Elevated serum IGF-I, but unaltered sex steroid levels, in Healthy Boys with Pubertal Gynaecomastia

Pubertal gynaecomastia is a very common condition. Although the underlying etiology is poorly understood, it is generally accepted that excess of estrogens and/or deficit of androgens are involved in the pathogenesis. Furthermore, adiposity as well as the GH/IGF-I axis may play a role. In the present study we elucidate the association of adiposity and levels of FSH, LH, SHBG, testosterone, E2, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 with the presence of pubertal gynaecomastia in a large cohort of healthy boys.