Reproductive hormones during pubertal transition in girls with transient Thelarche. (11th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soto, Julio; Pereira, Ana; Busch, Alexander Siegfried; Almstrup, Kristian; Corvalan, Camila; Iñiguez, German; Juul, Anders; Mericq, Veronica
• Is Part Of: Clinical endocrinology. Volume 93:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 296
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2020-06-11
• Subjects: androgens -- environmental disruptors -- puberty -- transient thelarche; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; 616.4005
• DOI: 10.1111/cen.14248
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0664

Abstract

Abstract: Context: Transient thelarche (TT), that is, the appearance, regression and subsequent reappearance of breast buds, is a frequent phenomenon, but little is known about pubertal transition in these girls. Objective: To describe pubertal progression, growth, genotypes, reproductive hormones and growth factors in girls with TT compared to those who do not present TT (non‐TT). Design: Retrospective analysis of a longitudinal population‐based study. Patients or Other Participants: Girls (n = 508) of the Chilean Growth and Obesity cohort. Measurements: Pubertal progression, reproductive hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) beta subunit/FSH receptor gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and growth. Results: Thirty‐seven girls (7.3%) were presented TT. These girls entered puberty by pubarche more frequently (51%) than girls with normal progression (non‐TT; n = 471; 23%, P = .005). Girls with TT who were under 8 years old had lower androgens, anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and oestradiol (all P < .05) than older girls with TT. At the time of Tanner breast stage 2 (B2), girls with TT had higher androgens, LH, FSH, IGF1, LH, insulin and oestradiol ( P < .01) than at the time of TT. TT girls were older at B2 (10.3 ± 1.1 vs. 9.2 ± 1.2 years, P < .001) and menarche (12.3 ± 0.8 vs. 12.0 ± 1.0 years, P = .040) than their counterparts (non‐TT). No differences in anthropometric variables or FSHB / FSHR genotypes were detected. Conclusion: Transient thelarche is a frequent phenomenon that does not appear to be mediated by hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis activation or by adiposity. Hormonal differences between earlier TT and later TT suggest that their mechanisms are different.