title: Ovarian function: a theory of relativity.
abstract: Kol and Homburg recently hypothesized in these pages that the change, rather than currently evaluated absolute hormone values, is important for biological processes. We fully agree, but wish, with this communication, to add to their concept: opposing forces, balancing each other, in order to maintain a system's stability, permeates nature. Loss of such equilibrium, in turn, results in systemic malfunctions with, at times, adverse consequences. Extrapolating to Kol and Homburg's hypothesis, this observation would suggest that not only changes in any given hormone carry biological messages, but that final message derives from hormonal ratios between hormones which oppose each other in physiological effects. In full concurrence to Kol and Homburg, this concept could give rise to better diagnosis and treatment of infertility problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. andrea.weghofer@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weghofer
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gleicher
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone