title: Catecholaminergic regulation of ovarian function in mammals: current concepts.
abstract: A review of the rapidly accumulating data in the literature continues to support the notion that catecholamines regulate ovarian function, and extends the complexity of catecholaminergic effects on the ovary via interactions with pituitary and adrenal hormones. It is clear that catecholamines affect growth and differentiation of ovarian follicles, but their role in follicular rupture during ovulation and in corpus luteum function remains unclear. The effects of catecholamines (mediated by membrane receptors) on ovarian function probably should be considered paracrine but classic endocrine regulation of ovarian function cannot be ruled out. Myogenic tonus of ovarian vasculature appears to be regulated by catecholamines, and estrogens may enhance adrenergic receptors in ovarian smooth muscle cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic