title: Endothelins in regulating ovarian and oviductal function.
abstract: In the last 30 years, remarkable progress has been made in our understanding of the biological role of endothelins in the regulation of reproductive function and fertility. A peptide hormone identified for its ability to regulate blood pressure has now been shown as a potent mediator of several reproductive pathways. Ligand- and receptor-specific roles have been identified and/or postulated during follicular development and ovulation as well as in the function and regression of the corpus luteum. In this review we have attempted to organize endothelin-mediated ovarian processes in a process-specific manner, rather than compile a review of ligand- or isoform-specific actions. Further, we have included a discussion on "post-ovarian" or oviductal function, as well as the future directions that we believe will increase our understanding of endothelin biology as a whole.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Sciences Graduate Program, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: Jongki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: CheMyong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D003341:Luteolysis / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010057:Oviducts / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins