Reduced serum concentrations of biomarkers reflecting leydig and sertoli cell function in male patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

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  • Trine Holm Johannsen
  • Jakob Albrethsen
  • Vassos Neocleous
  • Federico Baronio
  • Martine Cools
  • Lise Aksglaede
  • Niels Jørgensen
  • Peter Christiansen
  • Meropi Toumba
  • Pavlos Fanis
  • Marie Lindhardt Ljubicic
  • Juul, Anders

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a recessive condition t hat affects the adrenal glands. Despite life-long replacement therapy with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, adult patients with CAH often experience impaired gonadal function. In pubertal boys and in men with CAH, circulating testosterone is produced by the adrenal glands as well as the testicular, steroidogenic cells. In this European two-center study, we evaluated the function of Leydig and Sertoli cells in 61 boys and men with CAH, primarily due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Despite conventional hormone replacement therapy, our results indicated a significant reduction in serum concentrations of both Leydig cel l-derived hormones (i.e. insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) and testosterone) and Sertoli cell-derived hormones (i.e. inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone) in adult males with CAH. Serum concentrations of INSL3 were particularly reduced in those with testicular adrenal rest tumors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate circulating INSL3 as a candi date biomarker to monitor Leydig cell function in patients with CAH.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere230073
JournalEndocrine Connections
Volume12
Issue number8
Number of pages10
ISSN2049-3614
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

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© 2023 the author(s).

    Research areas

  • AMH, FSH, Inhibin B, INSL3, LH, Testosterone

ID: 386375138