Serum Androgen Bioactivity in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study of Boys with Constitutional Delay of Puberty

The study examined 14 boys with constitutional delay of puberty, comparing 6 untreated boys to 8 boys treated with testosterone enanthate and letrozole. The treatment group showed higher serum androgen bioactivity and faster pubic hair growth compared to the control group. The study found a strong correlation between serum androgen bioactivity and changes in Tanner genital and pubic hair stages. The results suggested that circulating androgen bioactivity influenced the pace of pubertal maturation, and the combination of testosterone and letrozole accelerated puberty in boys with delayed development.