Puberty is a critical human developmental process that leads to sexual maturation and
reproductive capability. It requires an intact hypothalamicpituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and
any disruption of this axis can result in temporary or permanent disorders of reproductive
endocrine function. The HPG axis is active during fetal development and continues to
function in infancy until it enters a relative quiescent state, often referred to as the juvenile
pause. The factors that mediate the juvenile pause and those that lead to increased …