Environmental factors trigger pubertal development.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We provide an overview of the secular trend of earlier pubertal development, why there is a growing concern that environmental factors may be to blame, and how these factors may influence the developing reproductive axis.

Recent findings: We highlight recent work suggesting that, in addition to activating sex steroid receptors, environmental compounds may influence neuropeptide receptors and/or epigenetic regulators. We describe recent studies linking air pollution, metals, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), short sleep duration, early life adversity, and stress to pubertal timing.

Summary: Pubertal timing is tightly controlled by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. While animal and epidemiological studies have pointed to several potential environmental factors, additional work is necessary to identify the critical levels and developmental windows of exposure as well as the mechanistic underpinnings.