SUN-594 Pubertal Timing and Hormonal Correlates in Male Obesity

An early, normal or delayed pubertal onset have been described in overweight/ obese males(1). A greater prepubertal adiposity has been associated with a greater risk for delayed puberty in males, but an underlying mechanism was not explored(2). We investigated whether an increased testosterone aromatization or an higher degree of low-grade inflammation might be more prevalent in obese males with a delay in genital development. Pubertal status assessment by Tanner staging and measurement of morning serum testosterone, estradiol, leptin, and hSCRP by standard laboratory methods were performed in 191 male adolescents, aged between 10 and 18.6 yr (median 12.8 yr) with overweight (BMI z-score > 1.3), starting an ambulatory (n = 138) or a residential weight loss program (n = 55). Their median (range) BMI z-score was 2.32 (1.34 – 3.38). Delayed / slow and early / rapid genital development was defined by a Tanner genital stage respectively above the 90(th) or below 10(th) percentile age distribution (national Flemish standards of 2004). In 3 males pubertal development was advanced, while in 34 it was delayed. In the remaining 154 adolescents genital stage was normally timed. Males with a delayed timing or progression of genital development were older (median(range) age:14.8 (11.6-18.6) yr vs 12.3 (10-18.6) yr; p< 0.005) and shorter (height sds: -0.55 (-1.90- 1.48) vs 0.49 (-3 – 3.19); p < 0.005), and had a higher birthweight (birthweight z-score: 0.15(-3.51-2.75) vs -0.34(-4.7-3.30); p = 0.058), but a similar BMI and waist z-score in comparison with males with a normally timed puberty. Median serum estradiol, leptin, and hSCRP concentrations did not differ significantly between those with a normal or a delayed pubertal onset or progression. In conclusion, pubertal delay is more frequently observed than early puberty in males referred to obesity clinics. Neither low grade inflammation nor increased estradiol production appear to be associated with a later onset of slower progression of genital development in male obesity. References (1) Li W et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Oct 24;14(10) (2) Lee JM et al. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010 Feb;164(2):139-44.