Minipuberty consists of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis during the neonatal period, resulting in high gonadotropin and sex steroid levels, and occurs mainly in the first 3-6 months of life in both sexes. The rise in the levels of these hormones allows for the maturation of the sexual organs. In boys, the peak testosterone level is associated with penile and testicular growth and the proliferation of gonadic cells. In girls, the oestradiol levels stimulate breast tissue, but exhibit considerable fluctuations that probably reflect the cycles of maturation and atrophy of the ovarian follicles. Minipuberty allows for the development of the genital organs and creates the basis for future fertility, but further studies are necessary to understand its exact role, especially in girls. Nevertheless, no scientific study has yet elucidated how the HPG axis turns itself off and remains dormant until puberty. Additional future studies may identify clinical implications of minipuberty in selected cohorts of patients, such as premature and small for gestational age infants. Finally, minipuberty provides a fundamental 6-month window of the possibility of making early diagnoses in patients with suspected sexual reproductive disorders to enable the prompt initiation of treatment rather than delaying treatment until pubertal failure.

Up-To-Date Review About Minipuberty and Overview on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Activation in Fetal and Neonatal Life / Lanciotti, L; Cofini, M; Leonardi, A; Penta, L; Esposito, S. - In: FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY. - ISSN 1664-2392. - 9:(2018), p. 410. [10.3389/fendo.2018.00410]

Up-To-Date Review About Minipuberty and Overview on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Activation in Fetal and Neonatal Life

Esposito S
2018-01-01

Abstract

Minipuberty consists of activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis during the neonatal period, resulting in high gonadotropin and sex steroid levels, and occurs mainly in the first 3-6 months of life in both sexes. The rise in the levels of these hormones allows for the maturation of the sexual organs. In boys, the peak testosterone level is associated with penile and testicular growth and the proliferation of gonadic cells. In girls, the oestradiol levels stimulate breast tissue, but exhibit considerable fluctuations that probably reflect the cycles of maturation and atrophy of the ovarian follicles. Minipuberty allows for the development of the genital organs and creates the basis for future fertility, but further studies are necessary to understand its exact role, especially in girls. Nevertheless, no scientific study has yet elucidated how the HPG axis turns itself off and remains dormant until puberty. Additional future studies may identify clinical implications of minipuberty in selected cohorts of patients, such as premature and small for gestational age infants. Finally, minipuberty provides a fundamental 6-month window of the possibility of making early diagnoses in patients with suspected sexual reproductive disorders to enable the prompt initiation of treatment rather than delaying treatment until pubertal failure.
2018
Up-To-Date Review About Minipuberty and Overview on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Activation in Fetal and Neonatal Life / Lanciotti, L; Cofini, M; Leonardi, A; Penta, L; Esposito, S. - In: FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY. - ISSN 1664-2392. - 9:(2018), p. 410. [10.3389/fendo.2018.00410]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Up-To-Date Review About Minipuberty and Overview on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Activation in Fetal and Neonatal Life.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione (PDF) editoriale
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 579.61 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
579.61 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2864162
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 137
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 116
social impact