Special Topics Flashcards
Puberty
Reproductive maturation guided by a sequence of timed neuroendocrine events
Adolescence
Transitional period between childhood and adulthood. Psychological, cognitive, social and cultural aspects
What is critical in puberty?
Timing
What are the integration cues of puberty?
Metabolic
Social
Environmental
What makes the consequences of puberty energetically expensive?
Defense of territory or partner
Pregnancy or caregiving
Adrenarche
Adrenal androgen secretion (DHEAS)
Gonadarche
Gonadal production of steroid hormones
Thelarche
Breast development in girls
Pubarche
Auxiliary and pubic hair growth
Menarche
Onset of menstruation
What is the first overt sign of puberty?
Thelarche in girls and testicular enlargement in boys
What is the age of onset of puberty in girls?
8-12
What is the age of onset of puberty in boys?
9-14
How long does the puberty transition last?
3-4 years
What are the physical changes that males experience after/during puberty?
Growth spurt Increase in lean muscle mass Changes in body composition Increase in penile length and first ejaculation Pubic hair Testicular enlargement
What are the physical changes experienced by girls during/after puberty?
Growth spurt Breast development Changes in body composition Pubic hair Menarche Increase in fat mass
What does early menarche risk?
Risk factor for breast cancer, CVD, depression, diabetes and all cause mortality
What does early puberty in boys risk?
Testicular cancer/psychosocial distress
Central precocious puberty
Early maturation of HPG axis
GnRH dependent
Tumors, chronic sex steroid exposure
60% idiopathic
Peripheral precocious puberty
Early hormone production from peripheral glands
What does puberty onset require?
Finely tuned temporal control of GnRH release from neurons in the hypothalamus
Strong genetic component to the timing of puberty
What is central to gonadal maturation?
GnRH neurons
