Puberty

Question 1

What are the oestrogen receptors?

Answer 1

Alpha and beta
Once activated dimerise

Alpha predominates in hypothal
Beta in kidney and lungs.

Question 2

What are the two main events of puberty?

Answer 2

Adrenarche

Increased HPG axis.

Question 3

What experiments were done with KISS-1?

Answer 3

2003- 2 papers linking kiss peptin to GPR54

Hereditary hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
GPR54 knockouts.

Question 4

What variations can be seen after menarche?

Answer 4

Anovulatory

Missing luteal phase.
Variable oestrogen levels from developing follicles –> irregular cycles.

Question 5

What drives secondary sexual characteristics in males?

Answer 5

Testosterone (plasma volume linked to testes size).

Question 6

How do male and female voice developments differ?

What causes this?

Answer 6

Male –> androgens stimulate larynx growth and lengthening and thickening of vocal chords.

Females –> similar bit lower androgens so less dramatic effect.

Hormonal activation of certain genes (ratio of testosterone : oestrogen)