Endocrine markers of puberty timing and antisocial behaviour in girls and boys

Reliability of self-reported pubertal development scale for girls in early adolescent: a school population-based study

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to evaluate the correlation between self-reported pubertal developmental scale (PDS) and physically assessed Tanner staging by an experienced pediatrician among girls.

METHODS

In a school population-based study in Zhongshan, China, we recruited 1,722 girls in grades 1-3 by a multistage stratified cluster random sampling method. Participants completed self-reported PDS questionnaire prior to physical examination. Breast development was evaluated by a female pediatrician combined with ultrasound examination for overweight/obese girls; pubic hair development was evaluated. Otherwise, we tested follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) for some participants.

RESULTS

We observed a weak association between Tanner-derived composite stage (TDCS) and puberty category scores (PCS) (τ=0.288, p<0.001) among all girls. There was correlation (τ=0.314, p=0.001) between ultrasound-derived composite stage (UDCS) and PCS among overweight/obese girls. Moreover, among overweight/obese girls, PCS was positively correlated with LH (r=0.265, p=0.008), but not FSH (r=0.155, p=0.123), and when the basal LH value was greater than 0.3 mIU/mL, the proportion of PCS stage ≥2 (9/18) was higher than the proportion of TDCS ≥2 (5/18). As for the determination of pubertal onset, when UDCS was used as the gold standard, the specificity of PCS was 0.86 and positive predictive value was 90.00 %.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a weak correlation between PCS and TDCS among girls early adolescence. Moreover, among overweight/obese girls, combining hormone values, ultrasonographic stage of breast, and the positive predictive value of PCS, we posit that self-reported PDS might be a more reliable method than TDCS to evaluate pubertal development among overweight/obese girls.

Adrenocortical deviations and adverse clinical outcomes in children and adolescents exposed to interparental intimate partner violence: A systematic review

Childhood exposure to interparental intimate partner violence (i-IPV) is a pervasive form of child maltreatment, posing major public health concerns and elevating risks for enduring adverse clinical and developmental consequences. However, assessing the full spectrum of clinical effects is challenging, potentially leading to inconsistent identification of children in need of early intervention. This systematic review aimed to identify hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis dysfunction following i-IPV exposure, elucidating the underlying biopsychobehavioural mechanisms and predicting adverse outcomes. We searched Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO for peer-reviewed studies from infancy through adolescence, screened reference lists and conducted forward searches. Analysis of 23 publications (N = 1848) revealed associations between i-IPV and altered adrenocortical function from early childhood, influenced by FKBP5 haplotype, parental caregiving and offspring emotional insecurity. Results showed that the adrenocortical stress response may predict internalising and externalising problems, childhood asthma, impaired executive function and poor academic performance. Nonetheless, inconsistencies in findings between studies suggest methodological heterogeneity and potential bias. Identifying biomarkers such as cortisol can enhance prediction and mechanism-based intervention efforts but long-term studies with a common theoretical and methodological framework are needed for comprehensive understanding. Integrating biological, emotional, and behavioural assessments could potentiate trauma services and research, ultimately improving outcomes for affected children.

The pheromone affects reproductive physiology and behavior by regulating hormone in juvenile mice

Pheromones could promote hormone secretions and regulate sexual behavior. It was unclear whether multiparous pheromone could induce variations in puberty. The aim was to ascertain whether pheromone in urine of multiparous females induced central precocious puberty (CPP) in juvenile C57BL/6J females. The precocious puberty was examined by vaginal smear, lordosis reaction, HE stain, and ELISA analysis. Results suggested that the first vaginal opening and the first estrus were significantly earlier. The time interval of the first vaginal opening and estrus was significantly shortened. It was interesting that the first estrus was significantly correlated with the first vaginal opening and the time interval of the first estrus. In the first estrus, female lordosis reaction, the number of mature follicles, and the weight of the ovary and uterus significantly increased. The level of luteinizing hormones also significantly increased. Thus, multiparous pheromone can regulate sex hormone to induce CPP in juvenile C57BL/6J females.