Reproductive function in humans changes markedly during life and is usually divided into four stages. During the initial stage, which begins early in fetal life and ends in infancy, gonadotropins and gonadal steroids are secreted at levels similar to those seen in early and mid-adolescence. In the second stage, which lasts from infancy through the first decade of life, reproductive function first regresses and then becomes quiescent. Puberty, the third stage, is heralded by a nocturnal increase in the secretion of gonadotropins and sex steroids. This nocturnal predominance gradually diminishes and disappears during the fourth stage — adulthood. In men, . . .
PMID 3097540 3097540 DOI 10.1056/NEJM198612043152306 10.1056/NEJM198612043152306 Marshall et al. 1986, Marshall 1986
Cite this article
Marshall, J. C., & Kelch, R. P. (1986). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: role of pulsatile secretion in the regulation of reproduction. The New England journal of medicine, 315(23), 1459-1468. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM198612043152306
Marshall JC, Kelch RP. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: role of pulsatile secretion in the regulation of reproduction. N Engl J Med. 1986;315(23):1459-1468. doi:10.1056/NEJM198612043152306
Marshall, John C., and Robert P. Kelch. "Gonadotropin-releasing hormone: role of pulsatile secretion in the regulation of reproduction." The New England journal of medicine, vol. 315, no. 23, 1986, pp. 1459-1468.
To the Editor: In the discussion of biologic differences between male and female fertility (April 6 issue),1 Federman states that women are fertile for only 12 hours each month. Although the egg is viable for 12 hours or less, the window of fertility in women is approximately five to six days in each menstrual cycle,24 depending on the presence of estrogenic cervical mucus that maximizes the storage, survival, and transport of sperm until ovulation.4,5 Dr. Federman replies: Stanford rightly calls attention to the elegant estrogen-dominated events that precede ovulation and that favor passage of sperm through the cervix . . .
reproductive-endocrinology/neuroendocrinology/hypothalamic-pituitary-axiscontraception/oral-contraceptives/metabolic-effects
Open Access
Hormonal contraceptives (HCs) are widely used, yet their effects on emotional and cognitive processes remain poorly understood. This study examined how HC use may influence emotional reactivity, emotion regulation, and emotional memory. Female participants (N = 179), either using HCs (N = 87) or naturally cycling (NC; N = 92), were randomly assigned to one of three groups: no emotion regulation (control), distancing and immersion, or reinterpretation and immersion. The emotion regulation groups completed emotion regulation training in which they viewed emotional images while applying different emotion regulation strategies, followed by a surprise memory test. Overall, HC users showed greater emotional reactivity to emotional images compared to NC participants. Both HC and NC groups successfully applied emotion regulation strategies as measured by changes in emotional affect; however, distancing led to a greater reduction in negative emotions compared to reinterpretation, particularly among HC users. Both HC and NC groups showed better memory for positive images after applying immersion. For negative images, HC users showed reduced memory performance when applying either distancing or reinterpretation, an effect not observed in NC participants. These findings suggest that HC use may influence specific aspects of emotional processing and memory, highlighting the need for more nuanced research on the cognitive and emotional effects of hormonal contraceptives.
reproductive-endocrinology/neuroendocrinology/hypothalamic-pituitary-axis
Open Access
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.
reproductive-endocrinology/neuroendocrinology/hypothalamic-pituitary-axismenstrual-cycle/cycle-disorders/ovulatory-disturbancesmental-health-and-psychosocial/mood-and-the-cycle/hormonal-medication-and-mood
Open Access
Hormones produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-gonadal (HPAG) axis are crucial for modulating central nervous system (CNS) function and development throughout a person's life. Disruptions in HPAG function can impact psychological development, particularly during adolescence-a period marked by psychological growth and the maturation of the HPAG axis. An early indicator of HPAG alterations is ovulatory dysfunction (OD), a common condition among adolescents. This study explored the associations between neuroactive hormones and personal growth in adolescents with OD. Female participants aged 12-25 years with OD were recruited, and assessments were conducted to profile their basic hormonal levels and various dimensions of individual development, including self-concept clarity, sense of coherence, self-esteem, perfectionism, self-control, and mood states. Adolescents with OD (n = 117) had lower self-concept clarity and self-esteem compared to reference data. A significant portion of the sample displayed elevated levels of tension (71.25%), confusion (62.5%), fatigue (58.22%), and depression (52.6%). Self-esteem scores were negatively correlated with DHEAS (r = -0.224; p = 0.026) and glucose (r = -0.249; p = 0.010). Higher levels of free testosterone were associated with increased depression scores (coef = 0.2398; p = 0.002), whereas higher estradiol levels were linked to lower aggressiveness scores (coef = -0.0648; p = 0.001). These findings indicate that hormonal imbalances in adolescents with OD could affect personal growth. Further research is needed to establish causal relationships between the variables considered.