Reference data for testicular volume measured with ultrasound and pubic hair in Norwegian boys are comparable with Northern European populations

Ninnie Helen Bakken Oehme, Mathieu Roelants, Ingvild Særvold Bruserud, Andre Madsen, Geir Egil Eide, Robert Bjerknes, Karen Rosendahl, Petur B. Juliusson

Aim: To estimate references for testicular volume measured with ultrasound and Tanner stages of pubic hair in Norwegian boys, and to compare the timing of puberty with data from similar populations.

Methods: Testicular volume was derived from ultrasound measurements of testicular volume in a cross-sectional study of 514 healthy boys. A continuous testicular volume for age reference curve was estimated with the LMS method. Tanner stages for pubic hair were clinically assessed in 452 boys. Age references for pubertal milestones were estimated with probit regression.

Results: Puberty onset, defined by an ultrasound testicular volume of 2.7 mL, equivalent to an orchidometer volume of 4 mL, occurred at a mean (SD) age of 11.7 (1.1) years. The reference range was 9.7 (3rd) to 13.7 years (97th percentile). Pubic hair (Tanner stage 2) appeared on average at 11.8 (1.2) years with a corresponding reference range of 9.5-14.1 years.

Conclusion: The references for testicular volume measured with ultrasound are continuous in age and allow for the quantification of pubertal development. The age distribution of reaching pubertal milestones was comparable with data from other Northern European countries.