Hormonal Changes during Puberty

Abstract

Longitudinal studies of plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were made in 13 girls aged 7 yr and 14 aged 10 yr, during 3 yr at 6 mo. intervals. Similarly, 2 groups of 12 boys aged 8 yr and 11 yr were followed. In addition, 3 girls with premature adrenarche and 4 male patients with Addison''s disease were studied. In the normal girls a significant rise of plasma DHEA-S and DHEA occurred from 6 yr of bone age (51.4 .+-. 9.0 ng/ml and 50.5 .+-. 9.2 ng/100 ml, respectively) to 8 yr (119.7 .+-. 19.1 ng/ml and 94.5 .+-. 16.5 ng/100 ml). A further significant rise was apparent at 11 yr (385.8 .+-. 60.9 ng/ml) and 329.0 .+-. 78.4 ng/100 ml). In boys a similar rise of DHEA-S and DHEA was observed between 6 yr of bone age (75.8 .+-. 12 ng/ml and 44.3 .+-. 7.6 ng/100 ml) and 8 yr (157.4 .+-. 28.9 ng/ml and 76.1 .+-. 8.9 ng/100 ml). Further significant rises of DHEA-S and DHEA were seen at 13 yr of bone age (563.7 .+-. 123.7 ng/ml and 267.9 .+-. 50.0 ng/100 ml, respectively). Testosterone in both sexes rose 2-3 yr later than DHEA-S and DHEA. In female patients with premature adrenarche, higher plasma levels of DHEA-S and DHEA were found when compared to normal levels at similar chronological and bone ages. Very low plasma concentrations of DHEA-S and DHEA were observed in the patients with Addison''s disease.