Association of Childhood Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Concentration, Pubertal Development, and DNA Methylation at Puberty-Related Genes

November 2024 in “ European Journal of Endocrinology ”

Sudman, Maya, Stöger, Reinhard, Melamed Philippa, Bentley, Gillian R

dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate DHEAS pubic hair growth DNA methylation puberty-related genes LHCGR SRD5A2 FGFR1 FTO

TLDR Higher childhood DHEAS levels are linked to advanced puberty and DNA changes.

This study investigated the relationship between childhood dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels, pubertal development, and DNA methylation at puberty-related genes in 91 boys and 82 girls from the UK birth cohort, ALSPAC. Higher childhood DHEAS concentrations were linked to more advanced pubic hair growth in both sexes, advanced breast development, earlier menarche, and longer menstrual cycles in girls. The study found that DHEAS levels were associated with DNA methylation at specific CpG sites near several puberty-related genes, including LHCGR and SRD5A2 in girls, and FGFR1 and FTO in both sexes. These findings suggest a physiological connection between DHEAS and pubertal development, with DNA methylation providing a potential mechanism for this relationship.

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