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Circadian rhythms in gonadotropin excretion in prepubertal and pubertal children
Insights
Children show increased luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) excretion during sleep. Pubertal children exhibit a significant nocturnal augmentation of LH secretion, consistent with blood sampling findings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Hormone Physiology
Background:
- Hormonal changes during puberty are complex.
- Nocturnal patterns of gonadotropin secretion are not fully understood in children.
- Previous studies primarily used blood sampling to assess hormone release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nocturnal urinary excretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in prepubertal and pubertal children.
- To compare sleep-related hormone excretion patterns between different developmental stages.
- To assess the utility of urinary collections for evaluating gonadotropin secretion.
Main Methods:
- Timed urinary collections were performed during sleep and waking hours.
- Urine samples from 27 prepubertal (2-12 years) and 13 pubertal (12-18 years) children were analyzed.
- Acetone extraction and radioimmunoassays were used to quantify LH and FSH levels.
Main Results:
- Prepubertal children showed increased urinary LH and FSH excretion during sleep.
- Pubertal subjects demonstrated a significant nocturnal augmentation of LH excretion.
- Findings in urine collections corroborated previous results obtained via blood sampling.
Conclusions:
- Urinary excretion of LH and FSH increases during sleep in children.
- Nocturnal LH secretion is significantly augmented in pubertal individuals.
- Timed urinary collections provide a viable method for assessing sleep-related gonadotropin secretion in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Timed urinary collections were obtained during sleep and waking hours from 27 prepubertal children ranging in age from 2-12 years and from 13 subjects in various stages of puberty, 12-18 years old. The urine samples were extracted with acetone and introduced into FSH and LH radioimmunoassays. Results of the study indicate a significant nocturnal augmentation of LH secretion in pubertal subjects, confirming existing reports using blood sampling techniques. Increased LH and FSH excretion during sleep was also found in prepubertal children.