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Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... May 2021
Topics: Humans; Puberty
PubMed: 33950643
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.21.0210 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Puberty is a critical process characterized by several physical and psychological changes that culminate in the achievement of sexual maturation and fertility. The onset... (Review)
Review
Puberty is a critical process characterized by several physical and psychological changes that culminate in the achievement of sexual maturation and fertility. The onset of puberty depends on several incompletely understood mechanisms that certainly involve gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its effects on the pituitary gland. The role of makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) in the regulation of pubertal timing was revealed when loss-of-function mutations were identified in patients with central precocious puberty (CPP), which to date, represent the most commonly known genetic cause of this condition. The gene showed ubiquitous expression in tissues from a broad spectrum of species, suggesting an important cellular role. Its involvement in the initiation of puberty and endocrine functions has just begun to be studied. This review discusses some of the recent approaches developed to predict MKRN3 functions and its involvement in pubertal development.
Topics: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Puberty; Puberty, Precocious; Ribonucleoproteins; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 36187104
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.991322 -
The Journal of Adolescent Health :... Mar 2021Risk markers for breast cancer include earlier onset of menarche (age at menarche [AAM]) and peak height velocity (PHV). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is...
PURPOSE
Risk markers for breast cancer include earlier onset of menarche (age at menarche [AAM]) and peak height velocity (PHV). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is associated with pubertal milestones, as well as cancer risk. This study examined the relationships between pubertal milestones associated with breast cancer risk and hormone changes in puberty.
METHODS
This is a longitudinal study of pubertal maturation in 183 girls, recruited at ages 6-7, followed up between 2004 and 2018. Measures included age at onset of puberty, and adult height attained; PHV; AAM; adult height, and serum IGF-1, and estrone-to-androstenedione (E:A) ratio.
RESULTS
PHV was greatest in early, and least in late maturing girls; length of the pubertal growth spurt was longest in early, and shortest in late maturing girls. Earlier AAM was related to greater PHV. IGF-1 concentrations tracked significantly during puberty; higher IGF-1 was related to earlier age of PHV, earlier AAM, greater PHV, and taller adult height. Greater E:A ratio was associated with earlier AAM.
CONCLUSIONS
Factors driving the association of earlier menarche and pubertal growth with breast cancer risk may be explained through a unifying concept relating higher IGF-1 concentrations, greater lifelong estrogen exposure, and longer pubertal growth period, with an expanded pubertal window of susceptibility.
Topics: Adult; Body Height; Breast Neoplasms; Child; Female; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Longitudinal Studies; Menarche; Puberty
PubMed: 32888770
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.016 -
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 -
The Journal of Endocrinology Oct 2017The onset of puberty is the result of complex neuroendocrine interactions within hypothalamic region of the brain, as well as from genetic and environmental influences.... (Review)
Review
The onset of puberty is the result of complex neuroendocrine interactions within hypothalamic region of the brain, as well as from genetic and environmental influences. These interactions ultimately result in the increased synthesis and release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Manganese (Mn) is an essential environmental element known for years to be involved in numerous mammalian physiological processes, including growth and reproductive function. Studies in recent years have shown the ability of Mn to cross the blood-brain barrier and act within the hypothalamus to influence the timing of puberty. This review will depict research showing the molecular and physiological actions of Mn in the control of prepubertal LHRH and discuss the potential for the element to cause either helpful or harmful outcomes on the developmental process depending upon the age and accumulation of Mn within the hypothalamus.
Topics: Animals; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Hypothalamus; Manganese; Puberty
PubMed: 28720645
DOI: 10.1530/JOE-17-0237 -
American Family Physician Jul 1999Normal puberty begins between eight and 14 years of age in girls and between nine and 14 years of age in boys. Pubic hair distribution is used to stage puberty, along... (Review)
Review
Normal puberty begins between eight and 14 years of age in girls and between nine and 14 years of age in boys. Pubic hair distribution is used to stage puberty, along with breast size and contour in girls and testicular volume in boys. Some children experience constitutional sexual precocity, but precocity is likely to be pathologic if it occurs in very young children, if there is contrasexual development or if the sequence of normal pubertal milestones is disrupted. Delayed puberty may be constitutional, but pathologic causes should be considered. The etiology of a pubertal disorder can often be determined with the use of a focused medical history, a directed physical examination and appropriate diagnostic tests. Treatment for disorders of puberty is determined by the underlying cause.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Education as Topic; Puberty; Puberty, Delayed; Puberty, Precocious; Teaching Materials
PubMed: 10414639
DOI: No ID Found -
British Medical Journal Jan 1958
Topics: Humans; Puberty; Sexual Maturation
PubMed: 13489359
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.1.5064.193 -
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology Jan 2014Puberty and adolescence are major life transitions during which an individual's physiology and behavior changes from that of a juvenile to that of an adult. Here we... (Review)
Review
Puberty and adolescence are major life transitions during which an individual's physiology and behavior changes from that of a juvenile to that of an adult. Here we review studies documenting the effects of stressors during pubertal and adolescent development on the adult brain and behavior. The experience of complex or compound stressors during puberty/adolescence generally increases stress reactivity, increases anxiety and depression, and decreases cognitive performance in adulthood. These behavioral changes correlate with decreased hippocampal volumes and alterations in neural plasticity. Moreover, stressful experiences during puberty disrupt behavioral responses to gonadal hormones both in sexual performance and on cognition and emotionality. These behavioral changes correlate with altered estrogen receptor densities in some estrogen-concentrating brain areas, suggesting a remodeling of the brain's response to hormones. A hypothesis is presented that activation of the immune system results in chronic neuroinflammation that may mediate the alterations of hormone-modulated behaviors in adulthood.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Animals; Cognition; Gonadal Hormones; Humans; Puberty; Sexual Maturation; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 24184692
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2013.10.004 -
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine Jul 2019The factors that trigger human puberty are among the central mysteries of reproductive biology. Several approaches, including mutational analysis of candidate genes,... (Review)
Review
The factors that trigger human puberty are among the central mysteries of reproductive biology. Several approaches, including mutational analysis of candidate genes, large-scale genome-wide association studies, whole exome sequencing, and whole genome sequencing have been performed in attempts to identify novel genetic factors that modulate the human hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis to result in premature sexual development. Genetic abnormalities involving excitatory and inhibitory pathways regulating gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion, represented by the kisspeptin ( and ) and makorin ring finger 3 () systems, respectively, have been associated with sporadic and familial cases of central precocious puberty (CPP). More recently, paternally inherited genetic defects of were identified in four families with nonsyndromic CPP and a metabolic phenotype. encodes a transmembrane protein that is important for adipose tissue homeostasis and neurogenesis and is located in the imprinted chromosome 14q32 region associated with Temple syndrome. In this review, we highlight the clinical and genetic features of patients with CPP caused by mutations and explore the involvement of Notch signaling and DLK1 in the control of pubertal onset.
Topics: Age Factors; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; Membrane Proteins; Puberty; Receptors, Notch; Sexual Maturation; Signal Transduction; Time Factors
PubMed: 31972862
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400963 -
Journal of Research on Adolescence :... Mar 2019Youth programs and policies provide opportunities for institutions and societies to support healthy adolescent development. Puberty education programs are universally... (Review)
Review
Youth programs and policies provide opportunities for institutions and societies to support healthy adolescent development. Puberty education programs are universally important, as they provide crucial knowledge and skills to help youth and their caregivers navigate the physical, emotional, and interpersonal changes of puberty with positive outcomes. However, few puberty programs have been rigorously evaluated, resulting in a lack of evidence-based knowledge and practice in this area. This review examines the status of research on puberty education and related programs and draws on the broader intervention literature and recent research findings on adolescence to identify program features that might improve program effectiveness. Implications for policy are also discussed. The need for rigorous program evaluation is emphasized throughout.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Female; Global Health; Health Promotion; Humans; Male; Policy Making; Program Evaluation; Puberty; Reproductive Health; Sex Education; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Maturation; Student Health Services; Students
PubMed: 30869838
DOI: 10.1111/jora.12452