TY - JOUR

T1 - Dynamic Changes of Reproductive Hormones in Male Minipuberty

T2 - Temporal Dissociation of Leydig and Sertoli Cell Activity

AU - Busch, Alexander Siegfried

AU - Ljubicic, Marie Lindhardt

AU - Upners, Emmie N.

AU - Fischer, Margit Bistrup

AU - Raket, Lars Lau

AU - Frederiksen, Hanne

AU - Albrethsen, Jakob

AU - Johannsen, Trine Holm

AU - Hagen, Casper P

AU - Juul, Anders

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Context The male hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is transiently active during the first months of life with surging serum concentrations of reproductive hormones. This period, termed minipuberty, appears to be essential for priming testicular function. Despite the central role for male reproductive function, longitudinal data on HPG axis activation in infancy is sparse. Objective To explore the dynamics of HPG hormone activity in healthy male infants, to assess the association of HPG axis activity and testicular volume, and to establish reference curves for serum levels of reproductive hormones. Design Prospective, longitudinal birth cohort (the COPENHAGEN Minipuberty Study, 2016-2018, 1-year follow-up). Setting Population-based. Patients or Other Participants Healthy, male, term, singleton newborns were followed from birth on with repeated clinical examinations including blood sampling during a 1-year follow-up. A total of 128 boys contributed to this study, while 119 participated in the postnatal follow-up. Main Outcome Measures Serum reproductive hormone concentrations and testicular volume. Results Reproductive hormone concentrations showed marked dynamics during the first 6 months of age. Gonadotropins, total testosterone, and insulin-like factor 3 peaked at around 1 month of age. Inhibin B, anti-Mullerian hormone, and testicular volume peaked at around 4 to 5 months. Correlations largely recapitulated typical HPG axis pathways but also differed significantly from adult men. Conclusions We demonstrate a temporal dissociation of Leydig and Sertoli cell activity during male minipuberty and provide reference curves for reproductive hormones.

AB - Context The male hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is transiently active during the first months of life with surging serum concentrations of reproductive hormones. This period, termed minipuberty, appears to be essential for priming testicular function. Despite the central role for male reproductive function, longitudinal data on HPG axis activation in infancy is sparse. Objective To explore the dynamics of HPG hormone activity in healthy male infants, to assess the association of HPG axis activity and testicular volume, and to establish reference curves for serum levels of reproductive hormones. Design Prospective, longitudinal birth cohort (the COPENHAGEN Minipuberty Study, 2016-2018, 1-year follow-up). Setting Population-based. Patients or Other Participants Healthy, male, term, singleton newborns were followed from birth on with repeated clinical examinations including blood sampling during a 1-year follow-up. A total of 128 boys contributed to this study, while 119 participated in the postnatal follow-up. Main Outcome Measures Serum reproductive hormone concentrations and testicular volume. Results Reproductive hormone concentrations showed marked dynamics during the first 6 months of age. Gonadotropins, total testosterone, and insulin-like factor 3 peaked at around 1 month of age. Inhibin B, anti-Mullerian hormone, and testicular volume peaked at around 4 to 5 months. Correlations largely recapitulated typical HPG axis pathways but also differed significantly from adult men. Conclusions We demonstrate a temporal dissociation of Leydig and Sertoli cell activity during male minipuberty and provide reference curves for reproductive hormones.

KW - male

KW - minipuberty

KW - hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

KW - reproduction

KW - Sertoli

KW - Leydig

KW - ANTI-MULLERIAN HORMONE

KW - ANDROGEN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION

KW - CORD BLOOD

KW - INHIBIN-B

KW - SEMINIFEROUS TUBULES

KW - BOYS

KW - TESTOSTERONE

KW - INFANCY

KW - SERUM

KW - BIRTH

U2 - 10.1210/clinem/dgac115

DO - 10.1210/clinem/dgac115

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35225342

VL - 107

SP - 1560

EP - 1568

JO - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

JF - Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

SN - 0021-972X

IS - 6

ER -