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Hormone Research in Paediatrics 2022Spanning from bench to bedside, the history of normal and precocious puberty is characterized by a series of remarkable advances that have illuminated reproductive... (Review)
Review
Spanning from bench to bedside, the history of normal and precocious puberty is characterized by a series of remarkable advances that have illuminated reproductive physiology and profoundly impacted clinical care. Early recognition of the hypothalamic and pituitary control of ovarian and testicular function led to the identification of GnRH as the key driver of pubertal onset. Decades later, discovery of the kisspeptin system further refined our understanding of human reproductive neuroendocrinology. Development of long-acting analogs of GnRH revolutionized the treatment of precocious puberty worldwide and ushered in the current era of an ever-expanding therapeutic armamentarium. Identification of monogenic etiologies of precocious puberty has further illustrated the exquisite complexity that comprises neurosecretory modulation of the hypothalamic GnRH neuron and may well lead to exciting novel targeted therapies.
Topics: Humans; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Neuroendocrinology; Neurons; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 36446322
DOI: 10.1159/000526464 -
Hormones and Behavior Jul 2013This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Sexuality emerges as a major developmental element of puberty and the adolescent years that follow.... (Review)
Review
This article is part of a Special Issue "Puberty and Adolescence". Sexuality emerges as a major developmental element of puberty and the adolescent years that follow. However, connecting the sexuality that emerges with puberty and elements of adult sexuality is difficult because much adolescent sexuality research addresses the transition to partnered sexual behaviors (primarily coitus) and consequences such as unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. This review proposes a framework of an expanded understanding of puberty and adolescent sexuality from the perspective of four hallmarks of adult sexuality: sexual desire; sexual arousal; sexual behaviors; and, sexual function. This approach thus addresses important gaps in understanding of the ontogeny of sex and the continuum of sexuality development from adolescence through the adult lifespan.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adult; Female; Humans; Libido; Pregnancy; Puberty; Sexual Behavior; Sexuality
PubMed: 23998672
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2013.03.007 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Sep 2018Alongside the exponential flourish of research on age-related trajectories of human brain development during childhood and adolescence in the past two decades, there has... (Review)
Review
Alongside the exponential flourish of research on age-related trajectories of human brain development during childhood and adolescence in the past two decades, there has been an increase in the body of work examining the association between pubertal development and brain maturation. This review systematically examines empirical research on puberty-related structural and functional brain development in humans, with the aim of identifying convergent patterns of associations. We emphasize longitudinal studies, and discuss pervasive but oft-overlooked methodological issues that may be contributing to inconsistent findings and hindering progress (e.g., conflating distinct pubertal indices and different measurement instruments). We also briefly evaluate support for prominent models of adolescent neurodevelopment that hypothesize puberty-related changes in brain regions involved in affective and motivational processes. For the field to progress, replication studies are needed to help resolve current inconsistencies and gain a clearer understanding of pubertal associations with brain development in humans, knowledge that is crucial to make sense of the changes in psychosocial functioning, risk behavior, and mental health during adolescence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Development; Brain; Humans; Puberty
PubMed: 29972766
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.004 -
British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen... Mar 2021This article provides a brief overview of adolescence. It highlights the key physical changes related to puberty and identifies the latest understanding of neurological... (Review)
Review
This article provides a brief overview of adolescence. It highlights the key physical changes related to puberty and identifies the latest understanding of neurological development in young people. It is also recognised, within the article, that this period of rapid change can have an impact on social and emotional wellbeing. There are conditions that typically have an onset during adolescence, examples of this are offered. The term 'adolescence' is used to describe the stage of development and growth and 'young people' is used throughout to refer to the individuals.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Physical Examination; Puberty
PubMed: 33733842
DOI: 10.12968/bjon.2021.30.5.272 -
Sexual Development : Genetics,... 2022Puberty is a complex transitional phase in which reproductive capacity is achieved. There is a very wide variation in the age range of the onset of puberty, which... (Review)
Review
Puberty is a complex transitional phase in which reproductive capacity is achieved. There is a very wide variation in the age range of the onset of puberty, which follows a familial, ethnic, and sex pattern. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and several genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors play an important role in the onset of and throughout puberty. Recently, there has been significant progress in identifying factors that affect normal pubertal timing. Different studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect pubertal timing in both sexes and across ethnic groups. Single genes are implicated in both precocious and delayed puberty, and epigenetic mechanisms have been suggested to affect the development and function of the GnRH neuronal network and responsiveness of end organs. All these factors can influence normal puberty timing, precocious puberty, and delayed puberty. The objective of this review is to describe recent findings related to the genetic and epigenetic control of puberty and highlight the need to deepen the knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms of this process in the normal and abnormal context.
Topics: Epigenesis, Genetic; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Male; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 34649256
DOI: 10.1159/000519039 -
Journal of Clinical Research in... 2009This review describes several aspects of the management of precocious puberty (PP) and variants in girls and boys. PP is characterized by early pubertal changes,... (Review)
Review
This review describes several aspects of the management of precocious puberty (PP) and variants in girls and boys. PP is characterized by early pubertal changes, acceleration of growth velocity and rapid bone maturation that often result in reduced adult height. Onset of pubertal signs before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys should always be evaluated carefully. The main principles of therapy are to stop the progression of secondary sex characteristics and menses (in girls), to increase final adult height, to promote psychosocial well-being, and to treat the underlying cause if known.
Topics: Breast; Child; Female; Gonadotropins; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Male; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Reference Values
PubMed: 21274291
DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.v1i4.3 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Jun 2019Delayed puberty (DP) affects approximately 2% of adolescents. In the vast majority of patients in both sexes, it is due to constitutional delay of growth and puberty... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Delayed puberty (DP) affects approximately 2% of adolescents. In the vast majority of patients in both sexes, it is due to constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP), a self-limited condition in which puberty starts later than usual but progresses normally. However, some CDGP patients may benefit from medical intervention with low-dose sex steroids or peroral aromatase inhibitor letrozole (only for boys). Other causes of DP include permanent hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, functional hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (due to chronic diseases and conditions), and gonadal failure. In this review we discuss these themes along with the latest achievements in the field of puberty research, and include a brief synopsis on the differential diagnosis and management of patients with CDGP and congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
Topics: Adolescent; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Hypogonadism; Male; Puberty; Puberty, Delayed
PubMed: 31522908
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2019.101316 -
Nutrients Nov 2022The onset of puberty has become earlier over the decades, and nutrients and diet are related to the timing of puberty onset. Hence, we aimed to investigate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The onset of puberty has become earlier over the decades, and nutrients and diet are related to the timing of puberty onset. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between diet or nutrients in infancy, childhood and early puberty. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched systematically up to 15 April 2022. The pooled relative risks (RRs) or regression coefficients (beta) were estimated using the random-effect model or fixed-effect model according to the heterogeneity between studies. Twenty-two articles on diet or nutrients in childhood and six about breastfeeding in infancy were included. The prolonged breastfeeding duration in infancy could reduce the risk of early menarche (beta 0.31, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.60, = 0.045). The high intake of yogurt was associated with a 35% reduction in the risk of earlier menarche (RR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.89, = 0.008). Girls with severe food insecurity experienced later menarche (RR 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.98, = 0.027). Conversely, due to the high intake of protein, the risk of early menarche increased by 8% (RR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.16, = 0.016). High intake of yogurt, longer duration of breastfeeding, and food insecurity decreased the possibility of earlier menarche, while high intake of protein increased that risk. As a modifiable factor, diet and nutrients in infancy and childhood provide new insights into the future prevention of early puberty.
Topics: Female; Humans; Menarche; Puberty; Diet; Puberty, Precocious; Eating
PubMed: 36501034
DOI: 10.3390/nu14235004 -
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology Jan 2019A secular trend towards earlier puberty has been observed in girls, while a similar trend has been more uncertain in boys. We estimated current ages at pubertal...
BACKGROUND
A secular trend towards earlier puberty has been observed in girls, while a similar trend has been more uncertain in boys. We estimated current ages at pubertal development in both boys and girls.
METHODS
In this population-based cohort study, 14 759 of 22 439 invited boys and girls born from 2000 to 2003 in the Danish National Birth Cohort gave half-yearly self-reported information on puberty from the age of 11.5 years and throughout puberty. This late start of follow-up limits the estimation of age at onset of puberty but not later pubertal milestones. We estimated mean age at attaining the following pubertal milestones in years with 95% confidence intervals (CI): age at menarche, voice break, first ejaculation of semen and Tanner stages for pubic hair development and breast development or genital development. Further, the difference in mean age at menarche between mothers and daughters was estimated.
RESULTS
In boys, voice break occurred at 13.1 (95% CI 13.0, 13.1) years, first ejaculation of semen occurred at 13.4 (95% CI 13.3, 13.4) years, and Tanner Genital Stage 5 occurred at 15.6 (95% CI 15.5, 15.6) years. In girls, age at menarche occurred at 13.0 (95% CI 13.0, 13.1) years and Tanner Breast Stage 5 occurred at 15.8 (95% CI 15.7, 15.9) years. Daughters had menarche 3.6 (95% CI 3.1, 4.2) months earlier than their mothers had.
CONCLUSION
These data indicate that age at menarche has declined and to some extent support a decline in age at attaining other markers of pubertal development among boys.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Child; Cohort Studies; Denmark; Female; Humans; Male; Maternal Age; Menarche; Puberty; Sex Factors
PubMed: 30307620
DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12507 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2022Thousands of natural or manufactured chemicals were defined as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) because they can interfere with hormone activity and the endocrine... (Review)
Review
Thousands of natural or manufactured chemicals were defined as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) because they can interfere with hormone activity and the endocrine system. We summarize and discuss what we know and what we still need to learn about EDCs' pathogenic mechanisms of action, as well as the effects of the most common EDCs on endocrine system health in childhood. The MEDLINE database (PubMed) was searched on 13 May 2022, filtering for EDCs, endocrine diseases, and children. EDCs are a group of compounds with high heterogeneity, but usually disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking or interfering with natural hormones or interfering with the body's hormonal balance through other mechanisms. Individual EDCs were studied in detail, while humans' "cocktail effect" is still unclear. In utero, early postnatal life, and/or pubertal development are highly susceptible periods to exposure. Human epidemiological studies suggest that EDCs affect prenatal growth, thyroid function, glucose metabolism, obesity, puberty, and fertility through several mechanisms. Further studies are needed to clarify which EDCs can mainly act on epigenetic processes. A better understanding of EDCs' effects on human health is crucial to developing future regulatory strategies to prevent exposure and ensure the health of children today, in future generations, and in the environment.
Topics: Child; Endocrine Disruptors; Endocrine System; Female; Glucose; Hormones; Humans; Pregnancy; Puberty
PubMed: 36233201
DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911899