SERUM MARKERS OF COLLAGEN-METABOLISM AND SERUM OSTEOCALCIN IN RELATION TO PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT IN 57 BOYS AT 14 YEARS OF AGE

We investigated whether levels of serum collagen markers and serum ost eocalcin are related to pubertal growth and development In a cross-sec tional study of 57 healthy boys al 14 y of age. The lever of the soft tissue marker, serum amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) was higher in boys at Tanner stages G3 versus G2 (p < 0.01). The levels of the markers of bone collagen matrix differed only at a more advanced pubertal stage: the formation markers, carboxy-terminal and amino-terminal propeptides of type I procollagen, and the degradat ion marker, carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were highe r only at stage G4 versus G3 (p < 0.01). The marker oi bone mineraliza tion, serum osteocalcin was also higher only at stage G4 versus G3 (p < 0.01). Stage G4 was associated with the pubertal growth spurt. The r esults demonstrate that pubertal development should be taken into acco unt when serum levels of collagen markers and osteocalcin are evaluate d, and suggest that an increase in serum PIIINP in boys at G3 might pr edict a normal pubertal growth spurt, but the finding remains to be co nfirmed in longitudinal studies.