Gut microbiota develop towards an adult profile in a sex-specific manner during puberty.

Accumulating evidence indicates that gut microbiota may regulate sex-hormone levels in the host, with effects on reproductive health. Very little is known about the development of intestinal microbiota during puberty in humans. To assess the connection between pubertal timing and fecal microbiota, and to assess how fecal microbiota develop during puberty in comparison with adult microbiota, we utilized a Finnish allergy-prevention-trial cohort (Flora).

Treatment of gonadotropin deficiency during the first year of life: long-term observation and outcome in five boys.

Study Question: What is the peripubertal outcome of recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) treatment during minipuberty in boys with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH)?

Summary Answer: Sertoli-cell response to r-hFSH, given during the minipuberty of infancy, appears insufficient to maintain Sertoli cell function throughout childhood, as evaluated by inhibin B measurements.

What Is Known Already: Severe CHH in boys can be diagnosed during the minipuberty of infancy. Combined gonadotropin treatment at that age is suggested to improve testicular endocrine function and future fertility, yet long-term evidence is lacking.

Recombinant Human FSH Treatment Outcomes in Five Boys With Severe Congenital Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.

Context: Recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH), given to prepubertal boys with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), may induce Sertoli cell proliferation and thereby increase sperm-producing capacity later in life.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of r-hFSH, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and testosterone (T) in such patients.

Design And Setting: Retrospective review in three tertiary centers in Finland between 2006 and 2016.