Circadian rhythms in gonadotropin excretion in prepubertal and pubertal children.

Timed urinary collections were obtained during sleep and waking hours from 27 prepubertal children ranging in age from 2-12 years and from 13 subjects in various stages of puberty, 12-18 years old. The urine samples were extracted with acetone and introduced into FSH and LH radioimmunoassays. Results of the study indicate a significant nocturnal augmentation of LH secretion in pubertal subjects, confirming existing reports using blood sampling techniques. Increased LH and FSH excretion during sleep was also found in prepubertal children.