The hormone 17β-estradiol is the most potent naturally circulating and clinically significant estrogen. Estradiol production is dependent on complex interactions involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis supporting growth and development of primordial ovarian follicles. Adolescent girls and young women deficient in circulating estradiol need estradiol replacement therapy to develop and maintain secondary sex characteristics and bone mass. Women deficient in estradiol are also at risk of significant morbidity and mortality related to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In addition, estradiol deficiency is associated with a shortened life expectancy.
Importantly, recent evidence has shown 17β-estradiol can induce rapid activation of cell signaling via membrane receptors, independent of gene transcription and is involved in brain processes. Indeed, preclinical studies in rodents employing spatial cognition tests have demonstrated the beneficial effects of estradiol on working and reference memory. In addition, other preclinical studies have shown that estradiol decreases anxiety-like behaviors, as measured by increased center time in the open field test in mice. Women who receive estradiol as compared to placebo exhibit changes in frontal activation during working memory tasks. Further, estradiol levels correlate positively with working memory performance in younger women of reproductive age.
GOALS:
1) Understand the integration of hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian signals and processes responsible for ovarian follicle growth and development and the regular ovulation of a single dominant follicle in women.
2) Determine the role of neuroendocrine and ovarian pathologic processes leading to amenorrhea and estradiol deficiency.
3) Explore genotype/phenotype relationships in amenorrhea and estradiol deficiency.
4) Determine the best evidence approach to the clinical management of amenorrhea and the related estradiol deficiency. The effort will emphasize the need for a physiologic approach to estradiol and progesterone replacement in estradiol deficient girls and young women.
SCOPE: There is a need for basic science and clinical research to define further the pathophysiology of estradiol deficiency and the role of estradiol in general health to include behavioral health. There is also a need to determine the ideal clinical evaluation and management for adolescents and young women with amenorrhea and estradiol deficiency. Therefore, the following types of manuscripts are welcome: basic science or clinical research, reviews, case reports, and proposals for establishing an international registry and natural history study regarding the role of estradiol in the health of adolescent girls and young women.
The hormone 17β-estradiol is the most potent naturally circulating and clinically significant estrogen. Estradiol production is dependent on complex interactions involving the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis supporting growth and development of primordial ovarian follicles. Adolescent girls and young women deficient in circulating estradiol need estradiol replacement therapy to develop and maintain secondary sex characteristics and bone mass. Women deficient in estradiol are also at risk of significant morbidity and mortality related to osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In addition, estradiol deficiency is associated with a shortened life expectancy.
Importantly, recent evidence has shown 17β-estradiol can induce rapid activation of cell signaling via membrane receptors, independent of gene transcription and is involved in brain processes. Indeed, preclinical studies in rodents employing spatial cognition tests have demonstrated the beneficial effects of estradiol on working and reference memory. In addition, other preclinical studies have shown that estradiol decreases anxiety-like behaviors, as measured by increased center time in the open field test in mice. Women who receive estradiol as compared to placebo exhibit changes in frontal activation during working memory tasks. Further, estradiol levels correlate positively with working memory performance in younger women of reproductive age.
GOALS:
1) Understand the integration of hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian signals and processes responsible for ovarian follicle growth and development and the regular ovulation of a single dominant follicle in women.
2) Determine the role of neuroendocrine and ovarian pathologic processes leading to amenorrhea and estradiol deficiency.
3) Explore genotype/phenotype relationships in amenorrhea and estradiol deficiency.
4) Determine the best evidence approach to the clinical management of amenorrhea and the related estradiol deficiency. The effort will emphasize the need for a physiologic approach to estradiol and progesterone replacement in estradiol deficient girls and young women.
SCOPE: There is a need for basic science and clinical research to define further the pathophysiology of estradiol deficiency and the role of estradiol in general health to include behavioral health. There is also a need to determine the ideal clinical evaluation and management for adolescents and young women with amenorrhea and estradiol deficiency. Therefore, the following types of manuscripts are welcome: basic science or clinical research, reviews, case reports, and proposals for establishing an international registry and natural history study regarding the role of estradiol in the health of adolescent girls and young women.