Serum zinc concentrations in adolescents as related to sexual maturation.

Zinc status and sexual maturity rating (SMR) were evaluated in 108 male and 97 female adolescents. Each subject was assigned an SMR number according to Tanner's classification (SMR 1, prepubertal development; SMR 2, first visible signs of pubertal change; SMR 3, onset of growth spurt; SMR 4, period of rapid, but lessening development; SMR 5, adult development). Males at SMR 5 had higher (P less than 0.05) serum Zn levels than those at less mature stages; females at SMR 5 had higher (P less than 0.05) serum Zn levels than those at SMR 1 and 2. Serum Zn concentrations in post-menarcheal females were greater (P less than 0.05) than in premenarcheal females. The results suggest that level of sexual maturation should be evaluated as a factor in the assessment of adolescent serum Zn concentrations.