Studies on Changes in the Concentration of Serum Adrenal Androgens in Pubertal Twins
March 1980
in “
European Journal of Endocrinology
”
New to dehydroepiandrosterone? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study suggests that genetic factors significantly influence adrenal androgen levels and the progression of puberty, with adrenal cortex maturation appearing independent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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The study investigated the correlation between serum adrenal androgens and puberty in 74 monozygotic and 24 dizygotic twin pairs. It found that adrenal androgen levels, specifically 11-deoxy-17-ketosteroids and dehydroepiandrosterone, increased with bone age and correlated with pubic and axillary hair growth stages. Girls showed earlier puberty progression than boys. No correlation was found between adrenal androgens and pituitary gonadotrophins or prolactin. The study suggested that adrenal androgens play a crucial role in puberty onset and progression, independent of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Genetic factors were indicated by higher intrapair similarity of androgen levels in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins.
