Adolescent Growth and Puberty Flashcards
Describe the endocrinology behind the initiation of puberty
- Kisspeptin released from hypothalamus
- Triggers pulastile GnRH, which triggers LG and FSH release from the anterior pituitary
- Thus, puberty begins
What is the endocrine hallmark of adrenarche? How does this endocrine change occur? What changes occur as a consequence?
- Hallmark is increased DHEA (what does this stand for?)
- Causes oily skin/hair, pubarche
- Zona reticularis changes make it produce more DHEA in response to ACTH (which GnRH also triggers)
Recall the 5 Tanner Stages of Puberty
Stage 1: no changes from early childhood
Stage 2: enlargement of penis + testes/breastbud + arealoa development; sparse public hair present
Stage 3: enlargement of penis + testes/breast enlargement; denser, coarser pubic hair)
Stage 4: further enlargement of breasts (secondary mound; pointy) and male genitalia; adult pubic hair, but not full spread
Stage 5: adult male genitalia/breast contour; pubic hair extends to medial thighs)
What anatomical/physiological changes occur in men during puberty?
- Anatomical: 1° sexual characteristics (enlarged testes/penis, spermarche), 2° characteristics (deepened voice, pubic/axillary/facial hair, ↑ muscle mass), growth spurt/increased bone density, oily skin
- Physiological: increased libido, spermatogenesis
Define adrenarche/menarche. When do they typically occur?
- Adrenarche is an increase in adrenal androgen production, occurring about 6-8 years of age
- Menarche is the onset of menstrual periods in women, occurring between 10 and 16
What anatomical/physiological changes occur in women during puberty?
- Anatomical: 1° sexual (growth of ovaries, uterus, vagina, menarche), 2° (thelarche/breast development, pubic/axillary hair, widening of hips), growth spurt (earlier later than men?), increased body fat
- Physiological: increased libido, ongoing menstrual fluctuation
How many years after thelarche should menarche occur? How many years after this should ovulatory cycles exist?
- 2-2.5 years after thelarche, we see menarche
- 3-6 years after menarche, we see ovulatory cycles
