Endocrines

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Genazzani

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Guest Editor

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecological Endocrinology Center, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
Interests: neuroendocrine/endocrine control of reproduction; hypothalamic dysfunctions; PCOS; obesity; hyperinsulinism; peri and postmenopausal disturbances
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reproductive function is mostly regulated by the interaction of hormones produced by the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and gonads. They form the reproductive axis (also known as the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis). Stress, impaired metabolism, PCOS, ovarian failure, endocrine diseases, excess physical activity, and psychodynamic aspects can negatively modulate the reproductive axis, resulting in defective reproductive impairments (endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and uterine fibroids).

The pituitary gland is a critical mediator of endocrine homeostasis. Hormones of the anterior and posterior pituitary play critical roles in metabolism, osmoregulation, reproduction, stress, and other fundamental processes.

This Special Issue of Endocrines, entitled “Feature Paper in Reproductive Impairments and Pituitary Disorders”, aims to shed light on any aspect of endocrinology in reproductive impairments and pituitary disorders and welcomes submissions of reviews, opinions, research studies, and articles concerning relevant topics.

Prof. Dr. Alessandro Genazzani
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Endocrines is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

reproductive endocrinology
pituitary
reproductive impairments
Endocrine diseases
stress
PCOS
insulin resistance
menopause

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 820 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

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

by Alessandro D. Genazzani, Alessandra Sponzilli, Marcello Mantovani, Emma Fusilli, Francesco Ricciardiello, Elisa Semprini, Tommaso Simoncini and Christian Battipaglia

Endocrines 2024, 5(1), 36-45; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/endocrines5010003 - 23 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1044

Abstract

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Paper in Reproductive Impairments and Pituitary Disorders)

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Review

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12 pages, 819 KiB

Open AccessReview

Primary Amenorrhea in Adolescents: Approach to Diagnosis and Management

by Laura Gaspari, Françoise Paris, Nicolas Kalfa and Charles Sultan

Endocrines 2023, 4(3), 536-547; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/endocrines4030038 - 23 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4765

Abstract

Primary amenorrhea (PA) describes the complete absence of menses by the age of 15 years. It is a devastating diagnosis that can affect the adolescent’s view of her femininity, sexuality, fertility and self-image. A normal menstrual cycle can occur only in the presence of: a properly functioning hypothalamus–pituitary axis, well-developed and active ovaries, outflow tract without abnormalities. Any dysfunction in any of these players can result in amenorrhea. PA evaluation includes the patient’s medical history, physical examination, pelvic ultrasonography and initial hormone evaluation, limited to the serum-follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone, testosterone and prolactin. A karyotype should be obtained in all adolescents with high FSH serum levels. The main causes of PA, whether or not accompanied by secondary sexual characteristics, include endocrine defects of the hypothalamus–pituitary–ovarian axis, genetic defects of the ovary, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, infections, iatrogenic causes (radiotherapy, chemotherapy), environmental factors and Müllerian tract defects. PA management depends on the underlying causes. Estrogen replacement therapy at puberty has mainly been based on personal experience. PA can be due to endocrine, genetic, metabolic, anatomical and environmental disorders that may have severe implications on reproductive health later in life. In some complex cases, a multidisciplinary team best manages the adolescent, including a pediatrician endocrinologist, gynecologist, geneticist, surgeon, radiologist, and psychologist. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Paper in Reproductive Impairments and Pituitary Disorders)

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