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Endocrine function in four anencephalic infants.

L Cavallo, M Altomare, P Palmieri

    Hormone Research
    |January 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Anencephaly studies reveal that pituitary tissue can autonomously produce hormones like prolactin (PRL) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) without a hypothalamus. Post-delivery hormone surges are hypothalamus-dependent.

    Area of Science:

    • Endocrinology
    • Developmental Biology
    • Neonatal Studies

    Background:

    • Anencephaly is a severe congenital disorder characterized by the absence of major parts of the brain, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the skull.
    • The role of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in fetal and neonatal endocrine function is critical, but their development is severely compromised in anencephaly.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the functional capacity of adenohypophyseal tissue in anencephalic infants in the absence of hypothalamic structures.
    • To determine the hormonal responses of the thyroid, adrenals, and pancreas to stimulation in anencephalic neonates.
    • To elucidate the hypothalamus-dependent regulation of specific hormone surges around the time of birth.

    Main Methods:

    • Endocrine assessments were performed on four anencephalic infants shortly after birth.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Hormonal function was evaluated using a combined luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test, followed by an intravenous glucose tolerance test.
  • Macroscopic examination for hypothalamic and hypophyseal structures was conducted.

    • Main Results:

    • Adenohypophyseal tissue in anencephalic infants demonstrated autonomous synthesis and release of prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) upon stimulation, but not follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH).
    • Human growth hormone (hGH) secretion was uncertain, and the normal post-delivery surges of hGH and TSH were absent, indicating hypothalamus dependence.
    • The thyroid and adrenal glands responded to specific stimulation, and beta-pancreatic function was largely unimpaired.

    Conclusions:

    • The adenohypophysis can function autonomously in anencephaly, synthesizing and releasing certain hormones independently of the hypothalamus.
    • Hypothalamic control is essential for specific neonatal endocrine surges, particularly for hGH and TSH.
    • Despite the absence of the hypothalamus, peripheral endocrine glands like the thyroid and adrenals retain responsiveness to stimulation, and pancreatic beta-cell function is preserved.