Other Ovarian Hormones

  • Testosterone:
    • Small amount produced; importance uncertain
    • ovarian androgen production increased during certain pathological states (hirsuitism and amenorrhea)

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  •  Inhibin and Activin
    • peptides: multi-dimeric forms
    • a,b subunits
      • ab subunit combination (inhibin): inhibits FSH secretion
      • bb subunit combination (activin): promotes emphasize secretion
    • physiological roles: not fully elucidated

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  • Relaxin:
    • Peptide related to growth-promoting peptides; similar to insulin
    • Localization: ovary, blood, uterus, placenta
    • Relaxin synthesis: corpus luteal leutinizing granulosa cells
    • Physiological effects:
      •  decrease uterine contractility
      •  increase glycogen synthesis/water uptake by myometrium
      •  changes mechanical characteristics of pubic ligaments/cervix, promoting delivery

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Primary Reference: Goldfien, A., The Gonadal Hormones and Inhibitors, in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, (Katzung, B. G., ed) Appleton-Lange, 1998, pp 653-680.
Carr, B. R. and Bradshaw, K.D, Disorders of the Ovary and Female Reproductive Tract , In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 14th edition, (Isselbacher, K.J., Braunwald, E., Wilson, J.D., Martin, J.B., Fauci, A.S. and Kasper, D.L., eds) McGraw-Hill, Inc (Health Professions Division), 1998, pp 2097-2115.