Received November 21,1974

andrologia 7 (1) : 49-53 (1975)

School voor Maatschappelijke Gezondheidszorg, Afdeling Jeugdgezondheidszorg, Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

Changes in Areolar Size in Boys during the Growth Phase and Pubertal Development 0. STEENO, J. BANDE-KNOPS, H. BLANPAIN-VAN LANDEGHEM and H. VAN DE VOORDE

In 1952, Garn in Boston studied the changes in areolar size in both sexes and observed an areolar enlargement during the “steroid” growth phase. Since Garn postulated that the areolar size is independent of body size and this postulation was based on a too small number of observations, we wanted to study the relationship between the areolar size and sexual development as well as the changes in anthropometric variables in a large school population of boys during this period of life and during other growth phases. Material and method A total number of 755 boys (aged 7-20 yrs) were examined at the School Health Center of the University of Leuven (Louvain). In each subject, areolar size was measured with a simple rule. Areolar size for a given individual was expressed as the mean between the right and left maximal diameter of the areola mammae. Eight cases were rejected for several reasons (hormonal therapy, anisomasty, traumatism). In the 747 boys studied, anthropometric variables (body weight and height) as well as the stage of pubic hair development according to Hordijk (3) were noted on a special form. The body surface area was calculated on the nomogram of Dubois. Results As can be seen in Table 1, and from Fig. I and 11, the areolar size does not change very much during childhood, although during that time remarkable changes in anthropometric variables can already be noted. At the time of pubertal development and pubertal growth spurt, the areolar size gradually increases. The difference was most noticeable in the group of boys, 12 and 13 yrs old with an increase in areolar size from 17.4 f 3.4 (S.D.) mm to 20.1 f 3.7 mm. At the same age, the areolar size corresponds with the stage of pubic hair development (Table 2). From these figures, it can be stated that the sudden increase in areolar size is related to induction of puberty. At puberty the areolar size is significantly related to body weight rather than to height (Table 3). The correlation with body surface area is due to the factor body weight, which determines the body surface area together with body height. From all these data, we may state that the areolar size in school boys is dependent on body size (robusticity) and stage of pubertal development, at least at the time of puberty. In childhood, this relationship is not so clear. Key words: areolar size - puberty

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growth

0.SPEENO,J. BANDE-KNOPS, H. BLANPAIN-VAN LANDEGHEM and H. VAN DE VOORDE

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Table 1: Changes in areolar size in relation to age Age yr f 6 mo.

Number of subjects

Areolar size mm f S.D.

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

57 56 78 55 141 65 54 52 52 65 50 22

16.0 f 3.0 16.6 f 3.2 17.4 f 2.3 16.4 f 3.3 17.9 f 3.3 17.4 f 3.4 20.1 f 3.7 21.3 f 3.8 22.3 f 3.3 24.3 f 3.8 25.5 24.4 27.7 f 5.7

Table 2: Areolar size (in mm) in relation to age (yr f 6 mo) and pubic hair development (according to Hordijk) Age

yrk6mo

P1

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

16.0 f 3.0 16.6 f 3.2 17.5 f 2.3 16.2 f 2.7 17.6 f 3.5 17.2 f 3.7 19.5 f 2.6 20.8 f 4.8

P2

18.8 f 5.7 18.0 f 2.8 17.2 f 3.1 20.5 f 4.3 21.0 f 2.7 21.0 f 2.5

P3

P4

19.5 f 4.4 19.5 3.6 19.4 f 3.6 21.4 f 4.4 21.7 f 3.5 22.3 f 2.2 24.2 f 1.6

P5

23.0 f 2.4 22.7 f 3.4 24.0 f 3.6 24.7 f 3.2 29.2 zk 6.9

26.9 f 4.5 26.9 f 5.7 27.3 f 5.6

Table 3: Correlation coefficients between areolar size and anthropometric data Areolar size at age (yr f 6 mo)

Body height

Body weight

Body surface area

12 13 14 15

0.21 0.26 0.45* 0.23

0.55* 0.68* 0.61* 0.47*

0.59* 0.57* 0.42*

0.50*

* Values significantly different from zero at 1 %o level of significance Values printed in italics are not significantly different from zero. andrologia 7, Heft 1 (1975)

Changes in Areolar Size in Boys during the Growth Phase and Pubertal Development

10-

d m' cm ,

1.5 A-

-

.,

,

,*'

,

9,

*

1.a 100 ."IIace

.re=

x

0.5

Fig. 2:

Changes in areolar sue and concomitant changes in some anthropometric variables in childhood and adolescence.

andrologia 7, Heft 1 (1975)

51

52

0. STEENO, J. BANDE-KNOPS, H. BLANPAIN-VAN LANDEGHEM and H. V A N DE VOORDE

Discussion During sexual maturation, an areolar enlargement in both sexes is noted as well as an augmented pigmentation of the areola, due to the sex hormones produced in this period of life (Garn et al. - 1956; Hordijk - 1961). The increase in areolar size during pubertal development was ascribed by Garn (1956) to the sex hormones and this areolar enlargement was postulated to be independent of body size. Our data support the view not only that the induction of puberty causes a sudden increase in areolar size, but also that body size, and especially body weight, play a role in this phenomenon. As would be expected, a relation exists between the areolar size and the stage of pubic hair development, both signs being expressions of pubertal development,

Summary The areolar size was measured in a group of 755 school boys, aged 7 to 20 yrs. At the onset of puberty a sudden icnrease in areolar size has been noted, with a gradual increase in areolar size as pubertal development proceeds. The increase in areolar size must be seen as a pubertal phenomenon, resulting from a peripheral influence of sexual hormones, but a significant positive relationship to body size during this period of life must also be taken into account. Anderungen der BrustwarzenhofgroSebei Jungen wahrend der Wachstumsphase und der Entwicklung in der Reifezeit

Zusammenfassung Bei 755 Schiilern mannlichen Geschlechtes im Alter von 7-20 Jahren wurde die GroBe des Brustwarzenhofes gemessen. Mit Einsetzen der Pubertat wurde ein plotzlicher Anstieg der GroBe des Bmstwarzenhofes beobachtet, wobei eine graduelle Zunahme der GroBe des Brustwarzenhofes als Pubertatsentwicklung voranschreitet. Die Zunahme der GroDe des Brustwarzenhofes mu6 als ein Phanomen der Reifezeit und der in ihr ablaufenden Entwicklung betrachtet werden, das von dem peripheren EinfluB der Sexualhormone herriihrt. Ebenso mub aber auch eine signifikant positive Beziehung zur Korpergrofie wahrend dieser Lebensphase in Rechnung gestellt werden. Cambios en el tamano areolar en jovenes durante la fase de crecirniento y desarrollo puberal

Resumen Se examinan 755 jbvenes, entre 7 y 20 anos. En cada paciente se midi6 el tamano areolar y en 747 se tomaron algunos par6metros antropomktricos: peso, talla, asi como desarrollo del vello pubiano. Durante la infancia no cambia mucho el tamaim areolar, aunque se pueden notar cambios antropombtricos. El tamano areolar aumenta gradualmente durante la pubertad, estando en relaci6n con el estadio del vello pubiano. andrologia 7,Heft 1 (1975)

Changes in Areolar Size in Boys during the Growth Phase and Pubertal Development Durante la maduracibn sexual tiene lugar el crecimiento y la pigmentacibn areolar en ambos sexos, debido a las hormonas sexuales producidas en este period0 de la vida. Se ha visto asimismo que el tamano areolar depende del tamano corporal y del estadio del desarrollo puberal.

References Garn, S.M.: Changes in areolar size during the steroid growth phase. Child Development, 23: 55-60 (1952). Garn, S.M.; S. Selby and M.R. Crawford: Skin reflectance studies in children and adults. Amer. J. Phys. Anthropol., 14: 101-117 (1956). Hordijk, W.: Groei en ontwikkeling in de puberteit en de adoIescentie. Thesis Utrecht, 1961.

Address: Prof. Dr. OMER STEENO, Akademisch Ziekenhuis St. Rafael, Kapucynenvoer 35, 3000-Leuven, Belgie.

I Announcement Berlin:

13. bis 15. Juni 1975Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft zum Studium der Fertilitat und Sterilitat. Hauptthema: Ergebnisse moderner Hormonforschung und ihre Bedeu tung fur die Fertilitat des Menschen. Anmeldung freier Vortrage mit ausfuhrlicher Zusammenfassung. Auskunft: Prof. Dr. R. Kaden, 1000 Berlin 45, Klinikum Steglitz, Andrologie.

KrakowlPoland: The VIIIth International Congress on Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination will be held in Krakow, Poland, July 12-16, 1976. Scientific programme The Congress will be composed of four types of meetings: plenary sessions, section sessions, panels and workshops.

A. Plenary sessions. According to the advice of the scientific consultants and in collaboration with the Standing Committee the following topics will be presented by invited speakers. - In vitro biology of gametes and cryobiology. - The role of the central nervous system in reproduction. - Prostaglandins and reproduction. - Animal reproduction and artificial insemination in tropical areas. andrologia 7, Heft 1 (1975)

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Changes in areolar size in boys during the growth phase and pubertal development.

The areolar size was measured in a group of 755 school boys, aged 7 to 20 yrs. At the onset of puberty a sudden increase in areolar size has been note...
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