Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and pubertal development in Chinese girls.

Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 170 healthy school girls from 7-16 years old. Blood samples from postmenarcheal girls were taken on days 6-10 of the menstrual cycle. Bone age, height, weight, breast and pubic hair development were also investigated. Of the four hormones measured, serum DHEAS displayed the earliest elevation, at 7 years and upwards. A significant DHEAS increment at chronological age 13 years was observed. Girls with earlier menarche had higher DHEAS level than girls having later menarche. Serum DHEAS levels also correlated with bone age, height, weight, subcutaneous fat and pubertal stages. The results suggest that adrenal androgen might be involved in the initiation of puberty and female maturation.