Endocrinology in preadolescents and adolescents. I. Hormonal changes during normal puberty
P. C. Sizonenko
Hormonal changes during puberty have been well described: rise of
gonadotropins followed by the rise of gonadal secretions at ages 10 to 16
years. The most striking new data are in fact concerning events that occur
before puberty, first during the first months of life, second at age 7
years. The first event consists of a rise of gonadal steroids, which gives
a hormonal impring that might be important for the future of the child. The
second event concerns the prepubertal maturation of the androgenic zone of
the adrenal cortex and the increasing secretion with age of the adrenal
androgens. The mechanism of onset of both events is poorly explained. What
causes the rise of gonadal steroids during infancy is unknown. Which
pituitary factor, in addition to ACTH, stimulates the corticoadrenal
androgenic zone, and which mechanism regulates its secretion remain
unknown.
