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This version published online on June 27, 2006
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, doi:10.1210/jc.2006-0821
A more recent version of this article appeared on September 1, 2006
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*Compound via MeSH
*Substance via MeSH
Hazardous Substances DB
*MENOTROPINS
*TESTOSTERONE

Submitted on April 14, 2006
Accepted on June 20, 2006

Changes in serum Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) during normal male puberty

Alberto Ferlin, Andrea Garolla, Franco Rigon, Lucia Rasi Caldogno, Andrea Lenzi, and Carlo Foresta*

Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation (AF, AG, CF), and Department of Pediatrics (FR, LRC), University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Department of Medical Pathophysiology (AL), University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: carlo.foresta{at}unipd.it.

Context Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is produced by the Leydig cells and in adults its secretion is dependent on the state of differentiation of these cells, which, in turn, is dependent on LH. However, the secretion and regulation of INSL3 during puberty is unknown.

Objective To evaluate INSL3 concentrations during normal male puberty and its relation to LH, FSH and testosterone.

Design Cross-sectional study conducted from January to December 2005.

Setting Academic clinics

Patients 75 healthy male subjects aged 9.5-17.5 yr, homogeneously distributed into five pubertal groups of 15 according to Tanner stages.

Interventions None

Main outcome measures Mean testicular volume and LH, FSH, testosterone and INSL3 concentrations in relation to age and pubertal stage.

Results We observed an increase of INSL3 and LH levels from Tanner stage 2 to 4, and an increase of FSH from stage 2 to 3. Testosterone levels increased from stage 3 to 4. No differences were seen for all measured hormones between stage 4 and 5. The increase in INSL3 seems therefore to anticipate the increase in testosterone. However, INSL3 plasma concentrations at pubertal stages 4 and 5 are about one fourth of adult levels, whereas FSH, LH and testosterone reached adult levels by stage 4. Positive significant correlations were found between INSL3 and LH for all pubertal stages.

Conclusions This study provides information on the physiological dynamics of INSL3 showing that the serum concentrations of this hormone increased progressively throughout puberty, under the differentiating action of LH on Leydig cells. INSL3 is therefore confirmed to represent a marker of Leydig cell differentiation and function. However, a prolonged exposition to LH seems to be necessary to reach INSL3 concentrations of adults. A possible use of INSL3 in puberty disorders is promising.
Key words: INSL3 • Leydig • male puberty • testosterone




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