Alcohol's effects on female puberty: the role of insulin-like growth factor 1. Academic Article

abstract

• Research suggests that alcohol consumption during early adolescence may delay the onset of female puberty. Alcohol's effect on sexual development is associated with altered function of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). This hormone, which is produced in the liver, travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it helps coordinate overall physical growth with the maturation of the reproductive system. Long-term alcohol consumption inhibits the production of IGF-1 in the liver. Short-term alcohol administration alters IGF-1 function within the brain, ultimately suppressing the release of specific reproductive hormones that initiate puberty. Large proportions of young girls develop drinking habits that place them at risk for alcohol-related endocrine disorders at a crucial time in female pubertal development.

authors

• Dees, William

published proceedings

• Alcohol Health Res World

author list (cited authors)

• Les Dees, W., Hiney, J. K., & Srivastava, V.

citation count

• 6

complete list of authors

• Les Dees, W||Hiney, JK||Srivastava, V

publication date

• December 1998

keywords

• Alcohol Drinking
• Animals
• Ethanol
• Female
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
• Puberty

start page

• 165

end page

• 169

volume

• 22

issue

• 3