Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis
(Redirected from Ovarian suppression)
.svg)
Hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis (HPG axis) refers collectively to the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads (ovaries in females, testes in males) as a single interconnected endocrine system. This functional axis plays a crucial role in regulating reproduction, development, growth, and aging.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
The HPG axis comprises three main components:
- Hypothalamus: Contains specialized neurons that produce and secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
- Anterior pituitary gland: Responds to GnRH by secreting two key hormones:
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Gonads: Includes ovaries (in females) and testes (in males), which respond to LH and FSH by producing sex hormones:
- Estrogen and progesterone in females
- Testosterone in males
Physiological Roles[edit | edit source]
The HPG axis controls numerous physiological processes, including:
- Development of reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics
- Regulation of menstrual cycle and ovulation in females
- Spermatogenesis and sexual behavior in males
- Influence on immune function and systemic metabolic processes
- Modulation of aging and overall endocrine health
Hormonal Regulation[edit | edit source]
Hormonal regulation occurs through a tightly controlled feedback loop:
- The hypothalamus secretes GnRH.
- GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release LH and FSH.
- LH and FSH stimulate the gonads to produce sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone).
- Rising levels of these sex hormones provide negative feedback to both the hypothalamus and pituitary, controlling further release of GnRH, LH, and FSH.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
Abnormalities or disruptions in the HPG axis can result in:
- Disorders of sexual development and fertility
- Hormonal imbalances such as hypogonadism or precocious puberty
- Menstrual irregularities and infertility
- Systemic issues related to immune and metabolic dysfunction
Understanding the HPG axis is essential in clinical fields including endocrinology, reproductive medicine, and developmental biology.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
