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Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Environmental factors and puberty timing: expert panel research needs.
Germaine M Buck Louis1, L Earl Gray, Michele Marcus
1Epidemiology Branch, Division of Epidemiology, Statistics and Prevention Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 6100 Executive Blvd, Room 7B03, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. louisg@mail.nih.gov
Pediatrics
|February 15, 2008
Summary
Environmental factors like endocrine-disrupting chemicals and body size may influence pubertal timing. Further research is needed to understand these effects and identify critical data gaps for future studies on puberty regulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Pubertal onset and progression are complex processes influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
- Growing concerns exist regarding the potential impact of environmental exposures on reproductive development.
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and body size are suspected modulators of pubertal timing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of environmental influences on pubertal regulation.
- To identify critical data gaps and prioritize future research in this field.
- To synthesize expert opinion on the role of EDCs and body size in pubertal development.
Main Methods:
- Convened an expert panel to review existing literature.
- Focused review on endocrine-disrupting chemicals, body size, and puberty.
- Synthesized findings to identify data gaps and research priorities.
Main Results:
- Available data suggest a possible role for EDCs and body size in altering pubertal onset and progression in both sexes.
- Identified key research priorities including etiologic studies at environmentally relevant levels, exposure assessments during critical developmental windows, and basic research into puberty signaling.
- Highlighted the need for prospective studies in pregnant women and comparative species research.
Conclusions:
- Environmental factors, including EDCs and body size, may play a role in pubertal development.
- Significant data gaps exist, necessitating focused research initiatives.
- Prospective and comparative studies are crucial for understanding causal relationships and long-term health implications.
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