scholarly journals Kisspeptin Responsiveness Signals Emergence of Reproductive Endocrine Activity: Implications for Human Puberty

2016 ◽  
Vol 101 (8) ◽  
pp. 3061-3069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret F. Lippincott ◽  
Yee-Ming Chan ◽  
Angela Delaney ◽  
Dianali Rivera-Morales ◽  
James P. Butler ◽  
...  

Context: Some patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) undergo spontaneous activation of their hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis resulting in normalization of steroidogenesis and/or gametogenesis, a phenomenon termed reversal. Objective: To assess the responsiveness of the GnRH neuronal network to exogenous kisspeptin administration in IHH patients who have undergone reversal. Participants: Six men with congenital IHH and evidence for reversal. Intervention: Subjects underwent q10 min blood sampling to measure GnRH-induced LH secretion at baseline and in response to iv boluses of kisspeptin (0.24–2.4 nmol/kg) and GnRH (75 ng/kg). Results: Individuals with sustained reversal of their hypogonadotropism (spontaneous LH pulses) responded to exogenous kisspeptin with a GnRH-induced LH pulse. Individuals who had reversal but then subsequently suffered relapse of their IHH (loss of spontaneous LH pulsatility) did not respond to kisspeptin. Conclusions: The ability of kisspeptin to stimulate a GnRH-induced LH pulse correlates with the presence of endogenous LH pulses. These data suggest that reversal of hypogonadotropism, and by extension sexual maturation, may be due to the acquisition of kisspeptin responsiveness.

2014 ◽  
Vol 99 (12) ◽  
pp. E2762-E2771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yee-Ming Chan ◽  
Margaret F. Lippincott ◽  
James P. Butler ◽  
Valerie F. Sidhoum ◽  
Cindy X. Li ◽  
...  

Context: Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) results from defective synthesis, secretion, or action of GnRH. Kisspeptin is a potent stimulus for GnRH secretion. Objective: We probed the functional capacity of the GnRH neuronal network in patients with IHH. Participants: Eleven subjects with congenital IHH (9 men and 2 women) and one male subject who underwent reversal of IHH were studied. Six of the twelve subjects had an identified genetic cause of their IHH: KAL1 (n = 1), FGFR1 (n = 3), PROKR2 (n = 1), GNRHR (n = 1). Intervention: Subjects underwent q10 min blood sampling to measure GnRH-induced LH secretion at baseline and in response to intravenous boluses of kisspeptin (0.24 nmol/kg) and GnRH (75 ng/kg) both pre- and post-six days of treatment with exogenous GnRH (25 ng/kg sc every 2 h). Results: All subjects with abiding IHH failed to demonstrate a GnRH-induced LH response to exogenous kisspeptin. In contrast, the subject who achieved reversal of his hypogonadotropism demonstrated a robust response to kisspeptin. Conclusions: The functional capacity of the GnRH neuronal network in IHH patients is impaired, as evidenced by their inability to respond to the same dose of kisspeptin that effects a robust GnRH-induced LH response in healthy men and luteal-phase women. This impairment is observed across a range of genotypes, suggesting that it reflects a fundamental property of GnRH neuronal networks that have not been properly engaged during pubertal development. In contrast, a patient who had experienced reversal of his hypogonadotropism responded to exogenous kisspeptin.


2008 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 758-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Salenave ◽  
Philippe Chanson ◽  
Hélène Bry ◽  
Michel Pugeat ◽  
Sylvie Cabrol ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: Kallmann’s syndrome (KS) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder consisting of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) with anosmia or hyposmia. Objective: Our objective was to compare the reproductive phenotypes of men harboring KAL1 and FGFR1/KAL2 mutations. Design and Patients: We studied the endocrine features reflecting gonadotropic-testicular axis function in 39 men; 21 had mutations in KAL1 and 18 in FGFR1/KAL2, but none had additional mutations in PROK-2 or PROKR-2 genes. Results: Puberty failed to occur in the patients with KAL1 mutations, all of whom had complete CHH. Three patients with FGFR1/KAL2 mutations had normal puberty, were eugonadal, and had normal testosterone and gonadotropin levels. Cryptorchidism was more frequent (14 of 21 vs. 3 of 15; P < 00.1) and testicular volume (2.4 ± 1.1 vs. 5.4 ± 2.4 ml; P < 0.001) was smaller in CHH subjects with KAL1 mutations than in subjects with FGFR1/KAL2 mutations. The mean basal plasma FSH level (0.72 ± 0.47 vs. 1.48 ± 0.62 IU/liter; P < 0.05), serum inhibin B level (19.3 ± 10.6 vs. 39.5 ± 19.3 pg/ml; P < 0.005), basal LH plasma level (0.57 ± 0.54 vs. 1.0 ± 0.6 IU/liter; P < 0.01), and GnRH-stimulated LH plasma level (1.2 ± 1.0 vs. 4.1 ± 3.5 IU/liter; P < 0.01) were significantly lower in the subjects with KAL1 mutations. LH pulsatility was studied in 13 CHH subjects with KAL1 mutations and seven subjects with FGFR1/KAL2 mutations; LH secretion was nonpulsatile in all the subjects, but mean LH levels were lower in those with KAL1 mutations. Conclusion: KAL1 mutations result in a more severe reproductive phenotype than FGFR1/KAL2 mutations. The latter are associated with a broader spectrum of pubertal development and with less severe impairment of gonadotropin secretion.


2013 ◽  
Vol 168 (4) ◽  
pp. K45-K50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Laure Raffin-Sanson ◽  
Bérénice Oudet ◽  
Sylvie Salenave ◽  
Sylvie Brailly-Tabard ◽  
Martine Pehuet ◽  
...  

ObjectiveDAX1/NR0B1 mutations cause primary adrenal insufficiency in early childhood and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HHG), leading to absent or incomplete sexual maturation. The aim of the study was to prospectively investigate gonadotrope and testicular functions in a patient carrying a DAX1 mutation, who had spontaneous puberty and normal virilization but oligospermia.Case reportThe proband was referred for infertility at the age of 32 years. He reported adrenal insufficiency diagnosed at the age of 19 years. Puberty started at the age of 13 years, with spontaneous virilization, growth spurt, and testicular growth. He reported normal libido and sexual function. Physical examination showed normal virilization, penile length, and testicular volume. However, semen samples showed severe oligospermia. Hormonal measurements confirmed adrenal insufficiency but showed a preserved hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis with normal testosterone and inhibin B; basal and GNRH-stimulated gonadotropin levels and LH pulsatility were also normal. He fathered a first boy by in vitro fertilization and a second boy without medical assistance. As a nephew also had early adrenal insufficiency, the possibility of DAX1 mutation was raised. The same recurrent hemizygous nonsense mutation W39X was found in the proband, his nephew, and in an apparently asymptomatic brother who was found to have adrenal insufficiency, mild HHG, and azoospermia. Several evaluations of the proband over 20 years showed preserved testosterone levels and LH secretion but deteriorating oligospermia.ConclusionLong-term preservation of normal hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal function in this patient, contrasting with his severe oligospermia, strongly suggests that DAX1 is required for human spermatogenesis, independently of its known role in gonadotropin secretion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1018-1023
Author(s):  
Kelsey Jones ◽  
Sarah Ryan ◽  
Nichole E Carlson ◽  
Justin Chosich ◽  
Andrew P. Bradford ◽  
...  

AbstractIn obese ovulatory women, serum luteinizing Hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are lowered compared with normal weight women. This relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism represents a potential etiology for overall decreased fertility in obesity. The objective was to determine if administration of an aromatase inhibitor (AI) to ovulating obese women would normalize LH and FSH by interrupting estradiol negative feedback. Letrozole (2.5–5 mg) was given daily to 22 women, 12 obese and 10 normal weight, for 7 days. On the last day of administration, 8 h of blood sampling was done every 10 min before and after a bolus of GnRH at 4 h. We obtained data from 21 ovulatory women (10 normal weight and 11 obese) who had undergone a similar protocol of frequent blood sampling but no aromatase inhibitors (AI) treatment. Serum LH and FSH levels and pulse characteristics were measured. Treatment with AI only significantly affected obese women. Further, in women with obesity, LH secretion, prior to the GnRH bolus, was significantly higher in AI treated compared with non-treated (p = 0.011). AI treatment doubled LH pulse amplitude in obese women (p = 0.004). In response to aromatase inhibition, LH secretion in ovulatory women with obesity is increased and similar to levels found in untreated normal weight women. The increase in LH pulse amplitude indicates that the AI effect is mediated at the level of the pituitary. Our results suggest that the hypogonadotropic phenotype of simple obesity is subject to modulation by interruption of estradiol negative feedback.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yui Watanabe ◽  
Takeshi Hayashi ◽  
Hiroyuki Yamazaki ◽  
Katsuyoshi Tojo ◽  
Kazunori Utsunomiya

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Howard ◽  
Ariel Poliandri ◽  
Helen Storr ◽  
Louise Metherell ◽  
Claudia Cabrera ◽  
...  

1991 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wieland Kiess ◽  
Linda L. Liu ◽  
Nicholas R. Hall

Abstract. Sex-related differences in immune responsiveness are mediated at least in part by sex steroid hormones. Lymphocyte subset distribution in peripheral blood and natural killer cell function both have been reported to be under hormonal control. In order to gain more insight into sex steroid hormone action on the immune system, we have measured the lymphocyte subset distribution and natural killer cell activity in 18 men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism before treatment, and after hormonal treatment had normalized plasma testosterone levels. In untreated patients, the mean plasma testosterone concentrations were significantly lower than those in the treated men (3.0 ± 0.5 nmol/l vs 16 ± 1.7 nmol/l, p < 0.001). The percentage of peripheral CD3+ lymphocytes, CD8+ cells, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and the natural killer cell activity of peripheral mononuclear cells measured in a 51Cr release assay against target K 562 cells did not differ between patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and healthy adults, and most importantly, did not change during hormonal treatment which normalized plasma testosterone levels in the patients. In contrast, the percentage of peripheral CD4+ cells was significantly higher in untreated patients compared with normal adult subjects or patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after hormonal treatment that resulted in normal plasma testosterone levels (53 ± 2 vs 47 ± 2, p < 0.05). It should be noted that the percentage of peripheral CD 16+ cells was significantly lower in untreated men with low plasma testosterone levels than in normal controls. The percentage of CD16+ cells in peripheral venous blood rose significantly after hormonal treatment restored plasma testosterone levels to normal (6 ± 1 vs 11 ± 1, p < 0.001). In addition, the percentage of peripheral CD16+ cells correlated significantly with the plasma testosterone levels measured in men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (r = 0.534, p < 0.001). In conclusion, both the percentage of peripheral CD4+ cells (T-helper lymphocytes) and peripheral CD16+ cells (non-T-non-B cells) are related to the plasma testosterone levels in men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. These data suggest that in vivo human immune cells are under the regulatory influence of endogenous sex steroids.


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