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Federación Mexicana de Ginecología y Obstetricia, A.C.

2006, Number 07

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Ginecol Obstet Mex 2006; 74 (07)

How the studies of the reproduction process contributed to the appearance of neuroendocrinology

Zárate A, Saucedo R, Hernández M

Language: Spanish
References: 14
Page: 383-388
PDF size: 297.67 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Geoffrey W. Harris, inspired by Francis H. Marshall, began the experimental studies in order to demonstrate a vascular connection between the hypothalamus and the adenohypophysis, with neuropeptides as messengers. This confirmed his theory that the mechanism consists in that the nerve fibers in the hypothalamus release hormonal substances in the capillaries of the primary plex in the medium eminence, and that these substances are carried by the vessels of the portal circulation to stimulate or inhibit the pars distalis cells of the hypophysis. This theory placed the hypothalamus as the fundamental structure to understand the link between the brain and the hypophysis. Later, it was known the structure of neurohormones, particularly the responsible for producing gonadotrophins. By this way, it was possible to go into the processes involved in reproduction. This was the origin of neuroendocrinology, gestated by investigations made in the reproduction of animals, including man. The purification, sequentiation and synthesis of the hormone that controls the FSH and LH production have allowed to study the physiology and disorders of the neuroendocrine circuit.


REFERENCES

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  3. Marshall FH. Sexual periodicity and the causes which determine it. The Croonian Lecture. Philos Trans R Soc London Ser B 1936;226:423-56.

  4. Marshall FH, Verney EB. The occurrence of ovulation and pseudopregnancy in the rabbit as a result of central nervous stimulation. J Physiol 1936;86:327-36.

  5. Harris GW. The innervation and actions of the neurohypophysis: an investigation using the method of remote-control stimulation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Ser B 1947;232:385-441.

  6. Harris GW, Naftolin F. The hypothalamus and control of the ovulation. Br Med Bull 1970;26:3-9.

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  8. Popa GT, Fielding U. A portal circulation from the pituitary to the hypothalamic region. J Anat 1930;65:88-91.

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  10. Harris GW, Jacobson D. Functional grafts of the anterior pituitary gland. Proc R Soc Lond Ser B 1952;139:263-76.

  11. Saffran M, Schally AV, Benfey BG. Stimulation of the release of corticotropin from the adenohypophysis by a neurohypophysial factor. Endocrinology 1955;57:439-44.

  12. Naftolin F, Harris GW, Bobrow M. Effect of purified luteinizing hormone releasing factor on normal and hypogonadotrophic anosmic men. Nature 1971;232:496-7.

  13. Schally AV, Arimura A, Kastin AJ, Matsuo H, Baba Y. The gonadotrophin releasing hormone: one polypeptide regulates the secretion of luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones. Science 1971;173:1036-8.

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