Circadian rhythm in gonadotropin secretion in children with constitutional stature delay.

Plasma levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones were measured for 24 hours in six subjects affected by constitutional stature delay associated with sexual maturation delay. The children in pubertal stage exhibited fluctuating plasma concentrations of these hormones which significantly increased during sleep, as in healthy pubertal subjects. Thus in this type of delayed puberty, the synchronization of augmented gonadotropin secretion with sleep develops later in chronologic age but it is strongly related to bone age.