INTRODUCTION .
NEUROENDOCRINE CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION .
HYPOTHALAMIC-HYPOPHYSEAL CIRCULATION .
4. THE HYPOTHALAMUS AND GnRH SECRETION .
5. PHYSIOLOGY OF GONADOTROPIN SURGE .
6. CONTROL OF GnRH PULSES .
7. IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FSH AND LH SIGNAL .
8 GnRH AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS .
9. PHYSIOLOGY OF OVARIAN CYCLE .
10. THE PINEAL GLAND .
11. PUBERTY: ENDOCRINAL CHANGES. .
12.REGULATION OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE .
13. THE TWO-CELL, TWO-GONADOTROPIN SYSTEM .
14. PHYSIOLOGY OF OVULATION .
15.CORPUS LUTEAL FUNCTION .
16. DISORDER OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTION SYSTEM .
INTRODUCTION.
The ovulatory cycle is governed by an elaborate neuroendocrine system involving the brain, adenohypophysis and ovaries and is regulated by complex feedback systems. Internal & external environmental cues are relayed by synaptic transmis sion to hypothalamic neurons that process and transform the neural input into a neurosecretory endocrine outflow. The GnRH neurons, acting as chemoeffector cells liberate their product (GnRH) in a pulsatile fashion into the perivascular space of the pituitary-portal system and thence to the anterior pituitary gonadotrophs that regulate the pituitary production of gonadotropins. During the last few years it has become evident that besides the complicated endocrine system, autocrine and paracrine processes also take part in the complex regulation of ovarian events. Important elements in this regulatory function are played by the opioid system, serotonergic pathways, GnRH, FSH, LH, Activin, inhibin prolactin and sex steroids as well as by many peptide growth promoting, differentiation & inhibitory substances. For some of these peptides there is now evidence for synthesis within the ovary, evidence for specific granulosa cell membrane receptors and evidence for biological action within the ovary.
