Degree Of Sexual Maturation Research Articles

Low BMI, but not high BMI, influences the timing of puberty in boys.

Previous studies investigating the association between weight status and onset of puberty in boys have been equivocal. It is currently unclear to what extent weight class influences puberty onset and progression. To explore the relationship between degree of sexual maturation and anthropometric measures in Norwegian boys. The following endpoints were collected in a Norwegian cross-sectional study of 324 healthy boys aged 9-16: ultrasound-determined testicular volume (USTV), total serum testosterone, Tanner pubic hair stage, height, weight, waist circumference (WC), subscapular skinfolds (SSF), and body fat percentage (%BF). Testicular volume-for-age z-scores were used to classify "early," "average," or "late" maturing boys. Ordinal logistic regression analyses with a proportional odds model were applied to analyze the association between anthropometric variables and age-adjusted degree of pubertal development, with results expressed as age-adjusted odds ratios (AOR). Cumulative incidence curves for reaching pubertal milestones were stratified by BMI. Boys with a low BMI for age (BMIz <-1) were less likely to have reached a pubertal testicular volume (USTV≥2.7mL) or a pubertal serum level of testosterone (≥0.5nmol/L) compared to normal weight boys (AOR 0.3, p=0.038, AOR 0.3, p=0.026, respectively), and entered puberty on average with a delay of approximately eight months. Boys with high BMI for age (BMIz >1) exhibited a comparable timing as normal weight boys. The same was found for WC. Pubertal markers were not associated with SSF or %BF. By examining the association between puberty and weight status classified as low, average, or high, we found that a low BMI or WC for age were associated with a less advanced pubertal development and delayed timing of puberty in boys. No significant association was observed for a high BMI or WC. Moreover, no significant effects of SSF or %BF were observed. A low weight status should also be considered when assessing pubertal development in boys.

Effect of early development on semen parameters and lifespan of rabbit males selected by high growth rate

Life history theory suggests that different body development dynamics may influence survival and future reproductive performance of organisms. The present work studied how these dynamics could influence seminal traits and lifespan of rabbit males selected for growth rate and intended for AI. To achieve this goal, a total of 550 rabbit males were controlled from birth, evaluated both during the testing phase (four consecutive weeks after reaching 147 days of life) and the productive phase (377 of them from the end of the testing phase until 2 years of life). In order to obtain individuals with different body development dynamics, we pre-selected males based on their live weight (LW) at 0, 28, 63 and 147 days and on their average daily gain (ADG) between each period (0–28, 28–63 and 63–147 days). Libido and main seminal traits (semen volume, motility, concentration, and production, as well as normal apical ridge and abnormalities of spermatozoa) were controlled during the testing phase. Semen volume, motility and concentration were subsequently controlled during the productive phase, as well as the length of the male life, calculated as the number of days a rabbit was present at the farm between age 147 and day of death, culling or censoring; set to 2 years of life). The birth weight, the ADG between 0 and 28 days and between 28 and 63 days were positively related to some seminal parameters measured during the testing phase (semen volume, concentration, production and motility; P < 0.05), while the ADG between 63 and 147 days was negatively related to the seminal productivity throughout the productive life of the males (an increment of 10 g per day on ADG reduced the number of profitable ejaculates by 4.9%; P < 0.05). In addition, a higher growth between 0 and 28 and between 63 and 147 days increased the risk of death or culling of males during the productive phase (P < 0.05). In conclusion, an adequate body development early in life seems to have a positive effect on the degree of sexual maturity with which male rabbits begin their reproductive life, but reaching the reproduction onset with excessive weight can reduce their reproductive performance and lifespan.

Endocrine actions of pesticides measured in the Flemish environment and health studies (FLEHS I and II).

Within the Flemish Environment and Health studies (FLEHS I, 2002-2006, and FLEHS II, 2007-2012), pesticide exposure, hormone levels and degree of sexual maturation were measured in 14-15-year-old adolescents residing in Flanders (Belgium). In FLEHS II, geometric mean concentrations (with 95 % confidence interval (CI)) of 307 (277-341) and 36.5 ng L(-1) (34.0-39.2) were found for p,p'-dichlorophenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). These values were respectively 26 and 60 % lower than levels in FLEHS I, 5 years earlier. Metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and of para-dichlorobenzene were measured for the first time in FLEHS II, yielding concentrations of 11.4, 3.27 and 1.57 μg L(-1) for the sum of dimethyl- and diethyl phosphate metabolites and 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP), respectively. Data on internal exposure of HCB showed a positive correlation with sexual maturation, testosterone and the aromatase index for boys and with free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (both boys and girls). For both p,p'-DDE and HCB, a negative association with sexual development in girls was found. The OPP metabolites were negatively associated with sex hormone levels in the blood of boys and with sexual maturation (both boys and girls). The pesticide metabolite 2,5-DCP was negatively correlated with free T4, while a positive association with TSH was reported (boys and girls). These results show that even exposure to relatively low concentrations of pesticides can have significant influences on hormone levels and the degree of sexual maturation in 14-15-year-old adolescents.

Caracterização ovariana e definição do número de gerações de mosca-das-frutas sul-americana durante o ciclo das culturas em dois pomares na região de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

A mosca-das-frutas sul-americana, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae), é a principal praga das frutíferas no Sul do Brasil. Este trabalho buscou caracterizar as populações de moscas-das-frutas desta espécie capturadas em armadilhas com atrativos alimentares, através da comparação do estágio de maturação dos órgãos reprodutivos de fêmeas de campo e de laboratório. Realizaram-se coletas em dois pomares, um de pessegueiro, com manejo convencional e um de goiabeira, sem manejo, durante uma safra, com dois diferentes atrativos alimentares, em diferentes fases das culturas. Foram utilizadas armadilhas do tipo McPhail com suco de uva a 25% e proteína hidrolisada a 5%. As fêmeas coletadas foram dissecadas, seus ovários medidos em largura e comprimento e foi determinado o grau de maturação sexual, assim com as de laboratório, com a idade controlada. Foram capturadas 895 fêmeas de A. fraterculus no pomar de goiabeiras e 139 no de pessegueiros. Determinaram-se três estágios fisiológicos das fêmeas a partir da diferenciação celular dos ovários: imaturas, em desenvolvimento e maduras. Fêmeas maduras de laboratório apresentaram ovários significativamente menores que as de campo. No pomar de pessegueiros identificaram-se, através dos picos de coletas de moscas imaturas, três gerações durante o ciclo da cultura, até a colheita. Nas goiabeiras, o maior pico populacional de moscas imaturas ocorreu no final do ciclo, indicando uma população apta a colonizar outras frutíferas.

Hormone levels and sexual development in Flemish adolescents residing in areas differing in pollution pressure

In 2002, the Centre for Environment and Health in Flanders, Belgium started a human biomonitoring program. For 1679 adolescents, residing in nine study areas with differing pollution pressure, hormone levels and the degree of sexual maturation were measured. Possible confounding effects of lifestyle and personal characteristics were taken into account. Participants from the nine different study areas had significantly different levels of sex hormones (total and free testosterone, oestradiol, aromatase, luteinizing hormone) and the thyroid hormone free triiodothyronine, after correction for confounders. Significantly higher hormone concentrations were measured in samples from participants residing in the area around the waste incinerators, while significantly lower values were found in participants residing in the Albert Canal zone with chemical industry. Sexual maturation of boys as well as girls tended to be somewhat slower in the industrial city of Antwerp and in the Antwerp harbour compared to the other areas in Flanders. Even within the same study area, significant differences in hormone levels could be observed between sub-areas. Data on the internal exposure of the same adolescents to lead, cadmium, PCBs, p,p'-DDE, HCB, 1-hydroxypyrene and t,t'-muconic acid have already been published. The observed differences in hormone levels and in sexual maturation could however only in part be explained by the measured differences in internal exposure to pollutants, suggesting that also other pollutants and other factors that vary in function of the area of residence could play a role. Nevertheless, our results also suggest that local (environmental) factors, acting within a short distance, might influence the measured hormone levels and degree of sexual maturation.

Responses of the Mediterranean Pine Shoot Beetle Tomicus destruens (Wollaston) to Pine Shoot and Bark Volatiles

The pine shoot beetle Tomicus destruens has two dispersal phases per generation. In the first, mature adults move toward trunks of dying pines to lay eggs; in the second, callow adults move toward the shoots of healthy pines for maturation feeding. However, there is no information on the chemical stimuli that govern host selection by T. destruens adults. The aims of this study were: (1) to identify the volatiles released by shoots and bark of stone pine that are behaviorally and electrophysiologically active on T. destruens; (2) to verify which blends and concentrations of such volatiles are differently active on males and females, as well as on callow and mature adults, during the two host search phases (breeding and feeding). A four-arm olfactometer was used to test the behavior of walking T. destruens adults toward various sources of volatiles including fresh shoots and bark, their collected volatiles, and two synthetic blends. For each odor, the behavior of both callow and mature males and females was recorded individually. Shoot and bark extracts were analyzed by coupled gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and tested by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennography (GC-EAD) on T. destruens males and females. Two blends of two (alpha-pinene and beta-myrcene; blend A) and three (alpha-pinene, beta- myrcene, and alpha-terpinolene; blend B) synthetic compounds, chosen among those that induce EAD responses and known to be attractive for other bark beetle species, were tested in the olfactometer at five concentrations. Insect behavior was affected by the degree of sexual maturation but not by sex. Callow insects were attracted by shoots and their extracts, while mature individuals by bark and its extracts. Six extracted compounds were active on T. destruens antennae: limonene, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and beta-caryophyllene, alpha-pinene, beta-myrcene, and alpha-terpinolene. alpha-Terpinolene, released only by bark, was active only on mature insects, whereas (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, released only by shoots, was active only on callows. Males and females showed similar EAD responses. Of the six extracted volatiles, two were attractive for callow adults (blend A) and three for matures (blend B). In both cases, responses were positively correlated with blend concentration, although a repellent effect was noted at the highest concentrations.

REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND ENERGY CONTENT OF TAWERA GAYI (HUPÉ 1854) (BIVALVIA: VENERIDAE) AT THE SOUTHERNMOST LIMIT OF THEIR DISTRIBUTION RANGE

The reproductive cycle and the energy content of soft parts of Tawera gayi were studied monthly from August 2001 to July 2002 in Ushuaia Bay, Beagle Channel. The degree of sexual maturity was determined histologically. The sex ratio was significantly different of 1:1 (896 females, 796 males, χ2-test, P < 0.05). First sexual maturity occurred at 12 mm shell height in both sexes. In males the reproductive cycle was determined analyzing the monthly percentage of gonadal stages. High percentages (85%–100%) were mature (ripe stage) during a large part of the year (March to September) and in October the 100% of individuals were partially spawned with recovery. An image analyzer was used to determine quantitatively female reproductive cycle. The percentage of gonadal area covered by oocytes was lower in December. The mean number of mature oocytes (diameter >40 μm) by gonadal area and the mean diameter of oocytes reached the lower values during October, November, and December, indicating a spawning peak. This more intensive spawning activity coincides with the phytoplankton bloom in spring. The energy content of soft parts was measured using a microbomb calorimeter in monthly samples during a year. The mean energy content in both sexes was significantly different reaching 20.95 kJ/g AFDW for females and 21.39 kJ/g AFDW for males. The relative condition index attained the lower values in August, September, and October. The monthly values of the energy content did not show significant differences in both sexes. Results of this study indicate that notwithstanding T. gayi lives in a markedly seasonal environment as Subantarctic waters of Beagle Channel shows a protracted gamete production with a principal spawning episode and small pulses of evacuation during the rest of the year.

Genetic variation and genotype by location interaction in body weight, spinal deformity and sexual maturity in Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) reared at different locations off Norway

Body weight, spinal deformity and sexual maturity were recorded at 2 years of age and at harvest in 51 full-sib families of Coastal and Arctic cod, Gadus morhua, produced from 40 sires and 34 dams. The family-groups were reared at four locations off the coast of Norway in Hordaland, Møre and Romsdal (M&R), Nordland and Troms. Heritability estimates for body weight (0.64 ± 0.12) at harvest indicate promising potential for improvement by selective breeding. Low and non-significant estimates of heritabilities were found for sexual maturity at harvest. All traits showed a significant interaction effect of family group by location. The genetic correlations between the same traits recorded at the different locations ranged from 0.82 to 0.95 for body weight, and from 0.58 to 0.82 for spinal deformity. The high correlations for body weight indicate no important genotype by environment interaction, while spinal deformity shows a higher degree of environmental sensitivity. This should be taken into account in a breeding program. A high genetic correlation was found between body weight recorded at 2 years of age and at harvest (0.89), while weight recorded at tagging was only moderately correlated to weight at 2 years of age and at harvest (0.54 and 0.48). Weight at 2 years of age may thus be used as a selection criterion for growth in Atlantic cod. The degree of sexual maturity was higher in the Coastal than in the Arctic cod at harvest, while no significant differences were found between Coastal and Arctic cod for body weight and spinal deformity at any location. Consequently, separate breeding programs for the two strains in the breeding population may not be needed.

GnRH affects activity and jumping frequency in adult sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

We tested whether waterflow, gender, maturity or treatment with a GnRH analogue affected jumping frequency, an acclimatization response and swimming activity in three-year-old sockeye salmon when confronted with an artificial waterfall. In our first behavioural experiment, increased waterflow and the stage of sexual maturity led to a significant increase in the number of fish that overcame an artificial waterfall, while sex had no significant effect. In a second experiment, we demonstrated that GnRH treatment affected behavioural responses in a waterfall channel as follows: (i) GnRH injected fish did not display an increase in their time of acclimatization while the acclimatization period in control fish increased significantly. (ii) GnRH significantly enhanced swimming activity and jumping motivation. We suggest that waterflow, degree of sexual maturity and injections with a GnRH analogue, lead to behavioural patterns that are correlated with migratory behaviour of adult sockeye salmon.

The reproductive cycle of Eurhomalea exalbida (Chemnitz, 1795) (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in Ushuaia Bay (54° 50′ S), Beagle Channel (Argentina)

Summary The reproductive cycle of Eurhomalea exalbida (Chemnitz, 1795) in Ushuaia Bay, Beagle Channel, was studied from October 1998 to December 1999. Clams were collected monthly by SCUBA diving at 3–5 m water depth. The degree of sexual maturity was determined histologically (n=338). The sex ratio was 1:1 (Chi-squared p>0.05). First sexual maturity occurred at 39 mm shell height in males and 40 mm in females (i.e., 4 years of age). Five distinct histological stages of sexual maturity could be established in males: (1) early active, (2) late active, (3) ripe, (4) partially spawned with recovery and (5) spent. Females had oocytes ranging from small and immature to large and fully developed in their ovaries throughout the year. Since we could not classify reproductive stages based on a qualitative histological scale of sexual maturity, quantitative measures using an image analyser were used. In males a high percentage of mature individuals were present between January and August. The percentage of early active and partially spawned individuals was highest in November 1998 (70%) and 1999 (60%). In females, the mean number of developed oocytes per unit of gonadal area in a cross section, the mean diameter (minor axis) of oocytes, and the percentage of gonadal area occupied by oocytes were lowest in November, indicating a spawning peak. These results indicate synchronous gonadal development and spawning in males and females. The more intensive spawning activity in November coincides with the higher biomass and production of phytoplankton in spring.

Neuroendocrine features of pubertal development in females with mental retardation

In order to evaluate the hypothalamic–pituitary effects of mental retardation during pubertal development ,follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) responses to gonadotropin-releasinghormone (GnRH) administration were evaluated at various pubertal stages in a female population with mental retardation (MR) compared to a healthy control group of adolescents.Fifty-six girls aged 8–16years with MR and 146 normal females of the same age participated in the study. The analyzed subjects were divided into different pubertal stages ,ranging from P2 to P5 ,in line with their degree of sexualmaturation. Each patient underwent a GnRH test (100 μg); blood samples were collected basally and 15 ,30 ,60 ,90 minutes after the GnRH injection. FSH and LH were assayed in each sample; the gonadotropinresponse to GnRH administration was evaluated as incremental area. No differences were found at any pubertal stage between the two studied groups with regard to the age ,body mass index ,or age at menarche.Patients with mental retardation during stages P2 and P3 showed lower FSH secretion in response to GnRH bolus compared with control subjects (P2 ,p < 0.05; P3 ,p < 0.01).In conclusion,our data show that MR is related to an impaired response of the FSH-secreting pituitary cells to their appropriate stimulus; this feature is present only in the initial pubertal stages ,whereas it disappearsduring sexual development.

Descriptive epidemiology of acne vulgaris in the community

Acne is a common skin condition. No universally accepted standardized classification system for acne vulgaris exists, although there is a strong need for it. Thus, the clinical definition of acne has been unclear in many studies. The reported prevalence of acne varies from 35 to over 90% of adolescents at some stage. In some studies the prevalence of comedones approaches 100% in both sexes during adolescence. The prevalence of acne varies between sexes and age groups, appearing earlier in females than in males, possibly reflecting the earlier onset of puberty. There is a greater severity of acne in males than in females in the late teens, which is compatible with androgens being a potent stimulus to sebum secretion. The prevalence of acne at a given age has been shown to be highly dependent on the degree of sexual maturity. Acne commonly shows a premenstrual increase in women. Some studies have detected seasonal variability in acne vulgaris, with the colder months associated with exacerbation and the warmer months showing improvement. Other studies have not confirmed these findings. Several studies that have investigated the psychosocial impact of acne have had conflicting results. The prevalence of severe acne has decreased over the past 20 years due to improved treatment. The general prevalence figure for acne may be confounded by treatment and this factor needs to be accounted for when collecting data.

Morphometric analysis of commercially important penaeid shrimps from the Zhujiang estuary, China

The morphometric characteristics of several commercially important penaeid shrimps from the Zhujiang estuary, China, were studied. Morphometric equations were constructed for males and females of Penaeus chinensis, Penaeus penicillatus, Metapenaeus affinis, Metapenaeus ensis, Metapenaeus joyneri and Parapenaeopsis hungerfordi. Males were generally smaller than females. Differences in length-weight relationship between males and females were found in Metapenaeus affinis and Metapenaeus joyneri. Length-weight relationship in females of Metapenaeus affinis, Metapenaeus ensis, Metapenaeus joyneri and Parapenaeopsis hungerfordi varied with the degree of sexual maturity. Females with mature ovaries were generally heavier than immature females of the same body length.

Thyroid hormone concentrations in the gonads of wild chum salmon during maturation

Changes in gonadal and plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones were examined at various stages of maturation in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) caught in the Bering Sea and the Bay of Alaska. Plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) were less than 5 ng ml(-1), and those of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyroxine (T3) were less than 2 ng ml(-1) I in both males and females, regardless of the degree of sexual maturity or the gonadosomatic index (GSI).There was no clear relationships between circulating thyroid hormone levels and tissue levels. The ovarian T4 concentrations were undetectable (less than 0.2 ng g(-1)) or less than 2 ng g(-1) when GSI was lower than 1%, but increased thereafter and reached a plateau of 8-10 ng g(-1) when GSI became 2%. The ovarian T3 concentrations were about 5 ng g(-1) when GSI was 1%, increased to a maximum level (20 ng g(-1)) when GSI was about 2%, and decreased to a constant level of 10 ng g(-1) thereafter. The T4 and T3 content in single oocyte increased proportionally to the oocyte volume, indicating a constant incorporation of the hormones into the oocyte.The T4 concentrations in the testis were 1 ng g(-1) or less regardless of the GS1. On the other hand, the T3 concentrations were highest (15 ng g(-1)) when the GSI was less than 1%, decreased thereafter when spermatocytes appeared in the testis, and became about 5 ng g(-1) I in testes containing spermatozoa, raising the possibility of a role for T3 during early gamete and/or gonad maturation of testes.

Sexual maturation in underfed weight-matched rats. A test of the "critical body weight" theory of pubertal timing in males.

A popular current theory proposes that the timing of puberty is related to attainment of a critical level of body weight or body fatness. These critical body weight and critical body fat theories have been studied almost exclusively in females. To explore these theories in males, we tested a corollary of these hypotheses: are male rats of the same weight all at the same level of sexual maturation irrespective of prior growth rate? Male rats growing in body weight at five different rates due to various degrees of underfeeding (beginning at weaning) were sacrificed at body weight milestones of 123 and 279 grams. At the first weight milestone, significant (P less than 0.01) inverse correlations were observed among these weight-matched rats between the preceding rate of body weight growth and prostate weight, seminal vesicle weight, testis weight, serum testosterone, and daily sperm production rate, indicating that the underfed animals were more sexually mature. Testis histology also showed that spermatogenic development increased progressively as the prior rate of body weight growth was reduced. These parameters of sexual maturation tended to correlate inversely with body fatness (i.e., leaner animals were more sexually mature) and directly with body length (i.e., longer animals were more sexually mature). By the second body weight milestone, however, the degree of prior underfeeding exerted little effect on those indices of sexual development. We conclude that the degree of sexual maturation in weight-matched animals with varying previous patterns of body weight growth correlates inversely with body fatness and the rate of body weight growth but correlates directly with body length.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The influence of androgen administration on the structure and function of the brain-pituitary-gonad axis of sexually immature platyfish, Xiphophorus maculatus.

This report demonstrates that the administration of testosterone (T) or 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) to sexually immature (8 wks old) male platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) of early- and late-maturing genotypes affects the synthesis and/or release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), as assessed by immunocytochemical evaluation, increases the number and activity of pituitary gonadotropes, stimulates the production of sperm and, thus, advances the age of sexual maturation over that dictated by the genome. We also show that 11-KT and T affect different LHRH-containing centers in the brain and have differential effects on rate and degree of sexual maturation, regardless of whether the hormones are administered to early or late-maturing genotypes.

Hyperprolactinemia in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty under prolonged treatment with cyproterone acetate.

Pasma prolactin response to the acute injection of sulpiride (1.5 mg/k BW im) was measured at 0800-0900h in 4 girls with idiopathic precocious puberty before and after 6 to 11 months of continuous therapy with 50 mg daily of cyproterone acetate (CA) orally administered. Two additional girls were examined after 26 and 28 months of therapy, respectively. Mean baseline prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in untreated girls with precocious puberty as compared to that of normal controls of the same chronological age and of a comparable degree of sexual maturation (14.5 +/- 1.9 SE vs. 7.4 +/- 1.8 SE ng/ml and vs. 9.5 +/- 1.8 ng/ml, respectively; P less than .02). Treatment with CA caused a significant further increase of plasma prolactin concentration (P less than .02 as compared to pre-treatment values); no correlation was observed between prolactin concentration and duration of treatment. No significant change in the integrated areas of prlactin response to sulpiride occurred after prolonged CA therapy. The results suggest that in idiopathic precocious puberty the action of CA upon the hypothalamic-hypophyseal complex is not solely antigonadotropic and that prolactin secretion is enhanced in patients given this drug.

Age at puberty in relation to age at marriage and parenthood: a national longitudinal study.

A longitudinal study of a British cohort has collected information on puberty, judged by menarcheal age for the girls and the pubertal stage of the boys at age 14 3/4. This information has now been related to the ages at which these young people married and became parents. For the young men there was evidence of a direct relationship between degree of sexual maturity at age 14 3/4 and their ages at entry into marriage and fatherhood. For the young women, if pregnancy did not intervene between menarche and marriage, there was evidence of a direct relationship between menarcheal age and marriage age. But there was no evidence that these earlier-maturing young women became mothers at earlier ages than later maturers. This arose through the later-maturing young women having shorter first birth intervals than the earlier maturers. Premarital conceptions were also more prevalent amongst the later maturers.

The Response of Pituitary Gonadotropes to Synthetic LRF in Children with Glucocorticoid-Treated Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: Lack of Effect of Intrauterine and Neonatal Androgen Excess

Previous studies have demonstrated that the secretory reserve of the pituitary gland during childhood and adolescence is characterized by an age-related increase in LH secretion and a sex dichotomy of FSH secretion evoked by LRF. To determine if prenatal and neonatal androgen excess alters hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal function, as in the neonatally androgenized rodent, we assessed pituitary sensitivity to 100 mug synthetic LRF in 9 girls and 2 boys with glucorticoid-treated congenital virilizing adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). In the 7 prepubertal girls with CAH, plasma LH following LRF rose to 2.0 plus or minus 0.4 (SE) ng/ml (LER 960) and did not differ from normal prepubertal children (1.7 plus or minus 0.1) and was lower (P less than 0.002) than in normal pubertal children (4.9 plus or minus 0.3). The 2 pubertal girls had LH rises in the pubertal range. In the 2 boys with CAH, the one with the more advanced bone age, 11-6/12 yr, developed true precocious puberty following initiation of cortisone treatment and had a pubertal LRF-evoked LH release on 3 occasions; the more immature boy, bone age 10, had a prepubertal LH rise. In the 7 prepubertal girls with CAH, plasma FSH rose to 8.1 plus or minus 1.6 (SE) ng/ml (LER 869), which did not differ from normal prepubertal girls (5.3 plus or minus 1.9), but was significantly (P less than 0.001) greater than in normal prepubertal boys (2.9 plus or minus 0.4). In these girls with CAH, basal plasma T (27.4 plus or minus 4.0 (SE) ng/dl) and 17-OHP (2703 plus or minus 1143 (SE) ng/dl) were greater than in prepubertal children, but plasma E1 and E2 were in the normal range. The pubertal boy had plasma T, E1, and E2 levels appropriate for his degree of sexual maturation. The results suggest: (1) age-related LH secretion evoked by LRF in glucocorticoid-treated CAH is appropriate for skeletal maturation; (2) the sex dichotomy of FSH secretion following LRF is preserved in CAH despite intrauterine and variable postnatal exposure to excess androgen and continuing slightly elevated plasma T during childhood; and (3) precocious puberty may follow initiation of cortisone treatment in a child with CAH whose bone age and secretory reserve of pituitary gonadotropins are in the pubertal range.

Plasma Estradiol Concentrations and Effect of HCG on Plasma Estradiol and Testosterone in Normal Subjects and Patients with Endocrine Disorders

Plasma estradiol concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in various endocrine disorders using antiserum to estradiol-17beta succinyl bovine serum albumin. Clinical significance and diagnostic value of plasma estradiol were assessed in hypothalamic-pituitary, adrenal and gonadal disorders. In general, estradiol concentration was correlated well with the degree of sexual maturity and was of great diagnostic use. Plasma estradiol in females mainly originated from the ovary, while the testis is the principal source of estradiol in males. The adrenal gland seemed to play a minor role as a source of estradiol at least in normal males and females. The role of estradiol in gynecomastia and in liver disease was also investigated. More than a half of the cases with gynecomastia had elevated concentrations of plasma estradiol, which probably explains the pathogenesis of this manifestation. Cirrhotic patients showed frequently hyperestrogenemia probably due to delayed disappearance of estradiol. In the study of stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), 3,000 IU daily for three days in ten normal men, the peripheral concentrations of esradiol showed maximum and fourfold increases 24 hours after the 1st injection of HCG. The testosterone levels, on the other hand, increased stepwise and reached a maximum of about two times preinjection levels 24 hours after the 3rd injection. In gonadal disorders, HCG produced various patterns of plasma estradiol and testosterone in accordance with the gonadal conditions and dissociated response patterns of both sex hormones were frequently found. The determination of plasma estradiol was useful in the study of the function of not only the ovary, but also the testis and the simultaneous measurement of plasma estradiol and testosterone after HCG administration presented interesting informations about pathophysiology of gonadal disorders.