Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Methods to Test Endocrine Disruption in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: July 3, 2019
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their effects on puberty
David Lopez-Rodriguez1, Delphine Franssen1, Sabine Heger2
1GIGA Neurosciences, Neuroendocrinology Unit, University of Liège, Belgium.
Abstract:
Sexual maturation in humans is characterized by a unique individual variability. Pubertal onset is a highly heritable polygenic trait but it is also affected by environmental factors such as obesity or endocrine disrupting chemicals. The last 30 years have been marked by a constant secular trend toward earlier age at onset of puberty in girls and boys around the world. More recent data, although more disputed, suggest an increased incidence in idiopathic central precocious puberty. Such trends point to a role for environmental factors in pubertal changes. Animal data suggest that the GnRH-neuronal network is highly sensitive to endocrine disruption during development. This review focuses on the most recent data regarding secular trend in pubertal timing as well as potential new epigenetic mechanisms explaining the developmental and transgenerational effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals on pubertal timing.
More Related Videos
07:08Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
08:28Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds on the Development of Vertebrate Neural Network Function Using Multi-electrode Arrays
Published on: April 26, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Signs of Puberty
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH...
Major Hormones and Their Functions
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
The Endocrine System
Nature and Nurture