Relationship of Plasma Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Levels to PubertalChanges

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Abstract
Basal plasma GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)concentrations were measured by RIA in 180 normal subjects(93 boys and 87 girls between the ages of 8 and 18 yr). Everysubject was in good health and between −2 and +2 SD for height.Fourteen boys with delayed puberty also were studied. PlasmaGHRH concentrations were higher during puberty than beforeit.At midpuberty, the mean GHRH levels in girls was 159.1 ±28.5 (±SEM) pg/ml, approximately 5-fold higher than the levelin prepubertal girls (30.3 ± 4.3 pg/ml). The mean plasma GHRH in midpubertal boys (101.4 ± 11.5 pg/ml) was approximately 2-fold higher than the level in prepubertal boys (48.1 ± 5.2 pg/ml). The GHRH levels in boys with delayed puberty more closely resembled those in boys at a similar pubertal stage than those in boys of similarchronological age.The dramatic rise in plasma GHRH levels during puberty suggests a rolefor this peptide in the adolescent growth spurt.Moreover, these data indicate that GHRH levels during adolescence may be a marker of the patient’s pubertal development.