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The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis

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Amenorrhea

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

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The hypothalamic-pituitary unit is the most evolutionarily conserved brain ­structure. It is responsible for integrating incoming information from the external (e.g., light, pain, temperature, smell) and internal environment (e.g., blood pressure, blood glucose, blood osmolality) and maintaining physiological homeostasis by coordinating endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses. In addition to preserving physiological homeostasis, the hypothalamic-pituitary axis synchronizes neuroendocrine physiology essential for ovarian physiology and reproduction. Key hormones responsible for hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis competency and reproductive success include gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, progesterone, inhibin, activin, and follistatin. While the hypothalamic-pituitary axis is important for homeostasis, this chapter will primarily describe the role of HPG axis in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Women’s Health and Domnick Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus, 1211 Ullmann Building, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Genevieve Neal-Perry

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  1. Cary Dicken
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  2. Marie Menke
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  3. Genevieve Neal-Perry
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Correspondence to Genevieve Neal-Perry .

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  1. , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Denver School of, Academic Office Building 1, Room 4010, Aurora, 80045, Colorado, USA

    Nanette F. Santoro

  2. , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Ullman 1211, Bronx, 10461, New York, USA

    Genevieve Neal-Perry

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Dicken, C., Menke, M., Neal-Perry, G. (2010). The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis. In: Santoro, N., Neal-Perry, G. (eds) Amenorrhea. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-864-5_1

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