Combined gonadotropin therapy to replace mini-puberty in male infants with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Infants born with severe central disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis leading to gonadotropin deficiency not only lack pubertal development in adolescence, but also lack infantile mini-puberty. This period of mini-puberty, where infants have gonadotropin and sex steroid concentrations up into the adult range, is vital for future reproductive capacity, particularly in boys. At present, there is no consensus on the diagnosis or management of infants with gonadotropin deficiency due to congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism or multiple pituitary hormone deficiency. Case series suggest that gonadotropin treatment in male infants with absent mini-puberty is effective in promoting both testicular descent in those with undescended testes and also facilitating increased penile size. Moreover, replacement with follicle-stimulating hormone increases the testicular Sertoli cell population, measurable as an increase in testicular volume and inhibin B, thus hypothetically increasing the capacity for spermatogenesis in adult life for these patients. However, long-term follow-up data is limited for both outcomes pertaining to fertility and nonreproductive sequelae, including neurodevelopment and psychological well-being. The use of international registries for patients with gonadotropin deficiency is a key element in the collection of high-quality, geographically widespread data to inform best-practice management from birth to adulthood.

Neuroendocrine manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare inflammatory myeloid neoplasia that can affect any organ or system in the human body. It is usually diagnosed during childhood but can also affect adults. Recent studies have demonstrated involvement of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis (HPA) in a significant proportion of patients with deficiencies in both anterior and posterior pituitary function that in the majority of cases are permanent and require specific hormone replacement regimes. Central diabetes insipidus is considered the most frequent abnormality of HPA involvement in LCH and can be encountered either as isolated deficiency or along with other pituitary deficiencies. Complete hormonal evaluation of pituitary hormones and long-term follow-up of LCH patients are strongly recommended, especially when pituitary involvement is established.

SOX10 Mutation Screening for 117 Patients with Kallmann Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a genetically heterogeneous condition characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) and olfactory dysfunction. Although SOX10, a causative gene for Waardenburg syndrome (WS) and peripheral demyelinating neuropathy, central demyelination, WS, and Hirschsprung disease (PCWH) has previously been implicated in KS, the clinical significance of SOX10 variants as the cause of KS remains uncertain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 117 patients with KS underwent mutation screening of SOX10 and 14 other causative genes for KS/HH. Rare SOX10 variants were subjected to in silico and in vitro analyses. We also examined clinical data of the patients and their parents with SOX10 variants. RESULTS: Sequence analysis identified 2 heterozygous variants of SOX10 (c.1225G > T, p.Gly409* and c.475C > T, p.Arg159Trp) in patients 1-3, as well as in the parents of patients 1 and 3. The variants were assessed as pathogenic/likely pathogenic, according to the American College of Medical Genomics guidelines. Both variants lacked in vitro transactivating activity for the MITF promoter and exerted no dominant-negative effects. Patients 1-3 carried no pathogenic variants in other genes examined. The patients presented with typical KS, while such features were absent in the parents of patients 1 and 3. None of the 5 variant-positive individuals exhibited hypopigmentation, while 1 and 2 individuals exhibited complete and partial hearing loss, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that SOX10 haploinsufficiency accounts for a small percentage of KS cases. SOX10 haploinsufficiency is likely to be associated with a broad phenotypic spectrum, which includes KS without other clinical features of WS/PCWH.

Successful Pregnancies After Adequate Hormonal Replacement in Patients With Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies.

CONTEXT: Women with hypopituitarism have lower pregnancy rates after ovulation induction. Associated pituitary hormone deficiencies might play a role in this poorer outcome. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated fertility treatment and pregnancy outcomes in five women with childhood-onset combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five women with CPHD were referred for fertility treatment after adequacy of hormone replacement was determined. Patients were subjected to controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) for timed intercourse, intrauterine insemination, or in vitro fertilization, according to the presence or absence of other infertility factors (male or tubal). RESULTS: All women became pregnant. The number of COS attempts until pregnancy was achieved varied between 1 and 5. The duration of COS resulting in at least one dominant follicle varied between 9 and 28 days, and total gonadotropin consumed varied between 1200 and 3450 IU. Two patients with severely suppressed basal gonadotropin levels since an early age had a cancelled COS cycle. All pregnancies were singleton except one (monochorionic twin gestation). The gestational ages at birth ranged from 35 weeks to 39 weeks and 4 days; three patients underwent cesarean section, and two had vaginal deliveries. Only one newborn was small for gestational age (delivered at 35 weeks). CONCLUSION: Adequate hormonal replacement prior to ovarian stimulation resulted in successful pregnancies in patients with childhood-onset CPHD, indicating that hormone replacement, including growth hormone, is an important step prior to fertility treatments in these patients.

SOX2 nonsense mutation in a patient clinically diagnosed with non-syndromic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a genetically heterogeneous condition that occurs either as an isolated disorder or as a component of congenital malformation syndromes. SOX2 is a causative gene of syndromic HH characterized by anophthalmia, microphthalmia, or coloboma and other neurological defects such as epilepsy. To date, the causal relationship between SOX2 abnormalities and non-syndromic HH remains speculative. Here, we identified a nonsense mutation of SOX2 in a male patient clinically diagnosed with non-syndromic HH. The patient had epilepsy but no additional clinical features. Ophthalmological examination revealed no abnormalities except for decreased thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Audiometry showed mild sensorineural hearing impairment of both ears. Hormonal evaluation suggested isolated gonadotropin deficiency. Next-generation sequencing-based mutation screening of 13 major causative genes for HH identified a p.Lys35∗ mutation in SOX2 and excluded pathogenic mutations in other tested genes. The p.Lys35∗ mutation appeared to encode a non-functioning SOX2 protein that lacks 283 of 317 amino acids. The SOX2 mutation was absent in the maternal DNA sample, while a paternal sample was unavailable for sequence analysis. These results expand the clinical consequences of SOX2 haploinsufficiency to include non-syndromic HH. Systematic mutation screening using a next-generation sequencer and detailed evaluation of nonspecific ocular/neurological features may help identify SOX2 mutation-positive individuals among HH patients.

An open-label clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of corifollitropin alfa combined with hCG in adult men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

BACKGROUND: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in men results in insufficient testicular function and deficiencies in testosterone and spermatogenesis. Combinations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) have been successful in the treatment of HH. Corifollitropin alfa is a long-acting FSH-analog with demonstrated action in women seeking infertility care. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of corifollitropin alfa combined with hCG to increase testicular volume and induce spermatogenesis in men with HH. METHODS: This was a Phase III, multi-center, open-label, single-arm trial of corifollitropin alfa in azoospermic men aged 18 to 50 years with HH. After 16 weeks of pretreatment of 23 subjects with hCG alone, 18 subjects with normalized testosterone (T) levels who remained azoospermic entered the 52-week combined treatment phase with hCG twice-weekly and 150 µg corifollitropin alfa every other week. The increase in testicular volume (primary efficacy endpoint) and induction of spermatogenesis resulting in a sperm count ≥1 × 106/mL (key secondary efficacy endpoint) during 52 weeks of combined treatment were assessed. Safety was evaluated by the presence of anti-corifollitropin alfa antibodies and the occurrence of adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Mean (±SD) testicular volume increased from 8.6 (±6.09) mL to 17.8 (±8.93) mL (geometric mean fold increase, 2.30 [95% CI: 2.03, 2.62]); 14 (77.8%) subjects reached a sperm count ≥1 × 106/mL. No subject developed confirmed anti-corifollitropin alfa antibodies during the trial. Treatment was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Corifollitropin alfa 150 µg administrated every other week combined with twice-weekly hCG for 52 weeks increased testicular volume significantly, and induced spermatogenesis in >75% of men with HH who had remained azoospermic after hCG treatment alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01709331 .

Gonadal dysfunction in chronic kidney disease.

Sexual dysfunction is a common finding in both men and women with chronic kidney failure. Common disturbances include erectile dysfunction in men, menstrual abnormalities in women, and decreased libido and fertility in both sexes. These abnormalities are primarily organic in nature and are related to uremia as well as the other comorbid conditions that frequently occur in the chronic kidney failure patient. Fatigue and psycho social factors related to the presence of a chronic disease are also contributory factors. Disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis can be detected prior to the need for dialysis but continue to worsen once dialytic therapy is initiated. Impaired gonadal function is prominent in uremic men while the disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis are more subtle. By contrast, central disturbances are more prominent in uremic women. Therapy is initially directed towards optimizing the delivery of dialysis, correcting anemia with recombinant erythropoietin, and controlling the degree of secondary hyperparathyroidism with vitamin D. For many practicing nephrologists sildenafil has become the first line therapy in the treatment of impotence. In the hypogonadal man whose only complaint is decreased libido, testosterone may be of benefit. Regular gynecologic follow up is required in uremic women to guard against potential complications of unopposed estrogen effect. Uremic women should be advised against pregnancy while on dialysis. Successful transplantation is the most effective means of restoring normal sexual function in both men and women with chronic kidney failure.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypopituitarism.

Hypopituitarism is a chronic endocrine illness that caused by varied etiologies. Clinical manifestations of hypopituitarism are variable, often insidious in onset and dependent on the degree and severity of hormone deficiency. However, it is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is necessary. Hypopituitarism can be easily diagnosed by measuring basal pituitary and target hormone levels except growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Dynamic stimulation tests are indicated in equivocal basal hormone levels and GH/ACTH deficiency. Knowledge of the use and limitations of these stimulation tests is mandatory for proper interpretation. It is necessary for physicians to inform their patients that they may require lifetime treatment. Hormone replacement therapy should be individualized according to the specific needs of each patient, taking into account possible interactions. Long-term endocrinological follow-up of hypopituitary patients is important to monitor hormonal replacement regimes and avoid under- or overtreatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypopituitarism

Hypopituitarism is a chronic endocrine illness that caused by varied etiologies. Clinical manifestations of hypopituitarism are variable, often insidious in onset and dependent on the degree and severity of hormone deficiency. However, it is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is necessary. Hypopituitarism can be easily diagnosed by measuring basal pituitary and target hormone levels except growth hormone (GH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Dynamic stimulation tests are indicated in equivocal basal hormone levels and GH/ACTH deficiency. Knowledge of the use and limitations of these stimulation tests is mandatory for proper interpretation. It is necessary for physicians to inform their patients that they may require lifetime treatment. Hormone replacement therapy should be individualized according to the specific needs of each patient, taking into account possible interactions. Long-term endocrinological follow-up of hypopituitary patients is important to monitor hormonal replacement regimes and avoid under- or overtreatment.

Genome-wide copy number analysis and systematic mutation screening in 58 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the molecular basis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). DESIGN: Genome-wide copy number analysis by array-based comparative genomic hybridization and systematic mutation screening of 29 known causative genes by next-generation sequencing, followed by in silico functional assessment and messenger RNA/DNA analyses of the mutants/variants. SETTING: Research institute. PATIENT(S): Fifty-eight patients with isolated HH (IHH), combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD), and syndromic HH. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Frequency and character of molecular abnormalities. RESULT(S): Pathogenic defects were identified in 14 patients with various types of HH, although oligogenicity was not evident in this patient group. As rare abnormalities, we identified a submicroscopic deletion involving FGFR1 and an SOX3 polyalanine deletion in patients with IHH, and a WDR11 splice site mutation in a patient with CPHD. No disease-associated polymorphism was detected in the 58 patients. CONCLUSION(S): The present study provides further evidence that mutations and deletions in the known causative genes play a relatively minor role in the etiology of HH and that submicroscopic rearrangements encompassing FGFR1 can lead to IHH as a sole recognizable clinical feature. Furthermore, the results indicate for the first time that polyalanine deletions in SOX3 and mutations in WDR11 constitute rare genetic causes of IHH and CPHD, respectively.