Increased Adrenal Androgens in Overweight Peripubertal Girls.

Context: Peripubertal hyperandrogenemia-a precursor to polycystic ovary syndrome-is prominent in girls with obesity.

Objective: We examined sources of overnight testosterone (T) and progesterone (P4) and potential sources of obesity-associated hyperandrogenemia during puberty.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Modulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator sensitivity to progesterone inhibition in hyperandrogenic adolescent girls--implications for regulation of pubertal maturation.

Context: Adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have decreased GnRH pulse generator sensitivity to progesterone (P)-mediated slowing. This defect is androgen mediated because it is reversed with androgen receptor blockade. Adolescent hyperandrogenism often precedes PCOS.

Maturation of luteinizing hormone (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) secretion across puberty: evidence for altered regulation in obese peripubertal girls.

Context: Peripubertal obesity (body mass index-for-age >or= 95%) in girls is associated with hyperandrogenemia. LH likely contributes to this relationship, but overnight LH secretion in obese girls is poorly characterized.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate LH pulse characteristics in obese girls throughout pubertal maturation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescence.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women and is characterized by hyperandrogenemia, menstrual dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. The hormonal abnormalities inherent in PCOS often begin in adolescence and include hyperinsulinemia and rapid luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency, both of which mediate ovarian and adrenal overproduction of androgens. Although differences exist regarding the diagnostic criteria for PCOS, we believe that hyperandrogenemia is the final common pathway for the development of adolescent PCOS, and we propose a hypothesis to illustrate such.

Obesity and sex steroid changes across puberty: evidence for marked hyperandrogenemia in pre- and early pubertal obese girls.

Context: Peripubertal obesity is associated with abnormal sex steroid concentrations, but the timing of onset and degree of these abnormalities remain unclear.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the degree of hyperandrogenemia across puberty in obese girls and assess overnight sex steroid changes in Tanner stage 1-3 girls.

Design: This was a cross-sectional analysis.