scholarly journals The influence of perinatal and current dioxin and PCB exposure on puberty: a review

Biomonitoring ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Leijs ◽  
L.M. van der Linden ◽  
J.G. Koppe ◽  
P. de Voogt ◽  
K. Olie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Ah Receptor ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Penile Length ◽  
Hormonal Balance ◽  
Hormone Homeostasis ◽  
Dioxin Exposure ◽  
Pcb Exposure

AbstractOver the last two decades much has been written about the consequences of perinatal dioxin and PCB exposure in humans. In this paper we strive to elucidate the data on puberty in relation to these endocrine disruptive compounds in human populations. Effects in PCB/dioxin-exposed human populations on puberty are seen, not only in highly exposed cohorts, but also in average populations with background exposures. Study showed effects like increased weight, a delay in pubic hair growth and male genital development in boys, sex-hormone homeostasis, reduced penile length, and delayed age at first ejaculation after PCB exposure. Effects seen after dioxin exposure include retarded initiation and stage of breast development in girls, earlier menarche, disruption of sex hormone homeostasis, reduced testicular volume and reduced penile length in boys. The data published by different studies were inconclusive as a result of different methodological setup as well as because of multiple exposure settings. Populations were exposed to different mixtures of dioxin/PCB congeners or mixtures with other endocrine disrupters, and therefore synergistic and antagonistic effects with PCBs and dioxins are possible. Dioxinlike compounds disturb the hormonal balance mainly through interaction with the Ah receptor, which may influence the synthesis of hormones or their transport proteins. However, we have to keep in mind that hormonal balance during puberty could also be altered by disruption of the thyroid homeostasis. Another important possible mechanism is the induction of epigenetic changes or effects on genetic polymorphism. The fact that exposure to background concentrations of dioxin-like compounds and PCBs also has effects on the reproductive development is disconcerting and warrants further research and long term follow-up studies.

scholarly journals The influence of perinatal and current dioxin and PCB exposure on reproductive parameters (sex-ratio, menstrual cycle characteristics, endometriosis, semen quality, and prematurity): a review

Biomonitoring ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Leijs ◽  
L.M. van der Linden ◽  
J.G. Koppe ◽  
K. Olie ◽  
W.M.C. van Aalderen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Dioxin Exposure ◽  
Pcb Exposure

AbstractPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins (PCDDs/Fs) are well-known endocrine disrupters. This paper strives to elucidate the data on reproductive consequences of perinatal dioxin and PCB exposure in men and women. We focused on the following end-points: sex-ratio, endometriosis, menstrual cycle characteristics, sperm quality, and prematurity. We summarize 46 papers and compare their results including effects seen after exposure to background concentrations. Seven of twelve studies showed a decrease in sex-ratio after parental dioxin or PCB exposure. In three of the seven studies, effects were seen after paternal exposure and in three after maternal exposure. In eight of the nine studies on menstrual cycle characteristics, abnormalities were associated with PCB or dioxin exposure, however the results differed. In three studies PCB and TCDD were associated with longer menstrual cycles, while three studies indicated that an increase in PCB/PCDF exposure was associated with shorter cycles. Five studies showed effects on menstrual bleeding with higher PCB or dioxin exposure. A higher rate of irregular menstrual cycles in exposed women was seen in four studies. The conflicting outcomes probably result from variability in study design, timing of exposure and endocrine disrupting properties of the measured congeners. Nine of sixteen studies detected higher PCB or dioxin exposure in women with endometriosis. However, the manner of diagnosing endometriosis and the character of the studies varied from prospective to retrospective. Five of eight studies focusing on sperm quality showed that men, with higher serum concentrations of PCBs and/or PCB congeners and/or PCDFs, had reduced sperm quality, including increased abnormal morphology and reduced motility. The exposure timeframe seemed important here. There are two studies addressing preterm birth in relation to PCBs, one mentioned a shortening of three days of gestational age, two other studies did not find a relation. Recently one study related a shorter gestational age of half a week with overall dioxin activity measured with the CALUX method in cord blood, particularly in boys. In conclusion, exposure to PCBs and dioxins has a negative effect on the reproductive systems of human populations. Although some speculations have been made, the exact mechanism of these effects and the interactions of these compounds with other endocrine disruptors are not yet known. Age at exposure and congener specific properties are probably crucial in interpreting the observed results.

Hypothyroidism and Precocious Sexual Development: Another Case

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-150
Author(s):  
Adolfo Perez Comas
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Short Stature ◽  
Growth Retardation ◽  
Sexual Development ◽  
Similar Case ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Attention Span ◽  
Admission Data ◽  
Irregular Menses

Recently, an article in Pediatrics by Costin et al.1 described two new cases of hypothyroidism and precocious sexual development. I would like to report another similar case with our available data. M.L.M., a 13-year-old girl was first seen by us at age 12-4/12 for short stature. Her history included growth retardation, diminution of attention span, somnolence, anorexia with weight gain, and constipation beginning between ages 4 to 6. At 9½ years of age irregular menses began, breast development was first noticed at 10 years, and pubic hair at 11½ years. Her initial admission data are in Table I.

Androgen Disorders in Children: Too Much, Too Early, Too Little, or Too Late

1983 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 147-156
Author(s):  
Robert L. Rosenfield
Keyword(s):  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Gonadal Development ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Delayed Puberty ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Proper Diagnosis ◽  
Suppression Test ◽  
Testicular Size ◽  
Dexamethasone Suppression

Pubarche, used here as synonymous with the onset of sexual hair (Tanner pubic hair stage III), usually follows the onset of true puberty by one to two years. The true status of puberty is best indicated by testicular size in boys and breast development in girls. Departure from this sequence of events, or dissociation of pubic hair from gonadal development are important clues to proper diagnosis when pubarche begins prematurely. Hirsutism or acne in adolescent girls, particularly when associated with menstrual irregularity or obesity, has a high probability of having an androgenic basis. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common cause of this situation in teenagers. The pattern of sex hormone levels can be an important clue to the diagnosis of hyperandrogenic disorders, particularly when coupled with a "low-dose," five-day dexamethasone suppression test. Delayed puberty is usually a "constitutional," familial variant of normal development, but can often be distinguished from true hypogonadism by the mid-teenage years using history, examination, steroid 1evels, and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone test. ANDROGENS Testosterone and dehydroepian-drosterone-sulfate (DHAS) are the most important androgens in blood (Fig 1). Testosterone is the major potent form of circulating androgen. DHAS is the most abundant circulating 17-ketosteroid. The normal plasma and urine levels of the androgens are shown in Table 1.

scholarly journals Glucocorticoids Amplify Dibutyl Phthalate-Induced Disruption of Testosterone Production and Male Reproductive Development

Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (11) ◽  
pp. 5055-5064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda J. Drake ◽  
Sander van den Driesche ◽  
Hayley M. Scott ◽  
Gary R. Hutchison ◽  
Jonathan R. Seckl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Dibutyl Phthalate ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Testis Weight ◽  
Penile Length ◽  
Fetal Testis ◽  
Prostate Weight

Common male reproductive abnormalities including cryptorchidism, hypospadias, and low sperm counts may comprise a testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS), resulting from fetal testis dysfunction during a critical developmental period involving reduced androgen production/action. The recent increase in TDS prevalence suggests environmental/lifestyle factors may be etiologically important. The developing fetus is exposed to multimodal challenges, and we hypothesized that exposure to a combination of factors rather than single agents may be important in the pathogenesis of TDS. We experimentally induced fetal testis dysfunction in rats via treatment of pregnant females daily from embryonic day (e) 13.5 to e21.5 with vehicle, 100 or 500 mg/kg · d dibutyl phthalate (DBP), 0.1 mg/kg · d dexamethasone (Dex), or a combination of DBP + Dex. In adulthood, penile length/normality, testis weight/descent, prostate weight, and plasma testosterone levels were measured plus anogenital distance (AGD) as a measure of androgen action within the masculinization programming window. Intratesticular testosterone and steroidogenic enzyme gene expression were measured in fetal testes at e17.5. High-dose DBP reduced fetal intratesticular testosterone and steroidogenic gene expression; induced mild hypospadias (31%) and cryptorchidism (53%); and reduced penile length, AGD, and testis and prostate weight in adulthood. Dex alone had no effect except to reduce birth weight but amplified the adverse effects of 500 mg/kg · d DBP and exacerbated the effects of 100 mg/kg · d DBP. All adverse effects were highly correlated to AGD, emphasizing the etiological importance of the masculinization programming window. These findings suggest that exposure to common environmental chemicals in combination with, for example, maternal stress, may increase the risk of common male reproductive abnormalities, with implications for human populations.

scholarly journals 46,XY Disorder of Sex Development Caused by 17α-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase Deficiency due to Homozygous Mutation ofCYP17A1Gene: Consequences of Late Diagnosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giampaolo Papi ◽  
Rosa Maria Paragliola ◽  
Paola Concolino ◽  
Carlo Di Donato ◽  
Alfredo Pontecorvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethinyl Estradiol ◽  
Tanner Stage ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Primary Amenorrhea ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Tall Stature ◽  
Disorder Of Sex Development ◽  
Sex Development

Context.Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive disease due to specific enzyme deficiencies in the adrenal steroidogenesis pathway.Case Description.A 40-year-old Chinese woman was referred to the Endocrine Unit for the work-up of a syndrome characterized by long-lasting and multidrug resistant high blood pressure, severe hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis, and primary amenorrhea. The patient presented with sexual infantilism, lack of breast development, absence of axillary and pubic hair, tall stature, and slenderness. CT scan revealed enlarged adrenal glands bilaterally and the absence of the uterus, the ovaries, and the Fallopian tubes. Furthermore, diffuse osteopenia and osteoporosis and incomplete ossification of the growth plate cartilages were demonstrated. Chromosomal analysis showed a normal male 46,XY, karyotype, and on molecular analysis of theCYP17A1gene she resulted homozygous for the g.4869T>A; g.4871delC (p.Y329Kfs?) mutation in exon 6. Hydrocortisone and ethinyl-estradiol supplementation therapy led to incomplete withdrawal of antihypertensive drug and breast development progression to Tanner stage B2 and slight height increase, respectively.Conclusions.We describe a late-discovered case of CAH with 46,XY disorder of sex development. Deficiency of 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase due to a homozygous CYP17A1 gene mutation was the underlying cause. Laboratory, imaging, and genetic features are herein reported and discussed.

scholarly journals Puberty in a case with novel 17-hydroxylase mutation and the putative role of estrogen in development of pubic hair

2009 ◽  
Vol 160 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serap Turan ◽  
Abdullah Bereket ◽  
Tulay Guran ◽  
Teoman Akcay ◽  
Mahboubeh Papari-Zareei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Hormone Production ◽  
Adrenal Androgens ◽  
Undetectable Serum ◽  
Irregular Menses ◽  
Hair Development

Objective17-Hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency (17OHD) results from mutations in the CYP17A1 gene, leading to failure to synthesize cortisol, adrenal androgens, and gonadal steroids. Adrenarche is a consequence of the increased production of adrenal androgens. Here, we report a case carrying novel R239Q mutation causing complete functional loss of CYP17A1, and thus absence of adrenal and gonadal sex hormone production. The patient has had unexpected pubic hair development and insufficient breast development with estrogen replacement therapy. Possible mechanisms leading to pubic hair development and breast underdevelopment are discussed.Patient and methodsA 15-year-old female born to consanguineous parents presented with the lack of full breast development and irregular menses after the age of 14 years. She had Tanner III breast development on one side, Tanner I on the other side and Tanner I pubic hair and, no axillary hair development. The serum levels of FSH, LH, and progesterone were high and, estradiol was low. The measurement of basal and ACTH-stimulated steroids was consistent with the diagnosis of 17OHD. Genetic analysis revealed novel homozygous mutation R239Q in CYP17A1 gene. Therapy with hydrocortisone was initiated and followed by the addition of conjugated estrogen. Her breast development did not improve considerably, however, pubic hair development started after estrogen treatment in spite of undetectable serum levels of androgens.ConclusionThis case study suggests that estrogen exerts a permissive effect on pubic hair development in girls, even in the presence of very low-circulating androgens, and impaired breast development might be due to estrogen/progesterone imbalance in breast tissue.

scholarly journals Congenital Hypothyroidism with Precocious Puberty-A Case Report

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-50
Author(s):  
M Sanaul Haque ◽  
SN Hasnain ◽  
MI Haque ◽  
MA Hossain ◽  
MI Bari
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Congenital Hypothyroidism ◽  
Precocious Puberty ◽  
Vaginal Bleeding ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Bone Age ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development

Congenital hypothyroidism with precocious puberty is a rare condition. In this report a rare case of congenital hypothyroidism with precocious puberty is described. A 10 years old girl presented with feature of hypothyroidism together with breast development, vaginal bleeding, lack of pubic hair and delayed bone age. She also had multicystic ovaries. She was treated with L-thyroxine and improved TAJ 2011; 24(1): 48-50

scholarly journals Pre-Pubertal Internalizing Symptoms and Timing of Puberty Onset in Girls

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia A Knight ◽  
Rebecca D Kehm ◽  
Lisa Schwartz ◽  
Caren J Frost ◽  
Wendy K Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Standard Deviation Increase ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazard Regression ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Stressful environments have been associated with earlier menarche. We hypothesized that anxiety, and possibly other internalizing symptoms, are also associated with earlier puberty in girls. The LEGACY Girls Study (2011-2016) includes 1040 girls aged 6 to 13 years at recruitment with growth and development assessed every 6 months. Pre-pubertal maternal reports of daughter’s internalizing symptoms were available for breast onset (N=447), pubic hair onset (N=456), and menarche (N=681). Using Cox Proportional Hazard Regression, we estimated prospective hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationship between one standard deviation of the percentiles of pre-pubertal anxiety, depression, and somatization symptoms and the timing of each pubertal outcome. Multivariable models included age, race/ethnicity, study center, maternal education, body mass index percentile, and breast cancer family history. Additional models included maternal self-reported anxiety. One standard deviation increase of maternally-reported anxiety in girls at baseline was associated with earlier subsequent onset of breast (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.09-1.36) and pubic hair (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.30) development, but not menarche (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83-1.07). The association of anxiety with earlier breast development persisted after adjustment for maternal anxiety. Increased anxiety in young girls may indicate risk for earlier pubertal onset.

scholarly journals Primary Menouria due to Congenital Urethrovaginal Fistula with Vaginal Agenesis

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-65
Author(s):  
Lubna Razak ◽  
Raheela Mohsin
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Urinary Bladder ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Left Kidney ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Vaginal Agenesis ◽  
Vaginal Reconstruction ◽  
Urethrovaginal Fistula ◽  
Concomitant Surgery

Congenital Urethrovaginal fistula with vaginal agenesis is a rare variant of vaginal agenesis. It  is difficult to diagnose, classify and treat because of late clinical presentation at menarche. Management is usually challenging, and it involves vaginal reconstruction. A 22 years female presented with cyclical menouria since age of 12 years. Clinical examination revealed the absence of a vagina with developed secondary sexual characters such as axillary and pubic hair, breast development. Abdominal USG showed normal uterus and ovaries, urinary bladder with left kidney. MRI revealed functioning left kidney along with vaginal agenesis and an abnormal communication between uterus and urethra. The surgical treatment consisted in repairing the urethrovaginal fistula and vaginoplasty. In this case, the diagnosis of congenital urethrovaginal fistula was delayed until adulthood because of vaginal agenesis. A concomitant surgery can be performed with good outcome. 

Letters to the Editor

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-150
Author(s):  
Gertrude Costin ◽  
Maurice D. Kogut
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Clinical Data ◽  
Pubic Hair ◽  
Breast Development ◽  
Letters To The Editor ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Secondary Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Adequate Therapy ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
Axillary Hair

Drs. Costin and Kogut comment as follows: We were pleased to read Dr. Comas' letter in which he describes a 12-4/12-year-old girl whose clinical data suggest that she may be an example of the syndrome that we reported. The evidence for this was the occurrence of menstruation, pubic hair, and breast development when the patient was hypothyroid and disappearance of menstruation following treatment with thyroid hormone. It is not clear why Dr. Comas' patient had an increase in pubic hair and appearance of axillary hair following treatment at a time when her menstrual periods ceased; in all the reported female patients regression of the secondary sexual characteristics was noted following adequate therapy.

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