Long term use of high doses of estrogen and the presence of chronic hyperprolactinemia may, at least in the rat, provoke lesions in the tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons responsible for the control of prolactin (Prl) secretion. This occurrence, which is not yet well documented in humans, may have taken place in a patient on chronic oral hormonal contraceptive (OC) treatment who was seen for primary hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia and a pituitary mass. After thyroid hormone replacement, OC withdrawn and bromocriptine treatment, […]

The integrity of the GHRH-GH-IGF-I axis is important for normal growth. Mutations in genes involved in any of the steps result in short stature. Disorders of this axis can be divided in: 1) GH deficiency combined with deficiencies of other pituitary hormones due to alterations in transcription factors involved in pituitary organogenesis (HESX1/RPX, LHX3 e LHX4, PROP-1, PIT-1); 2. Isolated GH deficiency (GHRH receptor, GH-1, bioinactive GH); and 3. GH insensitivity (GH receptor, IGF-I gene and IGF-I receptor). Genes involved […]