A Twin Study for Serum Leptin, Soluble Leptin Receptor, and Free Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I in Pubertal Females

Abstract

Fast increase of FLI and free IGF-I from Tanner stage I to II might be involved in the onset of puberty and the onset of thelarche. The peak of free IGF-I in Tanner stage II might be presumed as an indicator of the peak of pubertal growth spurt in females, and the significant rise of leptin along with percentage of body fat from Tanner stage III to IV might be as a predictor of the forthcoming menarche. Our results stress the importance of research into the genetic regulation on the endocrine regulators involved in the pubertal development and metabolic disorders, including pubertal obesity and diabetes.