Hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in control of female reproductive cycle

Abstract

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from the hypothalamus is pivotal to the regulation of reproductive physiology in vertebrates. The characteristic periodic secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), at the rate of one pulse an hour is essential for the maintenance of the menstrual cycle. These pulses are due to oscillations in the electrical activity of the GnRH pulse generator in the MBH. The GnRH pulse generator is under the influence of an assortment of interactions of multiple neural, hormonal and environmental inputs to the hypothalamus. Hence, a number of conditions such as stress, drug intake, exercise, sleep affect the activity of this pulse generator. Any deviation of normal frequency results in disruption of normal cycle. The cycle can become anovulatory in the hypothalamic lesions and can be restored by exogenous administration of pulsatile GnRH. Of late, studies have shown that pulse generator activity is also maintained by specific metabolic signals meant for energy homeostasis. Studies are in progress to work out cellular basis of GnRH pulse generator's rhythmic activation and role of Ca++ as second messenger for GnRH stimulated gonadotropin release. New concepts are emerging to find the existence of an FSH releasing factor, which independently regulates the activity of FSH.