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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)...
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Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
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Puberty, A Sensitive Window of Hypothalamic Development and Plasticity.

Lydie Naulé1, Luigi Maione1,2, Ursula B Kaiser1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Endocrinology
|November 11, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Puberty involves complex brain changes, particularly in the hypothalamus, to activate the reproductive system. This review details neural network modifications crucial for initiating puberty and reproductive maturity.

Keywords:
GnRH neuronhypothalamusneurodevelopmentplasticitypuberty

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Puberty marks the transition to sexual maturity, involving significant physiological and neuroendocrine changes.
  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis maturation is central to puberty, regulated by a complex neural network.
  • Recent decades have revealed key neuronal and glial players involved in reactivating gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the neurodevelopmental and plasticity changes in GnRH-secreting neurons and their partners before and after puberty.
  • To discuss newly identified upstream mediators of GnRH.
  • To explore the influence of sex steroids, like estradiol, on hypothalamic neurodevelopment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on neuroendocrine regulation of puberty.
  • Analysis of changes in neuronal morphology, connectivity, and synaptic organization.
  • Examination of the role of specific neuronal populations (kisspeptin, neurokinin B, GABAergic, glutamatergic) and glial cells.

Main Results:

  • Significant modifications occur in the expression of key targets, neuronal morphology, and synaptic organization.
  • A complex neural network involving multiple neurotransmitter systems and glial cells orchestrates GnRH pulsatility.
  • Sex steroids, particularly estradiol, play a critical role in shaping hypothalamic plasticity during development.

Conclusions:

  • The initiation of puberty is driven by intricate neurodevelopmental changes within the hypothalamus.
  • Understanding these neural and hormonal interactions is key to comprehending reproductive maturation.
  • Further research into upstream mediators and sex steroid effects will refine our knowledge of pubertal timing and regulation.