Early Sexual Development Research Articles

Transcription factor-dependent regulatory networks of sexual reproduction in Fusarium graminearum.

Transcription factors (TFs) involved in sexual reproduction in filamentous fungi have been characterized. However, we have little understanding of how these TFs synergize within regulatory networks resulting in sexual development. We investigated 13 TFs in Fusarium graminearum, whose knockouts exhibited abortive or arrested phenotypes during sexual development to elucidate the transcriptional regulatory cascade underlying the development of the sexual fruiting bodies. A Bayesian network of the TFs was inferred based on transcriptomic data from key stages of sexual development. We evaluated in silico knockout impacts to the networks of the developmental phenotypes among the TFs and guided knockout transcriptomics experiments to properly assess regulatory roles of genes with same developmental phenotypes. Additional transcriptome data were collected for the TF knockouts guided by the stage at which their phenotypes appeared and by the cognate in silico prediction. Global TF networks revealed that TFs within the mating-type locus (MAT genes) trigger a transcriptional cascade involving TFs that affected early stages of sexual development. Notably, PNA1, whose knockout mutants produced exceptionally small protoperithecia, was shown to be an upstream activator for MAT genes and several TFs essential for ascospore production. In addition, knockout mutants of SUB1 produced excessive numbers of protoperithecia, wherein MAT genes and pheromone-related genes exhibited dysregulated expression. We conclude that PNA1 and SUB1 play central and suppressive roles in initiating sexual reproduction, respectively. This comprehensive investigation contributes to our understanding of the transcriptional framework governing the multicellular body plan during sexual reproduction in F. graminearum.IMPORTANCEUnderstanding transcriptional regulation of sexual development is crucial to the elucidation of the complex reproductive biology in Fusarium graminearum. We performed gene knockouts on 13 transcription factors (TFs), demonstrating knockout phenotypes affecting distinct stages of sexual development. Using transcriptomic data across stages of sexual development, we inferred a Bayesian network of these TFs that guided experiments to assess the robustness of gene interactions using a systems biology approach. We discovered that the mating-type locus (MAT genes) initiates a transcriptional cascade, with PNA1 identified as an upstream activator essential for early sexual development and ascospore production. Conversely, SUB1 was found to play a suppressive role, with knockout mutants exhibiting excessive protoperithecia due to abnormally high expression of MAT and pheromone-related genes. These findings highlight the central roles of PNA1 and SUB1 in regulating other gene activity related to sexual reproduction, contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of the multiple TFs that regulate sexual development.

The role of Black men in protecting Black girls' sexual development

AbstractBackgroundBlack girls in the United States are at increased risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections due to early sexual development, stereotyping, adultification, and lack of protection. The Becoming a Sexual Black Woman framework highlights protection, or lack thereof, as a critical component of Black girls' sexual development.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was twofold. First, we sought to understand how girls protect their bodies within the societal context of the COVID‐19 pandemic and social injustice. Second, we aimed to explore how Black men can better protect Black girls' sexual development.MethodWe conducted 25 in‐depth interviews with Black girls aged 9 to 18 years, primarily across the Midwestern United States. We performed a directed content analysis by reviewing transcripts, coding data, and developing themes.ResultsFindings revealed four themes: (a) feeling unsafe, (b) adultification of Black girls' bodies and increased vulnerability to harm, (c) desire for more protection by Black male caregivers, and (d) needing Black men to speak up.ConclusionBlack men's engagement in girls' sexual development may significantly influence the health outcomes of Black girls and women throughout their life course.ImplicationsFindings may inform future family‐based interventions that better protect and promote the sexual health and development of Black girls.

Assessment of reproductive hormones in prepubertal and postpubertal rats (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i>) on chronic exposure to various spectra of artificial light at night

Exposures to Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) is on the increase with resultant varied physiological impact related to the light spectrum via the non-visual pathway. This study examined the effects of various spectra of ALAN on Testosterone (Te), Progesterone (Pr) and Estradiol (Es) in rats exposed to Blue (BL), Green (GL), Yellow (YL), Red (RL), White (WL) and Darkness (DD) light wave-lengths while Ambient light (CL) served as the control. Dams with their post-natal day 1 pups were housed in cages exposed to various light wavelengths for 12 hours: (6:00pm–6:00am) daily for 126 days. At d63 and d126, five rats per treatments were euthanized; blood serum was collected and the serum hormones: Te, Es and Pr were analysed using ELISA. The results showed that light treatments had significant effect on the level of Te at d63 but not at d126 in male rats. At d63, onset of puberty, Te was significantly highest (p < 0.05) under BL. In females exposed to YL and WL at d126, Te was significant high and Es was significantly low. Estradiol was heightened significantly (p < 0.05) in both sexes exposed to RL. In conclusion, BL seemed to stimulate early sexual development in males, WL and GL enhanced post-pubertal male albino rat reproductive system while RL provided the best reproductive environment for females in the long term. Long periods of exposure to YL seemed to pose risks for male and female reproductive function.

Effect of temperature on the early sexual development of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum

Effect of temperature on the early sexual development of tambaqui Colossoma macropomum

Comprehensive analysis of untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics in girls with central precocious puberty.

Central precocious puberty (CPP) is a rare condition that causes early sexual development in children. Although the cure is effective, the etiology of central precocious puberty is unclear. In total, 10 girls with central precocious puberty and same number of age-matched female controls were enrolled. Plasma samples were collected from each participant and subjected to untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics. Student's t-tests were employed to compare the mean of each metabolite and lipid. Furthermore, orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis was conducted and the variable importance in the projection was calculated to identify differentially expressed metabolites or lipids. Subsequent bioinformatics was conducted to investigate the potential function of differentially expressed metabolites and lipids. Fifty-nine differentially expressed metabolites were identified based on the criteria used (variable importance in the projection >1 and a P value < 0.05). Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites were enriched in four pathways: beta-alanine metabolism, histidine metabolism, bile secretion, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. As for the lipidomics, 41 differentially expressed lipids were observed and chain length analysis and lipid saturation analysis yielded similar results. Significant differences between the two groups were only observed in (O-acyl) ω-hydroxy fatty acids (OAHFA). The present study showed that antibiotic overuse, increased meat consumption, and obesity may have potential roles in the development of central precocious puberty in girls. Several metabolites have diagnostic value but further research is required.

The Role of the Strong Black Woman in Black Female Sexual Development.

Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, including an increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Early sexual development among Black females heightens their risk of HIV/STI. Utilizing the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman (SBW) framework, this study sought to understand how early sexual development and stereotype messages may underpin HIV/STI risk, building on and furthering the discussion of the consequences of the SBW schema. To better understand this phenomenon, we conducted a secondary thematic data analysis from two previously completed grounded theory studies with Black girls and women ranging in age from 11 to 62 (N = 40). Findings revealed that Black women have been socialized to be strong and independent and yet are highly vulnerable to HIV/STI. This clash between Black girl's and women's ideals of strength and heightened vulnerability to HIV/STI presents a paradox that may help explain disparities in HIV/STI risk. Four themes emerged among both Black girls and women: complex construction of the SBW schema, burden and consequences of strength, pressure to be strong, and being strong and sexual. Findings also highlight how becoming both a strong and sexual Black woman occurs over the life course and is inherent to Black female sexual development. We discuss the implications of these findings for parents, healthcare providers, educators, and researchers with the aim to improve sexual health outcomes for Black females across the life course.

Atrazine alters early sexual development of the South American silverside, Odontesthes bonariensis

Atrazine (ATZ) is a frequent contaminant in freshwater ecosystems within agricultural regions. The capacity of this herbicide to interfere with the vertebrate endocrine system is broadly recognized, but the mechanisms and responses usually differ among species. In this study, ATZ effects on hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis key genes expression and early gonadal development were evaluated in Odontesthes bonariensis larvae waterborne exposed during the gonadal differentiation period. Fish were treated to 0, 0.7, 7.0, and 70 µg ATZ/L at 25 °C from the 2nd to 6th week after hatching (wah), and a group was kept in clean water until the 12th wah. Parallelly, a group was submitted to 0.05 µg/L of ethinylestradiol (EE2) as a positive estrogenic control. From each treatment, eight larvae were sampled at 6 wah for gene expression analysis and twelve larvae at 12 wah for phenotypic sex histological determination. The expression of gnrh1, lhb, fshb, and cyp19a1b was assessed in the head, and the ones of amha, 11βhsd2, and cyp19a1a in the trunk. Fish growth was significantly higher in fish exposed to 7 and 70 µg ATZ/L in the 6 wah, but the effect vanished at the 12 wah. The expression of lhb was upregulated in both sex larvae exposed from 7 µg ATZ/L. However, a dimorphic effect was induced on cyp19a1a expression at 70 µg ATZ/L, up or downregulating mRNA transcription in males and females, respectively. Delayed ovarian development and increased number of testicular germ cells were histologically observed from 7 to 70 µg ATZ/L, respectively, and a sex inversion (genotypic male to phenotypic female) was found in one larva at 70 µg ATZ/L. The lhb expression was also upregulated by EE2, but the cyp19a1a expression was not affected, and a complete male-to-female reversal was induced. Further, EE2 upregulated gnrh1 in females and cyp19a1b in both sexes, but it did not alter any assessed gene in the trunk. In conclusion, ATZ disrupted HPG axis physiology and normal gonadal development in O. bonariensis larvae at environmentally relevant concentrations. The responses to ATZ only partially overlapped and were less active when compared to the model estrogenic compound EE2.

Sexual developmental histories of adolescents who engaged in harmful sexual behaviour

ABSTRACT Researchers have demonstrated a range of factors that are associated with adolescents who engage in problematic or harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) including adverse childhood experiences, disruptive family organisation, poor attachment or attachment style deficits, social isolation, and substance abuse. There is, however, a paucity of research examining sexual development histories in adolescent males who have engaged in HSB. This study describes the sexual developmental histories that precede such behaviour, of 277 adolescent males who were referred for assessment of HSB in New Zealand (NZ). It informs the realities of practice and directs us to the need for research examining the patterns of early sexual development so as to identify possible risk factors and pathways for concerning sexual behaviour.

Atg5 Regulates Selective Autophagy of the Parental Macronucleus during Tetrahymena Sexual Reproduction.

Nuclear autophagy is an important selective autophagy process. The selective autophagy of sexual development micronuclei (MICs) and the programmed nuclear degradation of parental macronucleus (paMAC) occur during sexual reproduction in Tetrahymena thermophila. The molecular regulatory mechanism of nuclear selective autophagy is unclear. In this study, the autophagy-related protein Atg5 was identified from T. thermophila. Atg5 was localized in the cytoplasm in the early sexual-development stage and was localized in the paMAC in the late sexual-development stage. During this stage, the degradation of meiotic products of MIC was delayed in atg5i mutants. Furthermore, paMAC was abnormally enlarged and delayed or failed to degrade. The expression level and lipidation of Atg8.2 significantly decreased in the mutants. All these results indicated that Atg5 was involved in the regulation of the selective autophagy of paMAC by regulating Atg8.2 in Tetrahymena.

Early cellular development induced by ecdysteroid in sex-specific wing degeneration of the wingless female winter moth.

The winter moth, Nyssiodes lefuarius, exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in wing form; males have functional wings of normal size, whereas females lack wings. We previously found that the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) triggered massive programmed cell death (PCD) only in the female pupal wing epithelium; however, when and how early sexual trait development of the pupal wings is initiated during pupal-adult metamorphosis remains obscure. To clarify the detailed morphological changes and mechanisms underlying early sexual trait development and cell death, we examined the effects of 20E on early ultrastructural and histological changes in the pupal wing epithelium of both sexes. Before the onset of adult differentiation, no morphological differences were observed in the epithelial cells of both sexes at an ultrastructural level. When 5.4µg of 20E was injected into pupae of both sexes at 15days after the onset of pupation, retraction of the wing epithelium from the pupal cuticle was initiated at day 2 after 20E injection in both sexes. Although overt degeneration of wing tissue was not still obvious, apoptotic body-like structures and auto-phagosomes were visible at day 3 after 20E injection in females, whereas development of scale precursor cells started on day 4 after injection in males. Our results suggest that (1) the injection of 20E induced sexually dimorphic changes in the pattern of organelle distribution in wing epithelial cells, and (2) abnormally shaped mitochondria in the cytoplasm of the female wing epithelium might be involved in the PCD that occurs during wing tissue degeneration.

Effect of Decaffeinated Green Tea Polyphenols on Body Fat and Precocious Puberty in Obese Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundObesity has been reported to be an important contributing factor for precocious puberty, especially in girls. The effect of green tea polyphenols on weight reduction in adult population has been shown, but few related studies have been conducted in children. This study was performed to examine the effectiveness and safety of decaffeinated green tea polyphenols (DGTP) on ameliorating obesity and early sexual development in girls with obesity.DesignThis is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Girls with obesity aged 6–10 years old were randomly assigned to receive 400 mg/day DGTP or isodose placebo orally for 12 weeks. During this period, all participants received the same instruction on diet and exercise from trained dietitians. Anthropometric measurements, secondary sexual characteristics, B-scan ultrasonography of uterus, ovaries and breast tissues, and related biochemical parameters were examined and assessed pre- and post-treatment.ResultsBetween August 2018 and January 2020, 62 girls with obesity (DGTP group n = 31, control group n = 31) completed the intervention and were included in analysis. After the intervention, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio significantly decreased in both groups, but the percentage of body fat (PBF), serum uric acid (UA), and the volumes of ovaries decreased significantly only within the DGTP group. After controlling confounders, DGTP showed a significantly decreased effect on the change of PBF (β = 2.932, 95% CI: 0.214 to 5.650), serum UA (β = 52.601, 95% CI: 2.520 to 102.681), and ovarian volumes (right: β = 1.881, 95% CI: 0.062 to 3.699, left: β = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.019 to 1.923) in girls with obesity. No side effect was reported in both groups during the whole period.ConclusionDGTP have shown beneficial effects of ameliorated obesity and postponed early sexual development in girls with obesity without any adverse effects. Clinical Trial Registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03628937], identifier [NCT03628937].

A high plane of nutrition during early life alters the hypothalamic transcriptome of heifer calves

The aim was to examine the effect of rapid body weight gain during early calfhood consistent with earlier sexual development on the transcriptional profile of the hypothalamus. Angus X Holstein–Friesian heifer calves (19 ± 5 days of age) were offered a high (HI, n = 14) or moderate (MOD, n = 15) plane of nutrition from 3 to 21 weeks of age to achieve a growth rate of 1.2 kg/d and 0.5 kg/d, respectively. Following euthanasia at 21 weeks, the arcuate nucleus (ARC) region was separated from the remainder of the hypothalamus and both were subjected to RNA-Seq. HI calves exhibited altered expression of 80 and 39 transcripts in the ARC and the remaining hypothalamus, respectively (P < 0.05) including downregulation of AGRP and NPY and upregulation of POMC, previously implicated in precocious sexual development. Stress-signaling pathways were amongst the most highly dysregulated. Organ morphology, reproductive system development and function, and developmental disorder were amongst the networks derived from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ARC. Gene co-expression analysis revealed DEGs within the ARC (POMC, CBLN2, CHGA) and hypothalamus (PENK) as hub genes. In conclusion, enhanced nutrition during early calfhood alters the biochemical regulation of the hypothalamus consistent with advanced sexual development in the prepubertal heifer.

Challenging identities; lesbians, gay men, and psychoanalysis

Many psychotherapists across a range of modalities remain unaware that, from the late nineteenth and twentieth century on, lesbians and gay men were pathologized in classical psychoanalytic theories. For decades lesbians and gay men had been deemed ‘unfit’ to train as psychoanalytic practitioners due to failures in their early sexual development. In this article I describe the history of the challenges for lesbian and gay clients, applicants to training, trainees, and qualified psychotherapists in the UK from 1986. As emphasised by the French philosophers, Ricoeur and Doss, the work of remembering is vital if we are to prevent the repetition of failures from the past. It is important to recognise history is never linear and points of achievement are never stable; in the past four years, for example, homophobic hate crimes have trebled in the UK. I describe how lesbian and gay psychoanalytic psychotherapists, along with establishing counselling and psychotherapy services accessible to lesbians and gay men, organised conferences, spoke publicly, published, and demonstrated. Our challenges to heteronormative psychoanalytic theorising included an engagement with other disciplines such as fiction, biography, and poetry written by lesbians and gay men, post-colonial theorising, queer theory, and philosophical texts. Challenging universalising interpretations of the ‘causes’ of ‘homosexuality’ we emphasised the critical importance of attending to differences in individuals’ experiences of their sexualities and identities. In 2015 the crucial Memorandum of Understanding which protects the public through a commitment to end the practice of ‘conversion therapy’ was signed by twenty organisations (amended in 2017 to include gender), including psychoanalytic training organisations, and released at the Department of Health. This was widely welcomed after nearly thirty years of fighting for recognition of the effects of the pathologizing of lesbian and gay sexualities on people’ lives, including those of people who identify as heterosexual.

H3K36 methylation reprograms gene expression to drive early gametocyte development in Plasmodium falciparum

BackgroundThe Plasmodium sexual gametocyte stages are the only transmissible form of the malaria parasite and are thus responsible for the continued transmission of the disease. Gametocytes undergo extensive functional and morphological changes from commitment to maturity, directed by an equally extensive control program. However, the processes that drive the differentiation and development of the gametocyte post-commitment, remain largely unexplored. A previous study reported enrichment of H3K36 di- and tri-methylated (H3K36me2&3) histones in early-stage gametocytes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing, we identify a stage-specific association between these repressive histone modifications and transcriptional reprogramming that define a stage II gametocyte transition point.ResultsHere, we show that H3K36me2 and H3K36me3 from stage II gametocytes are associated with repression of genes involved in asexual proliferation and sexual commitment, indicating that H3K36me2&3-mediated repression of such genes is essential to the transition from early gametocyte differentiation to intermediate development. Importantly, we show that the gene encoding the transcription factor AP2-G as commitment master regulator is enriched with H3K36me2&3 and actively repressed in stage II gametocytes, providing the first evidence of ap2-g gene repression in post-commitment gametocytes. Lastly, we associate the enhanced potency of the pan-selective Jumonji inhibitor JIB-04 in gametocytes with the inhibition of histone demethylation including H3K36me2&3 and a disruption of normal transcriptional programs.ConclusionsTaken together, our results provide the first description of an association between global gene expression reprogramming and histone post-translational modifications during P. falciparum early sexual development. The stage II gametocyte-specific abundance of H3K36me2&3 manifests predominantly as an independent regulatory mechanism targeted towards genes that are repressed post-commitment. H3K36me2&3-associated repression of genes is therefore involved in key transcriptional shifts that accompany the transition from early gametocyte differentiation to intermediate development.

FgBUD14 is important for ascosporogenesis and involves both stage-specific alternative splicing and RNA editing during sexual reproduction.

In wheat head blight fungus Fusarium graminearum, A-to-I RNA editing occurs specifically during sexual reproduction. Among the genes with premature stop codons (PSCs) that require RNA editing to encode full-length proteins, FgBUD14 also had alternative splicing events in perithecia. In this study, we characterized the functions of FgBUD14 and its post-transcriptional modifications during sexual reproduction. The Fgbud14 deletion mutant was slightly reduced in growth, conidiation and virulence. Although deletion of FgBUD14 had no effect on perithecium morphology, the Fgbud14 mutant was defective in crozier formation and ascus development. The FgBud14-GFP localized to the apex of ascogenous hyphae and croziers, which may be related to its functions during early sexual development. During vegetative growth and asexual reproduction, FgBud14-GFP localized to hyphal tips and both ends of conidia. Furthermore, mutations blocking the splicing of intron 2 that has the PSC site had no effect on the function of FgBUD14 during sexual reproduction but caused a similar defect in growth with Fgbud14 mutant. Expression of the non-editable FgBUD14Intron2-TAA mutant allele also failed to complement the Fgbud14 mutant. Taken together, FgBUD14 plays important roles in ascus development, and both alternative splicing and RNA editing occur specifically to its transcripts during sexual reproduction in F. graminearum.

Effect of Decaffeinated Green Tea Polyphenols on Body Weight and Precocious Puberty in Obese Girls: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Obesity has been reported to be an important contributing factor for precocious puberty in girls. Green tea polyphenols showed the effect on weight reduction in obese adults. This study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of decaffeinated green tea polyphenols (DGTP) on ameliorating obesity and early sexual development in obese girls. Methods: This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Overweight or obese girls aged 6-10 years old were recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 400mg/d DGTP or isodose placebo orally for 12 weeks. During this period, all participants received the same instruction on diet and exercise from trained dietitians. Anthropometric measurement, secondary sexual characteristics, B-scan ultrasonography of uterus, ovaries and breast tissues, and related biochemical parameters were examined and assessed at pre- and post-treatment. Findings: Between August 2018 to January 2020, 62 obese girls (DGTP group n=31, control group n=31) completed the intervention and were included in analysis. After the intervention, the fat mass, percentage of body fat (PBF), serum uric acid (UA), and the volumes of ovaries decreased significantly in the DGTP group, and no such differences were observed in the control group. The body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio significantly decreased within both groups, but no significant differences were found between groups. After controlling confounding factors, DGTP showed a significantly decreased effect on ΔPBF, ΔUA, and Δovarian volumes in obese girls. The levels of sex hormones increased in both groups but overall remained far from the standards of girls’ sexual development initiation. No significant changes were found in serum trace elements, hepatic and renal function, and complete blood count post treatment, and no side effect was reported during the whole period. Interpretation: Decaffeinated green tea polyphenols have beneficial effects on ameliorating obesity and postponing early sexual development in obese girls without any adverse effects. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with Clinical Trials.gov, NCT03628937. Funding Statement: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81773407). Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xinhua Hospital (Shanghai, China).

41 Diet-induced alterations in the hypothalamic and arcuate nucleus transcriptome in prepubertal heifers

Early onset of puberty is a key trait underpinning economically efficient cattle production systems. Although prepubertal plane of nutrition has been positively associated with earlier onset of puberty, the underlying biochemical mechanisms remain unknown. The hypothalamus, and particularly the arcuate nucleus (ARC), has a pivotal role during this developmental stage because it is a central regulator of homeostasis, mediating various neuroendocrine and physiological functions, including feed intake and reproduction. Thus, we hypothesised that a high plane of nutrition during early calfhood would affect the transcriptional profile of hypothalamic tissue, and in particular, elicit differential expression of biochemical pathways consistent with earlier sexual development in beef heifers. Angus×Holstein-Friesian heifer calves (19±5 days of age, 51.2±7.8kg, mean±s.d.) were offered a high (HP, n=14) or moderate plane of nutrition (MP, n=15) from 3 to 21 weeks of age to achieve target growth rates of 1.2 and 0.5 kg/d, respectively. At 21 weeks of age, calves were killed and the brain recovered. The ARC region was separated from the remainder of the hypothalamus, with both tissues flash frozen and subsequently used for RNA sequencing. Differential expression of genes (DEGs) was determining using R Bioconductor package EdgeR (version 3.20.9). The resultant list of DEGs was then submitted to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). At slaughter, bodyweight was higher in HP calves (189.6 vs. 113.0 kg; P&amp;lt;0.001). Compared with calves on MP, a high plane of nutrition altered the expression of 39 and 80 transcripts in the hypothalamus and ARC, respectively (P&amp;lt;0.05). COL15A1, CDH17, and IL20RA were among the most upregulated transcripts in both hypothalamic tissue sections. The HP treatment induced downregulation of AGRP and NPY and upregulation of POMC in the ARC, which have previously been associated with early onset of puberty in heifers. Functional analysis highlighted the importance of DEGs in the hypothalamus and ARC related to diets, with stress-signalling pathways among the most highly dysregulated pathways in both tissues. Through pathway analysis of the ARC DEGs, a total of 7 networks were derived, including one involved in organ morphology, reproductive system development and function, and developmental disorder. Interestingly, CGA, the most upregulated DEG in the ARC and a potential upstream regulator in this brain region, was one of the most connected genes within this network. Furthermore, WGCNA revealed that expression of some hub genes in networks of co-expressed genes, previously associated with puberty in cattle, was affected by diet in the ARC (POMC, CBLN2, and CHGA) and the remainder of the hypothalamus (PENK). The results of this study indicate that an enhanced plane of nutrition during early calfhood alters the biochemical regulation of the hypothalamus consistent with advanced sexual development in the prepubertal heifer. This research was funded by Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (RSF 13/S/515).

Verbal and Behavioral Expressions of Child Sexuality Among 1–6-Year-Olds as Observed by Daycare Professionals in Finland

A safe childhood respecting sexual rights forms the foundation of an individual's sexual health. However, the understanding, support, and protection of early sexuality are seldom discussed. Children already express their sexuality verbally and behaviorally in daycare, often requiring a response from staff. These day-to-day situations may have an influence on children's later sexuality. The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe and BZgA (2010) published a framework for professionals on age-appropriate, holistic sexuality education. Using this framework, we evaluated children's sexuality-related expressions in Finnish daycare. Ournationwide questionnaire among professionals in early childhood education and care (n = 507) focused on how 1-6-year-old children expressed their sexuality in their speech and behavior. All eight topics in the WHO framework emerged regularly. The two most prevalent topics were the body and emotions. Also, 71% of professionals had a child in their group who masturbated openly. Early sexual development manifested as curiosity about one's own body, exploring its functions, traits, and attributes, while on an emotional level it manifested as abundant feelings of infatuation and tenderness, shown openly toward those-peers and adults alike-whom the child cares for. Childhood sexuality is broadly and diversely present in children's verbal and behavioral expressions in daycare settings. Children need and have the right to receive explicit responses related to issues concerning their sexual development and to receive age-appropriate information, skills, and attitudes fostering healthy development.

Acupuncture Improving Early Sexual Development of Girls with Peripheral Precocious Puberty: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective To study primarily on the effect of acupuncture on breast Tanner stage, serum sex hormone level, and TCM symptom scores in girls with peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). Methods 19 eligible patients diagnosed with PPP received acupuncture intervention for 12 weeks, twice a week for 12 weeks, 24 sessions of acupuncture treatment in all, and then follow-up for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in serum luteinizing hormone (LH) level, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, and breast Tanner stage at 12-week treatment and 12-week follow-up. Serum estradiol (E2) level and TCM symptom scores were also assessed. Results Nineteen patients with peripheral precocious puberty were treated with acupuncture. After the 12-week acupuncture intervention, the serum LH level, breast Tanner stage, and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05); the serum FSH and E2 level did not change significantly after the 12-week treatment (P > 0.05). After the 12-week follow-up, breast Tanner stage and TCM symptom scores decreased significantly compared with baseline (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between serum sex hormone (LH, FSH, and E2) level and baseline level (P > 0.05). During the period of acupuncture treatment, no side effects or serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions Acupuncture is effective in regulating the hormone level and controlling early development process. It may be a viable alternative to the treatment of peripheral precocious puberty in girls. However, further randomized controlled trials are needed.

Is there an association between nutrition and early sexual development? A prospective clinical study

Is there an association between nutrition and early sexual development? A prospective clinical study