PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate sexual maturation, attitudes toward sexual maturity, and body esteem in the sexual development of Korean elementary-school boys and girls. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 399 fifth and sixth graders (192 boys and 207 girls). The data were analysed with a χ2 test, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Among the 207 girls, 70.5% had pubic hair growth, 68.1% had breast development, and 56.0% had a menstrual period. In boys, 59.4% of the 192 subjects experienced the development of external genitalia and 52.6% had pubic hair growth. Sexual maturation was related to grade (boys, t=7.07, p=.008; girls, t=12.76, p < .001), age (t=−2.20, p=.030; t=−4.11, p < .001), height (t=−5.16, p < .001; t=−7.52, p < .001), and weight (t=−2.89, p=.004; t=−5.19, p < .001) in both boys and girls. Girls were more likely to have sexual maturity than boys (χ2=22.29, p < .001). Boys showed more positive attitudes toward sexual maturity (t=2.10, p=.036) and higher body esteem (t=2.12, p=.035) than girls. CONCLUSION: This study shows that sexual maturation, attitude toward sexual maturity, and body esteem in sexual development differ between boys and girls. The findings indicate that it is necessary to develop a tailored sex-education program according to the sex of elementary-school children.
Breast ; Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Genitalia ; Hair ; Humans ; Sexual Development ; Sexual Maturation*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pattern of pubertal development in healthy Cantonese schoolgirls.

METHODFrom 1992 to 2001, 311 normal Cantonese schoolgirls, ages from 6.25 to 8.83 yrs (7.24 +/- 0.38) at baseline, were followed up until they reached their final adult height (age 15.72 +/- 0.84 yrs, n = 238). Annual physical examinations including height and weight measurement were performed. From the 3rd visit, pubertal maturations (breast and pubic hair development) were also assessed annually until they were 14.5 years. Age of menarche was recorded.

RESULT(1) Median age at the entry of puberty (age at reaching B2) was 9.83 years (9.33-10.33). Median age at initiation of pubic hair development (PH2) was 10.67 (9.92-11.38) years. Menarche occurred at (12.35 +/- 1.30) years. The age at reaching B2, age at reaching PH2 and age of menarche were all later than that observed in the cross-section study performed in 2003, Guangzhou, China. Peak height velocity (PHV) was reached at (10.52 +/- 1.07) years, 1.00 (0.50-1.50) years after B2 was reached. Interval between "age at onset of breast development" and "age at menarche" was 2.92 (2.08-3.67) years. Duration of pubertal growth (defined as the time from age at B2 to age at which adult height was attained) was (4.80 +/- 0.85) years. (2) Average final adult height (FAH) was (158.74 +/- 5.74) cm. As compared with the cross-section studies held in Guangzhou, China, the FAH in our study was higher than that observed in 1985 but was lower than that observed in 2003. (3) Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the age reaching B2 was an independent factor associated with the age of menarche. (4) Durations of breast stages, interval between B2 and menarche and duration of pubertal growth were similar to that reported in the longitudinal studies in the United Kingdom (1969), Senegal (1995-2000), the United States (1986-1996).

CONCLUSIONIn healthy Cantonese schoolgirls, the timing of sexual maturation was in a trend of decline in the past 20 years, however it may have no significant impacts on the tempo of pubertal development and FAH.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Development ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Puberty ; Sexual Maturation ; Students

OBJECTIVETo investigate penis development in children and adolescents aged 0-16 years, and to plot the percentile curve for penis development in different age groups.

METHODSA total of 3 024 normal male neonates, children, and adolescents aged 0-16 years in Chongqing, China were selected by simple random sampling and stratified cluster sampling. The length and diameter of the penis were measured for all subjects. A descriptive statistical analysis was used to investigate the data characteristics of the penis, and the GAMLSS fitting model was used to plot the percentile curves of P, P, P, P, P, P, and P97 and obtain percentile reference values.

RESULTSThe length and diameter of the penis grew rapidly before the age of 1 year, grew relatively slowly from 1 to 11 years old, and entered a rapid growth period from 11 years old. The length of the penis was positively correlated with its diameter (r=0.961, P<0.01). The percentile reference values of penis length and diameter were obtained and the percentile curve was plotted.

CONCLUSIONSThe growth and development of penis length is consistent with that of penis diameter in male children and adolescents in Chongqing, and 0-1 year and 11-16 years are rapid growth periods of penis length and diameter. The percentile curve of penis length and diameter in children and adolescents aged 0-16 years in Chongqing which has been established will provide a reference for further studies on sexual development in children and adolescents.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Penis ; growth & development ; Sexual Maturation

This study was alone to identify the meaning and the essence of the menopause experience by means of the Colaizzi's phenomenological method. The participants were eight women, 48-60 years old, who were experiencing perimenopause or postmenopause. They were selected using a theoretical sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from April 6 to May 20, 1999. The interviews took from 40 to 90 minutes. Interviews were tape- recorded and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Significant statements from data were extracted. From these formulated meanings, 18 themes, 8 clusters of themes and 3 catagories were constructed. Final descriptions were found to be valid through the interviewee validation process. Essential themes of the menopausal experience which emerged were "coming of change", "inclined to deny the in mind", and "adapted life". Menopause, as coming of change was the turning point in the women's life cycle acompaning changes, in body and mind and marital life changes. Especially, the unpredictable menopausal changes were an opportunity to hide the fact of menopause and not to talk with anybody. Such a phenomenon reflected on the psychological attributes of menopausal woman such as an inclination to deny in the mind. Their experiences of menopause as adapted life were generally regarded as signalling the end of fertility and were interpreted as a natural developmental process that indicates a life transition. In conclusion, participants depicted the menopause as a natural stage in the life cycle. In order to help women have a positive life change and self accomplishment, nurses need to understand the essential themes of the menopausal experience. Thus, the importance of an open approach in eliciting the phenomena of menopause cannot be overemphasized. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that exercise program is one of the effective interventions to improve the self-efficacy and also to lower the fatigue in the sample of female college students.
Climacteric ; Fatigue ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Life Cycle Stages ; Menopause ; Perimenopause ; Postmenopause

OBJECTIVETo analyze the current situation of semenarche in boys aged 11 - 18 of 18 Chinese ethnic minority, and compare the average age of semenarche with Chinese Han boys from the same province or autonomous region.

METHODSThe average age of semenarche in various ethnic minority groups of Chinese boys who participated in 2005 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance were calculated. The sample size of ethnic minority boys was 16 267, and the ethnic minorities were Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, Korean, Zhuang, Miao, Buyi, Dong, Shui, Tujia, Bai, Hani, Dai, Lisu, Wa, Naxi, Li and Tu. The local Han boys semenarche were also surveyed in 2005 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance. Probability unit regression, chi2 test, U test and dynamic clustering were used to calculate and analyze the average age of semenarche.

RESULTSIn the 13 years old group,the percentage of semenarche in Dong was lowest (5.00%, 5/100), while that in Li was the highest (68.35%, 54/79) (P<0.01). In the 14 and 15 years old group,the percentages of semenarche in Shui were the lowest (17.02%, 16/94; 22.83%, 21/92, respectively) (all P values <0.01), while the percentages in Zhuang were the highest (94.33%, 183/194; 98.45%, 191/194, respectively).When reached 18 years old, 97.85% (2137/2184) ethnic minority boys experienced semenarche. The top 3 ethnic minority groups in average age of semenarche were Korean (12.37 years old), Zhuang (13.34 years old) and Naxi (13.36 years old); and the last 3 ethnic minority groups were Shui (16.19 years old), Bai (15.27 years old) and Tu (15.19 years old). The average age of semenarche in Zhuang was 1.34 years earlier than that of Han boys from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region; the average age in Korean was 1.28 years earlier than that of Han boys from Jilin province; and the average ages in Naxi and Dai were 0. 89 years and 0. 17 years earlier than that of Han boys from Yunnan province, respectively (all P values < 0. 01). The cluster analysis indicated that the 18 ethnic minority groups could be classified into two groups: Zhuang, Naxi, Li and Korean were classified into earlier age group of semenarche, and the other 14 ethnic minority groups were belonged to later age group of semenarche.

CONCLUSIONThere was a large variation among different ethnic minority groups in terms of average age of semenarche. The semenarche was earlier in Zhuang, Korean, Naxi, and Dai, compared with local Han boys.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Development ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child ; China ; ethnology ; Humans ; Male ; Minority Groups ; Semen ; Sexual Maturation

Van Wyk-Grumbach Syndrome is an advanced sexual development in association with primary hypothyroidism. The clinical feature in this syndrome is more consistent with stimulation of the FSH receptor by the markedly elevated TSH levels. Treatment of the hypothyroidism results in a rapid return to normal of the biochemical and clinical manifestations. We experienced a case of Van Wyk-Grumbach Syndrome and report with the brief review of related literature.
Hypothyroidism ; Puberty, Precocious ; Receptors, FSH ; Sexual Development

OBJECTIVETo observe the sexual virility of immature immature male mice were divided into a pre-ablactation group (n 10). The first two groups were immunized with the LHRH fusion proportion of pregnant female mice, the morphological and histological examined to conform the emasculating effect of the vaccine. When ted with testosterone (1.0 ml each) , the post-ablactation ones were rameters.

RESULTSThe sexual virility of the immature mice immunized in 3 -4 months.

CONCLUSIONThe LHRH fusion protein vaccine mice after ablactation, and the sexual virility can recover in the pre-ablactation decrease.

Animals ; Antibodies ; metabolism ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pregnancy ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; Sexual Development ; immunology ; Sexual Maturation ; immunology ; Sperm Motility ; Testosterone ; analysis ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; immunology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to address the difference menopausal symptoms according to sasang constitution and menopausal status among perimenopausal women. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study was collected by administering questionnaires that elicited general information. The menopause rating scale (MRS) and Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II) was given to 284 perimenopausal women who met the eligibility criteria and agreed to participate in the study. RESULTS: The study subjects were composed of 27.5% so-yangin, 24.6% so-eumin, 18.7% tae-eumin, and 29.6% undefined category. The total MRS and all subscales were significantly higher for postmenopausal women in comparison to premenopausal women. Especially, so-eumin and tae-eumin displayed significantly higher scores in urogenital symptoms. The MRS score in postmenopausal women who belonged to the group of tae-eumin and so-eumin was significantly higher than those for premenopausal women. However, so-yangin displayed higher scores in psychological and urogenital symptoms than tae-eumin for premenopausal women. So-eumin presented significantly higher scores in urogenital symptoms in comparison to the undefined category for postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that sasang constitution could be an important factor in understanding the woman's menopausal symptoms and identify the best treatment.
Constitution and Bylaws ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Perimenopause ; Postmenopause ; Premenopause ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: Menopause is a life period that involves various somatic and psychological symptoms. Attitudes toward menopause have been influenced by both time and culture, and play a crucial role in experiencing this period. The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean middle-aged women's attitudes toward menopause and to investigate correlations between attitudes toward menopause and menopausal symptoms. METHODS: Thirty-one gynecological patients, 35 psychiatric patients, and 42 normal controls who were middle aged women(40-59 years old) were selected. The attitudes toward menopause was examined. According to menstrual status, premenopause, perimenopause and postmenopause groups were separated and examined. Then, correlations between sociode-mographic factors and attitudes toward menopause, correlations between attitudes toward menopause and 34 menopausal symptoms, and correlations between sociodemographic factors and menopausal symptoms were examined. RESULTS: 1) Overall attitudes toward menopause was neutral. According to treatment group, normal controls showed more positive attitude than gynecological group and showed no significant differences in negative and neutral attitudes. According to menstrual status, there were no significant differences across premenopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause groups. 2) There was positive correlation between pregnancy number and negative attitude. 3) Both gynecological and psychiatric groups showed more menopausal symptoms than normal controls. Psychiatric group showed significantly more symptoms than normal control in all menopausal symptoms. Psychiatric group showed significantly higher score than gynecological group in anxiety, depressive, sleep, and sexual symptoms. Gynecological group revealed significantly more vasomotor symptoms than normal controls. According to menstrual status, postmenopausal group showed significantly more sexual symptom than premenopause group. 4) Education level had negative correlations with somatic symptoms, anxiety, and sleep problems, and showed positive correlations with depression, vasomotor, and psychological symptoms. There was a positive correlation between self-assessment of health status and all of menopausal symptoms. 5) Negative attitudes toward menopause had positive correlations with somatic, anxiety, depressive, and vasomotor symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the method to correct women's negative attitudes toward menopause will be helpful to overcome menopause and to improve menopausal symptoms.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Perimenopause ; Postmenopause ; Pregnancy ; Premenopause ; Self-Assessment

Oocytes retrieval, in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) efficiency are inevitable steps towards in vitro production of embryos. In the present study, these parameters were investigated in the ovaries of prepubertal (n = 31) and pubertal (n = 61) black Bengal goats obtained from a slaughterhouse. Nuclear maturation was evaluated upon aspiration and following IVM in TCM-199 (Earle's salt with L-glutamine and sodium bicarbonate) for 27 h at 39degrees C under 5% CO2 in humidified air. The oocytes retrieval and efficiency (mean +/- SD) per prepubertal and pubertal goats were 5.2 +/- 0.6 and 6.8 +/- 0.6, and 77.3 +/- 0.1% and 80.5 +/- 0.6%, respectively. Anaphase I - telophase I stages differed significantly (7.3 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.2, p < 0.05) between the two groups of goats. After IVM, the percentages of metaphase II were significantly higher (66.3 vs. 60.3, p < 0.05) in pubertal goats than in their prepubertal counterparts. The percentages of normal in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Fert-Tyrode's albumin lactate pyruvate of pubertal goat oocytes did not differ between Percoll and swim-up sperm separation methods (36.7 +/- 0.9% vs. 32.7 +/- 1.3%, p > 0.05). Furthermore, sperm capacitation by heparin alone or in combination with ionomycin did not lead to a significant increase in the normal fertilization rate (34.8 +/- 1.7 vs. 32.2 +/- 1.5%, respectively) in the oocytes of pubertal goats. In conclusion, the ovaries of pubertal black Bengal goats obtained from the slaughterhouse could be used for in vitro embryo production. However, further optimization of the IVM and IVF techniques are necessary for satisfactory in vitro embryo production.
Animals ; Culture Techniques ; Embryonic Development/*physiology ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro/*veterinary ; Goats/*embryology ; Male ; Oocyte Retrieval/veterinary ; Oocytes/*physiology ; Ovary/cytology ; Sexual Maturation ; Sperm Capacitation ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting/veterinary