Final answer:
For puberty to occur, GnRH neurons must release GnRH in specific pulses that result in coordinated increases in FSH and LH, leading to the maturation of gonads and the production of sex hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormonal control of puberty is a complex process that begins with the hypothalamus increasing production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) around the age of eight. This hormone then stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which target the gonads. For puberty to occur, GnRH neurons must secret GnRH in a specific pulse pattern that leads to a properly coordinated release of FSH and LH. This pattern changes as the sensitivity to negative feedback decreases in the hypothalamus and pituitary, while the gonads become more responsive to these hormones. This leads to increased levels of LH and FSH, causing the gonads to enlarge and mature, which subsequently stimulates the production of sex hormones and initiates processes such as spermatogenesis in males and folliculogenesis in females.
Signs of these changes start to become detectable when the production of LH becomes noticeable, typically at night during sleep. The coordinated release of FSH and LH despite the lack of direct contact among GnRH neurons suggests the existence of a timing mechanism that regulates these hormonal pulses. This timing facilitates the gradual increase and maturation necessary for the onset of puberty.