Human chorionic gonadotropin, prolactin, estriol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in cord blood of premature and term newborn infants: Relationship to the sex of the neonate

Yuen, Basil Ho; Mincey, E.K.

doi:10.1016/0002-9378(87)90291-2

Cited by 24 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…DHEA-S concentrations are also high in the newborn (Fig. 1) [1]. However, by age 1, the specialized fetal zone is lost and replaced by the definitive adrenal cortex, which initially synthesizes little DHEA-S (Fig.…”

Section: Background and Significancementioning

confidence: 92%

Regulation of the adrenal androgen biosynthesis

Rainey

Nakamura

2008

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

144

107

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The human adrenal reticularis produces the so-called adrenal androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S). As opposed to the cortisol and aldosterone little is known regarding the mechanisms that regulate the production of the adrenal androgens. Several recent studies have shown that type II 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B2), cytochrome b5 (CYB5), and steroid sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) play an important role in the regulation of adrenal androgen production. Specifically, adrenal production of DHEA-S is correlated with reticularis expression of SULT2A1 and CYB5. In contrast, HSD3B2 has an inverse correlation with adrenal androgen production likely due to its unique ability to remove precursors from the pathway leading to DHEA. Therefore, its expression is limited to the adrenal glomerulosa/fasciculata but not in reticularis. The differential expression of these three proteins appears to be critical for reticularis function. In this review, we focus on studies that have begun to define the mechanisms regulating the transcription of these genes. Understanding the mechanisms controlling differential expression of these proteins should provide novel information about the human adrenal reticularis and its production of DHEA and DHEA-S. KeywordsAdrenal; Androgen; Cytochrome b5; DHEA-sulfotransferase; 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II. Background & SignificanceThe fetal adrenal produces large amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEAsulfate (DHEAS) during fetal development (Fig. 1). DHEA-S concentrations are also high in the newborn (Fig. 1) [1]. However, by age 1, the specialized fetal zone is lost and replaced by the definitive adrenal cortex, which initially synthesizes little DHEA-S (Fig. 1). Hence, DHEA-S production declines precipitously during the first months of life and remains low until adrenarche commences at about age 6-8 [2]. This rise in the circulating concentrations of DHEA and DHEA-S is the biochemical hallmark of adrenarche [3]. Importantly, the rise in DHEA-S occurs prior to the increase of either estrogens or androgens associated with puberty [4]. Circulating DHEA-S concentrations continue to rise and peak during the second decade of life, with levels being higher in males than in females (Fig. 1) [3,5]. While circulating concentrations of DHEA and DHEA-S rise progressively in adrenarche, cortisol and ACTH concentrations do not change significantly in this period, indicating that adrenarche is not simply a global activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis.Correspondence and reprint requests addressed to: William E Rainey, Ph.D. Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912,, Email: E-mail: wrainey@mcg.edu. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its f...

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Section: Background and Significancementioning

confidence: 92%

Regulation of the adrenal androgen biosynthesis

Rainey

Nakamura

2008

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

144

107

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“…1). Robust production of DHEA-S by the foetal adrenal glands fuels the dramatic rise in oestrogens that proceeds through normal pregnancies, and DHEA-S concentrations are high in the newborn (Yuen & Mincey, 1987). By age 1, the foetal adrenal is replaced by the definitive adrenal cortex, which initially makes little DHEA-S.…”

Section: Hormonal Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adrenarche – physiology, biochemistry and human disease

Auchus¹,

Rainey

2003

Clinical Endocrinology

258

148

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SummaryAdrenarche refers to the onset of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulphate (DHEA-S) production from the adrenal zona reticularis that can be detected at around 6 years of age. The phenotypic result of adrenarche is pubarche or the development of axillary and pubic hair that occurs in both girls and boys at about age 8. The phenomenon of adrenarche is unique to human beings and to some Old World primates, and a reversal of adrenarche appears to occur in the ageing process. Premature and exaggerated adrenarche can be indicative of future onset of adult diseases, thus increasing the clinical relevance of adrenarche. The physiological triggers of adrenarche and the role(s) of DHEA-S remain speculative. However, the biochemical pathways that define adrenarche have been characterized in detail, and the appearance of key enzymes and cofactors in the adrenal zona reticularis track with the progression of adrenarche. This article reviews the clinical manifestations of adrenarche, the biochemistry of the enzymes involved in DHEA-S production, and the cell biology of the adrenal zona reticularis.Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids secreted by the adrenal glands are essential for the maintenance of vascular tone and carbohydrate metabolism or of blood volume and sodium balance, respectively. The testes and ovaries, by contrast, generate the sex steroids that are required for gametogenesis, secondary sexual characteristics and reproduction. However, the adrenal glands of adult human beings secrete generous quantities of the C 19 steroids dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulphate

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“…Concentrations of DHEA in cord blood are also high 3. After birth, the zona reticularis involutes and by early to mid-childhood is largely inactive, secreting only small amounts of DHEA and A4 4 5.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Premature adrenarche

2011

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Premature adrenarche refers to the presence of secondary sexual hair in girls younger than 8 years old and boys younger than 9 years old. It is a relatively common presentation to paediatricians and is more frequent in girls than boys. It is a benign diagnosis, but other causes of androgen excess such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia or adrenal tumours should be excluded first. In conjunction with history and clinical examination, first line investigations should include determination of serum androgen concentrations, along with bone age, proceeding to synacthen stimulation test (for 17OHP levels) and adrenal ultrasound if indicated. The phenotype of premature adrenarche varies considerably between populations but may be associated with low birth weight, insulin resistance, adverse cardio-metabolic risk and progression to polycystic ovarian syndrome in some populations. In the majority of cases, no specific treatment is recommended, but where there is a history of low birth weight, with associated insulin resistance, intervention with the insulin sensitising agent metformin may be considered on a case by case basis.

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Human chorionic gonadotropin, prolactin, estriol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in cord blood of premature and term newborn infants: Relationship to the sex of the neonate

Cited by 24 publications

References 12 publications

Regulation of the adrenal androgen biosynthesis

Regulation of the adrenal androgen biosynthesis

Adrenarche – physiology, biochemistry and human disease

Premature adrenarche

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