Inhibin, Activin, and Follistatin in Human Reproductive Physiology

An understanding of the participation of inhibin and activin in the regulation of the ovary and testis has provided illuminating insights into the physiology and pathology of human gonadal function. Rapid progress has been made in both reproductive physiology and possible applications in clinical practice. In addition, the discovery that both inhibin and activin are placental hormones with altered secretion in disease states, such as pre-eclampsia, has proven to be one of the most exciting aspects of work in this area of human biology.This book comprehensively reviews the current state of knowledge in this field, and identifies areas for future work in both clinical and basic research. An understanding of the participation of inhibin and activin in the regulation of the ovary and testis has provided illuminating insights into the physiology and pathology of human gonadal function. Rapid progress has been made in both reproductive physiology and possible applications in clinical practice. In addition, the discovery that both inhibin and activin are placental hormones with altered secretion in disease states, such as pre-eclampsia, has proven to be one of the most exciting aspects of work in this area of human biology. This book comprehensively reviews the current state of knowledge in this field, and identifies areas for future work in both clinical and basic research Reproduction in mammals is controlled by complex systems involving multiple neural, neuroendocrine, endocrine and paracrine cell-cell communication pathways.