Puberty

Question 1

Name 2 features of puberty.

Answer 1

Growth in stature, development of secondary sexual characteristics, achievement of fertility.

Question 2

What is DHT?

Answer 2

Dihydrotestosterone. DHT plays a vital role in the development of the penis and prostate gland.

Question 3

Define Gonadarche.

Answer 3

Activation of gonads by the pituitary hormones FSH and LH.

Question 4

Define Adenarche.

Answer 4

Increased production of androgens by the adrenal glands.

Question 5

Define androgens.

Answer 5

Androgens are steroid hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity. Present in both males and females, the principle androgens are testosterone and androstenedione.

Question 6

Define Thelarche.

Answer 6

Thelarche is the onset of secondary (postnatal) breast development, usually occurring at the beginning of puberty in girls.

Question 7

Define Menarche.

Answer 7

The first menstrual bleed/cycle.

Question 8

Define Spermarche.

Answer 8

Spermarche is the start of sperm development in boys at puberty.

Question 9

Define pubarche.

Answer 9

Pubarche refers to the first appearance of pubic hair at puberty.

Question 10

What activates sertoli cells?

Answer 10

FSH

Question 11

What is the function of sertoli cells?

Answer 11

Sertoli cells keep the germ cells that start the process of producing sperm, healthy and nourished.

Question 12

What activates leydig cells?

Answer 12

LH

Question 13

What is the function of leydig cells?

Answer 13

Leydig cells are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle. They produce testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH).

Question 14

Do boys or girls have a later growth spurt?

Answer 14

Boys.

Question 15

Define precocious puberty.

Answer 15

Precocious puberty is when a child’s body begins changing into that of an adult (puberty) too soon. Puberty that begins before age 8 in girls and before age 9 in boys is considered precocious puberty.

Question 16

Define gonadotropin.

Answer 16

Gonadotropins: Luteinizing and Follicle Stimulating Hormones. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are called gonadotropins because stimulate the gonads

Question 17

What are the three types of precocious puberty?

Answer 17

True central precocious puberty (gonadotropin dependent; brain releases GnRH at a younger-than-normal age and starts the process). Peripheral precocity (gonadotropin independent; it occurs without the involvement of the hormone in your brain (Gn-RH) that normally triggers the start of puberty) - excess of sex hormones. Benign pubertal variants (e.g. premature thelarche).

Question 18

Give 2 causes of Peripheral Perocity.

Answer 18

Primary hypothydroidism, exogenous sex steroids (e.g. creams, ointments), leydig cell tumours, germ cell tumours, ovarian cysts, ovarian tumours.

Question 19

What does a Gonadotropin dependent treatment do?

Answer 19

It blocks GnRH analogues.

Question 20

What does a Gonadotropin dependent treatment do?

Answer 20

They are anti-androgens.

Question 21

What is another name for primary gonadal failure?

Answer 21

Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.

Question 22

What is another name for secondary gonadal failure?

Answer 22

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Question 23

What is primary gonadal failure?

Answer 23

Pituitary glands working, therefore high levels of gonadaltropins. However, gonads have congenital problem, therefore sex steroids not produced therefore small gonadal development.

Question 24

What is secondary gonadal failure?

Answer 24

Pituitary glands not working, therefore low levels of gonadaltropins. Gonads not activated therefore low level of sex hormones, and small gonadal development.

Question 25

What is a True central precocious puberty?

Answer 25

Gonadatrophin dependent early maturation of the HPG axis.

Question 26

What is a benign pubertal variant?

Answer 26

Gondatrophin independent. Excess of sex hormones due to gonads/adrenal glands/sex steroids.

Question 27

What is peripheral precocity?

Answer 27

Premature thelarche (appearance of breasts) - androgen mediated sexual characteristics.