All issues > Volume 30(5); 1987

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1987;30(5):536-551. Published online May 31, 1987.

A Study on the Correlation of the Stages of Pubertal Development with Serum Levels of FSH, LH, Testosterone and Estradiol in Normal Children.

Sang Kee Park¹, Chang Soo Ra¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Chosun University

Abstract

Puberty is the period, during which many changes of somatic growth, maturation of gonads and development of secondary sex characteristics occur so that reproduction of the species can be maintained. Pubertal growth and development is unique. So, a working of its onset, sequence, and charateristics are prerequisite to the provision of effective comprehensive medical care to the adolescent. Author studied the stages of pubertal development and the serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol in 87 normal boys and 89 normal girls with ages 1 to 16. Staging of sexual maturation was based on the criteria of Tanner. Serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol were measured by the method of RIA using Amerlex FSH RIA Kit (Amersham. England), Amerlex LH RIA Kit (Amersham, England), Testosterone-Maia Kit (Serono, Italy), Estradiol-Ter Kit (Serono, Italy), respectively. Blood specimens were obtained in the morning between 8 and 10 and stored at — 20°C until assay. The following results were obtained. 1) Mean ages on reaching each stages of genital and pubic hair development in boys were G2 12.6±1.3, G3 14.1±1.1, G4 14.8±1.3, G5 16.1 ±0.9, PH2 14.1±1.1 PH3 15.5±1.3 and PH4 16.1±1.0. Mean ages on reaching each stages of breast and pubic hair development in girls were B2 12.1 ±1.3, B3 13. 5±1.5, B4 15.3±1.2, B5 16.3±0.4, PH2 13.7±1.5, PH3 15.0±1.0 and PH4 16.4±0.6. 2) Menarche in 22 postmenarcheal girls occured at mean age 13.6±0.9. 3) When compared by age in boys, serum FSH levels rose significantly between ages 1.1 and 12 (p<0.005), serum LH levels between ages 9 and 12 (p<0.05), and serum testosterone levels between ages 10 and 13 (p< 0.001). Serum testosterone levels rose progressively throughout puberty from age 11, but estradiol rose only slightly. 4) When compared by age in girls, serum levels of FSH and LH rose significantly between ages 10 and 11 (p< 0.025 and p< 0.001), and serum estradiol levels between ages 11 and 12 (p<0.02). Serum LH levels progressively increased throughout puberty while serum FSH levels rose primarily in early puberty. Serum estradiol levels rose gradually with increasing age, but serum testosterone levels rose only slightly. 5) When categorized by either genital or pubic hair staging in boys, serum FSH levels increased significantly between G2 and 3 (p<0.05) and PHI and 2 (p<0.01), serum LH levels between G1 and 3 and PHI and 2 (p<0.05, both), serum testosterone levels between G1 and 2 (p<0.001), G2 and 3 (p<0.05), G3 and 4 (p<0.001), PHI and 2 (p<0.001) and PH2 and 3 (p<0.01), and serum estradiol levels between PH2 and 3 (p<0.05). 6) When categorized by breat and pubic hair staging in girls, serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol all increased significantly between Bl and 2 and PHI and 2. Also, serum LH levels rose significantly between B2 and 3, B3 and 4 (p< 0.001, both) and PH2 and 3 (p<0.05), serum testosterone levels between B3 and 4 (p< 0.001) and B4 and 5 (p< 0.005), and serum estradiol levels between B2 and 3 (p< 0.005). 7) There were significant correlations between serum FSH, LH, testosterone and estradiol levels vs chronological age and stages of pubertal development. 8) The mean ages of onset of genital and pubic hair development in boys were 12.6 yrs and 14.1 yrs, which were 0.9 ~ 1.6 yrs and 0.9 〜 2.3 yrs later than other reporters, respectively. The mean ages of onset of breast and pubic hair development in girls were 12.1 yrs and 13.7 yrs, which were 0.9 〜 1.5 yrs and 2 〜2.7 yrs later than other reporters, respectively.

Keywords :Pubertal Stages; FSH; LH; Testosterone; Estradiol.