Sex differences in the development of prolactinoma in mice overexpressing hCGâ: Role of TGFâ1

FARAONI, ERIKA; CAMILLETTI, MARIA ANDREA; ABELEDO, ALEJANDRA; RATNER, LAURA; DE FINO, FERNANDA; HUHTANIEMI, ILPO; RULLI, SUSANA; DÍAZ-TORGA, GRACIELA

JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY

BIOSCIENTIFICA LTD

Lugar: Bristol; Año: 2017

0022-0795

Factors that trigger the prolactinoma development in hCGâ+ females are not fully elucidated. One of the most studied stimulus involved in prolactinoma development is the circulating estradiol level. In hCGâ+ females the hyperstimulation of the immature ovary by hCG, induces transient high levels of estradiol. However, thereafter, those high levels of circulating hCG induces massive luteinization of granulosa and theca cells, and progesterone becomes the primary steroid hormone produced. Adult hCGâ+ female mice produce 50- to 100-fold excess of progesterone, 3 to 6-fold-increase in testosterone but physiological levels of estradiol. As the involvement of high levels of progesterone or testosterone in lactotroph proliferation is not clearly understood, new investigations are needed to clarify the pathogenesis of prolactinomas in hCGâ+ female mice. The aim of the present work was to study the involvement of TGF-â1 system in the development of prolactinoma in hCGâ+ mice, and the gender differences presented in this model.