Gonadarche

Gonadarche (/ˌɡoʊnəˈdɑːrki/) refers to the earliest gonadal changes of puberty.^[1] In response to pituitary gonadotropins, the ovaries in girls and the testes in boys begin to grow and increase the production of the sex steroids, especially estradiol and testosterone.

In boys, testicular enlargement is the first physical sign of gonadarche, and usually of puberty.
In girls, ovarian growth cannot be directly seen, so thelarche and growth acceleration are usually the first evidence of gonadarche.

Gonadarche should be contrasted with adrenarche. Gonadarche indicates that true central puberty has begun, while adrenarche is an independent maturational process only loosely associated with complete puberty.

References

↑ Weiner, Irving B.; Freedheim, Donald K.; Schinka, John A.; Velicer, Wayne F.; Lerner, Richard M. (2003). Handbook of Psychology. John Wiley and Sons. p. 298. ISBN 0-471-38405-4.

Human physiology and endocrinology of sexual reproduction

Menstrual and estrous cycle	Menarche Menstruation Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase

Gametogenesis	Spermatogenesis (spermatogonium spermatocyte spermatid sperm) Oogenesis (oogonium oocyte ootid ovum) Germ cell (gonocyte gamete)

Human sexual behavior	Sexual intercourse Masturbation Erection Orgasm Ejaculation Insemination Fertilisation/Fertility Implantation Pregnancy Postpartum period Mechanics of sex

Life span	Prenatal development/Sexual dimorphism/Sexual differentiation (Feminization Virilization) Puberty (Gonadarche Pubarche Menarche Adrenarche) Maternal age / Paternal age Climacteric (Menopause Andropause)

Egg	Ovum Oviposition Oviparity Ovoviviparity Vivipary

Reproductive endocrinology and infertility	Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis Andrology Hormone

Breast	Thelarche Breast development Lactation Breastfeeding

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