Role of KNDy neurons in puberty onset in male offspring following prenatal androgen exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Emerging evidence links prenatal androgen excess to altered pubertal timing, yet the neuroendocrine mechanisms mediating this effect in male offspring remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal androgen exposure on the timing of puberty onset in male offspring and the role of KNDy neurons in this process.

Methods

Eight-week-old pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=16) were randomized into control (olive oil) and prenatal androgen (PNA, testosterone injection) groups (n=8 per group). Hypothalamic samples of 6 male offspring rats at postnatal day (PND) 21 (n=3 per group) were collected for transcriptome analysis. The time of puberty onset was recorded in 36 male offspring (n=18 per group). Serum samples and hypothalamic tissue fro

SUBMITTER: Ge R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12278364 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature