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Pubertal growth and serum testosterone and estradiol levels in boys

Anna-Karin Albin1, Ensio Norjavaara

  • 1Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Hormone Research in Paediatrics
|August 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Serum testosterone and estradiol levels in healthy boys are linked to growth spurts during puberty. Specific hormone levels correlate with increased growth velocity leading up to peak height velocity (PHV).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Growth and Development
  • Reproductive Hormones

Background:

  • Puberty involves significant growth changes in healthy boys.
  • Hormonal influences, particularly testosterone and estradiol, are critical during this phase.
  • Understanding these hormonal dynamics is key to studying pubertal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between serum testosterone and estradiol levels and growth velocity in healthy boys.
  • To determine the specific hormone concentrations associated with peak height velocity (PHV).

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed 24-hour serum profiles of testosterone and 17β-estradiol in 26 healthy boys.
  • Utilized a dose-response model to correlate hormone levels with growth velocity.
  • Measured hormone concentrations using radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques.

Main Results:

  • A 50% increase in growth velocity was observed at a morning testosterone level of 3.1 nmol/l (EC50).
  • The corresponding 17β-estradiol level associated with this growth increase was 6.5 pmol/l (EC50).
  • Boys nearing PHV exhibited higher levels: testosterone >10 nmol/l and estradiol >9 pmol/l.

Conclusions:

  • Early to mid-pubertal testosterone levels between 2.4-4.2 nmol/l are associated with a significant increase in growth velocity.
  • These findings highlight the role of specific testosterone and estradiol concentrations in driving pubertal growth spurts.
  • The study provides reference hormone levels for understanding growth velocity changes up to PHV in boys.
Abstract

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