Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Stimulation Research Articles

Effectiveness of the triptorelin stimulation test compared with the classic gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in diagnosing central precocious puberty in girls.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP). Gonadorelin (Relefact) is used for the test but is not always readily available; triptorelin is used as an alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of the triptorelin test compared with the GnRH test in the diagnosis of CPP in girls. This retrospective study included 100 girls with premature thelarche (PT) who underwent a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis evaluation. In the overall group, 50 girls were tested with intravenous gonadorelin (Relefact) and 50 girls were tested with subcutaneous triptorelin acetate (Decapeptyl). Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured at baseline and 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes after gonadorelin injection or 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after triptorelin injection. Clinical characteristics of age, height, weight, body mass index, and bone age were similar between the 2 groups. The highest LH level was reached 60 minutes after stimulation in both groups. Approximately 20% of the gonadorelin group and 24% of the triptorelin group were diagnosed with CPP (P=0.52). Among those diagnosed with CPP, the mean peak LH concentrations were 8.15 mIU/mL and 9.73 mIU/mL in the gonadorelin and triptorelin groups, respectively. The triptorelin test showed similar trends of LH elevation and diagnostic rate compared with the traditional GnRH test for diagnosing CPP. This suggests that the triptorelin test may be a valid alternative to the GnRH test for differentiating CPP from self-limiting PT. Our study also demonstrated that a triptorelin stimulation test for up to 120 minutes was sufficient to diagnose CPP.

Irisin combined index to diagnose central precocious puberty in girls: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundTo investigate serum irisin levels in girls at different developmental status and explore the significance of irisin for the diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP) in girls.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study 111 girls were enrolled, including 43 cases of CPP, 44 cases of peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) and 24 cases of girls with normal sexual development as controls. The data on age, weight and height, measured blood levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and irisin were collected. Pelvic Doppler ultrasound was performed to evaluate uterine length, transverse diameter, anteroposterior diameter. The girls were divided into non-CPP group and CPP group according to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test.ResultsSerum irisin levels were significantly higher in CPP group than in PPP group and normal control group. Serum irisin level was positively correlated with basal LH level, basal FSH level, peak LH level, peak LH /FSH ratio, uterine volume, bone age, and bone age index. The area under the curve, cut-off value, sensitivity and specificity of serum irisin were 0.958, 219.255 pg/ml, 100% and 80.6%. The combined diagnosis of CPP in girls by serum irisin and serum basal LH combined with uterine volume had an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.994, 97.6%, and 100%, superior to that of the single index.ConclusionsSerum irisin level in girls with CPP is significantly increased. An irisin combined index could help the diagnosis of CPP in girls.

Central precocious puberty in a boy with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy caused by a novel ABCD1 mutation

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the ABCD1 gene. The symptoms include primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI), progressive spinal cord disease, inflammatory demyelinating cerebral disease, and primary hypogonadism. It is exceptionally rare that pediatric PAI is accompanied by central precocious puberty (CPP). The purpose of this study was to better understand the diversity of clinical manifestations of X-ALD and to identify the ABCD1 gene mutation in a case of a boy with X-ALD accompanied by CPP. We collected clinical, laboratory and imaging data, and used whole-exome sequencing (WES) analysis to evaluate the pathogenicity of the variant. We also predicted the potential deleterious effects of the novel mutation using Mutation Taster and generated three-dimensional protein structures using Swiss-Model and PyMOL Viewer software. The patient presented with PAI accompanied by CPP. Adrenal gland CT revealed adrenal hypoplasia. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation tests revealed CPP. WES revealed a novel variant (c.1376dup) in the ABCD1 gene, which resulted in a reading frameshift and a premature termination codon (p.Leu461ProfsTer95). Sanger sequencing confirmed that the variant was inherited from his heterozygous mother. Mutation Taster predicted that the variant could be harmful. The overall three-dimensional structures of the mutant wild-type proteins were visually distinct. Our results shed light on additional aspects of X-ALD. The premature activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis may possibly be related to the pathogenic ABCD1 gene mutation.

Meta-analysis of machine learning models for the diagnosis of central precocious puberty based on clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a common endocrine disorder in children, and its diagnosis primarily relies on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test, which is expensive and time-consuming. With the widespread application of artificial intelligence in medicine, some studies have utilized clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data-based machine learning (ML) models to identify CPP. However, the results of these studies varied widely and were challenging to directly compare, mainly due to diverse ML methods. Therefore, the diagnostic value of clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data-based ML models for CPP remains elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of ML models based on clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data for CPP through a meta-analysis of existing studies. We conducted a comprehensive search for relevant English articles on clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data-based ML models for diagnosing CPP, covering the period from the database creation date to December 2023. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR-), summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the diagnostic value of clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data-based ML models for diagnosing CPP. The I2 test was employed to evaluate heterogeneity, and the source of heterogeneity was investigated through meta-regression analysis. Publication bias was assessed using the Deeks funnel plot asymmetry test. Six studies met the eligibility criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.82 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.93) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.90), respectively. The LR+ was 6.00, and the LR- was 0.21, indicating that clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data-based ML models exhibited an excellent ability to confirm or exclude CPP. Additionally, the SROC curve showed that the AUC of the clinical, hormonal (laboratory) and imaging data-based ML models in the diagnosis of CPP was 0.90 (95% CI 0.87-0.92), demonstrating good diagnostic value for CPP. Based on the outcomes of our meta-analysis, clinical and imaging data-based ML models are excellent diagnostic tools with high sensitivity, specificity, and AUC in the diagnosis of CPP. Despite the geographical limitations of the study findings, future research endeavors will strive to address these issues to enhance their applicability and reliability, providing more precise guidance for the differentiation and treatment of CPP.

Non-classical 11β-hydroxylase deficiency caused by a novel heterozygous mutation: a case report and review of the literature.

11β-hydroxylase deficiency (11β-OHD) constitutes a rare form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), typically accounting for ~5-8% of CAH cases. Non-classical 11β-OHD is reported even more rarely and frequently results in misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis due to its mild clinical symptoms. A clinical, biochemical, radiological, and genetic study was conducted on a 9-year-old girl presenting with mild breast development, axillary hair growth, and advanced bone age. Additionally, a comprehensive review and synthesis of the literature concerning 11β-OHD were conducted. The patient presented with breast enlargement, axillary hair development, and accelerated growth over the past year. Laboratory tests revealed levels of cortisol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and progesterone that were below normal. A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test suggested the possibility of central precocious puberty. Radiologic examination revealed a 2-year advance in bone age, while bilateral adrenal ultrasonography showed no abnormalities. Her mother exhibited hirsutism, while her father's physical examination revealed no abnormalities. Whole-exon genetic testing of the child and her parents indicated a heterozygous mutation of c.905_907delinsTT in exon 5 of the 11β-hydroxylase gene (CYP11B1) in the child and her mother. This mutation resulted in a substitution of aspartic acid with valine at amino acid position 302 of the coding protein. This frameshift resulted in a sequence of 23 amino acids, culminating in a premature stop codon (p.Asp302ValfsTer23). A review of the previous literature revealed that the majority of heterozygous mutations in 11β-OHD were missense mutations, occurring primarily in exons 2, 6, 7, and 8. The most common mutation among 11β-OHD patients was the change of Arg-448 to His (R448H) in CYP11B1. Furthermore, bioinformatics analyses revealed that heterozygous mutation of c.905_907delinsTT had deleterious effects on the function of CYP11B1 and affected the stability of the protein, presumably leading to a partial impairment of enzyme activity. The results of the in vitro functional study demonstrated that the missense mutant (p.Asp302ValfsTer23) exhibited partial enzymatic activity. We report a novel heterozygous mutation of CYP11B1 (c.905_907delinsTT), enriching the spectrum of genetic variants of CYP11B1. This finding provides a valuable case reference for early diagnosis of non-classical patients with 11β-OHD.

Modulatory Effects of Ethinyl Estradiol Plus Drospirenone Contraceptive Pill on Spontaneous and GnRH-Induced LH Secretion

Background: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) work mostly by preventing the pre-ovulatory gonadotropin surge, but the action of COCs on spontaneous episodic and GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)-induced LH (luteinizing hormone) release has been poorly evaluated. Oral contraceptives are known to act on the spontaneous hypothalamic–pituitary functions reducing both GnRH and gonadotropin release and blocking ovulation. Aim: To evaluate spontaneous and GnRH-induced LH release during both phases of the menstrual cycle or under the use of the contraceptive pill. Methods: A group of 12 women, subdivided into two groups, volunteered for the study. Group A (n = 6, controls) received no treatments, while Group B (n = 6) received a 21 + 7 combination of ethinyl-estradiol (EE) 30 µg + drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg. Both groups were evaluated twice: Group A during follicular and luteal phases, Group B during pill assumption and during the suspension interval, performing a pulsatility test, GnRH stimulation test, and hormonal parameters evaluation. Spontaneous and GnRH-induced secretory pulses were evaluated, as well as the instantaneous secretory rate (ISR). Results: COC treatment lowered LH and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels significantly if compared to the follicular phase of spontaneous cycles. During the suspension interval, hormone levels rapidly rose and became comparable to those of the follicular phase of the control group. The LH pulse frequency under COC administration during the suspension interval was similar to that observed during the follicular phase (2.6 ± 0.3 pulses/180 min and 2.3 ± 0.2 pulses/180 min, respectively). The GnRH-induced LH peaks were greater in amplitude and duration than those observed after ISR computation in both groups. The GnRH-induced LH release during the luteal phase of the control subjects was higher than in the follicular phase (51.2 ± 12.3 mIU/mL and 14.9 ± 1.8 mIU/mL, respectively). Conversely, subjects under COC showed a GnRH-induced LH response similar during COC and during the suspension interval. Conclusions: Our data support that the EE + DRSP preparation acts on both spontaneous pulsatile release and GnRH-induced LH release during the withdrawal period of the treatment, and that after 5–7 days from the treatment suspension, steroidal secretion from the ovary is resumed, such as that of androgens. This suggests that in hyperandrogenic patients, a suspension interval as short as 4 days might be clinically better.

A Short-Duration Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Stimulation Test for the Diagnosis of Central Precocious Puberty.

Background and Objectives: The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard method for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP), although it requires multiple blood samplings over 120 min. This study aimed to evaluate if a shorter test may have an equivalent diagnostic accuracy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the GnRH tests of 188 consecutive pediatric patients (169 females) referred for signs of early pubertal development. The diagnostic accuracy of the hormonal levels was evaluated at different time points (15, 0, 60, 90, and 120 min after the GnRH stimulus). Results: A diagnosis of CPP was made in 130 cases (69%), with 111 (85%) being female. Sensitivity and specificity ratings higher than 99% for the diagnosis of CPP were achieved for LH levels ≥4.7 mU/mL at 30 and 60 min after the stimulus (area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 1), with no further increase in the diagnostic accuracy in the remaining time points. No sex differences in diagnostic accuracy were found. The LH/FSH ratio at 30 min showed a sensitivity of 94.9%, with an AUC of 0.997 and a value ≥0.76. Conclusions: A short-duration GnRH test of 60 min provided optimal results for the diagnosis of CPP. Extending the test for an extra hour is therefore unnecessary and inadvisable.

Confirming the association between low serum 25OHD levels in girls with central precocious puberty and its severity

BackgroundTo assess the differences in vitamin D levels in girls with rapidly progressive (RP) or slowly progressive (SP) central precocious puberty (CPP) and to compare whether the factors related to RP-CPP influenced the vitamin D status. A cross-sectional study was performed among girls with CPP classified as RP-CPP or SP-CPP.MethodsThe baseline data, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test results, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels, and season of sample collection were analyzed.ResultsThe mean 25OHD level in 340 girls was 15.89 ± 6.87 ng/mL, of whom only 10 (2.9%) had normal levels (≥ 30 ng/mL). A total of 114 girls in the SP-CPP group and 226 in the RP-CPP group had similar chronological age, disease course, height SDS, bone mineral density, baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), peak FSH, and 25OHD levels. Developmental age, body mass index (BMI), BMI SDS, peak luteinizing hormone (LH)/FSH, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and IGF-1 SDS were independent risk factors for RP-CPP. Significant differences were observed among the different serum 25OHD levels in terms of season, disease course, IGF1 level, and BMI SDS (P < 0.05). Moreover, the sampling season was strongly correlated with serum 25OHD levels (r = 0.402, P < 0.001).ConclusionThe vitamin D levels were generally deficient or insufficient in girls with CPP, but were not related to the different types of CPP. High BMI levels, IGF1 levels, or peak LH/FSH ratio, but not vitamin D levels, could promote the progression of RP-CPP. Seasonal factors mainly influenced the vitamin D levels.

Use of the Subcutaneous Triptorelin Stimulation Test for Diagnosis of Central Precocious Puberty.

The gold standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test uses the response to intravenously injected gonadorelin to diagnose central precocious puberty (CPP). However, gonadorelin is not always readily available. This study investigated the diagnostic efficacy of the subcutaneous triptorelin test and the optimal blood sampling time for diagnosis of CPP. This study retrospectively examined the medical records of 220 girls who had undergone either the triptorelin or gonadorelin test and compared their clinical characteristics. We retrospectively compared clinical parameters between girls diagnosed with CPP (n = 111) and idiopathic premature thelarche (IPT) (n = 109) using three different diagnostic methods: the gonadorelin, triptorelin 120 min, and triptorelin 180 min tests. The diagnostic ability of the stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration in the triptorelin test for CPP was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The CPP group exhibited higher basal and peak gonadotropin levels, more advanced bone age, and a lower body mass index standard deviation score than the IPT group. In the gonadorelin test group, all girls with CPP exhibited a peak LH response 30-60 min after intravenous gonadorelin injection. In the triptorelin test group, most girls with CPP exhibited a peak LH response 60-180 min after subcutaneous triptorelin injection (n = 68). On the ROC curve, a peak LH concentration of ≥ 4.52 IU/L at 120 min had the highest CPP diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 95.83%, respectively.

Age-related changes in hormonal profiles and testicular diameter of West African Dwarf buck treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone

This study aimed to investigate the impact of age-related peripheral and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) -stimulated hormonal profiles on testicular size in West African dwarf bucks. Twelve 3-month-old bucks were randomly divided into two groups: the GnRH- treated group (n = 6) and the control group (n = 6). Over the course of 10 months, from month 3 to month 12, the testicular diameter of all bucks was measured monthly, and blood samples were collected monthly for hormone analysis. The results showed that testicular diameter increased with age and higher concentrations of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Testosterone (T). The GnRHtreated group reached its peak testicular diameter (28.36±1.44 mm) earlier at 8 months compared to the control group (30.50±1.44 mm) at 10 months, aligning with the peak concentrations of FSH, LH, and T. While the GnRH stimulation led to higher FSH, LH, T, and estrogen levels in the treated group, it didn't significantly affect the final testicular diameter (p&lt;0.05). It can be concluded that hormonal levels rise with age and increasing testicular size, and GnRH stimulation can accelerate this process. Testicular size is an important factor in breeding soundness and is influenced by LH, FSH, and testosterone concentrations. These hormones can reliably indicate the reproductive capacity of the buck. Therefore, hormonal profiling should be an integral part of the breeding soundness examination.

Quantification of overnight urinary gonadotropin excretion predicts imminent puberty in girls: a semi-longitudinal study

PurposeWe explored the alternative of using overnight fold change in gonadotropin levels by comparing the last-night-voided (LNV) and first-morning-voided (FMV) urine concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as a conceptual analogy to the invasive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test setting.MethodsWe investigated the nocturnal changes in the immunoreactivity levels of urinary gonadotropins between early and late prepubertal stages as well as between early and late pubertal stages in FMV and LNV urine samples from 30 girls, of whom those who were prepubertal were further investigated through follow-up visits within the 1-year period from the start of the study.ResultsROC analysis revealed that the FMV total U-LH and FMV U-FSH concentrations at or above 0.3 IU/L and 2.5 IU/L, respectively, were excellent predictors of forthcoming onset of puberty within 1 year (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, AUC: 1.00, and n = 10, for both). FMV total U-LH concentration at or above 0.8 IU/L represented the cut-off for clinical signs of puberty. FMV/LNV total U-LH and FMV/LNV U-FSH ratios at or below 4.11 and 1.38, respectively, were also good predictors of the onset of clinical puberty within 1 year. An overnight increase (FMV/LNV ratio) in total U-LH concentrations and in the U-LH/U-FSH ratio at or below 1.2-fold in pubertal girls was associated with the postmenarcheal pubertal stage.ConclusionFMV total U-LH and U-FSH above 0.3 IU/L and 2.5 IU/L, respectively, can be used as cut-off values to predict the manifestation of the clinical signs of puberty within 1 year. FMV total U-LH concentrations 0.3–0.8 IU/L and 0.6 IU/L may represent the range and the threshold, respectively, that reflect the loosening of the central brake on the GnRH pulse generator. An overnight increase of 20% or less in total U-LH concentrations and in the U-LH/U-FSH ratio in an early pubertal girl may serve as an indicator of imminent menarche, a presumed timing of which can be unraveled by future longitudinal studies.

THU193 Clinical Usefulness Of Repetitive GnRH Stimulation Test For The Diagnosis Of Central Precocious Puberty

Abstract Disclosure: S. Heo: None. Y. Shim: None. H. Lee: None. J. Hwang: None. J. Lim: None. Objective In girls, breast development under 8 years of age and peak serum luteinizing hormone (LH) is 5 IU/L or higher in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation tests is a standard method for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP). Although breast development and bone age progress rapidly compared to chronological age, repeated GnRH stimulation tests do not exceed 5 IU/L in some cases. We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of girls who repeatedly examined the GnRH stimulation test. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 988 girls under 9 years of age who visited our hospital due to breast development more than Tanner stage II and whose bone age was more than a year advanced than the chronological age and examined GnRH stimulation test twice or more. According to peak luteinizing hormone (LH) at first GnRH stimulation test, patients were divided into 5 groups that &amp;lt; 1.0 IU/L (group 1, n=34), ≥1.0 to &amp;lt; 2.0 IU/L (group 2, n=219), ≥2.0 to &amp;lt; 3.0 IU/L (group 3, n=297), ≥3.0 to &amp;lt; 4.0 (group 4, n=252) and ≥4.0 to &amp;lt; 5.0 (group 5, n=186). We analyzed the incidence of CPP through the repetitive GnRH stimulation test and factors associated with the outcomes using a Cox proportional hazard model. Results Mean age of total of 988 girls was 7.68 ± 0.67 years and the period between the first and last GnRH stimulation test was 216.40 ± 145.14 days. CPP was diagnosed in 138 patients. Incidence of CPP were differed by groups that 0%, 1.4%, 6.1%, 20.6%, 34.9% each groups. When group 1 and each groups were compared using the Cox proportional hazard regression model, difference between bone age and chronological age (95% CI, 1.27-2.35, p&amp;lt;0.001) (BA-CA) and basal follicle-stimulating hormone (95% CI, 1.01-1.48, p=0.039) showed a statistically significant positive correlation when stratifying the peak LH at GnRH stimulation test. Conclusion In the diagnosis of CPP, the GnRH stimulation test is gold standard. But the lower the peak LH in GnRH stimulation test, the more other factors such as difference between bone age and chronological age, basal FSH should be considered in the possibility of CPP. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

THU196 Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 As A Screening Tool For Central Precocious Puberty

Abstract Disclosure: L. Chung: None. M. Im: None. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test is the gold standard test for diagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP), which needs time and effort to perform. Recently, many studies confirmed that Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is involved in the initiation and progression of puberty. With this inspection, we assumed that the IGF-1 level might be correlated with the pubertal stage in central precocious puberty. This study aimed to investigate the value of IGF-1 levels in screening central precocious puberty. The medical records of 359 patients with a chief complaint of premature breast development and visited the pediatric endocrinology clinic in Myongji Hospital from January 2017 to October 2022 were reviewed. Two hundred thirty-three girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) and 126 girls with premature thelarche (PT) diagnosed were enrolled. Each subject had IGF-1 and GnRH stimulation test results. The anthropometric data between CPP and PT showed no statistical differences except for weight and the existence of lipomastia. The hormonal indicators including peak luteinizing hormone (peak LH), peak follicular stimulating hormone (peak FSH), and estradiol were statistically different between the two groups (P &amp;lt; 0.001). IGF-1 levels were significantly higher in CPP group than in PT group. The IGF-1 levels were positively correlated with peak LH, the diagnostic indicator of CPP. The area under the curve (AUC) of IGF-1 was 0.709. IGF-1 levels were correlated with the diagnostic indicator of CPP. IGF-1 would be a useful tool for screening CPP. Keywords: girls; IGF-1; GnRH stimulation test; precocious puberty. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

THU205 A Case Of Infant With Familial-Male Limited Precocious Puberty (FMPP) Inherited From Father Due To An Activating Mutation Of The Luteinizing Hormone/Chorionic Gonadotropin Receptor Gene

Abstract Disclosure: H. Yoo: None. J. Ha: None. M. Jung: None. Y. Choi: None. E. Yoo: None. We present an extremely rare case of FMPP with an activating mutation of the LHCGR gene in a Korean infant. A 16-month-old-boy was brought to the out-patient clinic with complaints of pubic hair, acne and rapid growth acceleration. His father had become aware of the symptoms 4 month before. His grandfather and father had a family history of precocious puberty and profound short stature (Height of grandfather and father: 148 cm and 158 cm respectively). At physical examination, his height was 83 cm (+1.2 SDS) and his weight was 14.3 kg (+2.8 SDS). The testicular volume was 2 mL and pubic hair was appropriate for Tanner stage 2. Stretched penile length was 7 cm (&amp;gt;2 SDS). He did not have any café au lait spots or hyperpigmentation. His bone age was significantly advanced to that of a 4 year old. Laboratory findings showed abnormally elevated serum testosterone (5.74 ng/mL) and slightly elevated α-fetoprotein (14.1 ng/ml; reference 0-10 ng/mL) with suppressed LH level (&amp;lt;0.07 mIU/mL). Serum levels of β-human chorionic gonadotropin, cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate were within normal range. A gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test revealed a prepubertal response(peak LH 0.52). Brain magnetic resonance imaging study was reported to be normal. Ultrasound of the scrotum and adrenal gland were both normal. Due to the patient’s classic presentation and his family history of male-limited precocious puberty, a genetic analysis for LHCGR gene was performed. Molecular genetic analysis identified a pathogenic variant of LHCGR (c.1730 C&amp;gt;T, p.Thr577Ileu), which was previously reported in a FMPP patient. His father and paternal grand father also carry the same mutation. Anti-androgen treatment with bicalutamide (25mg/day) and aromatase inhibition with anastrozole (1mg/day) were initiated. After treatment, there was improvement in pubertal progression, accelerated growth velocity and rate of skeletal maturation without any specific side effects. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

C10 (Clinical Case) Precocious Puberty in Internationally Adopted Children: A Tale of Two Thelarches

Abstract Introduction/Background Internationally adopted (IA) children may commonly experience post-adoption medical issues in the infectious, nutritional, developmental and psychological domains. We present a rare endocrinologic case of 2 biologically unrelated children adopted into the same Canadian family with diagnoses of idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP), years after adoption. Case Description A 13-month-old female was adopted from Kazakhstan with a past history of prematurity (29 weeks gestational age), grade II intraventricular hemorrhage, query hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, perinatal CMV infection, and malnourishment. She demonstrated catch-up growth after adoption and was monitored for developmental concerns. She presented at 7 years 9 months with report of thelarche at 6 years 6 months, pubarche at 7 years 6 months and accelerated height velocity. Bone age was advanced by 3 years (+4 SD). By Endocrinology consultation at 8 years 1 month, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test confirmed CPP. There was no central nervous system (CNS) symptomatology. Leuprolide was initiated to minimize psychosocial impacts of CPP and not necessarily to improve final adult height. Seven years after their first adoption, the family welcomed a female child from Vietnam, aged 2 years 11 months. Medical profile included malnutrition and atopic dermatitis. Thelarche was noted at 5 years 4 months. By Endocrinology consultation at 5 years 5 months, she had isolated breast development with accelerated height velocity. Bone age was advanced by 2.5 years (+3 SD). GnRH stimulation test revealed CPP. Leuprolide was started. MRI brain showed no CNS lesion, which confirmed the diagnosis of idiopathic CPP. Discussion Whereas there is a rare, but documented, increased prevalence of CPP among IA children, etiology is unclear. Theories postulate that it may be related to rapid catch-up growth post-adoption or past exposure to endocrine disruptors. Awareness of this risk may vary. Initial post-adoption consults often focus on other medical and developmental screening. Depending on the age at adoption, counselling about puberty may seem remote. This may impact the timing at which pubertal concerns are identified. As early identification of CPP provides an opportunity to intervene to preserve adult height, as well as minimize psychosocial impact on the child, pubertal surveillance should not be overlooked. Based on caregiver feedback from our cases, we now include counselling on, and examination for, early pubertal changes in our IA clinic visits. Conclusion IA children are at increased risk of central precocious puberty. Paediatric clinicians and caregivers should be aware of this risk to allow for timely identification and treatment of this condition.

Effect of exercise on the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis dysregulation was suggested to play a crucial role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study investigated the effects of exercise on HPG hormones in an AD rat model, as a possible mechanism underlying the favorable effect of exercise on AD. Forty male Wistar albino rats 2–3 months old were subdivided randomly into two groups (n = 20 each): AD group (injected intraperitoneally with aluminum chloride (70 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks) and Control group. Each group was subdivided into exercised or non-exercised group (n = 10 each). Exercised groups were subjected to a swimming protocol (60 min/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks). Serum HPG hormones, hippocampal β-amyloid levels and Morris water-maze cognition were assessed. Results demonstrated higher levels of β-amyloid, gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) together with lower testosterone levels and cognitive impairment in the AD rats compared to controls. Β-amyloid levels negatively correlated with testosterone levels and positively correlated with GnRH, LH and FSH among the AD rats. Higher testosterone and lower GnRH, LH, FSH and β-amyloid levels, as well as cognitive improvement, were observed in the exercised compared to non-exercised AD rats, suggesting a modulatory role of exercise training on AD-associated HPG axis dysregulation.

Effect of Fetal Pituitary-Testes Suppression on Brain Sexual Differentiation and Reproductive Function in Male Sheep.

We previously demonstrated that treating fetal lambs on gestational day 62 with the long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix (DG) suppresses pituitary-testicular function during midgestation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether impaired gonadotrophic drive during this fetal period has enduring effects on sexual differentiation and reproductive function in adult male sheep. We assessed the effects of prenatal administration of DG, with or without testosterone (T) replacement, on various sexually dimorphic behavioral traits in adult rams, including sexual partner preferences, as well as neuroendocrine responsiveness and testicular function. Our findings revealed that DG treatment had no effect on genital differentiation or somatic growth. There were some indications that DG treatment suppressed juvenile play behavior and adult sexual motivation; however, male-typical sexual differentiation of reproductive behavior, sexual partner preference, and gonadotropin feedback remained unaffected and appeared to be fully masculinized and defeminized. DG-treated rams showed an increased LH response to GnRH stimulation and a decreased T response to human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation, suggesting impaired Leydig cell function and reduced T feedback. Both effects were reversed by cotreatment with T propionate. DG treatment also suppressed the expression of CYP17 messenger RNA, a key enzyme for T biosynthesis. Despite the mild hypogonadism induced by DG treatment, ejaculate volume, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were not affected. In summary, these results suggest that blocking GnRH during midgestation does not have enduring effects on brain sexual differentiation but does negatively affect the testes' capacity to synthesize T.

Role of luteinizing hormone urinary levels in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of female central precocious puberty

BackgroundDiagnosing central precocious puberty (CPP) requires an integrated approach based on clinical, biochemical and instrumental data. The diagnostic gold standard is represented by GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) stimulation test. Some undoubted limitations of this procedure led the international scientific community to look for cheaper and less invasive alternative diagnostic methods, such as luteinizing hormone urinary levels (uLH) measurement. This study aims to define the reliability of urinary LH levels as a biomarker of pubertal development, both concerning the initial diagnostic management and the monitoring of patients with central precocious puberty undergoing therapy with GnRH analogues. Furthermore, the study plans to detect the potential association between LH peak serum (pLH) and urinary LH in patients undergoing diagnostic tests with GnRH and to identify a possible cut-off of uLH that may be suggestive of ensued successful hormonal stimulation.MethodsThe study includes 130 female patients with suspected precocious puberty or in follow-up during suppressive therapy. After the collection of the informed consent, the patients underwent clinical evaluation, auxological assessment, and hormone assays (basal levels of LH, FSH, and oestradiol; GnRH stimulating test in patients with suspected precocious puberty; urinary LH assay on the first-morning urine sample, collected after waking up).ResultsTwo uLH cut-off values have been identified: the first of 0.25 UI/L [C.I. 95% 0.23–0.27], able to distinguish between pubertal and pre-pubertal patients, the second of 0.45 UI/L [C.I. 95% 0,20 − 0,70] suggestive of occurred hormonal stimulation in patients with diagnosis of CPP at GnRH test. All 30 patients with CPP in follow-up during suppressive therapy presented uLH values ≤ 0.45 IU/L (pU < 0.05), and uLH collected in prepubertal group control.ConclusionsuLH assays on the first morning urine specimen could be considered a low-cost and minimally invasive tool for precocious puberty diagnosing and monitoring, making possible to be easily performed even by a general pediatrician. Thus, this could help referring only selected patients to pediatric endocrinologists. After an appropriate validation, this approach could reasonably reduce hospital attendance and costs of performing more invasive procedures, with a more significant emotional impact on the pediatric patient.

Investigation of subfertility in the female Nsmf knockout mouse

To study if a pituitary or ovarian defect contributes to subfertility of the female Nsmf knockout (KO) mouse, an animal model of the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism gene NSMF. Analysis of hypothalamic, pituitary and ovarian gene expression at baseline, serum gonadotropin levels before and after gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation, ovarian response and implantation after superovulation, gonadotropin effects after ovariectomy, and ovarian NSMF protein expression. University research laboratory. None; mice were used. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation, superovulation, and ovariectomy in separate experiments. Gene expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary; ovarian response and implantation after superovulation; serum gonadotropins after GnRH stimulation and ovariectomy; Western blot to measure ovarian NSMF expression. We found increased hypothalamic Kiss1, Gnrh1, and Jak2 mRNA expression in female Nsmf KO vs. wild type (WT) mice. However, pituitary gonadotropin, and GnRH receptor gene expression was not affected, and serum gonadotropin levels were normal. Gonadotropins increased after ovariectomy for both groups. Baseline Kiss1, Fshr, Prkaca, Prkar1a, and Gdf9 ovarian mRNA expression was increased and Cyp19a1 expression was decreased in Nsmf KO mice, while superovulated Nsmf KO mice had reduced ovarian Kiss1r, Prkar1a, and Fshr mRNA expression, 50% less oocytes, and normal implantation. Western blot demonstrated NSMF protein expression in the ovary of WT mice. Altered hypothalamic and ovarian gene expression was demonstrated in female Nsmf KO mice. It is possible that increased hypothalamic Gnrh1 and Kiss1 mRNA expression could compensate for reduced NSMF enabling a normal pituitary gonadotropin response. Impaired superovulation response, altered ovarian gene expression, and decreased number of oocytes indicate ovarian dysfunction, but a uterine factor cannot be excluded. These findings provide an anatomic basis for future mechanistic studies of subfertility in female Nsmf KO mice.

MRI Radiomics Features of Adenohypophysis Determine the Activation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Peri-Puberty Children.

The status of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is important for assessing the onset of physiological or pathological puberty. The reference standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test requires hospital admission and repeated blood samples. A simple noninvasive method would be beneficial. To explore a noninvasive method for evaluating HPG axis activation in children using an MRI radiomics model. Retrospective. Two hundred thirty-nine children (83 male; 3.6-14.6 years) with hypophysial MRI and GnRH stimulation tests, randomly divided a training set (168 children) and a test set (71 children). 3.0 T, 3D isotropic fast spin echo (CUBE) T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) sequences. Radiomics features were extracted from sagittal 3D CUBE T1WI, and imaging signatures were generated using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) with 10-fold cross-validation. Diagnostic performance for differential diagnosis of HPG status was compared between a radiomics model and MRI features (adenohypophyseal height [aPH] and volume [aPV]). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA). A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Eight hundred fifty-one radiomics features were extracted and reduced to 10 by the LASSO method in the training cohort. The radiomics model based on CUBE T1WI showed good performance in assessment of HPG axis activation with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.91) in the test set. The AUC of the radiomics model was significantly higher than that of aPH (0.81 vs. 0.65) but there was no significant difference compared to aPV (0.81 vs. 0.78, P = 0.58). In DCA analysis, the radiomics signature showed higher net benefit over the aPV and aPH models. The MRI radiomics model has potential to assess HPG axis activation status noninvasively, potentially providing valuable information in the diagnosis of patients with pathological puberty onset. 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.