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Cited by 470Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormonesSexual Differentiation and DisordersReproductive Biology and Fertility

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in infancy: minipuberty

Kuiri-Hänninen, Tanja, Sankilampi, Ulla, Dunkel, Leo·2014·Hormone Research in Paediatrics
DOI 10.1159/000362414
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Abstract

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is active in the midgestational foetus but silenced towards term because of the negative feedback effects mediated by the placental hormones. This restraint is removed at birth, leading to reactivation of the axis and an increase in gonadotrophin levels. Gonadotrophin levels are high during the first 3 months of life but decrease towards the age of 6 months except for FSH levels in girls that remain elevated until 3-4 years of age. After this, the HPG axis remains quiescent until puberty. The postnatal gonadotrophin surge results in gonadal activation in both sexes. In boys, testosterone levels rise to a peak at 1-3 months of age and then decline following LH levels. Postnatal HPG axis activation is associated with penile and testicular growth and therefore considered important for the development of male genitalia. In girls, elevated gonadotrophin levels result in the maturation of ovarian follicles and in an increase in oestradiol levels. Biological significance and possible long-term consequences of this minipuberty remain elusive, as do the mechanisms that silence the HPG axis until puberty. However, the first months of life provide a 'window of opportunity' for functional studies of the HPG axis prior to pubertal development.

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Crossref · 10.1159/000362414

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62 of 62 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Gonadotropin concentrations gradually decrease towards age 6 months, except FSH concentration in girls, which remains raised until age 3-4 years.

    “These concentrations then gradually decrease towards age 6 months, with the exception of FSH concentration in girls, which remains raised until age 3–4 years.”

    From Pubertal development and regulation (2016) · cites this paper as [2]

  • The restraint of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is removed at birth, leading to reactivation of the axis and an increase in gonadotropin concentrations.

    “This restraint is removed at birth, leading to reactivation of the axis and an increase in gonadotropin concentrations.2”

    From Pubertal development and regulation (2016) · cites this paper as [2]

  • In boys, testosterone concentration rises to a peak at age 1-3 months, then falls in conjunction with the falling LH concentration.

    “In boys, testosterone concentration rises to a peak at age 1–3 months, but then falls in conjunction with the falling LH concentration.2”

    From Pubertal development and regulation (2016) · cites this paper as [2]

  • In humans, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is active in the mid-gestational fetus but silenced towards the end of gestation.

    “In human beings, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is active in the mid-gestational fetus, but silenced towards the end of gestation.”

    From Pubertal development and regulation (2016) · cites this paper as [2]

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Authors
Kuiri-Hänninen, T., Sankilampi, U., & Dunkel, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Eastern Finland (FI)
  • Queen Mary University of London (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Hormone Research in Paediatrics
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2014
Volume
82
Issue
2
Pages
73-80
ISSN
  • 1663-2818 (ISSN-L)
  • 1663-2826
DOI
10.1159/000362414
OpenAlex
W2096395933
Cited by
470
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 35 · 2025: 32 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 54 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 3
FWCI
4.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Hormone Research in Paediatrics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
Keywords
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, minipuberty, infancy, gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, estradiol, placental hormones, negative feedback, male genital development, ovarian follicle maturation, puberty
MeSH terms
Child Development, Estradiol, Female, Genitalia, Male, Gonadotropins, Ovarian Follicle, Humans, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Infant, Newborn, Male, Testosterone

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