Endocrinology of infertility

The female and male reproductive systems share many similarities. Both are modulated by the effects of various hormones. Some of these include gonadotropin-releasing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Likewise, endocrine abnormalities in both females and males can result in reproductive system dysfunction. Among females, progesterone deficiency may cause infertility. In males, sterility can result from insufficient gonadotropins.

Human reproduction requires the complex interplay of multiple anatomic and physiologic systems. Various interactions between the central nervous system and the gonads determine the levels of various hormones. These endocrine signals provide a mechanism by which different reproductive system processes are controlled and coordinated.

The primary female reproductive organs include the vagina, the uterus, the uterine tubes, and the ovaries. The vagina is a tubular anatomic structure. It leads from the external genitalia to the muscular uterus. The uterus is approximately triangular in shape. At one end, it protrudes into the posterior wall of the vagina to form the uterine cervix. At the other end, uterine tubes extend from each of the two superior corners. The uterine tubes curve laterally and posteriorly around the wall of the pelvic cavity. Eventually, the tubes come in contact with the ovaries: One ovary is associated with the distal opening of each uterine tube (1:6

Related Essays

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) .... is usually found accidentally during a vaginal ultrasound investigating infertility. .... from several fields, such as pediatrics, endocrinology, radiology, urology .... (2538 10 )

Effects of Leptin .... that ob/ob mice have hyperinsulinemia, corticosterone excess, and infertility which are .... The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 84(3), 1072-1076. .... (6238 25 )

m depends on gonadotropic support. If a fertilized ovum does not implant, progesterone levels will begin to wane approximately halfway through the luteal phase. Eventually, the corpus luteum will involute and rapidly declining levels of both estrogen and progesterone will cause menstruation to occur. If, however, implantation does occur, the corpus luteum will continue to grow and secrete hormones. The structure's viability is maintained by chorionic gonadotropin--a hormone secreted by the developing fetal tissues (1:633). The principal male reproductive organs include the testis, the epididymis, the vas deferens, the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, and the penis. The sperm are formed within the testis. The testis' interstitial cells of Leydig also secrete the male sex hormone, testosterone. The epididymis consists of a system of coiled tubes connecting the testis and the vas deferens. As sperm pass through the epididymis, they gradually mature. The vas deferens stores sperm. Its enlarged upper end forms the ampulla. Two secretory male reproductive organs include a pair of seminal vesicles and the prostate gland. Each seminal vesicle consists of a coiled tubular gland. This organ secretes a viscid seminal fluid

Category: Medical - E