Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

Testosterone: Functions and Regulation

The intricate hormonal interplay essential for male reproductive health begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus. This hormone prompts the pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH targets the Leydig cells in the testes, stimulating them to produce and release testosterone. In concert with testosterone, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules to facilitate the release of...

Signs of Puberty

Signs of Puberty

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)...

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
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...

Oogenesis

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...

Hormonal Regulation

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.

Hormonal Regulation

Hormonal Regulation

Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)/Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) Research Underfunding Continues.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2026

Same author

From PCOS to PMOS: perspectives on the new nomenclature.

Lancet (London, England)·2026

Same author

Accuracy-Based Proficiency Testing Surveys for Testosterone Provide Important Information About Measurement Accuracy and Its Impact on Patient Care.

Clinical chemistry·2026

Same author

Correlation and Commutability Study between an LC-MS-Based Reference Measurement Procedure and Immunoassays Measuring Apolipoprotein A-I and Apolipoprotein B.

Clinical chemistry·2026

Same author

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2026 Nutrition Report Presents Data for 131 Biomarkers from the Cross-Sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-August 2023).

Current developments in nutrition·2026

Same author

From PCOS to PMOS: inclusion of the adolescent voice in setting clinical and research priorities.

The Lancet. Child & adolescent health·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

Testosterone Reference Ranges in Women, Adolescent Girls, and Children: The 2024 PCOS Challenge-CDC Stakeholder

Sasha Ottey¹, Fidelia Pokuah², Melanie Cree³

¹PCOS Challenge: The National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association, Atlanta, GA.

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

|July 14, 2026

Summary

Accurate testosterone reference intervals (RIs) are crucial for diagnosing hormonal disorders in women and children. A stakeholder meeting proposed a plan to develop standardized RIs, addressing current variability and improving clinical decisions.

Keywords:

Clinical Standardization Programs LC-MS/MS PCOS PMOS adolescents androgens mass spectrometry polycystic ovary syndrome polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome reference intervals standardization testosterone

More Related Videos

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Published on: October 2, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies

Published on: January 10, 2025

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Published on: October 2, 2018

Area of Science:

Endocrinology
Clinical Chemistry
Reproductive Health

Background:

Testosterone measurement is vital for diagnosing hormonal disorders in women and children, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Existing testosterone reference intervals (RIs) show significant variability, hindering accurate diagnosis and clinical decision-making.
Despite standardization efforts, challenges persist in measuring testosterone at female and pediatric concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

To address the variability in testosterone reference intervals (RIs) for women, adolescent girls, and children.
To convene stakeholders to discuss the need for standardized RIs and propose a path forward.
To review current limitations and technical challenges in testosterone measurement for specific populations.

Main Methods:

A stakeholder meeting was convened by PCOS Challenge and the CDC Clinical Standardization Programs.
Participants reviewed historical testosterone standardization, clinical needs, and current RI limitations.
A validated methodology for normalizing and combining data from existing cohorts using CDC reference measurements was discussed.

Main Results:

Nine women's and adolescent health cohorts were identified for potential RI development.
An estradiol RI precedent demonstrated the feasibility of the data harmonization approach.
Recommendations were proposed across seven domains, including assay standardization and reference population characterization.

Conclusions:

Standardized testosterone RIs are essential for improving diagnostic accuracy in women and children.
A 4-phase work plan was proposed for developing and publishing standardized RIs.
The need for standardized RIs for other biomarkers like Anti-Müllerian Hormone was highlighted.