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Nutrients Nov 2021Pesticide residues are largely found in daily consumed food because of their extensive use in farming and their long half-life, which prolongs their presence in the... (Review)
Review
Pesticide residues are largely found in daily consumed food because of their extensive use in farming and their long half-life, which prolongs their presence in the environment. Many of these pesticides act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals after pre- or postnatal exposure, significantly affecting, among other things, the time of puberty onset, progression, and completion. In humans, precocious or delayed puberty, and early or delayed sexual maturation, may entail several negative long-term health implications. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the impact of endocrine-disrupting pesticides upon the timing of the landmarks of female and male puberty in both animals (vaginal opening, first estrus, and balanopreputial separation) and humans (thelarche, menarche, gonadarche). Moreover, we explore the possible mechanisms of action of the reviewed endocrine-disrupting pesticides on the human reproductive system. Access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food is fundamental for the maintenance of health and wellbeing. Eliminating the presence of hazardous chemicals in largely consumed food products may increase their nutritional value and be proven beneficial for overall health. Consequently, understanding the effects of human exposure to hazardous endocrine-disrupting pesticides, and legislating against their circulation, are of major importance for the protection of health in vulnerable populations, such as children and adolescents.
Topics: Adolescent; Agriculture; Animals; Dietary Exposure; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Male; Pesticides; Puberty; Sexual Maturation; Young Adult
PubMed: 34836437
DOI: 10.3390/nu13114184 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Mar 2019Over the past two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in our understanding of structural and functional brain development in adolescence. However,... (Review)
Review
Over the past two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in our understanding of structural and functional brain development in adolescence. However, understanding the role of puberty in this process has received much less attention. This review examines this relationship by summarizing recent research studies where the role of puberty was investigated in relation to brain structure, connectivity, and task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The studies together suggest that puberty may contribute to adolescent neural reorganization and maturational advancement, and sex differences also emerge in puberty. The current body of work shows some mixed results regarding impact and exact direction of pubertal influence. We discuss several limitations of current studies and propose future directions on how to move the field forward.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adolescent Development; Adolescent Health; Brain; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neuroimaging; Puberty; Sex Characteristics; Sexual Maturation; Social Behavior; Theory of Mind
PubMed: 30869842
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12408 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2021Adolescent pregnancy (occurring < age 20) is considered a public health problem that creates and perpetuates inequities, affecting not only women, but societies as a... (Review)
Review
Adolescent pregnancy (occurring < age 20) is considered a public health problem that creates and perpetuates inequities, affecting not only women, but societies as a whole globally. The efficacy of current approaches to reduce its prevalence is limited. Most existing interventions focus on outcomes without identifying or addressing upstream social and biological causes. Current rhetoric revolves around the need to change girls' individual behaviours during adolescence and puberty. Yet, emerging evidence suggests risk for adolescent pregnancy may be influenced by exposures taking place much earlier during development, starting as early as gametogenesis. Furthermore, pregnancy risks are determined by complex interactions between socio-structural and ecological factors including housing and food security, family structure, and gender-based power dynamics. To explore these interactions, we merge three complimentary theoretical frameworks: "Eco-Social", "Life History" and "Developmental Origins of Health and Disease". We use our new lens to discuss social and biological determinants of two key developmental milestones associated with age at first birth: age at girls' first menstrual bleed (menarche) and age at first sexual intercourse (coitarche). Our review of the literature suggests that promoting stable and safe environments starting at conception (including improving economic and social equity, in addition to gender-based power dynamics) is paramount to effectively curbing adolescent pregnancy rates. Adolescent pregnancy exacerbates and perpetuates social inequities within and across generations. As such, reducing it should be considered a key priority for public health and social change agenda.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Menarche; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Puberty; Young Adult
PubMed: 34831907
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182212152 -
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Apr 2023Continuous body temperature is a rich source of information on hormonal status, biological rhythms, and metabolism, all of which undergo stereotyped change across... (Review)
Review
Continuous body temperature is a rich source of information on hormonal status, biological rhythms, and metabolism, all of which undergo stereotyped change across adolescence. Due to the direct actions of these dynamic systems on body temperature regulation, continuous temperature may be uniquely suited to monitoring adolescent development and the impacts of exogenous reproductive hormones or peptides (e.g., hormonal contraception, puberty blockers, gender affirming hormone treatment). This mini-review outlines how traditional methods for monitoring the timing and tempo of puberty may be augmented by markers derived from continuous body temperature. These features may provide greater temporal precision, scalability, and reduce reliance on self-report, particularly in females. Continuous body temperature data can now be gathered with ease across a variety of wearable form factors, providing the opportunity to develop tools that aid in individual, parental, clinical, and researcher awareness and education.
Topics: Female; Adolescent; Humans; Adolescent Development; Body Temperature; Puberty
PubMed: 36821877
DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2023.101221 -
Neuroendocrinology 2021The pubertal process is initiated as a result of complex neuroendocrine interactions within the preoptic and hypothalamic regions of the brain. These interactions... (Review)
Review
The pubertal process is initiated as a result of complex neuroendocrine interactions within the preoptic and hypothalamic regions of the brain. These interactions ultimately result in a timely increase in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Researchers for years have believed that this increase is due to a diminished inhibitory tone which has applied a prepubertal brake on GnRH secretion, as well as to the gradual development of excitatory inputs driving the increased release of the peptide. Over the years, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has emerged as a prime candidate for playing an important role in the onset of puberty. This review will first present initial research demonstrating that IGF-1 increases in circulation as puberty approaches, is able to induce the release of prepubertal GnRH, and can advance the timing of puberty. More recent findings depict an early action of IGF-1 to activate a pathway that releases the inhibitory brake on prepubertal GnRH secretion provided by dynorphin, as well as demonstrating that IGF-1 can also act later in the process to regulate the synthesis and release of kisspeptin, a potent stimulator of GnRH at puberty.
Topics: Animals; Dynorphins; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Kisspeptins; Puberty
PubMed: 33406521
DOI: 10.1159/000514217 -
Current Hypertension Reports Jul 2023Puberty is a complex process leading to physical, sexual, and psychosocial maturation. The changes in morphology and organ function during puberty also affect blood... (Review)
Review
Puberty is a complex process leading to physical, sexual, and psychosocial maturation. The changes in morphology and organ function during puberty also affect blood pressure (BP) regulation, and as a consequence (BP) values change noticeably, reaching values often higher than after reaching full maturity. In children entering puberty, BP, especially systolic, increases and then reaches adult values by the end of puberty. The mechanisms responsible for this process are complex and not fully understood. Sex hormones, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin, whose production increases during puberty, significantly regulate BP through complex and overlapping mechanisms. During puberty, the incidence of arterial hypertension also increases, especially in children with excess body weight. The present paper presents the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of processes occurring during puberty on blood pressure.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Blood Pressure; Hypertension; Body Mass Index; Puberty; Gonadal Steroid Hormones
PubMed: 37071287
DOI: 10.1007/s11906-023-01241-9 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Aug 2023Accelerated early growth and early timing of puberty or pubertal variant have been noticed as risk factors for metabolic syndrome, more frequently observed in children... (Review)
Review
Accelerated early growth and early timing of puberty or pubertal variant have been noticed as risk factors for metabolic syndrome, more frequently observed in children born small for gestational age (SGA) or children with premature adrenarche (PA). Children with SGA, especially if they make an accelerated catch-up growth in early life, carry a higher risk for long-term metabolic consequences, such as type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, multiple studies support that these children, either born SGA or with a history of PA, may have earlier pubertal timing, which is also associated with various metabolic risks. This review aims to summarize the recent studies investigating the association between early infantile growth, the timing of puberty, and metabolic risks to expand our knowledge and gain more insight into the underlying pathophysiology.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Child; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Puberty; Infant, Small for Gestational Age; Fetal Growth Retardation; Metabolic Syndrome
PubMed: 37029976
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad202 -
The Journal of Pediatrics Jul 2020To test the association between early puberty and telomere length in preadolescent girls and mothers from a large representative sample of US females.
OBJECTIVE
To test the association between early puberty and telomere length in preadolescent girls and mothers from a large representative sample of US females.
STUDY DESIGN
We analyzed data from 1194 preadolescent girls and 2421 mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Participants were from a population-based birth cohort (1998-2000) born in large US cities. Telomere length was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction from saliva samples provided by preadolescent girls and mothers of preadolescent youth. Mothers completed a questionnaire about their child's pubertal development to determine concurrent Tanner stages and provided self-reports of her own age at menarche. Linear regression models were used to estimate the association between pubertal development (status and timing) and telomere length.
RESULTS
Early pubertal timing but not pubertal status was associated with shorter telomere length in preadolescent girls (P < .01). Early age at menarche was associated with shorter telomere length in a sample of mothers of preadolescent youth (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
Results provide evidence for the association between early puberty and shorter telomeres evidenced by associations in both preadolescent girls and mothers. Future research should address the limitations of this study by using longitudinal measurements of pubertal development assessed through medical examinations and repeated assessments of telomere length to capture telomere attrition.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child Development; Female; Humans; Menarche; Mothers; Puberty; Retrospective Studies; Telomere; Telomere Homeostasis; Young Adult
PubMed: 32586523
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.02.075 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2021Chronic stress is encountered in our everyday life and is thought to contribute to a number of diseases. Many of these stress-related disorders display a sex bias.... (Review)
Review
Chronic stress is encountered in our everyday life and is thought to contribute to a number of diseases. Many of these stress-related disorders display a sex bias. Because glucocorticoid hormones are the main biological mediator of chronic stress, researchers have been interested in understanding the sexual dimorphism in glucocorticoid stress response to better explain the sex bias in stress-related diseases. Although not yet demonstrated for glucocorticoid regulation, sex chromosomes do influence sex-specific biology as soon as conception. Then a transient rise in testosterone start to shape the male brain during the prenatal period differently to the female brain. These organizational effects are completed just before puberty. The cerebral regions implicated in glucocorticoid regulation at rest and after stress are thereby impacted in a sex-specific manner. After puberty, the high levels of all gonadal hormones will interact with glucocorticoid hormones in specific crosstalk through their respective nuclear receptors. In addition, stress occurring early in life, in particular during the prenatal period and in adolescence will prime in the long-term glucocorticoid stress response through epigenetic mechanisms, again in a sex-specific manner. Altogether, various molecular mechanisms explain sex-specific glucocorticoid stress responses that do not exclude important gender effects in humans.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Child; Child Development; Embryonic Development; Genetic Association Studies; Glucocorticoids; Gonadal Hormones; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Puberty; Sex Characteristics; Sex Factors; Steroids; Stress, Physiological; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 33808655
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063139 -
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Apr 2021Total amygdala volumes develop in association with sex and puberty, and postmortem studies find neuronal numbers increase in a nuclei specific fashion across...
Total amygdala volumes develop in association with sex and puberty, and postmortem studies find neuronal numbers increase in a nuclei specific fashion across development. Thus, amygdala subregions and composition may evolve with age. Our goal was to examine if amygdala subregion absolute volumes and/or relative proportion varies as a function of age, sex, or puberty in a large sample of typically developing adolescents (N = 408, 43 % female, 10-17 years). Utilizing the in vivo CIT168 atlas, we quantified 9 subregions and implemented Generalized Additive Mixed Models to capture potential non-linear associations with age and pubertal status between sexes. Only males showed significant age associations with the basolateral ventral and paralaminar subdivision (BLVPL), central nucleus (CEN), and amygdala transition area (ATA). Again, only males showed relative differences in the proportion of the BLVPL, CEN, ATA, along with lateral (LA) and amygdalostriatal transition area (ASTA), with age. Using a best-fit modeling approach, age, and not puberty, was found to drive these associations. The results suggest that amygdala subregions show unique variations with age in males across adolescence. Future research is warranted to determine if our findings may contribute to sex differences in mental health that emerge across adolescence.
Topics: Adolescent; Amygdala; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Neural Pathways; Puberty; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 33476872
DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100883