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Pulsatile secretion of gonadotropins in early infancy
Insights
Infant gonadotropin secretion, including luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), is pulsatile. This contrasts with prepubertal children, who exhibit more constant levels, indicating a distinct developmental pattern in early infancy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
- Hormone Secretion Dynamics
Background:
- In adults, gonadotropins like luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are secreted pulsatilely.
- Prepubertal children typically display low gonadotropin levels with minimal fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pattern of gonadotropin secretion in infants.
- To compare infant gonadotropin secretion patterns with those of adults and prepubertal children.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected every 30 minutes over 8 hours from three groups: adults, prepubertal children, and infants (6-12 weeks old).
- LH and FSH levels were measured in all participants.
Main Results:
- Adults exhibited clear pulsatile secretion of both LH and FSH.
- Prepubertal children showed relatively constant LH and FSH levels.
- Male infants demonstrated pulsatile LH secretion and, to a lesser extent, FSH secretion.
- Female infants displayed more pronounced pulsatile FSH secretion compared to LH.
Conclusions:
- Gonadotropin secretion in early infancy is characterized by a pulsatile pattern.
- This pulsatile pattern in infants differs significantly from the stable secretion observed in prepubertal children.
Abstract:
In adults, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are secreted in a pulsatile manner. Prior to puberty gonadotropin (GN) levels are low and show only small fluctuations. The following investigation was performed to elucidate the type of GN secretion in infants. LH and FSH were determined every 30 min over a period of 8 h in three different groups: Group 1:2 male and 2 female adults; Groups 2:2 male and 2 female prepubertal children; Group 3:3 male and 3 female infants, aged 6-12 weeks. Group 1 showed a clear pulsatile secretion of LH (4.5-23.5 mIU/ml [range]) and FSH (6.9-16.0 mIU/ml). Group 2 demonstrated a rather constant secretion of LH (less than 1.5-2.3 mIU/ml) and FSH (1.6-4.9 mIU/ml). Group 3: In male infants pulsatile secretion of LH (3.6-34.7 mIU/ml)--and to a lesser degree of FSH (1.8-4.6 mIU/ml)--were found. In female infants the pulsatile secretion of FSH (6.5-22.7 mIU/ml) was more pronounced than that of LH (less than 1.5-4.7 mIU/ml). The secretory pattern in early infancy is of a pulsatile type.