The pattern of gonadotropin and estradiol secretion in exaggerated thelarche

1993 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi R Garibaldi ◽  
Thomas Aceto ◽  
Colleen Weber

Purpose: To assess the dynamics of the pituitary-ovarian axis in exaggerated thelarche, defined as premature thelarche associated with signs of systemic estrogen effects (advanced bone age and/or growth acceleration) without progression to complete puberty. Subjects and methods: Seven girls (age <2.5 years) with exaggerated thelarche, 6 girls with inactive pituitary-ovarian axis (premature adrenarche) and 21 girls with activated axis (central precocious puberty) had serum FSH, LH and E2 measured serially before and 1 to 24 h after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) administration (leuprolide, 20 μg/kg sc), used as a test of combined pituitary-ovarian stimulation. Results: Although girls in the exaggerated thelarche and adrenarche group had similar [mean (SEM)] baseline FSH [3.2 (0.9) vs 1.4 (0.3) IU/I], LH [0.36(0.1) vs 0.27 (0.02) IU/I] and E2 [20 (1.2) vs 21 (2) pmol/l] concentrations, and similar peak post-GnRHa LH concentrations [5.5 (1.1) vs 2.4 (0.5) IU/I], girls with exaggerated thelarche achieved higher peak FSH [41(9) vs 14 (3) IU/I, p< 0.01] and E2 [243 (40) vs 37 (6) pmol/l, p<0.001] concentrations after GnRHa. In comparison to patients with exaggerated thelarche, girls with precocious puberty had higher (p<0.01-0.001) baseline LH [3.6 (0.8) IU/I], baseline E2 [69 (11) pmol/l], GnRHa-stimulated peak LH [68 (1 7) IU/I] and peak E2 [648 (58) pmol/l] concentrations, but similar FSH parameters. Conclusions: Girls with exaggerated thelarche exhibit substantial E2 secretory potential that can be demonstrated by GnRHa stimulation, is predominantly FSH-driven, and probably accounts for the manifestations of estrogen effect seen in these girls.

Author(s):  
Kamila Botelho Fernandes de Souza ◽  
Melyna Shayanne Pessôa Veiga ◽  
Gabriela Ráina Ferreira Martins ◽  
Adriana Paula da Silva ◽  
Lívia Grimaldi Abud Fujita ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the cutoff values of gonadotropin response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) corresponding to the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis that could differentiate central precocious puberty (CPP) from premature thelarche (PT) and using the electrochemiluminescence assay method. Methods: A total of 49 girls underwent the stimulation test with the intramuscular injection of 3.75 mg leuprolide acetate. Based on the clinical and laboratory characteristics, they were divided into two groups: CPP (n = 22) and PT (n = 27). Baseline estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were collected before GnRHa administration, and LH and FSH at 60 and 120 min, respectively, after GnRHa administration. Results: The girls with CPP presented an increased height Z-score, advanced bone age, and higher baseline LH, FSH, estradiol, and LH/FSH ratio in relation to PT (p < 0.001). Stimulated LH differed significantly between the two groups, and the LH cutoff values were ≥4.29 IU/L (p < 0.001) and ≥3.95 IU/L at 60 and 120 min, respectively (p < 0.001). LH peak was found at 60 min after stimulation. Conclusions: The GnRHa test is effective in distinguishing CPP from PT, and a single sampling, at 60 min, with LH concentrations above 4.29 may be the parameter of choice with the advantage of greater convenience and practicality.


Author(s):  
Vivian L. Chin ◽  
Ziyong Cai ◽  
Leslie Lam ◽  
Bina Shah ◽  
Ping Zhou

AbstractChanges in pharmacological agents and advancements in laboratory assays have changed the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog stimulation test.To determine the best predictive model for detecting puberty in girls.Thirty-five girls, aged 2 years 7 months to 9 years 3 months, with central precocious puberty (CPP) (n=20) or premature thelarche/premature adrenarche (n=15).Diagnoses were based on clinical information, baseline hormones, bone age, and pelvic sonogram. Gonadotropins and E2 were analyzed using immunochemiluminometric assay. Logistic regression for CPP was performed.The best predictor of CPP is the E2-change model based on 3- to 24-h values, providing 80% sensitivity and 87% specificity. Three-hour luteinizing hormone (LH) provided 75% sensitivity and 87% specificity. Basal LH lowered sensitivity to 65% and specificity to 53%.The E2-change model provided the best predictive power; however, 3-h LH was more practical and convenient when evaluating puberty in girls.


2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-146
Author(s):  
Tasnima Ahmed ◽  
Fauzia Mohsin ◽  
Nasreen Islam ◽  
Juben Nahar ◽  
Shahida Akhter ◽  
...  

Background: Precocious puberty is a common paediatric endocrine disorder seen in clinical practice. This study was carried out to find out the aetiology of precocious puberty in children presenting in a tertiary care hospital.Methodology: This cross sectional study was done at paediatric endocrine outpatient department at BIRDEM General Hospital from July 2005 to June 2015. The clinical data as well as laboratory findings were collected from consecutive patients who presented for evaluation of precocious puberty.Result: Seventy one patients presented with precocious puberty during this study period. There was female preponderance (71.8%). The mean age at presentation of girls and boys were 4.8±2.1 years and 6.63±1.4 years respectively. Among the 51 girls who presented with precocious puberty 22(43.1%) had central precocious puberty (CPP), 5(9.8%) had peripheral precocious puberty (PPP) and 24(47%) had incomplete precocious puberty (IPP). Among the 22 girls with CPP 19(86.3%) were idiopathic & 3(13.6%) girls were hypothyroid. Among the 5 girls with PPP, 3(60%) had congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) & 2(40%) had adrenal adenoma. In case of incomplete precious puberty among 24 girls, 20 (83.3%) had premature thelarche, 1(4.1%) had premature menarche & 3 (12.5%) had premature adrenarche. In 20 boys with precocious puberty, 7(35%) had CPP. Among them 3(42.8%) boys had hypothalamic hamartoma, 1(14.2%) boy had craniopharyngioma and other 3(42.8%) boys had idiopathic CPP. PPP was present in 11(55%) boys. Among them 8(72.7%) patient had CAH, 2(18.1%) had adrenal adenoma and 1(9.0%) had hepatoblastoma. Premature adrenarche was present in 2(10%) boys.Conclusions: Precocious puberty was more commonly found among girls as compared to boys. Central precocious puberty was more common among girls and majority were idiopathic. Among boy precocious pseudopuberty was more common and CAH was the commonest cause. Majority of boy with central precocious puberty had organic brain lesion.Bangladesh J Child Health 2017; VOL 41 (3) :143-146


2017 ◽  
Vol 176 (6) ◽  
pp. 747-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esben T Vestergaard ◽  
Mia E Schjørring ◽  
Konstantinos Kamperis ◽  
Karin Kastberg Petersen ◽  
Søren Rittig ◽  
...  

Objective Premature thelarche and precocious puberty are frequently diagnosed in girls even below 6 years of age and may be difficult to differentiate in the early stages. A GnRH test is often included in the diagnostic work-up, although interpretation of the GnRH test in girls below 6 years of age is challenging, as no reference interval exists for this age group. The objective is to determine the normal FSH and LH response to a GnRH test in healthy prepubertal girls below 6 years of age. Design and methods A standardized GnRH test, baseline reproductive hormones, clinical evaluation and bone age were determined in all participants. Forty-eight healthy normal-weight girls aged 3.5 ± 0.2 years (range: 0.8–5.9 years) were included. Serum concentrations of LH and FSH were measured before and 30 min after the gonadorelin injection. Results The 30-min LH responses (mean ± 2 s.d.) were 5.2 ± 4.0 and 2.9 ± 2.5 IU/L and the FSH responses were 23.3 ± 16.2 and 14.5 ± 10.3 IU/L in girls aged 0.8–3.0 years and 3.0–5.9 years respectively. This corresponds to upper cut-off limits for LH of 9.2 IU/L (<3 years) and 5.3 IU/L (3–6 years). The stimulated LH/FSH ratio was 0.23 ± 0.19 (range 0.06–0.43) and did not correlate with age. Conclusions We found that LH increases up to 9.2 IU/L during GnRH test in healthy normal-weight girls below 3 years of age and that the stimulated LH/FSH ratio did not exceed 0.43. Our findings have important implications for appropriate diagnosis of central precocious puberty in girls below 6 years of age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 785-791
Author(s):  
Valeria Calcaterra ◽  
Catherine Klersy ◽  
Federica Vinci ◽  
Corrado Regalbuto ◽  
Giulia Dobbiani ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesData on the predictive values of parameters included in the diagnostic work-up for precocious puberty (PP) remain limited. We detected the diagnostic value of basal sex hormone levels, pelvic ultrasound parameters and bone age assessment for activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in girls with PP, in order to help in the decision to perform GnRH testing.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively considered 177 girls with PP. According to puberty evolution, the girls were divided into two groups: rapid progressive central precocious puberty (RP-CPP) and non/slowly progressive/transient forms (SP-PP). In all patients we considered Tanner stage, basal luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) values, bone age, and pelvis examination. We assessed the diagnostic value of each variable and identified the number of pathological parameters that best identify patients with RP-CPP.ResultsBasal LH ≥ 0.2IU/L, E2 level ≥ 50 pmol/L, uterine longitudinal diameter ≥ 3.5 cm, transverse uterine diameter ≥ 1.5 cm, endometrial echo and ovarian volume ≥ 2 cm3 were significantly associated with RP-CPP (p ≤ 0.01). The ability to diagnose RP-CPP was enhanced with increasing number of pathological hormonal and instrumental parameters (p < 0.001). With more than three parameters detected, sensitivity and specificity reached 58% (95%CI 48–67) and 85% (95%CI 74–92), respectively, with a PPV = 86% (95%CI 76–93) and PPN = 54% (95%CI 43–54); the area under the ROC curve was 0.71 (95%CI 0.65–0.78).ConclusionDespite the availability of different tests, diagnosing RP-CPP remains difficult. A diagnosis model including at least three hormonal and/or ultrasound parameters may serve as a useful preliminary step in selecting patients who require GnRH testing for early detection of RC-PP.


2006 ◽  
Vol 134 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Mitrovic ◽  
Dragan Zdravkovic ◽  
Tatjana Milenkovic ◽  
Katarina Sedlecki ◽  
Zoran Stankovic

Introduction. Precocious puberty in girls is generally defined as appearance of secondary sexual characteristics before eight years of age. Menarche before the ninth birthday may serve as an additional criterion. Precocious puberty is divided in central precocious puberty and pseudoprecocious puberty. Central precocious puberty (GnRH dependent) occurs because of premature activation of hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis and activity of gonadotrophins. Pseudoprecocious puberty (GnRH independent) is caused by activity of sexual steroids that are not the result of gonadotrophin activity. Objective. Objective of our study was to examine the etiology, clinical and laboratory manifestations of isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty in girls. Method. In the period between 1995 and 2004, clinical and laboratory sings of 34 girls with precocious puberty were studied at the Endocrine Department of the Institute of Mother and Child Health Care of Serbia. Initial evaluations included height measurement, staging of puberty, bone age assessment and pelvic ultrasound. Important diagnostic sonographic parameters of precocious puberty were the volumes of ovaries and uterus as well as ovarian structure. The initial hormonal evaluation included measuring of plasma oestradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulation test was used to evaluate LH and FSH responsiveness (60 ?g/m2 LHRH- Relefact LHRH?, Ferring). Blood samples were collected at 0, 20 and 60 minutes. Basal and GnRH stimulated LH and FSH were determined by immunoradiometric assay. Estradiol concentration was measured using the fluoroimmunometric assay. Results. Thirty-four girls aged 6 months to 9 years (mean age 4.5 years) with precocious puberty were studied during the period of 9 years. Eleven girls presented with breast development, six with vaginal bleeding and seventeen with signs of puberty. On the basis of clinical signs, bone age, estradiol levels and LHRH test, premature the larche was diagnosed in eleven patients (32.4%), premature menarche in six (17.6%) and central precocious puberty in ten girls (29.4%). Seven girls (20.6%) presented with pseudoprecocious puberty. Pelvic ultrasound examination revealed unilateral ovarian cysts in six patients and granulosa cell tumor in one. Elevated estrogen serum levels and failure of gonadotropin responses after gonadotropin releasing hormone were the classical findings in patients with isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty during the acute period of disease. In four patients, the cyst decreased spontaneously after several months, while in two patients, the cyst was removed by laparotomy. Surgical treatment was performed in a patient with granulosa cell tumor. Conclusion. Our work demonstrates that autonomous functional ovarian follicle cyst is the most often cause of isosexual pseudoprecocious puberty. Short period of observation is suggested because the cyst can resolve spontaneously. On the other hand, juvenile granulosa cell tumor, as highly malignant tumor, should be removed as soon as diagnosis is established.


Author(s):  
Carolina O. Ramos ◽  
Ana P M Canton ◽  
Carlos Eduardo Seraphim ◽  
Aline Guimarães Faria ◽  
Flavia Rezende Tinano ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Longer-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) have been widely used for central precocious puberty (CPP) treatment. However, the follow-up of patients after this treatment are still scarce. Our aim was to describe anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive follow-up of CPP patients after treatment with leuprorelin acetate 3-month depot (11.25 mg). Methods Twenty-two female patients with idiopathic CPP were treated with leuprorelin acetate 3-month depot (11.25 mg). Their medical records were retrospectively evaluated regarding clinical, hormonal, and imaging aspects before, during, and after GnRHa treatment until adult height (AH). Results At the diagnosis of CPP, the mean chronological age (CA) was 8.2 ± 1.13 year, and mean bone age (BA) was 10.4 ± 1.4 year. Mean height SDS at the start and the end of GnRHa treatment was 1.6 ± 0.8 and 1.3 ± 0.9, respectively. The mean duration of GnRHa treatment was 2.8 ± 0.8 year. Mean predicted adult heights (PAH) at the start and the end of GnRH treatment was 153.2 ± 8.6 and 164.4 ± 7.3 cm, respectively (p<0.05). The mean AH was 163.2 ± 6.2 cm (mean SDS: 0.1 ± 1). All patients were within their target height (TH) range. There was a decrease in the percentage of overweight and obesity from the diagnosis until AH (39–19% p>0.05). At the AH, the insulin resistance and high LDL levels were identified in 3/17 patients (17.6%) and 2/21 patients (9.5%), respectively. The mean CA of menarche was 12.2 ± 0.5 years. At the AH, PCOS was diagnosed in one patient (4.8%). Conclusions Long-term anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive follow-up of patients with CPP treated with longer-acting GnRHa revealed effectivity, safety, and favorable outcomes.


Author(s):  
Nursel Muratoglu Sahin ◽  
Sibel Tulgar Kinik ◽  
Mustafa Agah Tekindal ◽  
Nilufer Bayraktar

AbstractThe possible difference of antimüllerian hormone (AMH) levels at central precocious puberty (CPP) and premature thelarche (PT) has not been properly evaluated.By evaluating AMH levels in girls with diagnosed CPP and PT, we aim to show the change of AMH levels at the pubertal onset.Sixty-five girls who have breast development before the age of 8 years and 25 healthy girls were enrolled in the study.The subjects were divided into two groups as CPP and PT, according to results of GnRH test. AMH levels were determined in the two groups.The mean AMH levels of the CPP group were significantly lower than those in the PT group (13.57±9.85 pmol/L and 58.42±12.78 pmol/L, respectively, p=0.022).These results suggest that the AMH levels decrease in the duration of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis activation. We thought that AMH might/may be a marker for distinguishing between CPP and PT.


2006 ◽  
Vol 154 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liat de Vries ◽  
Gadi Horev ◽  
Michael Schwartz ◽  
Moshe Phillip

Objective: To determine if uterine and ovarian measurements can significantly distinguish between precocious puberty (PP) and premature thelarche (PT) and whether ultrasound has any advantage over the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. Design: Prospective. Methods: One hundred and three girls referred consecutively for evaluation of breast budding before age 8 years underwent physical examination, GnRH stimulation test, bone age assessment, and transabdominal pelvic ultrasound. The diagnosis of PP or PT was based on clinical judgment. The clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound data of the PP and PT groups were compared. Results: Eighty-one girls were diagnosed with PP and 22 with PT. Significant differences in most of the uterine and ovarian measurements were found between the groups. On logistic regression analysis, bone age standard deviation score, uterine transverse diameter, and uterine volume were the most significant variables predicting PP. Comparison of 30 girls with PP and 21 with PT in whom peak luteinizing hormone was <5 mIU/ml on the GnRH stimulation test, using analysis of variance, yielded significant differences in uterine width (P<0.001), fundus diameter (P <0.04), uterine volume (P= 0.006), and ovarian circumference (P <0.02). Conclusions: Increased uterine and ovarian measurements may be an early and sensitive sign of PP. Pelvic ultrasound, a noninvasive, inexpensive, and reliable tool, may give the clinician a complementary indication to the GnRH test in distinguishing isolated PT from early-stage PP in girls with early breast budding.


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