Effects of sex steroid hormones on the neuroendocrine system.
Estrogen and progesterone are the most important ovarian steroid hormones regulating female fertility. They have a profound effect on the central nervous system. Target functions of sex steroids in the brain are: pituitary and hypothalamic hormone release, thermoregulatory and cardiocirculatory activities and behavior and mood changes. Furthermore, several studies have shown a correlation between brain neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and sex steroid hormones: they influence synthesis and release of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, gonadotropin releasing hormone, beta-endorphin, corticotropin releasing factor and prolactin. Thus, oral hormone contraceptives inhibit the ovulatory process by blocking the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. This inhibitory effect seems to be due to the action of both estrogens and progestins.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Italy.
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Genazzani
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Lucchesi
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Catarsi
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Genazzani
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Petraglia
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000187:drug effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000187:drug effects
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004967:Estrogens; D012701:Serotonin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D011388:Prolactin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine