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Serum gonadotrophins in young children
Insights
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels vary significantly in children. Early childhood shows higher hormone presence, with distinct patterns observed between boys and girls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Hormonal profiles of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in early childhood are not fully characterized.
- Understanding these early hormonal dynamics is crucial for assessing gonadal development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and analyze the serum concentrations and frequencies of LH and FSH in children from birth to 13 years.
- To investigate sex-specific patterns and correlations between LH, FSH, and gonadal development.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from children aged newborn to 13 years were collected.
- Hormone levels of LH and FSH were measured using immunoassays.
Main Results:
- LH was frequently detected in boys up to 10 months, declining significantly between 1-8 years. In girls, LH was less frequent in the first year and showed minimal change until 8-10 years.
- FSH was detected in all boys up to 4 months and most girls up to 2 years, with frequency declining thereafter in both sexes.
- While boys showed a positive correlation between LH and FSH, girls did not exhibit this association.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood exhibits distinct patterns of LH and FSH secretion that differ between sexes.
- These hormonal profiles provide insights into early gonadal maturation and steroidogenesis.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical implications of these findings.
Abstract:
LH and FSH were assayed in serum samples from children ranging from newborn to 13 years. In boys, LH was found in most samples up to 4 months of age, in many up to 10 months, but in only 38 percent between 1 and 8 years. In girls, it was found in only 29 percent of the samples under 1 year and the frequency and concentration changed little thereafter until 8-10 years. FSH was detected in all samples from boys up to 4 months and in most of those from girls up to 2 years. After these ages the frequency declined in each sex and there was little further change until 8-10 years. Between 1 and 8 years the proportion of samples containing either FSH or LH was similar for the two sexes, but whereas in boys high LH tended to be associated with high FSH, and vice versa, there was no such correlation in girls. The results are discussed in relation to gonadal development and steroid synthesis.