HSB would like to purchase the data from the University after it has been collected.HSB would like to increase the amount of FY06 funds to increase the number of questionnaires (from 10,700 to 11,800) and the amount of work associated with pulling and shipping biologic samples from the University of Bristol to the NCEH lab for analysis.

In addition to the Tanner Scale questionnaire, from 2005, ALSPAC will supply biological samples; namely 150 maternal bloods, 150 maternal urines and 300 cord blood samples. This will be at an additional cost of $22,728 for 2007; $16,387 for 2008.

Background: The onset of puberty is difficult to ascertain using Tanner stages, which are subjective in nature. Especially when Tanner stages are self-reported by pre-teen children, questions of accuracy arise. The transition into puberty - represented by entry into Tanner Stage 2 - is especially difficult to determine. Since the outward sign of development reflect underlying changes in concentrations of reproductive hormones, an alternative method of detecting progression into puberty is to examine concentrations of relevant hormones. In pre-pubertal boys, testosterone levels are close of 0 nmol/L. It is only with the onset of puberty that blood concentrations rise and a distinctive pattern develops (Albertsson-Wikland 1997).

Purpose: Many of the boys in the study cohort have completed questionnaires indicating that they had reached puberty (Tanner Stage 2 or higher) as early as age 8. Using the blood hormone concentration, we will compare the self-reported pubertal stage to a more objective measure.

Description: We will examine testosterone concentrations measured by University of Bristol in 1000 (in total) previously collected blood samples of boys aged 7 through 10. Costs of this are included in Modified Line 005.

This sole-source contract is for the data collected during 2004 - 2008.