What is in our environment that effects puberty?

Abstract

Recent studies indicate that the onset of puberty is occurring at increasingly younger ages. Many etiologies have been hypothesized to be involved, but environmental exposures are among the most worrisome. Multiple organizations have endorsed the need to study and provide clinical awareness regarding the effect of a child’s environment on pubertal timing. This review article summarizes the current understanding of the major environmental influences on pubertal timing, focusing on factors for which the most scientific evidence exists. The research reviewed addresses intrinsic factors unique to each individual, naturally occurring endocrine disruptors and chemical endocrine disruptors. In each category, evidence was found for and against the involvement of specific environmental factors on pubertal timing. Ultimately, an individual’s environment is likely comprised of many aspects that collectively contribute to the timing of puberty. The need for research aimed at elucidating the effects of numerous specific yet disparate forms of exposures is emphasized.

Ecotoxic pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other emerging contaminants: A review of environmental, receptor-mediated, developmental, and epigenetic toxicity with discussion of proposed toxicity to humans

“…PPCP and EC exposure to receptors of stem and progenitor cells as well as epigenetic mutations are also possible mechanisms of biological disruption (Skinner et al 2011;Prins et al 2014). Many PPCPs and other ECs are currently known to affect endocrine function of lower organisms Fisher et al 2014) via disruption of estrogenic hormonal pathways and have previously been associated with the stimulation of certain hormonally-stimulated cancers Prins et al 2014).…”

“…Many PPCP and ECs are suggested to be environmental toxins to exposed non-target organisms (Patisaul and Adewale 2009;Vandenberg et al 2012;Fisher et al 2014).…”

The effects of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether on female reproductive system in juvenile rats

“…The adverse effects of these substances on pubertal development have been of increasing concern (Fisher and Eugster, 2014;Schoeters et al, 2008). For instance, chlorotriazine herbicides such as atrazine and simazine have been reported to disrupt pubertal development; accompanied by a delayed onset of puberty or irregular estrous cyclicity (Davis et al, 2011;Zorrilla et al, 2010).…”

Obesity Associated Adipocytokines in Girls with Premature Thelarche

“…14,15 Ergenlik dönemi, vücut yağ bileşimi ve beraberinde davranış değişiklikleri ile hormon düzeylerin-deki dalgalanmalardan dolayı obezite gelişimi için kritik bir dönemdir. Obezitede yağ dokusu miktarı-nın artışı ile adipokinlerin salgılanma seviyeleri de değişmektedir.…”

“…[11][12][13] Son yıl-larda, pubertenin erkene kayması ve pubertal bulguların erken yaşta görülmesi ile ilgili hormon bazlı yiyeceklerin alımı, çevresel/sosyal değişikliklerin varlığı ve obezite tartışılmaktadır. 14,15 Ergenlik dönemi, vücut yağ bileşimi ve beraberinde davranış değişiklikleri ile hormon düzeylerin-deki dalgalanmalardan dolayı obezite gelişimi için kritik bir dönemdir. Obezitede yağ dokusu miktarı-nın artışı ile adipokinlerin salgılanma seviyeleri de değişmektedir.…”