Changes in dimeric inhibin A and B during normal early puberty in boys and girls

• Published in: Clinical endocrinology (Oxford) 1997-01, Vol.46 (1), p.109-114
• Main Authors: Crofton, P. M., Illingworth, P. J., Groome, N. P., Stirling, H. F., Swanston, I., Gow, S., Wu, F. C. W., McNeilly, A., Kelnar, C. J. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Dimerization; Estradiol - blood; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - blood; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth Disorders - drug therapy; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Human Growth Hormone - therapeutic use; Humans; Inhibins - blood; Male; Peptides - blood; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Secretory Proteins; Puberty - blood; Regression Analysis; Testosterone - blood; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0300-0664; 1365-2265
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2265.1997.d01-1744.x

OBJECTIVE Although recently developed specific and sensitive assays of bioactive dimeric inhibin A and B have given new insights into the pituitary‐gonadal axis in adult men and during the adult female menstrual cycle, there have been no reports on circulating inhibin A and B during normal human puberty. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of dimeric inhibin A and B to pubertal stage, FSH and testosterone or oestradiol in late prepuberty and in early puberty. STUDY DESIGN AND SUBJECTS Serial samples were collected during a prospective longitudinal trial of GH treatment in short normal children. Seven boys were studied from late prepuberty to genital stage 3, and six pre‐menarche girls from late prepuberty to breast stage 4. MEASUREMENTS Dimeric inhibin A (girls only) and inhibin B (boys and girls) were measured by highly specific and sensitive two‐site ELISAs, FSH by IRMA, testosterone and oestradiol by RIA. RESULTS In boys, inhibin B increased progressively from pubertal stages 1 to 3 (ANOVA P