title: Growth hormone and reproduction: a review of endocrine and autocrine/paracrine interactions.
abstract: The somatotropic axis, consisting of growth hormone (GH), hepatic insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and assorted releasing factors, regulates growth and body composition. Axiomatically, since optimal body composition enhances reproductive function, general somatic actions of GH modulate reproductive function. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that GH also modulates reproduction directly, exerting both gonadotropin-dependent and gonadotropin-independent actions in both males and females. Moreover, recent studies indicate GH produced within reproductive tissues differs from pituitary GH in terms of secretion and action. Accordingly, GH is increasingly used as a fertility adjunct in males and females, both humans and nonhumans. This review reconsiders reproductive actions of GH in vertebrates in respect to these new conceptual developments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Bishop's University, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1M 1Z7 ; Centre de Recherche Clinique Etienne-Le Bel, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1H 5N4.
authors.forename: Kerry L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hull
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2R3.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harvey