Abstract
During puberty, growth and circulating SmC increase require normal GH secretion hut the respective role of GH and sex steroids is still unsettled. This question was adressed by comparing children with low or normal GH secretion during PP. 28 children, with PP and similar gonadal activity, were classified into 2 groups according to their GH peak response to AITT : Group I > 10 ng/ml, Group II < 5 ng/ml. They were compared to prepubertal hypopituitary cases (Group III). Plasma SmC/IGFj was measured by RIA (m ± sem).
By comparison of II/I it appears that GH deficiency decreased the mean SmC level (p<0.001) and growth rate (p<0.05), but both of these values were superior (p<0.001) to values observed in group III indicating a possible role of sex steroids. In addition a 6 yr old girl (in Group II) with PP and GH (AITT/sleep) <3ng/ml, SmC <0.2 U/ml grew 9.5 cm/yr.
In conclusion these data show that in PP beside the GH effect, growth and possibly circulating SmC may be directly stimulated by other factors as sex steroids.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rappaport, R., Brauner, R., Prévot, C. et al. EVIDENCE FOR A DIRECT AND A GH-SmC MEDIATED EFFECT OF SEX STEROIDS ON GROWTH IN PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY (PP). Pediatr Res 20, 1186 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198611000-00073
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198611000-00073