REGULATION OF REPRODUCTION:

Nerves, Hormones and Target

Tissues
NS + ES = NE

1
Contents
Neuroendocrine mechanism

Classification of hormones

Mechanism of action of hormones

Metabolism of hormones

2
Regulation of Reproduction

Nervous system

Endocrine
system
3
 NEURAL CONTROL
1. Simple Neural Reflexes
Sensory neurons >>> afferent neurons (towards spinal cord) >>>
interneurons (spinal cord) >>> synapse >>> efferent neurons
(leaving spinal cord) >>> neurotransmitter >>> target tissue >>>
excitatory or Inhibitory
2. Neuroendocrine Reflexes
Sensory neurons >>> afferent neurons (towards spinal cord) >>>
interneurons (spinal cord) >>> efferent neurons (leaving spinal
cord) >>> resultantly hypothalamus releases neuro hormone
which effects the target tissues through circulatory system
Example: Milk Ejection Reflex: Stimuli (suckling of teats/
udder stimulation), Neurohormone (oxytocin)
4
Simple Neural and Neuroendocrine reflex

5
Anatomy of
hypothalamus and
pituitary

6
 Schematic Drawing of
Hypothalamic Nuclei and Pituitary

SURGE CENTRE

• Preoptic nuclei (PON)

• Anterior hypothalamic area (AHA)
• Suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN)

TONIC CENTRE
• Ventromedial nuclei
(VMN)
• Arcuate area (ARC)
• Median eminence (ME)

7
 Hypothalamo-
Hypophseal Portal
System

8
Paraventricular nuclei and
posterior lobe of pituitary

9
 ENDOCRINE CONTROL
• Actions are slower but long-lasting (min to
days)
HORMONES
• Gland produced >>> enter into blood >>>
remote tissue >>> change in target tissue
• Act in minute quantity (10-9 to 10-12)
• Changes in target tissue (Metabolism,
synthetic activity & secretory activity)
• Activity >>>> hormone half-life 10
 Positive and Negative feedback
(Controller of Hormone)

-ve feedback = suppression of GnRH neurons

+ve feedback = Stimulation of GnRH neurons

E2 GnRH (surge) LH surge = Ovulation

11
 Classification of Hormones

Source/Origin

Uterine or
Gonadal placental
hormones (E2, hormones
Pituitary P4, Testosteron, (PGF2α, P4,
Hypothalamic
hormones Inhibin, relaxin, E2, eCG,
(FSH, LH, androgens) hCG)
hormones Prolactin)
(GnRH,
Oxytocin)
12
 Neurohormone
(Oxytocin)

Luteolytic hormones Releasing hormones

(PGF2α) (GnRH)

Metabolic
hormones
(Thyroxin, corticoid,
Mode of Gonadotropins
somatotropin) Action (FSH, LH)

Pregnancy maintenance Sexual promotors (E2,

hormones (P4, placental P4, Testosterone)
lactogen)

13
 Biochemical Structures

• Peptides (GnRH, Prolactin,

Relaxin, Oxytocin)
• Glycoprotein (FSH, LH,
Inhibin, Activin, follistatin)
• Steroids: (Testosterone, P4,
E 2)
• Prostaglandins: (PGF2α,
PGE2)

14
Target Tissue Bind Hormones,
Other Tissues do Not

15
Steroid Hormone
Mechanism of
Action

16
Biosynthesis of Steroid
27 carbons
Hormones From
Cytochrome P450
Cholesterol:
Simple view 21 carbons

3β-hydroxysteroid
dehydrogenase & isomerase

21 carbons

17β-hydroxysteroid
dehydrogenase

19 carbons

P450 aromatase

18 carbons 17
Protein Hormones Mechanism of Action

18
 Action of Hormone Depends on:

Pattern
and Receptor-
Receptor
duration Half-life hormone
density
of affinity
secretion

19
 1. Pattern and duration of secretion

• Oxytocin • GnRH (Tonic • Progetserone

• GnRH (surge center)
center)

20
2. Half-life of hormone

Longer the half-life greater the potency

Seconds to days

PGF2α >>>> short half-life

eCG >>>>> long half-life

21
 3. RECEPTOR DENSITY AND
HORMONE RECEPTOR AFFINITY

Function of cell type

Up- or down-regulation

Nutrition and animal condition >>>> receptor number

Higher the receptor ….. Higher the potential

Hormone agonist >>>> same or high biological activity

Hormone antagonist >>>> low activity

22
 STEROID HORMONE
METABOLISM

• Steroid hormone metabolism by Liver

• Eliminated through urine or feaces
• Two ways
1). Saturation of double bond
2). Assembly of conjugated molecule (Sulfate or
glucuronide)

23
24
 Metabolism of Protein Hormone
• Pituitary gonadotropin >>>> short half-life
than other (eCG or hCG)
• Removal of polysaccharides side chains >>>
reduce the half life
• Polysaccharides free gonadotropin ----- bind
liver cells ----- enter ---- degraded in liver
cytoplasm-------eliminated by kidneys

25
 Metabolism of PGF2α
• Cleared by lungs and liver

26
`

27