Hormones' impact on physiological and behavioral processes in fertility
Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Effect of hormones on the physiological and behavior processes that influences fertility
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
Abdul Wahid Shah
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Effect of hormones on the physiological and behavior processes that influences fertility
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
Doi: 10.20959/wjpr20121-8604
Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The chapter provides an in-depth examination of hormones and their pivotal roles in mediating the physiological and behavioral processes that influence human fertility. It outlines various stages of life and how hormone secretion shifts significantly over the lifespan, impacting reproductive physiology and behavior in both males and females. From early prenatal hormone activity to changes during puberty and aging, the chapter elaborates on the complex interplay of reproductive hormones and modulating factors such as stress, lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures.
Hormonal Regulation of the Reproductive Axis
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis plays a central role in regulating reproductive function. The hypothalamus, located at the brain's base, produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which travels to the anterior pituitary to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones govern testicular and ovarian functions in males and females, respectively. In males, LH stimulates testosterone production, while FSH supports spermatogenesis. In females, FSH promotes follicular growth and estrogen production, and LH triggers ovulation. The chapter emphasizes the pulsatile nature of hormone secretion and its implications for measuring hormone levels in demographic studies.
Behavioral Regulation by Reproductive Hormones
Reproductive hormones profoundly influence sexual behavior, with defined impacts on attractiveness, desire, arousal, and orgasm. In males, testosterone is crucial for maintaining sexual interest and activity, evidenced by rapid declines in these behaviors following castration and restoration with testosterone replacement. Female sexual behavior is influenced more complexly by both estrogens and androgens, with noticeable cyclic changes in sexual desire correlating with hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. Although hormones modulate sexual behavior, external social and environmental factors also play significant roles.
Hormonal Changes Throughout the Lifespan
From embryonic development to aging, hormonal changes have profound effects on reproductive physiology and behavior. During prenatal development, early high levels of hormones set the stage for adult reproductive function. With aging, males experience gradual declines in hormone levels, leading to reduced sexual activity, whereas females undergo marked hormonal changes during menopause, significantly impacting fertility, sexual desire, and overall reproductive health. Life events, including stress and nutritional status, further influence these hormonal dynamics, profoundly affecting reproductive outcomes.
Conclusion
Understanding the multifaceted roles of hormones in regulating reproductive physiology and behavior necessitates an integrated approach combining demographic and biomedical research. Large-scale demographic studies paired with detailed biomedical investigations can clarify how hormonal variations affect reproductive health and behavior. Enhanced collaboration between these fields can lead to more nuanced insights, ultimately advancing our knowledge of fertility and reproductive health.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are the primary hormones affecting fertility?
Primary hormones affecting fertility include luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones regulate reproductive functions like ovulation, spermatogenesis, and sexual behavior.
How does stress impact reproductive function?
Stress impacts reproductive function by altering neural inputs to GnRH neurons, suppressing GnRH secretion, which reduces LH and FSH levels. This suppression impairs ovarian and testicular functions, affecting fertility and sexual behavior.
What changes in hormones occur during menopause?
During menopause, there is a gradual decline in ovarian hormone production, resulting in decreased levels of estradiol and progesterone, which leads to cessation of menstrual cycles and various physiological changes like hot flashes and bone density loss.
How does testosterone affect male sexual behavior?
In males, testosterone stimulates secondary sexual characteristics like increased muscle mass, deepened voice, and hair patterns. It also has a critical role in maintaining sexual desire and erectile function, with castration or reduced testosterone leading to diminished sexual activity.
How are reproductive hormones measured in large studies?
Reproductive hormones can be measured in large studies using easily obtainable fluids like saliva and urine. Saliva reflects free hormone levels, and urine can measure both gonadotropin metabolites and steroid hormones, useful in remote field studies.
Do phytoestrogens affect reproductive function?
Phytoestrogens, found in food like soy, can potentially affect reproductive function by acting as either estrogen agonists or antagonists. Although more significant in certain cultures, their impact on physiology requires further research.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Hormones' impact on physiological and behavioral processes in fertility”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Activity:
Activity in the context of reproductive hormones refers to the broad range of physiological and behavioral processes influenced by these hormones. This includes changes in gonadotropin secretion, sexual behavior, and response to environmental stress, all of which can impact fertility and reproductive outcomes.
2) Desire:
Desire relates to sexual desire, a key behavior influenced by reproductive hormones. The text explores how hormones like testosterone and estrogen can modulate sexual desire in both genders, affecting elements like libido and initiation of sexual behavior.
3) Blood:
Blood is crucial for monitoring reproductive hormones as they are secreted into the bloodstream. Measurements in blood samples are essential for understanding hormone levels, although hormonal fluctuations pose challenges in large-scale population studies.
4) Cancer:
Cancer in this context is linked to concerns about hormone exposure, including phytoestrogens and exogenous steroids, which could influence the risk of reproductive tumors such as breast, testicular, and prostate cancer by providing trophic support to these tissues.
5) Zoology:
Zoology is relevant because the author, Abdul Wahid Shah, is affiliated with the Department of Zoology. Studies in animal models, such as rodents and primates, offer valuable insights into understanding human reproductive physiology and behavior.
6) Accumulation (Accumulating, Accumulate):
Accumulating is used in the sense of gathering evidence. The text discusses accumulating evidence indicating that hormones modulate sexual desire and other aspects of reproductive behavior, although this area still requires extensive research to fully understand the mechanisms involved.
7) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the detailed examination and synthesis of knowledge about the impact of reproductive hormones on physiology and behavior. This includes reviewing research studies, analyzing findings, and proposing future research directions.
8) Depression:
Depression is mentioned as a psychosocial stressor that can influence reproductive physiology and behavior. Hormone levels and sexual function can be affected in patients with depression, and their treatment might impact neural inputs into GnRH neurons.
9) Flavonoid:
Flavonoid is relevant in the discussion about phytoestrogens, which are naturally occurring compounds found in foods like soy. These compounds can mimic or antagonize estrogen, affecting reproductive physiology and potentially influencing disease risk.
10) Anxiety:
Anxiety is another form of psychosocial stress that can impact reproductive function. Changes in sexual behavior and hormone secretion are noted in patients with anxiety disorders, which may affect neural inputs into GnRH neurons.
11) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the scientific methodologies and studies underlying our understanding of reproductive hormones. The text encompasses fields like endocrinology, neurology, and demography to elucidate complex hormonal influences on reproduction.
12) Reason:
Reason in this context refers to the logical basis for certain findings or hypotheses. For example, the study discusses that decreased food availability can impact the timing of puberty, suggesting a reason why certain life events influence reproductive hormones.
13) Water:
Water balance is one of the homeostatic functions regulated by the hypothalamus, which also controls the reproductive axis. This illustrates the hypothalamus's broader role in maintaining various physiological processes alongside reproduction.
14) Diet:
Diet is significant as nutritional status can influence reproductive hormone levels and timing of puberty. Phytoestrogens in foods like soy can affect estrogenic activity, highlighting the impact of dietary components on reproductive health.
15) Rice (Ṛce):
Rice is mentioned in the context of phytoestrogen exposure from food sources. The consumption of phytoestrogens like those found in rice might affect reproductive physiology, emphasizing the role of diet in hormone regulation.
16) Fear:
Fear, particularly the fear of pregnancy, can influence sexual behavior. The text discusses that reliable contraception can reduce this fear and potentially increase sexual activity, illustrating the psychological interplay with reproductive hormones.
17) Hand:
Hand is not explicitly mentioned in the text but could be inferred in contexts like handling of samples, particularly in the collection and storage of saliva or urine for hormone measurement in field studies.
18) Milk:
Milk production is influenced by reproductive hormones. Estrogen plays an essential role during pregnancy and lactation, stimulating breast development and milk production, thus linking hormonal changes to critical reproductive functions.
19) Post:
Post is short for
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Hormones' impact on physiological and behavioral processes in fertility’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Physiological processes, Menstrual cycle, Individual difference, Environmental factor, Sexual behavior, Phytoestrogen, Reproductive hormones, Women's health, Cervical mucus, Spermatogenesis, Menarche, Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone, Psychosocial stress, Menopause, Hormonal fluctuation, Sexual differentiation, Follicular phase, Hot flashes, Hormonal level, Testosterone replacement therapy, Physiological response, Testosterone Level, Prenatal development, Endocrine organ, Cardiovascular health, Secondary sexual characteristics, Estrogen therapy, Behavioral processes, Estrogen replacement therapy, Corpus luteum, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Progesterone receptor, Hormonal change, Luteal Phase, Testosterone synthesis, Reproductive physiology, Oral contraceptive, Biomedical studies, Endurance training, Negative feedback, Salivary samples, Gonadotropin secretion, Gonadal steroid hormones, Sexual maturation, Childhood experience, Hormone level, Neurotransmitter system, Aging effect, Gonadotropin.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.
Primary sexual differences, Secondary sexual differences, Breeding season, Global scale.