[The role of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate during puberty in girls].

OBJECTIVES

The serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in relation to serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and height and weight velocity in girls during puberty were studied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and forty nine healthy girls aged from 9.8 to 14.7 years were divided, after physical examination, into four groups according to pubertal development. Serum concentration of DHEAS, FSH, estradiol, cortisol and IGF-I were assessed by RIA methods. One hundred and thirteen girls were examined anthropometrically again and annual increases of body height and weight were analysed concomitantly with DHEAS concentration.

RESULTS

The mean serum concentration of DHEAS, FSH, estradiol and IGF-I increase progressively throughout puberty, while cortisol concentration remains constant. Positive correlation was found between DHEAS and FSH as well as between DHEAS and estradiol and IGF-I concentration. No correlation was found between DHEAS and growth velocity.

CONCLUSIONS

DHEAS might play an important role during girls puberty although its exact role is very difficult to establish because this steroid works mainly as a precursor for both estrogen and androgen formation.