Relationship Between Hair Zinc and Sexual Development in 560 Males Aged 8-15 Years

Objective To study the relationship between hair zinc and sex development in adolescent males.Methods The hair zinc level of 560 males aged 8-15 years in Guiyang are measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS),and the individual sexual development is evaluated.Results The hairzinc level of male is related to age.The hair zinc level of 10 years old or over increased compared with that of 8 or 9 years old.Among sex development indicators,only genital organ is associated with hair zinc level to some extent,the relationship between pubic hair and hairzin level is not significant.No significant relationship is found between hair zinc level and genital organ at phase Ⅲ and pubichair at phaseⅠ and more advanced phase.Conclusion The relationship between sexdevelopment and hair zinc level of adolescent males may be related to the increase of sex hormones and growth hormones in vivo.