Clinical significance of reproductive hormones

Publication date: May–June 2018Source: Current Medicine Research and Practice, Volume 8, Issue 3Author(s): Anjali Manocha, Mamta Kankra, Parul Singla, Anisha Sharma, Ashok K. Ahirwar, Seema BhargavaAbstractThough a topic of speculation since the early ages, the true nature, mechanisms and functions of the reproductive hormones have been understood only fairly recently. The earliest known description was in the Sushruta in 1400 BCE, but it was not till the 17th century that the physiological processes involved started becoming lucid. Another few decades passed before experiments revealed the mechanism of action of these hormones. The reproductive hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland as well as the gonads, and include both steroid and peptide hormones. It was elucidated that these reproductive hormones act through receptors whereby they alter transcriptional activation of target genes. Prolactin and the gonadotropin hormones i.e. Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone are released from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. The major gonadal hormones include Estrogen, Progesterone and Testerosterone and the placental hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. Recently, the Anti-Mullerian Hormone has been included as a unique marker of gonadal function. Testing of these hormones provides significant insight into the underlying pathology and can thus be highly useful in aiding clinical decisions; however, interpreting the results can be challenging...

Source: Current Medicine Research and Practice - July 5, 2018 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research