Abstract
The mechanisms which lead to the activation of the hypothalamopituitary gonadal axis at puberty remain speculative. It is generally accepted that a change in sensitivity of the hypothalamus to feedback effect of circulating sex hormones occurs in the early phases of sexual maturation. Last year, Ducharme et al have presented at this society suggestive evidence that some adrenal steroids may play a role in elevating the gonadostatic threshold to circulating androgens and estrogens at this period. In order to study this interrelationship further, plasma Testoesterone (T), Androstenedione (Δ), Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2) were measured by radioimmunoassay at different stages of sexual development and correlated with plasma HIH and HFSH. In addition, the response to LH/FSH-RH was evaluated in precocious and delayed puberty. An elevation of Δ and E1, preceded any increase in gonadotrophins which in turn preceded the expected increase in T and E2. A parallel displacement in this time sequence relationship was noted in subjects with precocious or delayed puberty. The pattern of gonadotrophins response to LH/FSH-RH correlated better with plasma levels of “adrenal” than “gonadal” steroids. These studies bring additional confirmatory evidence that adrenal steroids may play an important role in the early hypothalamo-pituitary regulatory changes characteristic of puberty.
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Ducharme, J., Collu, R., Letarte, J. et al. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADRENAL STEROIDS AND GONADOTROPHINS IN PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT. Pediatr Res 9, 682 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00089
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197508000-00089