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Estrogens Modulation of Neuroendocrine Functions in Postmenopause

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Women’s Health in Menopause

Part of the book series: Medical Science Symposia Series ((MSSS,volume 7))

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Abstract

Gonadal steroids play an important role in the regulation of neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the reproductive function. In particular, through a feedback mechanism, they act on the synthesis and release of hypothalamic gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) and/or pituitary gonadotropic hormones (luteinizing hormone [LH] and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH]. Endogenous opioid peptides (EOP) represent one of the key factors mediating the activity of sex steroids on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Several data, both in animals and humans, indicate that the EOPs play a role in the feedback effect exerted by sex steroids on GnRH secretion. In particular, these peptides control the secretion of LH by inhibiting the hypothalamic GnRH release. Moreover, since EOPs modulate the activity of other neuronal pathways (GABAergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, serotoninergic, and cholinergic pathways), they are involved also in sexual behavior, thermoregulation, memory, feeding, pain, and immune response. Therefore a variety of central functions appear to be influenced by gonadal steroids, opioids, and neurotransmitters.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, 41100, Modena, Italy

    Alessandro D. Genazzani, Mario Gastaldi, Andrea Gallinelli, Elisabetta Esposito, Felice Petraglia & Andrea R. Genazzani

Authors
  1. Alessandro D. Genazzani
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  2. Mario Gastaldi
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  3. Andrea Gallinelli
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  4. Elisabetta Esposito
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  5. Felice Petraglia
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  6. Andrea R. Genazzani
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    P. G. Crosignani

  2. Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    R. Paoletti

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    P. M. Sarrel

  4. Department of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    N. K. Wenger

  5. Clinica Menopausa, Milan, Italy

    M. Meschia (Assistant Editor) (Assistant Editor)

  6. Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    M. Soma (Assistant Editor) (Assistant Editor)

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© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Genazzani, A.D., Gastaldi, M., Gallinelli, A., Esposito, E., Petraglia, F., Genazzani, A.R. (1994). Estrogens Modulation of Neuroendocrine Functions in Postmenopause. In: Crosignani, P.G., Paoletti, R., Sarrel, P.M., Wenger, N.K., Meschia, M., Soma, M. (eds) Women’s Health in Menopause. Medical Science Symposia Series, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1024-2_25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-1024-2_25

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-4446-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-1024-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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