title: Influence of stress-induced intermediates on gonadotropin gene expression in gonadotrope cells.
abstract: Despite extensive investigation, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms whereby stress impacts fertility remains elusive. Since the 1930s, when Hans Selye popularized studying adaptations to stress (Selye, 1937), we have learned that compensatory mechanisms involve a complex interplay of neural and hormonal processes that allow various body functions to adjust to stress, in a coordinated manner. In terms of reproduction, the adjustment to a stressor interferes with integrated functioning at multiple levels of regulation--the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, gonads, and neural centers coordinating behavior. Various mediators are postulated to participate in reproductive suppression. These include catecholamines, cytokines, prostaglandins, endogenous opioid peptides, and hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This review focuses on one class of mediators, the glucocorticoids, and provides our views on the relevance and mode of action of this inhibitory intermediate within the anterior pituitary gonadotrope, as a potential cellular site whereby glucocorticoids contribute to stress-induced reproductive suppression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0674, United States. Electronic address: kbchurch@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Kellie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Breen
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine and Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0674, United States.
authors.forename: Pamela L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Mellon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D052681:Gonadotrophs / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Follicle-stimulating hormone; Glucocorticoids; Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; Luteinizing hormone; Pituitary