Abstract
The concentrations of LH, FSH and PRL were determined in serum samples obtained at night in 1–2 h intervals as well as at 15 min intervals during a 3 h period between 9 and 12 p.m. and 9 and 12 a.m. in three girls with premature thelarche, who had not developed further signs of precocious puberty for more than 18 months.
A sleep-dependent LH and FSH increase was documented in all of them with a predominance of FSH secretion during sleep and after LHRH stimulation. In all three girls an episodic pattern of LH was found during sleep. In daytime minor fluctuations of LH secretion were found in two patients whereas in one patient an episodic LH pattern was demonstrable with minor peak values as during sleep.
Normal PRL secretion during sleep as well as after TRH stimulation excludes a permissive role of this hormone in premature thelarche.
We conclude that in girls with isolated premature thelarche a matured hypothalamo-pituitary gonadotropin axis is active comparable to normal pubertal children.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beck W (1980) Hormonal pattern of plasma LH, FSH and prolactin in girls with premature thelarche and advanced bone age: a synonym for precocious puberty. Horm Metab Res 12:101–105
Beck W, Wuttke W (1980) Diurnal variations of plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin in boys and girls from birth to puberty. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 50:635–639
Boyar RN (1978) Regulation of gonadotropin secretion in man. Med Clin North Am 62:367
Boyar RM, Finkelstein R, Roffwarg H, Kapen S, Weitzman E, Hellman L (1972) Synchronization of augmented luteinizing hormone secretion with sleep during puberty. N Engl J Med 287:582–586
Boyar RN, Rosenfield RS, Kapen S, Finkelstein JW, Roffwarg HP, Weitzman ED, Hellman L (1974) Human puberty-simultaneous augmented secretion of luteinizing hormone and testosterone during sleep. J Clin Invest 54:609–614
Caufriez A, Wolter R, Govaerts M, l'Hermite M, Rogyn C (1977) Gonadotropins and prolactin pituitary reserve in premature thelarche. J Pediatrics 91:751–753
Corley KP, Valk TW, Kelch RP, Marshall JC (1981) Estimation of GnRH pulse amplitude during pubertal development. Pediatr Res 15:157
Jakacki RJ, Kelch RP, Sauder SE, Lloyd JS, Hopwood NJ, Marshall JC (1982) Pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone in children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 55:453–458
Johanson A (1974) Fluctuations of gonadotropin levels in children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 39:154–159
Judd HC, Parker DC, Siler TM, Yen SSC (1974) The nocturnal rise of plasma testosterone in pubertal boys. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 38:710–713
Knobil E, Plant TM, Wildt L, Belchetz PE, Marshall G (1980) Control of the rhesus monkey menstrual cycle: permissive role of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Science 207: 1371–1373
Kulin HE, Moore RG Sr, Santner SJ (1976) Circadian rhythms in gonadotropin excretion in prepubertal and pubertal children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 42:770–775
Lee PL, Plotnick LP, Steele RE, Thompson RG, Blizzard RM (1976) Integrated concentrations of luteinizing hormone and puberty. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 43:168–172
Midgley AR Jr, Jaffe RB (1971) Regulation of human gonadotropins. X. Episodic fluctuations of LH during the menstrual cycle. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 33:962–969
Nankin HG, Froen P (1971) Repetitive luteinizing hormone elevations in serum of normal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 33: 558–560
Pasquino AM, Piccolo F, Scalamandre A, Molvaso M, Ortolani R, Boscherini B (1980) Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropic function in girls with premature thelarche. Arch Dis Childh 55:941–944
Parker DC, Rossman LG, Vanderlaan EF (1974) Relation of sleepentrained human prolactin release to REM-NonREM cycles. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 38:646–651
Parker DC, Judd HC, Rossman LG, Yen SSC (1975) Pubertal sleep-wake patterns of episodic LH, FSH and tetosterone release in twin boys. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 40:1099–1109
Penny R, Olambiwonnu NO, Frasier SD (1977) Episodic fluctuation of serum gonadotropin in pre-and postpubertal girls and boys. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 45:307–311
Santen RJ, Bardin CW (1973) Episodic luteinizing hormone secretion in man. Pulse analysis, clinical interpretation, physiologic mechanisms. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 52:2617–2628
Weitzman ED, Boyar RM, Kapen S, Hellman L (1975) The relationship of sleep and sleep stages to neuroendocrine secretion and biological rhythms in man. Recent Prog Horm Res 31:399–446
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Beck, W., Stubbe, P. Pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone and sleep-related gonadotropin rhythms in girls with premature thelarche. Eur J Pediatr 141, 168–170 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443217
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00443217