The control of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone pulse generator in relation to opioid and nutritional cues.
Human fertility is ultimately dependent upon the regular pulsatile release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamic neurons. The GnRH pulse generator is subject to modulation by a variety of substances, some of which reflect the individual's metabolic status. Endogenous opioids exert a tonic inhibitory effect on GnRH release; this opioid inhibition is dependent upon the gonadal steroid milieu, and may play a role in the initiation of the mid-cycle luteinizing hormone surge. Putative metabolic signals also influence the GnRH pulse generator, and after performing a cross-sectional hormonal and metabolic analysis of amenorrhoeic athletes, we propose that insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) is such a signal and may play a role in the initiation of puberty.
Jenkins
P J
PJ
Department of Endocrinology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.
Grossman
A
A
D000818:Animals; D004723:Endorphins / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity
D004723:Endorphins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone