William C. Phillips III

An SIUC chairman says he is attempting to find a cure for a disease that causes growth in the hormones of the pituitary gland which interferes with the reproductive organs of men and women.

Andersen Bartke, chairman of the SIUC physiology department, said he is seeking to identify the mechanisms and the locations the hormone will affect. Bartke started the research in 1986 and he said he wants to know how FSH and LH growth hormones function in the brain and reproductive organs and what trouble they can cause.

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Bartke said data obtained from the research found acromegaly, a non-genetic disease in which the pituitary gland produces excessive amounts of growth in the hormone. The growth interferes with fertility in both men and women, he said.

Men will have problems with sexual functions and reduction of sexual abilities, and women will have irregular menstrual cycles or no cycle at all, Bartke said.

Mark Trelka, a neurologist in Carbondale, said the pituitary gland produces hormones that deal with reproduction.

Tumors in the pituitary gland may affect the hormones in women that prepare the uterus for the fetus and the development of the fetus, Trelka said.

In the study, mice with genetically engineered hormones are compared with normal mice to determine the effects on reproductive functions.

The disease develops slowly, causing problems with diagnosis, he said. Some of the symptoms are swelling of the nose, fingers and toes and pain in joints, headaches and visual disturbances.

Bartke said if a person suspects they may have a tumor, he or she may undergo X-rays or have the growth of hormones in their blood measured.

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Acromegaly can be surgically removed, or medication may be taken to reduce the secretion of the growth hormone he said.

However, there are some risks in having the tumor surgically removed, he said. The risks depend upon the characteristics of the patient and the tumor, such as the size of the tumor and the age of the patient.

If it is a large tumor or tumor that is causing damage to a nerve, it might be better to have surgery, but medication can be used for hormone problems, Trelka said.