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Normal and Premature Adrenarche
1University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Chicago, IL, USA.
Endocrine Reviews
|March 31, 2021
Summary
Adrenarche, the rise in adrenal androgens, is crucial for puberty onset. Premature adrenarche often causes early pubic hair development and may increase risks for obesity and insulin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Adrenarche is the maturational increase in adrenal androgen production, beginning in early childhood.
- This process is linked to the development of the zona reticularis (ZR) and specific gene/enzyme expression.
- Adrenarchal androgens contribute to pubic hair and gland development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding adrenarche and zona reticularis development.
- To explore the molecular genetic and developmental biologic insights into adrenarche.
- To discuss the role of mass spectrometric steroid assays in adrenarche research.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on adrenarche.
- Analysis of molecular genetic and developmental biologic factors influencing the zona reticularis.
- Integration of findings from mass spectrometric steroid assays.
Main Results:
- Adrenarche involves changes in ACTH response, indexed by DHEAS rise, and ZR development.
- 11-ketotestosterone identified as a key bioactive adrenarchal androgen.
- Premature adrenarche is the primary cause of premature pubarche, with associated health risks.
Conclusions:
- Understanding ZR development and adrenarche is advancing through molecular and mass spectrometry techniques.
- Premature adrenarche, while common, requires differential diagnosis from other virilizing disorders.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the causes and long-term implications of premature adrenarche.
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