| Biomarkers for Assessing Reproductive Development and Health: Part 1--Pubertal Development John C. Rockett,1 Courtney D. Lynch,2 and Germaine M. Buck2 1Gamete and Early Embryo Biology Branch, Reproductive Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; 2Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland, USA Abstract
The proposed National Children's Study has helped raise awareness of the issues related to children's health and the importance of monitoring the growth and development of children from preconception through adulthood. Many genetic predispositions can adversely impact the normal development process, and various environmental exposures have been linked to adverse reproductive health in rodent models and a small number of accidental human exposures. To monitor reproductive health and identify adverse effects at the earliest possible juncture, investigators must develop a network of biomarkers covering all stages and aspects of reproductive development and function. Biomarkers are biological indicators that can be measured repeatedly and are informative on one or more aspects of biological development or function. They can range from the anatomical level down to the molecular level and may provide information on the nature of an exposure, the effect of an exposure, or the susceptibility of individuals or populations to the toxic effects of an exposure. In theory, biomarkers can be used to monitor a wide variety of conditions and responses ranging from abnormal development to early indicators of late-onset disease. The main stumbling block with this theory has been finding appropriate biomarkers for particular conditions and exposures. Such biomarkers must be easily accessible, robust, and sensitive. Ideally, they will be expressed across a large section of the population, and can be monitored quickly, easily, conveniently, and with minimal cost. In this review, we discuss some of the current and emerging biomarkers of human pubertal development. Key words: biomarker, development, human, longitudinal cohort study, puberty. Environ Health Perspect 112:105-112 (2004) . doi:10.1289/ehp.6265 available via http://dx.doi.org/ [Online 24 September 2003]
This article is part of the mini-monograph "Understanding the Determinants of Children's Health." Address correspondence to J.C. Rockett, Reproductive Toxicology Division (MD-72) , NHEERL, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 USA. Telephone: (919) 541-2678. Fax: (919) 541-4017. E-mail: rockett.john@epa.gov We thank S. Fenton (U.S. EPA) , M. Klebanoff (NICHD) , and members of the Fertility and Early Pregnancy Working Group of the National Children's Study for critically reviewing this manuscript prior to submission. The information in this document has been subjected to review by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory of the U.S. EPA and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents reflect the views of the Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. The authors declare they have no competing financial interests. Received 6 February 2003 ; accepted 2 July 2003.
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