Active hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in an infant with X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita

J Pediatr. 1997 Mar;130(3):485-8. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(97)70217-8.

Abstract

To evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in an infant with adrenal hypoplasia congenita, we measured the serum levels of testosterone and performed a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone stimulation test. The diagnosis was made because of the presence of a mutation, A300V, in the DAX-1 gene. The results demonstrated an active hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, with adult-level testosterone of 266 ng/dl on day 0, and maintenance of testosterone concentration in the 100 to 250 ng/dl range for 140 days as expected. The luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone lest was compatible with an active pituitary gland with a luteinizing hormone peak of 13.1 IU/L and a follicle-stimulating hormone of 5.0 IU/L We conclude that the DAX-1 mutation does allow a normal reproductive axis at birth. We speculate that sometime between infancy and puberty this mutation in the DAX-1 gene leads to an inability to activate the reproductive axis from its childhood suppression; thus puberty will not develop in this infant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Insufficiency / congenital*
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / genetics*
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Humans
  • Hypogonadism / genetics*
  • Hypogonadism / physiopathology*
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiopathology*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Testosterone / blood
  • X Chromosome*

Substances

  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Testosterone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone