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Augsburger P, Liimatta J, Flück CE. Update on Adrenarche-Still a Mystery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:1403-1422. [PMID: 38181424 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Adrenarche marks the timepoint of human adrenal development when the cortex starts secreting androgens in increasing amounts, in healthy children at age 8-9 years, with premature adrenarche (PA) earlier. Because the molecular regulation and significance of adrenarche are unknown, this prepubertal event is characterized descriptively, and PA is a diagnosis by exclusion with unclear long-term consequences. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We searched the literature of the past 5 years, including original articles, reviews, and meta-analyses from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus, using search terms adrenarche, pubarche, DHEAS, steroidogenesis, adrenal, and zona reticularis. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Numerous studies addressed different topics of adrenarche and PA. Although basic studies on human adrenal development, zonation, and zona reticularis function enhanced our knowledge, the exact mechanism leading to adrenarche remains unsolved. Many regulators seem involved. A promising marker of adrenarche (11-ketotestosterone) was found in the 11-oxy androgen pathway. By current definition, the prevalence of PA can be as high as 9% to 23% in girls and 2% to 10% in boys, but only a subset of these children might face related adverse health outcomes. CONCLUSION New criteria for defining adrenarche and PA are needed to identify children at risk for later disease and to spare children with a normal variation. Further research is therefore required to understand adrenarche. Prospective, long-term studies should characterize prenatal or early postnatal developmental pathways that modulate trajectories of birth size, early postnatal growth, childhood overweight/obesity, adrenarche and puberty onset, and lead to abnormal sexual maturation, fertility, and other adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Augsburger
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jani Liimatta
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Kuopio Pediatric Research Unit (KuPRU), University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, 70029 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Christa E Flück
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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ÇADIRCI K, KESKİN H, BAYRAK M, ÇARLIOĞLU A, CEYLAN ARIKAN Ş. Can Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulphate be a New Diagnostic Parameter in Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism? BEZMIALEM SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.14235/bas.galenos.2021.6094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Goddings AL, Viner RM, Mundy L, Romaniuk H, Molesworth C, Carlin JB, Allen NB, Patton GC. Growth and adrenarche: findings from the CATS observational study. Arch Dis Child 2021; 106:967-974. [PMID: 33931399 PMCID: PMC8461445 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-319341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing evidence that patterns of pubertal maturation are associated with different patterns of health risk. This study aimed to explore the associations between anthropometric measures and salivary androgen concentrations in pre-adolescent children. METHODS We analysed a stratified random sample (N=1151) of pupils aged 8-9 years old from 43 primary schools in Melbourne, Australia from the Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study. Saliva samples were assayed for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulfate and testosterone. Anthropometric measures included height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Associations between (1) anthropometric measures and each androgen, and (2) hormone status with obesity and parental report of pubertal development were investigated using linear regression modelling with general estimating equations. RESULTS Greater height, weight, BMI and waist circumference were positively associated with higher androgen concentrations, after adjusting for sex and socioeconomic status. Being overweight or obese was associated with higher testosterone and DHEA concentrations compared with the normal BMI category. Those who were obese were more likely (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.61 to 4.43, p<0.001) to be in the top tertile of age-adjusted androgen status in both sexes. CONCLUSION This study provides clear evidence for an association between obesity and higher androgen levels in mid-childhood. The adrenal transition may be a critical time period for weight management intervention strategies in order to manage the risk for metabolic problems in later life for high-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Lise Goddings
- Population, Policy and Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Russell M Viner
- Population, Policy and Practice Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Lisa Mundy
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Helena Romaniuk
- Biostatistics Unit, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charlotte Molesworth
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - John B Carlin
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas B Allen
- School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | - George C Patton
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia,Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Kim JH, Lee YA, Lim YH, Lee K, Kim BN, Kim JI, Hong YC, Yang SW, Song J, Shin CH. Changes in Adrenal Androgens and Steroidogenic Enzyme Activities From Ages 2, 4, to 6 Years: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5880593. [PMID: 32750115 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT The levels of adrenal androgens are increased through the action of steroidogenic enzymes with morphological changes in the adrenal zona reticularis. OBJECTIVE We investigated longitudinal changes in androgen levels and steroidogenic enzyme activities during early childhood. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS From a prospective children's cohort, the Environment and Development of Children cohort, 114 boys and 86 girls with available blood samples from ages 2, 4, and 6 years were included. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Serum concentrations of adrenal androgens using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and steroidogenic enzyme activity calculated by the precursor/product ratio. RESULTS During ages 2 to 4 years, 17,20-lyase and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfotransferase activities increased (P < 0.01 for both in boys). During ages 4 to 6 years, 17,20-lyase activity persistently increased, but 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β-HSD activities decreased (P < 0.01 for all). Serum DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) levels persistently increased from 2, 4, to 6 years, and DHEA, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and androstenedione levels increased during ages 4 to 6 years (P < 0.01 for all). Serum DHEA-S levels during early childhood were associated with body mass index z-scores (P = 0.001 in only boys). CONCLUSION This study supports in vivo human evidence of increased 17,20-lyase and DHEA sulfotransferase activities and decreased 3β-HSD activity during early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Ah Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Youn-Hee Lim
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyunghoon Lee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Johanna Inhyang Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
- Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sei Won Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Junghan Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Choong Ho Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Schulte S, Schreiner F, Plamper M, Kasner C, Gruenewald M, Bartmann P, Fimmers R, Hartmann MF, Wudy SA, Stoffel-Wagner B, Woelfle J, Gohlke B. Influence of Prenatal Environment on Androgen Steroid Metabolism In Monozygotic Twins With Birthweight Differences. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5876852. [PMID: 32717093 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although low birthweight (bw) and unfavorable intrauterine conditions have been associated with metabolic sequelae in later life, little is known about their impact on steroid metabolism. We studied genetically identical twins with intra-twin bw-differences from birth to adolescence to analyze the long-term impact of bw on steroid metabolism. METHODS 68 monozygotic twin pairs with a bw-difference of <1 standard deviation score (SDS; concordant; n = 41) and ≥1 SDS (discordant; n = 27) were recruited. At 14.9 years (mean age), morning urine samples were collected and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry. RESULTS No significant differences were detected in the concordant group. In contrast, in the smaller twins of the discordant group, we found significantly higher concentrations not only of the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) metabolite 16α-OH-DHEA (P = 0.001, 656.11 vs 465.82 µg/g creatinine) but also of cumulative dehydroepiandrosterone and downstream metabolites (P = 0.001, 1650.22 vs 1131.92 µg/g creatinine). Relative adrenal (P = 0.002, 0.25 vs 0.18) and overall androgen production (P = 0.001, 0.79 vs 0.65) were significantly higher in the formerly smaller discordant twins. All twin pairs exhibited significant intra-twin correlations for all individual steroid metabolites, sums of metabolites, indicators of androgen production, and enzyme activities. Multiple regression analyses of the smaller twins showed that individual steroid concentrations of the larger co-twin were the strongest influencing factor among nearly all parameters analyzed. CONCLUSION In monozygotic twin pairs with greater intra-twin bw-differences (≥1 SDS), we found that bw had a long-lasting impact on steroid metabolism, with significant differences regarding DHEAS metabolites and relative androgen production. However, most parameters showed significant intra-twin correlations, suggesting a consistent interrelationship between prenatal environment, genetic background, and steroid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Schulte
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Schreiner
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela Plamper
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte Kasner
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mathias Gruenewald
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Bartmann
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Neonatology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Rolf Fimmers
- University Hospital Bonn, Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMBIE),, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michaela F Hartmann
- Centre of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan A Wudy
- Centre of Child and Adolescent Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Division of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Steroid Research and Mass Spectrometry Unit, Giessen, Germany
| | - Birgit Stoffel-Wagner
- University Hospital Bonn, Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
- Children's University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bettina Gohlke
- Children's University Hospital Bonn, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Bonn, Germany
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Adrenarche is the pubertal maturation of the innermost zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. The onset of adrenarche occurs between 6 and 8 years of age when dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) concentrations increase. This review provides an update on adrenal steroidogenesis and the differential diagnosis of premature development of pubic hair. RECENT FINDINGS The complexity of adrenal steroidogenesis has increased with recognition of the alternative 'backdoor pathway' and the 11-oxo-androgens pathways. Traditionally, sulfated steroids such as DHEAS have been considered to be inactive metabolites. Recent data suggest that intracellular sulfated steroids may function as tissue-specific intracrine hormones particularly in the tissues expressing steroid sulfatases such as ovaries, testes, and placenta. SUMMARY The physiologic mechanisms governing the onset of adrenarche remain unclear. To date, no validated regulatory feedback mechanism has been identified for adrenal C19 steroid secretion. Available data indicate that for most children, premature adrenarche is a benign variation of development and a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients with premature adrenarche tend to have higher BMI values. Yet, despite greater knowledge about C19 steroids and zona reticularis function, much remains to be learned about adrenarche.
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Susman EJ, Marceau K, Dockray S, Ram N. Interdisciplinary Work Is Essential for Research on Puberty: Complexity and Dynamism in Action. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE 2019; 29:115-132. [PMID: 30869845 PMCID: PMC6844367 DOI: 10.1111/jora.12420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Puberty is associated with changes in behavior and psychosocial well-being, and is important in lifelong health. We present five different facets regarding interdisciplinary research that are important to puberty. A short history of philosophical issues instrumental in promoting early interdisciplinary research is first presented. We discuss then what is hard and what is easy about interdisciplinary research, the purpose of which is to alert scientists to challenges and opportunities for interdisciplinary research on puberty. Readers then are introduced to advances and obstacles in interdisciplinary research on development. Recommendations for tailoring graduate education toward interdisciplinarity are introduced. Finally, issues related to publication, education of scientists, and policy makers are described. The report concludes with a discussion of funding and policy issues.
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Grotzinger AD, Briley DA, Engelhardt LE, Mann FD, Patterson MW, Tackett JL, Tucker-Drob EM, Harden KP. Genetic and environmental influences on pubertal hormones in human hair across development. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2018; 90:76-84. [PMID: 29454168 PMCID: PMC5864552 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Puberty is a complex biopsychosocial process that can affect an array of psychiatric and medical disorders emerging in adolescence. Although the pubertal process is driven by neuroendocrine changes, few quantitative genetic studies have directly measured puberty-relevant hormones. Hair samples can now be assayed for accumulation of hormones over several months. In contrast to more conventional salivary measures, hair measures are not confounded by diurnal variation or hormonal reactivity. In an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 1286 child and adolescent twins and multiples from 672 unique families, we estimated genetic and environmental influences on hair concentrations of testosterone, DHEA, and progesterone across the period of 8-18 years of age. On average, male DHEA and testosterone were highly heritable, whereas female DHEA, progesterone, and puberty were largely influenced by environmental components. We identified sex-specific developmental windows of maximal heritability in each hormone. Peak heritability for DHEA occurred at approximately 10 years of age for males and females. Peak heritability for testosterone occurred at age 12.5 and 15.2 years for males and females, respectively. Peak heritability for male progesterone occurred at 11.2 years, while the heritability of female progesterone remained uniformly low. The identification of specific developmental windows when genetic signals for hormones are maximized has critical implications for well-informed models of hormone-behavior associations in childhood and adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel A Briley
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Laura E Engelhardt
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Frank D Mann
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Megan W Patterson
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | - Elliot M Tucker-Drob
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - K Paige Harden
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA; Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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