Puberty Flashcards
Name 2 features of puberty.
Growth in stature, development of secondary sexual characteristics, achievement of fertility.
What is DHT?
Dihydrotestosterone. DHT plays a vital role in the development of the penis and prostate gland.
Define Gonadarche.
Activation of gonads by the pituitary hormones FSH and LH.
Define Adenarche.
Increased production of androgens by the adrenal glands.
Define androgens.
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.
Define Thelarche.
Thelarche is the onset of secondary (postnatal) breast development, usually occurring at the beginning of puberty in girls.
Define Menarche.
The first menstrual bleed/cycle.
Define Spermarche.
Spermarche is the start of sperm development in boys at puberty.
Define pubarche.
Pubarche refers to the first appearance of pubic hair at puberty.
What activates sertoli cells?
FSH
What is the function of sertoli cells?
Sertoli cells keep the germ cells that start the process of producing sperm, healthy and nourished.
What activates leydig cells?
LH
What is the function of leydig cells?
Leydig cells are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle. They produce testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH).
Do boys or girls have a later growth spurt?
Boys.
Define precocious puberty.
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.
Define gonadotropin.
Gonadotropins: Luteinizing and Follicle Stimulating Hormones. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are called gonadotropins because stimulate the gonads
What are the three types of precocious puberty?
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).
Give 2 causes of Peripheral Perocity.
Primary hypothydroidism, exogenous sex steroids (e.g. creams, ointments), leydig cell tumours, germ cell tumours, ovarian cysts, ovarian tumours.
What does a Gonadotropin dependent treatment do?
It blocks GnRH analogues.
What does a Gonadotropin dependent treatment do?
They are anti-androgens.
What is another name for primary gonadal failure?
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.
What is another name for secondary gonadal failure?
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
What is primary gonadal failure?
Pituitary glands working, therefore high levels of gonadaltropins. However, gonads have congenital problem, therefore sex steroids not produced therefore small gonadal development.
What is secondary gonadal failure?
Pituitary glands not working, therefore low levels of gonadaltropins. Gonads not activated therefore low level of sex hormones, and small gonadal development.
What is a True central precocious puberty?
Gonadatrophin dependent early maturation of the HPG axis.
What is a benign pubertal variant?
Gondatrophin independent. Excess of sex hormones due to gonads/adrenal glands/sex steroids.
What is peripheral precocity?
Premature thelarche (appearance of breasts) - androgen mediated sexual characteristics.
