Abstract
Serum concentrations of prolactin, FSH, LH, androstenedione (A) 11-β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11βA), dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHA), dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHAS), and cortisol (F) were quantified in blood from 106 children from 2 to 12 years of age, and in adults. Prolactin (Prl), cortisol, and 11-β-hydroxyandrostenedione showed no significant changes during these years. Androstenedione was present in relatively high concentrations at the youngest ages and increased gradually, while FSH and LH rose peripubertally in years 11 and 12. In contrast, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate showed a progressive increase with age in boys and girls and a 2-phase increase in girls. The greatest relative change in the DMAS concentrations occurred between ages 2 and 5 in girls.
These data indicate that significant changes in adrenal androgen (DHA) secretion occur well before the gonadal changes of puberty in both sexes. Furthermore, since the Δ4 steroids (A and 11-β-OH A) were high at ages 2-5, and constant with approaching puberty, whereas the Δ5 steroids (DHA and DHAS) increased with age beginning with relatively low values, the Δ4/Δ5 ratio decreased with age. This suggests early prominence of 3-β-ol isomerase dehydrogenase activity. We also conclude that children ages 2 through 12 have normal adult Prl levels, and these concentrations do not change in parallel with adrenal androgen development.
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Parker, L., Sack, J., Fisher, D. et al. THE ADRENARCHE: PROLACTIN, GONADOTROPINS, ADRENAL 350 ANDROGENS AND CORTISOL. Pediatr Res 11, 430 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00363
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00363