Puberty results from the re-activation of a quiescent hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal process and results in the acquisition of secondary sexual characteristics, adult height and fertility. Genetic and environmental factors influence the central nervous system to trigger the process. Animal data indicate that the neuropeptides γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are important in restraining the pubertal process. Animal and human data support a facilitatory role for the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin to act as a metabolic gate between nutritional status and the central nervous system to facilitate the onset of puberty. There are exciting new data in rats which suggests that the homeodomain gene Oct-2 POU may play a role in triggering puberty, and the challenge for the future is to identify master gene(s) in humans which control the timing of puberty.
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