<b>Changes in dimeric inhibin A and B during normal early puberty in boys and girls</b>

Abstract

In boys, testicular production of inhibin B increases as puberty progresses. Our results show for the first time that the initiation of puberty is accompanied by a dramatic switch from a positive to a negative relation between inhibin B and FSH as inhibin B begins to exert the expected negative feedback on FSH. The results in girls suggest that, prior to menarche, the ovarian follicles produce inhibin A and B in strict proportion, and in progressively greater amounts as puberty proceeds. Measurement of dimeric inhibin A and B may provide a sensitive new tool for determining gonadal maturity in late prepuberty and early puberty.