Specific chemical agents that are present in the environment have been identified to cause stimulation of segments of the brain that control sexual activity. This, they say, can cause the girls to develop early puberty symptoms. Still, there are some of the fragrances that were banned by the European Union including Musk which is one of the common fragrances. Nonetheless, it can be found pretty much everywhere in the world.

The onset of menstruation and physical development of females have even gone down in the recent years as seen in this research. Whereas such issues as racial and socioeconomic inequalities have been said to be at the root of the problem, scientists argue that genetics is not fully to blame given that the problem is now a global one.

puberty
Image Source: Dr. Smita Ramachandran

It has been difficult to identify the causes of the problem because results have been coming in negative. So researchers from the US National Institutes of Health and North Western University targeted only network of neurons in hypothalamus which is associated with regulating the onset of puberty.

Oestrogen is secreted by ovaries and testes secrete testosterone this after GnRH neurons inform the pituitary gland to issue out chemical signals. There is a neuropeptide called kisspeptin which is believed to be involved in the occurrence of the above process.

The researchers then moved on to determine how different substances affected the cells’ GnRH and kisspeptin outputs. Cohen and Pecare investigated through about ten thousand various types of products, said in an EPA library.

Where is musk used?

Out of all the agonists Musk ambrette was identified to be an agonist of kisspeptin. This additive is often used in body lotions and other products that people apply on their skin or which they bring close to their body such as perfumes. America’s E. P. A. , Europe’s E. U banned it in the 1990s due to its neurotoxicity impact in rats. Although, it can still be located widespread within the many nations of the world such as India and china.

It does not degrade and therefore can be present in the environment and is a major concern of the compound with regard to the various studies done on it, some of which are quite old.

More experiments revealed that musk ambrette possesses the ability to stimulate different areas of the brain and make them to issue messages that might lead to early onset of puberty.

The study further indicates that early puberty is a major issue since it leads to increased chances of having psychological issues, cardiovascular issues as well as breast cancer.

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