Neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling the onset of female puberty.

This article describes the major neuroendocrine developments that are associated with the normal onset of puberty in the female rats. Although differences exist between rats and humans with regard to development and function of the reproductive system, there are major basic similarities. This makes the rat a valuable laboratory model in which to evaluate the effects of potentially hazardous substances on normal sexual maturation. A systematic experimental approach is presented to show how the study of reproductive development in the female rat can aid our understanding of the processes by which these substances could disturb normal puberty in the human female.