Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
06:38
Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Puberty: timing is everything
Mary V Greiner1, James R Kerrigan
1Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Pediatric Annals
|January 24, 2007
Summary
Evaluating delayed puberty requires identifying the cause through exams and tests. Treatment varies from addressing underlying conditions to hormonal therapy or reassurance, with endocrinologist guidance for hormonal treatments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Delayed puberty is a common clinical concern in pediatric endocrinology.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and long-term outcomes.
- Identifying the etiology guides therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic approach for delayed puberty.
- To discuss management strategies based on the underlying cause.
- To emphasize the importance of individualized patient care.
Main Methods:
- Clinical history and physical examination.
- Basal gonadotropin levels and bone age assessment.
- Further diagnostic testing as indicated by initial findings.
Main Results:
- Distinguishing between hypogonadism and constitutional delay is key.
- Hypogonadism necessitates treating underlying conditions or lifelong hormonal replacement.
- Constitutional delay often requires reassurance, with hormonal therapy reserved for specific psychosocial needs.
Conclusions:
- A systematic evaluation is essential for diagnosing delayed puberty.
- Management should be tailored to the specific etiology.
- Endocrinologist involvement ensures optimal hormonal therapy and monitoring.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Signs of Puberty
Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
01:14Psychosexual Theory of Development
Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory of development suggests that early childhood experiences significantly shape personality and behavior. Freud proposed that development is discontinuous, occurring in five distinct stages, each defined by a focus on different erogenous zones. He believed that failure to resolve the conflicts specific to each stage successfully could result in fixation, potentially influencing behavior as adults.
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
01:16Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Latency
Following the phallic stage in Freud's theory of psychosexual development, children enter a phase called the latency period, which lasts from approximately six to twelve years of age. Unlike earlier stages, where sexual impulses played a central role, Freud believed these impulses are repressed during the latency period, becoming part of the unconscious. This stage is often described as a time of psychological calm after the turbulence of the phallic stage.
The latency period is not considered...
The latency period is not considered...
01:23Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Genital
The genital stage is the final phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, beginning at puberty, around age 12. During this stage, sexual energy shifts from self-focused interests to external individuals, marking the development of mature adult sexuality. Freud saw this phase as a time of sexual reawakening, with desires directed toward others outside the family. A healthy transition into this stage, according to Freud, signifies the emergence of two key aspects of adult...
02:19The Y Chromosome Determines Maleness
The Y chromosome is a sex chromosome found in several vertebrates and mammals, including humans. In addition to 22 pairs of autosomes, the human males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. In these organisms, the presence or absence of the Y chromosome determines the development of male traits.
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
Evolution
Around 300 million years ago, the two sex chromosomes diverged from two identical autosomal chromosomes. Over time, the Y chromosome has lost most of its genes, shrinking in size. Today,...
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...