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Review
. 2017 Oct 24;18(10):2224.
doi: 10.3390/ijms18102224.

Stress and the HPA Axis: Balancing Homeostasis and Fertility

Dana N Joseph  1 , Shannon Whirledge  2
Affiliations
Review

Stress and the HPA Axis: Balancing Homeostasis and Fertility

Dana N Joseph et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

An organism's reproductive fitness is sensitive to the environment, integrating cues of resource availability, ecological factors, and hazards within its habitat. Events that challenge the environment of an organism activate the central stress response system, which is primarily mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The regulatory functions of the HPA axis govern the cardiovascular and metabolic system, immune functions, behavior, and reproduction. Activation of the HPA axis by various stressors primarily inhibits reproductive function and is able to alter fetal development, imparting a biological record of stress experienced in utero. Clinical studies and experimental data indicate that stress signaling can mediate these effects through direct actions in the brain, gonads, and embryonic tissues. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which stress activation of the HPA axis impacts fertility and fetal development.

Keywords: fertility; glucocorticoids; hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; programming; reproduction; stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HPA axis activation by various stressors alters the activity of the HPG axis. HPA-axis: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, FSH: follicle stimulating hormone, LH: luteinzing hormone, GnRH: gonadotropin-releasing hormone, GnIH: gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (Rfrp3).
Figure 2
Figure 2
High levels of glucocorticoids experienced in utero through stress or exogenous administration can cause effects in the organ systems of offspring.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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