well-recognized biomarker of testicular function from birth to the first stages of puberty. Especially in boys with nonpalpable gonads, serum AMH is the most useful marker of the existence of testicular tissue. In boys with cryptorchidism, serum AMH levels reflect the mass of functional Sertoli cells: they are lower in patients with bilateral than in those with unilateral cryptorchidism. Interestingly, serum AMH increases after testis relocation to the scrotum, suggesting that the ectopic position result in testicular dysfunction, which may be at least partially reversible. In boys with cryptorchidism associated with micropenis, low AMH and FSH are indicative of central hypogonadism, and serum AMH is a good marker of effective FSH treatment. In patients with cryptorchidism in the context of disorders of sex development, low serum AMH is suggestive of gonadal dysgenesis, whereas normal or high AMH is found in patients with isolated androgen synthesis defects or with androgen insensitivity. In syndromic disorders, assessment of serum AMH has shown that Sertoli cell function is preserved in boys with Klinefelter syndrome until mid-puberty, while it is affected in patients with Noonan, Prader-Willi or Down syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Romina P. Grinspon
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Bhattacharya I, Dey S, Banerjee A. Revisiting the gonadotropic regulation of mammalian spermatogenesis: evolving lessons during the past decade. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1110572. [PMID: 37124741 PMCID: PMC10140312 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1110572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a multi-step process of male germ cell (Gc) division and differentiation which occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes under the regulation of gonadotropins - Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH). It is a highly coordinated event regulated by the surrounding somatic testicular cells such as the Sertoli cells (Sc), Leydig cells (Lc), and Peritubular myoid cells (PTc). FSH targets Sc and supports the expansion and differentiation of pre-meiotic Gc, whereas, LH operates via Lc to produce Testosterone (T), the testicular androgen. T acts on all somatic cells e.g.- Lc, PTc and Sc, and promotes the blood-testis barrier (BTB) formation, completion of Gc meiosis, and spermiation. Studies with hypophysectomised or chemically ablated animal models and hypogonadal (hpg) mice supplemented with gonadotropins to genetically manipulated mouse models have revealed the selective and synergistic role(s) of hormones in regulating male fertility. We here have briefly summarized the present concept of hormonal control of spermatogenesis in rodents and primates. We also have highlighted some of the key critical questions yet to be answered in the field of male reproductive health which might have potential implications for infertility and contraceptive research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrashis Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
- *Correspondence: Arnab Banerjee, ; Indrashis Bhattacharya,
| | - Souvik Dey
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Arnab Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa, India
- *Correspondence: Arnab Banerjee, ; Indrashis Bhattacharya,
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3
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Edelsztein NY, Valeri C, Lovaisa MM, Schteingart HF, Rey RA. AMH Regulation by Steroids in the Mammalian Testis: Underlying Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:906381. [PMID: 35712256 PMCID: PMC9195137 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.906381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a distinctive biomarker of the immature Sertoli cell. AMH expression, triggered by specific transcription factors upon fetal Sertoli cells differentiation independently of gonadotropins or sex steroids, drives Müllerian duct regression in the male, preventing the development of the uterus and Fallopian tubes. AMH continues to be highly expressed by Sertoli until the onset of puberty, when it is downregulated to low adult levels. FSH increases testicular AMH output by promoting immature Sertoli cell proliferation and individual cell expression. AMH secretion also showcases a differential regulation exerted by intratesticular levels of androgens and estrogens. In the fetus and the newborn, Sertoli cells do not express the androgen receptor, and the high androgen concentrations do not affect AMH expression. Conversely, estrogens can stimulate AMH production because estrogen receptors are present in Sertoli cells and aromatase is stimulated by FSH. During childhood, sex steroids levels are very low and do not play a physiological role on AMH production. However, hyperestrogenic states upregulate AMH expression. During puberty, testosterone inhibition of AMH expression overrides stimulation by estrogens and FSH. The direct effects of sex steroids on AMH transcription are mediated by androgen receptor and estrogen receptor α action on AMH promoter sequences. A modest estrogen action is also mediated by the membrane G-coupled estrogen receptor GPER. The understanding of these complex regulatory mechanisms helps in the interpretation of serum AMH levels found in physiological or pathological conditions, which underscores the importance of serum AMH as a biomarker of intratesticular steroid concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Y. Edelsztein
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Clara Valeri
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María M. Lovaisa
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Helena F. Schteingart
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A. Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas “Dr. César Bergadá” (CEDIE), CONICET – FEI – División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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4
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Valeri C, Lovaisa MM, Racine C, Edelsztein NY, Riggio M, Giulianelli S, Venara M, Bedecarrás P, Ballerini MG, di Clemente N, Lamb CA, Schteingart HF, Rey RA. Molecular mechanisms underlying AMH elevation in hyperoestrogenic states in males. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15062. [PMID: 32934281 PMCID: PMC7492256 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71675-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by Sertoli cells of the testes from early fetal life until puberty, when it is downregulated by androgens. In conditions like complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS), AMH downregulation does not occur and AMH increases at puberty, due in part to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) effect. However, other conditions like Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), characterised by low FSH, also have increased AMH. Because both CAIS and PJS may present as hyperoestrogenic states, we tested the hypothesis that oestradiol (E2) upregulates AMH expression in peripubertal Sertoli cells and explored the molecular mechanisms potentially involved. The results showed that E2 is capable of inducing an upregulation of endogenous AMH and of the AMH promoter activity in the prepubertal Sertoli cell line SMAT1, signalling through ERα binding to a specific ERE sequence present on the hAMH promoter. A modest action was also mediated through the membrane oestrogen receptor GPER. Additionally, the existence of ERα expression in Sertoli cells in patients with CAIS was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The evidence presented here provides biological plausibility to the hypothesis that testicular AMH production increases in clinical conditions in response to elevated oestrogen levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Valeri
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María M Lovaisa
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chrystèle Racine
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint Antoine (CRSA), 75012, Paris, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire ICAN, 75013, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris-Diderot Université, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Nadia Y Edelsztein
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marina Riggio
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Sebastián Giulianelli
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos, IBIOMAR-CCT (CENPAT-CONICET), U9120ACD, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Marcela Venara
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Bedecarrás
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María G Ballerini
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nathalie di Clemente
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint Antoine (CRSA), 75012, Paris, France.,Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire ICAN, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Caroline A Lamb
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), C1428ADN, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Helena F Schteingart
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rodolfo A Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, C1425EFD, Buenos Aires, Argentina. .,Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Cunha-Silva M, Brito VN, Macedo DB, Bessa DS, Ramos CO, Lima LG, Barroso PS, Arnhold IJP, Segaloff DL, Mendonca BB, Latronico AC. Spontaneous fertility in a male patient with testotoxicosis despite suppression of FSH levels. Hum Reprod 2019. [PMID: 29538680 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Testotoxicosis is a rare cause of peripheral precocious puberty in boys caused by constitutively activating mutations of the LHCG receptor. Affected males usually have normal gonadotropin profiles and fertility in their adult life. Here, we described the long-term follow-up of a 24-year-old young man with severe testotoxicosis due to a de novo activating mutation in the third transmembrane helix of the LHCGR (p.Leu457Arg). This patient was treated with different medications, including medroxyprogesterone acetate, ketoconazole, cyproterone acetate and aromatase inhibitor from age 2.5 to 9.5 years. His basal and GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin levels were continually suppressed during and after medical treatment. At adulthood, extremely high serum testosterone levels (>35 nmol/L), undetectable gonadotropin levels (LH < 0.15 IU/L and FSH < 0.6 IU/L) and oligozoospermia were evidenced. Despite his suppressed FSH levels and an unfavorable spermogram, the patient fathered a healthy girl and biological paternity was confirmed through analysis of microsatellites. Spontaneous fertility in a young man with severe testotoxicosis and chronic suppression of FSH levels reinforces the key role of high intratesticular testosterone levels in human spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cunha-Silva
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - V N Brito
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D B Macedo
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D S Bessa
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C O Ramos
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L G Lima
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P S Barroso
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - I J P Arnhold
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D L Segaloff
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - B B Mendonca
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A C Latronico
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular LIM/42, Disciplina de Endocrinologia e Metabologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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Gegenschatz-Schmid K, Verkauskas G, Demougin P, Bilius V, Dasevicius D, Stadler MB, Hadziselimovic F. Curative GnRHa treatment has an unexpected repressive effect on Sertoli cell specific genes. Basic Clin Androl 2018; 28:2. [PMID: 29456864 PMCID: PMC5806254 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-018-0067-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone stimulate Sertoli cells to support germ cell function and differentiation. During mini-puberty, when gonadotropin (GnRH) stimulates increases in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels, gonocytes are transformed into Ad spermatogonia. In cryptorchidism, impaired gonadotropin secretion during mini-puberty results in insufficient LH and testosterone secretion, impaired gonocyte transition to Ad spermatogonia, and perturbed Sertoli cell proliferation. Treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa/Buserelin) induced gonocytes to differentiate into Ad spermatogonia and rescued fertility. The present study evaluated the impact of low LH secretion on Sertoli cell function by comparing differential gene expression data between testes with low LH that lacked Ad spermatogonia (Ad-) and testes that completed mini-puberty (Ad+). Furthermore, we analyzed changes in the transcription of selected Sertoli cell specific genes in response to GnRHa treatment. Results Ad- testes showed reduced expression of nine out of 40 selected Sertoli cell specific genes compared to Ad+ testes. GnRHa treatment repressed most of the Sertoli cell specific genes, including the inhibins, but it increased the expression of genes that regulate apoptosis (FASLG) and proliferation (GDNF). Conclusions Impaired-minipuberty with decreased LH and testosterone levels affected Ad and Sertoli cell development through positive and negative regulation of morphoregulatory and apoptotic genes. GnRHa treatment had a repressive effect on most Sertoli cell specific genes, which suggested that Sertoli cells underwent a cellular rearrangement. We propose that gonadotropin-dependent increases in FASLG and GDNF expression drove Sertoli cell proliferation and germ cell self-renewal and supported the transition of gonocytes to Ad spermatogonia, independent of inhibins.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilvydas Verkauskas
- 2Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Philippe Demougin
- 3Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vytautas Bilius
- 2Children's Surgery Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, 01513 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Darius Dasevicius
- 4Institute for Pathology, National Centre of Pathology, Affiliate of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos, 08406 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Michael B Stadler
- 5Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.,6Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Faruk Hadziselimovic
- Cryptorchidism Research Institute, Kindermedizinisches Zentrum Liestal, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
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Nistal M, Paniagua R, González-Peramato P, Reyes-Múgica M. Perspectives in Pediatric Pathology, Chapter 15. Macrorchidism as the Expression of Several Congenital and Acquired Pathologies. Pediatr Dev Pathol 2016; 19:202-18. [PMID: 25105801 DOI: 10.2350/14-05-1494-pb.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Nistal
- 1 Department of Pathology, Hospital La Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Paniagua
- 2 Department of Cell Biology, Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Miguel Reyes-Múgica
- 3 Department of Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
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Ramaswamy S, Weinbauer GF. Endocrine control of spermatogenesis: Role of FSH and LH/ testosterone. SPERMATOGENESIS 2014; 4:e996025. [PMID: 26413400 PMCID: PMC4581062 DOI: 10.1080/21565562.2014.996025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of testicular functions (production of sperm and androgens) is an important aspect of preclinical safety assessment and testicular toxicity is comparatively far more common than ovarian toxicity. This chapter focuses (1) on the histological sequelae of disturbed reproductive endocrinology in rat, dog and nonhuman primates and (2) provides a review of our current understanding of the roles of gonadotropins and androgens. The response of the rodent testis to endocrine disturbances is clearly different from that of dog and primates with different germ cell types and spermatogenic stages being affected initially and also that the end-stage spermatogenic involution is more pronounced in dog and primates compared to rodents. Luteinizing hormone (LH)/testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions. The relative importance of either hormone is somewhat different between rodents and primates. Generally, however, both LH/testosterone and FSH are necessary for quantitatively normal spermatogenesis, at least in non-seasonal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Ramaswamy
- Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology (CRRP); Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Magee-Womens Research Institute; Pittsburgh, PA USA
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9
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Bardsley MZ, Kowal K, Levy C, Gosek A, Ayari N, Tartaglia N, Lahlou N, Winder B, Grimes S, Ross JL. 47,XYY syndrome: clinical phenotype and timing of ascertainment. J Pediatr 2013; 163:1085-94. [PMID: 23810129 PMCID: PMC4097881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe auxologic, physical, and behavioral features in a large cohort of males with 47,XYY (XYY), ages newborn to young adult. STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of male subjects with XYY who were evaluated at 1 of 2 specialized academic sites. Subjects underwent a history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and cognitive/behavioral evaluation. RESULTS In 90 males with XYY (mean age 9.6 ± 5.3 years [range 0.5-36.5]), mean height SD was above average (1.0 ± 1.2 SD). Macrocephaly (head circumference >2 SD) was noted in 28/84 (33%), hypotonia in 57/90 (63%), clinodactyly in 47/90 (52%), and hypertelorism in 53/90 (59%). There was testicular enlargement for age (>2 SD) in 41/82 (50%), but no increase in genital anomalies. No physical phenotypic differences were seen in boys diagnosed prenatally vs postnatally. Testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels were in the normal range in most boys. There was an increased incidence of asthma, seizures, tremor, and autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) compared with the general population rates. Prenatally diagnosed boys scored significantly better on cognitive testing and were less likely to be diagnosed with ASD (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS The XYY phenotype commonly includes tall stature, macrocephaly, macroorchidism, hypotonia, hypertelorism, and tremor. Physical phenotypic features were similar in boys diagnosed prenatally vs postnatally. Prenatal diagnosis was associated with higher cognitive function and less likelihood of an ASD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Zeger Bardsley
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours and duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
| | - Karen Kowal
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours and duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
| | - Carly Levy
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours and duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
| | - Ania Gosek
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Natalie Ayari
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Nicole Tartaglia
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
| | - Najiba Lahlou
- Laboratoire de Biologie Hormonale, Hopital Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, Paris, France
| | - Breanna Winder
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Shannon Grimes
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Judith L. Ross
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Nemours and duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
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10
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Cabrera SM, Rogol AD. Testosterone exposure in childhood: discerning pathology from physiology. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2013; 12:375-88. [DOI: 10.1517/14740338.2013.782000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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11
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Coutant R, Biette-Demeneix E, Bouvattier C, Bouhours-Nouet N, Gatelais F, Dufresne S, Rouleau S, Lahlou N. Baseline inhibin B and anti-Mullerian hormone measurements for diagnosis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in boys with delayed puberty. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010; 95:5225-32. [PMID: 20826577 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-1535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The diagnosis of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) in boys with delayed puberty is challenging, as may be the diagnosis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in boys with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). Yet, the therapeutic choices for puberty induction depend on accurate diagnosis and may influence future fertility. OBJECTIVE The aim was to assess the utility of baseline inhibin B (INHB) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) measurements to discriminate HH from constitutional delay of puberty (CDP). Both hormones are produced by Sertoli cells upon FSH stimulation. Moreover, prepubertal AMH levels are high as a reflection of Sertoli cell integrity. PATIENTS We studied 82 boys aged 14 to 18 yr with pubertal delay: 16 had IHH, 15 congenital HH within CPHD, and 51 CDP, as confirmed by follow-up. Subjects were genital stage 1 (testis volume<3 ml; 9 IHH, 7 CPHD, and 23 CDP) or early stage 2 (testis volume, 3-6 ml; 7 IHH, 8 CPHD, and 28 CDP). RESULTS Age and testis volume were similar in the three groups. Compared with CDP subjects, IHH and CPHD subjects had lower INHB, testosterone, FSH, and LH concentrations (P<0.05), whereas AMH concentration was lower only in IHH and CPHD subjects with genital stage 1, likely reflecting a smaller pool of Sertoli cells in profound HH. In IHH and CPHD boys with genital stage 1, sensitivity and specificity were 100% for INHB concentration of 35 pg/ml or less. In IHH and CPHD boys with genital stage 2, sensitivities were 86 and 80%, whereas specificities were 92% and 88%, respectively, for an INHB concentration of 65 pg/ml or less. The performance of testosterone, AMH, FSH, and LH measurements was lower. No combination or ratio of hormones performed better than INHB alone. CONCLUSION Discrimination of HH from CDP with baseline INHB measurement was excellent in subjects with genital stage 1 and fair in subjects with genital stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Régis Coutant
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Center for Rare Diseases in Hormonal Receptivity, Angers University Hospital, 4 rue Larrey, 49033 Angers CEDEX 01, France.
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Hirsch HJ, Eldar-Geva T, Benarroch F, Rubinstein O, Gross-Tsur V. Primary testicular dysfunction is a major contributor to abnormal pubertal development in males with Prader-Willi syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2009; 94:2262-8. [PMID: 19401370 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2008-2760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies challenge the assumption that hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is due only to hypothalamic dysfunction. OBJECTIVES The aims of the study were to characterize sexual development and reproductive hormones in PWS males and investigate the etiology of hypogonadism. METHODS Physical examination and blood sampling were performed on 37 PWS males, ages 4 months to 32 yr. RESULTS All had a history of undescended testes; age at orchiopexy ranged from 2 months to 6 yr. Pubertal signs were variable, but none achieved full genital development. Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in PWS boys were near the lower limits of normal, decreasing from 44.4 +/- 17.8 ng/ml (mean +/- sd) in young children to 5.9 +/- 4.7 ng/ml in adolescents, similar to normal males. In contrast, inhibin B was consistently low (27.1 +/- 36.1 pg/ml) or undetectable in all age groups. In adult males, FSH levels were high (20.3 +/- 18.3 IU/liter), LH levels were normal (4.2 +/- 4.3 IU/liter), and testosterone levels were low (1.87 +/- 1.17 ng/ml). Only two adults had severe hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with undetectable levels of LH and FSH and high AMH levels (34.9 and 36.7 ng/ml), unlike the other nine adults with AMH levels 2.6 +/- 2.1 ng/ml. Androstenedione (1.06 +/- 0.30 ng/ml) and DHEAS (281.1 +/- 143.6 microg/dl) in adult PWS were normal. CONCLUSIONS Pubertal development in PWS is characterized by normal adrenarche, variable hypothalamic dysfunction, and hypogonadism due to a unique testicular defect. Primary testicular dysfunction is a major component of hypogonadism in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry J Hirsch
- Neuropediatric Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91031, Israel.
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Almeida MQ, Brito VN, Lins TSS, Guerra-Junior G, de Castro M, Antonini SR, Arnhold IJP, Mendonca BB, Latronico AC. Long-term treatment of familial male-limited precocious puberty (testotoxicosis) with cyproterone acetate or ketoconazole. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2008; 69:93-8. [PMID: 18088394 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.03160.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP) or testotoxicosis is a rare gonadotrophin-independent form of sexual precocity caused by constitutively activating mutations of the LH receptor. Several clinical therapeutic approaches have been reported for this disorder, but with a paucity of long-term outcome data. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term treatment of testotoxicosis with cyproterone acetate or ketoconazole. DESIGN A multicentric retrospective clinical study. PATIENTS Ten boys from eight unrelated Brazilian families who carried known LH-receptor activating mutations were treated with 70 mg/m(2) cyproterone acetate (n = 5) or 10 mg/kg ketoconazole (n = 5) for a mean period of 5 and 8 years, respectively. MEASUREMENTS Chronological and bone ages, bone age/chronological age ratio, target height (TH) range, adult height, basal and GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophin levels and basal testosterone levels were assessed. RESULTS Growth velocity decreased significantly during treatment with cyproterone acetate or ketoconazole when compared to pretreatment value in each group (P < 0.05). Bone age/chronological age ratio decreased significantly after cyproterone acetate or ketoconazole therapy. Basal testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients undergoing ketoconazole compared to cyproterone acetate treatment [0.6 +/- 0.3 nmol/l (42 +/- 21 ng/dl) vs. 5.6 +/- 4.0 nmol/l (392 +/- 280 ng/dl); P < 0.05], as expected. Secondary gonadotrophin-dependent precocious puberty occurred at a similar frequency (40%) in both groups. Five patients have attained adult height and two patients have already reached 90% of their adult height. Two of them achieved their TH range and one patient, for whom TH was not available, had an adult height of 0.3 SDS. Four boys (two in each group) did not attain their TH range. CONCLUSION Long-term treatment with cyproterone acetate or ketoconazole resulted in similar outcomes without important side-effects in boys with testotoxicosis. However, both therapies showed limited efficacy in attaining normal adult height.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madson Queiroz Almeida
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42 da Disciplina de Endocrinologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Abstract
Despite significant advances in contraceptive options for women over the last 50 yr, world population continues to grow rapidly. Scientists and activists alike point to the devastating environmental impacts that population pressures have caused, including global warming from the developed world and hunger and disease in less developed areas. Moreover, almost half of all pregnancies are still unwanted or unplanned. Clearly, there is a need for expanded, reversible, contraceptive options. Multicultural surveys demonstrate the willingness of men to participate in contraception and their female partners to trust them to do so. Notwithstanding their paucity of options, male methods including vasectomy and condoms account for almost one third of contraceptive use in the United States and other countries. Recent international clinical research efforts have demonstrated high efficacy rates (90-95%) for hormonally based male contraceptives. Current barriers to expanded use include limited delivery methods and perceived regulatory obstacles, which stymie introduction to the marketplace. However, advances in oral and injectable androgen delivery are cause for optimism that these hurdles may be overcome. Nonhormonal methods, such as compounds that target sperm motility, are attractive in their theoretical promise of specificity for the reproductive tract. Gene and protein array technologies continue to identify potential targets for this approach. Such nonhormonal agents will likely reach clinical trials in the near future. Great strides have been made in understanding male reproductive physiology; the combined efforts of scientists, clinicians, industry and governmental funding agencies could make an effective, reversible, male contraceptive an option for family planning over the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie T Page
- Center for Research in Reproduction and Contraception, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
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De Luca F, Mitchell V, Wasniewska M, Arrigo T, Messina MF, Valenzise M, de Sanctis L, Lahlou N. Regulation of spermatogenesis in McCune-Albright syndrome: lessons from a 15-year follow-up. Eur J Endocrinol 2008; 158:921-7. [PMID: 18505910 DOI: 10.1530/eje-07-0494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) is a disorder caused by a post-zygotic gain-of-function mutation in the gene encoding the Gs-alpha protein. Sexual precocity, common in girls, has been reported in only 15% of boys, and little is known on the long-term evolution of MAS in males. OBJECTIVE In a boy with MAS, we studied spermatogenesis, testis histology, and immunohistochemistry with the aim to shed light on seminiferous tubule activity. DESIGN A boy who presented at the age of 2.9 years with sexual precocity, monolateral macroorchidism, increased testosterone levels, and suppressed gonadotropins was followed up until the age of 18. RESULTS Throughout follow-up testicular asymmetry persisted and gonadotropin and testosterone pattern did not change. At the age of 18, inhibin B was undetectable while alpha-immunoreactive inhibin was within normal range. Anti-Mullerian hormone level was slightly subnormal. Sperm cells were 3,900,000 per ejaculate. Histology of both testes showed spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and, in some tubes, matured spermatozoa. Sertoli cells were markedly stained with anti-inhibin alpha-subunit antibody in both the testes. There was no immunostaining of Sertoli, Leydig, or germ cells with anti-betaA or anti-betaB antibody. MAS R201H mutation was identified in both the testes. CONCLUSION The 15-year follow-up in this boy with MAS demonstrated that autonomous testicular activation and gonadotropin suppression persisted over time. This provides an interesting model of active spermatogenesis despite long-term FSH suppression. It also suggests that FSH is needed for the full expression of the inhibin betaB-subunit gene, an expression previously reported in the germ and Leydig cells of normal adult subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo De Luca
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, 01924 Messina, Italy
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Zeger MPD, Zinn AR, Lahlou N, Ramos P, Kowal K, Samango-Sprouse C, Ross JL. Effect of ascertainment and genetic features on the phenotype of Klinefelter syndrome. J Pediatr 2008; 152:716-22. [PMID: 18410780 PMCID: PMC6728163 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2007] [Revised: 08/23/2007] [Accepted: 10/19/2007] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) phenotype during childhood in a large cohort. STUDY DESIGN Clinical assessment, measurement of hormonal indices of testicular function, and parent of origin of extra X chromosome were assessed in a cross-sectional study of 55 boys with KS, aged 2.0 to 14.6 years, at an outpatient center. RESULTS Mean height and body mass index SD scores (SDS +/- SD) were 0.9 +/- 1.3 and 0.4 +/- 1.4, respectively. Mean penile length and testicular volume SDS were -0.5 +/- 0.9 and -0.9 +/- 1.4. Testosterone levels were in the lowest quartile of normal in 66% of the cohort. Other features included clinodactyly (74%), hypertelorism (69%), elbow dysplasia (36%), high-arched palate (37%), hypotonia (76%), and requirement for speech therapy (69%). Features were similar in boys in whom the diagnosis was made prenatally versus boys in whom the diagnosis was made postnatally. There was no evidence for a phenotypic effect of parent of origin of the extra X chromosome. CONCLUSIONS Boys with KS commonly have reduced penile length and small testes in childhood. The phenotype in boys with KS does not differ according to ascertainment or origin of the extra X chromosome. Boys with KS may be identified before puberty by tall stature, relatively decreased penile length, clinodactyly, hypotonia, and requirement for speech therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha P D Zeger
- Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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