Studies Show Certain Chemicals in Everyday Items May Trigger Early Puberty in Girls

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Research indicates that specific compounds found in fragrances and personal care products can activate signaling pathway in human cells, potentially leading to early puberty, according to information shared by the National Institues of Health (NIH) today. This highlights the need for further investigation into these chemicals in humans.

Recent data reveals a notable increase in early puberty among girls, defined as onset before age 8. This condition can result in social challenges and increased risks for health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer.

Researchers suspect that endocrine-disrupting chemicals—natural or synthetic substances that interfere with hormonal activity—may contribute to this trend. The hormonal cascade that triggers puberty begins in the hypothalamus and involves receptors like gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) and kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R).

To explore the effects of these chemicals, NIH scientists Drs. Menghang Xia and Natalie Shaw used engineered human cell lines to test around 10,000 compounds, including those found in everyday products. Their findings, published on August 27, 2024, in Endocrinology, revealed several compounds capable of activating GnRHR and KISS1R.

One compound of interest, musk ambrette, often found in soaps, detergents and other fragrances, was shown to activate KISS1R in laboratory tests. When zebrafish embryos were treated with musk ambrette, the resulting larvae had a larger brain area responsible for hormone release compared to unexposed larvae.

“More research is needed to confirm our findings,” Shaw notes. “But the ability of these compounds to stimulate key receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary raises the possibility that exposure may prematurely activate the reproductive axis in children.”

The full NIH press release can be found here.