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Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jan 2022Puberty marks the end of childhood and is a period when individuals undergo physiological and psychological changes to achieve sexual maturation and fertility. The onset... (Review)
Review
Puberty marks the end of childhood and is a period when individuals undergo physiological and psychological changes to achieve sexual maturation and fertility. The onset of puberty is first detected as an increase in pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Pubertal onset is regulated by genetic, nutritional, environmental, and socio-economic factors. Disturbances affecting pubertal timing result in adverse health conditions later in life. Human genetic studies show that around 50-80% of the variation in pubertal onset is genetically determined. The genetic control of pubertal timing has been a field of active investigation in attempt to better understand the neuroendocrine control of this relevant period of life. Large populational studies and patient cohort-based studies have provided insights into the genetic regulation of pubertal onset. In this review, we discuss these discoveries and discuss potential mechanisms for how implicated genes may affect pubertal timing.
Topics: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Puberty; Puberty, Delayed; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 35183440
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2022.101618 -
Current Opinion in Endocrinology,... Feb 2018The current review summarizes recent epidemiologic data demonstrating the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on the timing of puberty and highlights the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The current review summarizes recent epidemiologic data demonstrating the effects of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on the timing of puberty and highlights the complexity of understanding the interplay of environmental and genetic factors on pubertal timing.
RECENT FINDINGS
In girls, there have been mixed results, with some exposures being associated with earlier timing of puberty, and some with later puberty. In boys, prepubertal exposures to nondioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls accelerate puberty, whereas levels of insecticides, dioxin-like compounds, organochlorine pesticides, and lead delay puberty.
SUMMARY
The effects of EDCs on pubertal timing are sexually dimorphic, compound specific, and varies according to the window of exposure. These studies confirm that low-level exposures to a mix of environmental compounds may mask the effects of individual compounds and complicate our ability to translate data from animal studies to human health and to fully understand the clinical implications of environmental epidemiology studies.
Topics: Animals; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Male; Pesticides; Puberty; Sexual Maturation; Time Factors
PubMed: 29135489
DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000377 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Aug 2020Adrenarche is the pubertal maturation of the innermost zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. The onset of adrenarche occurs between 6 and 8 years of age when... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Adrenarche is the pubertal maturation of the innermost zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. The onset of adrenarche occurs between 6 and 8 years of age when dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations increase. This review provides an update on adrenal steroidogenesis and the differential diagnosis of premature development of pubic hair.
RECENT FINDINGS
The complexity of adrenal steroidogenesis has increased with recognition of the alternative 'backdoor pathway' and the 11-oxo-androgens pathways. Traditionally, sulfated steroids such as DHEAS have been considered to be inactive metabolites. Recent data suggest that intracellular sulfated steroids may function as tissue-specific intracrine hormones particularly in the tissues expressing steroid sulfatases such as ovaries, testes, and placenta.
SUMMARY
The physiologic mechanisms governing the onset of adrenarche remain unclear. To date, no validated regulatory feedback mechanism has been identified for adrenal C19 steroid secretion. Available data indicate that for most children, premature adrenarche is a benign variation of development and a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients with premature adrenarche tend to have higher BMI values. Yet, despite greater knowledge about C19 steroids and zona reticularis function, much remains to be learned about adrenarche.
Topics: Adrenal Glands; Adrenarche; Androgens; Child; Child Development; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Steroids; Zona Reticularis
PubMed: 32692055
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000928 -
Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal... Jun 2020In this review, we discuss the role of adipokines in the onset of puberty in children with obesity during adrenarche and gonadarche and provide a clear and detailed... (Review)
Review
In this review, we discuss the role of adipokines in the onset of puberty in children with obesity during adrenarche and gonadarche and provide a clear and detailed overview of the biological processes of two major players, leptin and adiponectin. Adipokines, especially leptin and adiponectin, seem to induce an early onset of puberty in girls and boys with obesity by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Moreover, adipokines and their receptors are expressed in the gonads, suggesting a role in sexual maturation and reproduction. All in all, adipokines may be a clue in understanding mechanisms underlying the onset of puberty in childhood obesity and puberty onset variability.
Topics: Adipokines; Adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Pediatric Obesity; Puberty
PubMed: 32003144
DOI: 10.1111/obr.13005 -
Reproduction (Cambridge, England) Feb 2023Sex differences in the gut microbiome may impact multiple aspects of human health and disease. In this study, we review the evidence for microbial sex differences in... (Review)
Review
IN BRIEF
Sex differences in the gut microbiome may impact multiple aspects of human health and disease. In this study, we review the evidence for microbial sex differences in puberty and adulthood and discuss potential mechanisms driving differentiation of the sex-specific gut microbiome.
ABSTRACT
In humans, the gut microbiome is strongly implicated in numerous sex-specific physiological processes and diseases. Given this, it is important to understand how sex differentiation of the gut microbiome occurs and how these differences contribute to host health and disease. While it is commonly believed that the gut microbiome stabilizes after 3 years of age, our review of the literature found considerable evidence that the gut microbiome continues to mature during and after puberty in a sex-dependent manner. We also review the intriguing, though sparse, literature on potential mechanisms by which host sex may influence the gut microbiome, and vice versa, via sex steroids, bile acids, and the immune system. We conclude that the evidence for the existence of a sex-specific gut microbiome is strong but that there is a dearth of research on how host-microbe interactions lead to this differentiation. Finally, we discuss the types of future studies needed to understand the processes driving the maturation of sex-specific microbial communities and the interplay between gut microbiota, host sex, and human health.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Adult; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Bile Acids and Salts; Puberty
PubMed: 36445259
DOI: 10.1530/REP-22-0303 -
Clinical Endocrinology Oct 2022The timing of pubertal development is strongly influenced by the genetic background, and clinical presentations of delayed puberty are often found within families with... (Review)
Review
The timing of pubertal development is strongly influenced by the genetic background, and clinical presentations of delayed puberty are often found within families with clear patterns of inheritance. The discovery of the underlying genetic regulators of such conditions, in recent years through next generation sequencing, has advanced the understanding of the pathogenesis of disorders of pubertal timing and the potential for genetic testing to assist diagnosis for patients with these conditions. This review covers the significant advances in the understanding of the biological mechanisms of delayed puberty that have occurred in the last two decades.
Topics: Humans; Hypogonadism; Puberty; Puberty, Delayed
PubMed: 34617615
DOI: 10.1111/cen.14606 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Mar 2019In recent decades, theoretical and methodological advances have operated synergistically to advance understanding of puberty and prompt increasingly comprehensive models... (Review)
Review
In recent decades, theoretical and methodological advances have operated synergistically to advance understanding of puberty and prompt increasingly comprehensive models that engage with the temporal, psychosocial, and biological dimensions of this maturational milepost. This integrative overview discusses these theoretical and methodological advances and their implications for research and intervention to promote human development in the context of changing maturational schedules and massive ongoing social transformations.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Development; Adolescent Health; Biological Evolution; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Neurosciences; Puberty; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 30869841
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12411 -
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology Jan 2017Adolescence is a transitional period of physical and behavioral development between childhood and adulthood. Puberty is a distinct period of sexual maturation that... (Review)
Review
Adolescence is a transitional period of physical and behavioral development between childhood and adulthood. Puberty is a distinct period of sexual maturation that occurs during adolescence. Since the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), human studies have largely examined neurodevelopment in the context of age. A breadth of animal findings suggest that sex hormones continue to influence the brain beyond the prenatal period, with both organizational and activational effects occurring during puberty. Given the animal evidence, human MRI research has also set out to determine how puberty may influence otherwise known patterns of age-related neurodevelopment. Here we review structural-based MRI studies and show that pubertal maturation is a key variable to consider in elucidating sex- and individual- based differences in patterns of human brain development. We also highlight the continuing challenges faced, as well as future considerations, for this vital avenue of research.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Brain; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Puberty; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 28007528
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2016.12.003 -
Alcohol Research : Current Reviews 2017Adolescence represents a vulnerable period for developing youth. Alcohol use and misuse are especially problematic behaviors during this time. Adolescents are more... (Review)
Review
Adolescence represents a vulnerable period for developing youth. Alcohol use and misuse are especially problematic behaviors during this time. Adolescents are more sensitive to alcohol and less tolerant of its detrimental effects than are adults. Research in humans and animals has revealed that early alcohol consumption can result in delayed pubertal development. Animal studies have shown that alcohol detrimentally affects neuroendocrine systems within the hypothalamic region of the brain that are associated with the normal, timely onset of the pubertal process. To effectively restore development and shorten recovery time associated with the adverse effects of alcohol on puberty, researchers must first understand the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which alcohol interferes with critical hypothalamic functions.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Ethanol; Humans; Hypothalamus; Neurosecretory Systems; Puberty
PubMed: 28988578
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Mar 2019Puberty research has been highly productive in the past few decades and is gaining momentum. We conducted an analysis of bibliographic data, including titles, abstracts,... (Review)
Review
Puberty research has been highly productive in the past few decades and is gaining momentum. We conducted an analysis of bibliographic data, including titles, abstracts, keywords, indexing terms, and citation data to assess the sheer numbers, audience and reach, publication types, and impact of puberty-related publications. Findings suggest that puberty-related publications are increasing in sheer numbers, and have reach in many fields as befits an interdisciplinary science. Puberty-related publications typically have higher impact in terms of citations than the journal averages, among the journals that published the most studies on puberty. Limitations of the field and recommendations for researchers to improve the impact and reach of puberty-related publications (e.g., clear conclusions in abstracts, highlighting the importance of puberty) are discussed.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Health; Bibliometrics; Female; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; Male; Puberty; Publishing; Research; Retrospective Studies; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 30869844
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12396