Endocrinology of puberty in man.

A review of studies on human male puberty is presented and additionally the possibility of increasing our understanding of normal puberty through examining abnormal sexual maturation is explored. Hypotheses on the mechanisms indicating the pubertal process based on recent data are discussed. Normal puberty can be examined from a variety of perspectives: 1) testicular function 2) gonadotropin and pituitary function 3) hypothalamic function and 4) the negative feedback between the gonad and the hypothalamic unit of childhood and the positive feedback which is acquired during puberty. The study of precocious puberty and delayed puberty further illustrates that the development of the mature reproductive system started during late fetal life. It is important to focus on the changes taking place in early chi ldhood because there is evidence of hypothalamic pituitary and gonadal function which will later lead to pubertal development.