Endocrinology ·
Finnish twin study links adolescent puberty scores with adult plasma markers
A longitudinal study of 630 Finnish twins examined adolescent pubertal development in relation to plasma proteins and non-lipid metabolites measured at about age 22. Pubertal Development Scale scores at age 14 were associated with three proteins and histidine, with twin analyses suggesting different genetic and environmental contributions.
- Age-14 puberty scores associated with three proteins and histidine.
- Twin modeling suggested weak genetic links for two proteins.
- Complement C6 association reflected nonshared environmental factors.
- Clinical predictive value was not established.
Researchers analyzed data from 630 Finnish twins (57% female) who reported pubertal development at mean ages 11.5 and 14, and pubertal age retrospectively at about 17.5. Plasma proteomic and non-lipid metabolomic profiles were measured at about age 22. Linear mixed-effects models tested associations, followed by twin modeling to assess genetic and environmental contributions to significant findings.
Pubertal Development Scale scores at age 14 were associated with desmoglein-2, CD14, complement C6 and the metabolite histidine. Desmoglein-2 and CD14 showed weak genetic correlations (rA = −0.08 and −0.13, respectively), without significant environmental correlations. The C6 association was linked to nonshared environmental factors (rE = 0.31), while histidine showed no clear genetic or environmental contribution.
The findings identify molecular associations in early adulthood, not evidence that pubertal development causes later disease or that these markers can predict individual risk. The study was conducted in Finnish twins, relied on self-reported pubertal measures, and assessed molecular profiles at one adult time point. The reported associations do not establish clinical utility for risk assessment or prevention.
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Pediatric Research: Puberty timing and early adulthood plasma proteome and non-lipid metabolome: a twin study of genetic and environmental contributions ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.