Neuro-humoral control of

reproductive functions
 Control of sexual activity
(immuno-) neuro-humoral system
hierarchical organization:
brain cortex
limbic system
hypothalamus
hypophysis
gonads
• feedback
closed functional circle, autoregulation
 Nerve regulation
internal environment external environment

receptors senses

brain
structures

lumbar
spinal
cord

hypothalamus sex
behavior
- secretions organs
 Nerve regulation
reticular formation – activating and inhibiting
components for CNS
limbic system – control of autonomous functions
(body temperature, hunger, thirst, emotions,
sexual functions), connection with VNS
influence on hypothalamus secretions and
reactivity of the ovaries and uterus
brain cortex – coordinating influence ,
exhausting suppressed during weakening and
inhibition of reproductive functions
Influence of neuroconstitutional type.
Scheme of brain structures
Hormonal regulation
pulsative secretion
average value
amplitude
frequency

feedback
positive – negative
ultrashort – short –
long
neuro – endocrinal
reflex
 Hormones
polypeptides (releasing hormones)
glycoproteins (gonadotrophins)
steroids (hormones of the gonads)
fatty acids (derivates of arachidonic acid –
prostaglandins)
amines (melatonin)
 Hypothalamus
influence of neurotransmitters, opioid
peptides and melatonin
releasing and inhibiting hormones for the
adenohypophysis
for gonadotrophins GnRH, PIF (dopamine?)
front (cyclic) and rear (tonic) sexual center
Hypothalamo-hypophysal portal
blood circulatory system
 Hypothalamo-hypophysal
communication
oxytocin
(vasopresin)

nerve pathways

neurohypophysis
 Adenohypophysis

cell types according to affinity to dyes –

determination of the type of secretion
Influence of RH / IH, neurotransmitters,
testicular / ovarian steroids and peptides

gonadotrophins FSH, LH, (LTH)

• glycoproteins (FSH, LH), biological
half - time 1/2 hod., LTH 7 min.
 Adenohypophysis - males
FSH
Sertoli cells
• estrogens spermatogenesis
• inhibin – suppresses secretion of FSH, regulates
Leydig cells
LH (= ICSH)
Leydig cells androgens
• late phase of spermatogenesis
• sperm maturation in the epididymis
• development and activity of accessory sexual glands
• secondary male characteristics and libido sexualis
 Hormonal
regulation

males
stallion
production of
testosterone in
the semen –
formation of
canals and ducts
of the
epididymis!
Hormonal regulation - males
Adenohypophysis - females
FSH
growth and maturity of follicles – multiplication of
granulosa cells, formation of theca, with LH
estrogens
LH
maturity and follicle ovulation, luteinization of the
follicle wall , formation of CL, secretion of
progesterone
LTH (prolactin)
lactogenesis and lactopoesis, in some species
(sheep, rabbit, rat, mouse) - retention of CL and
production of progesterone
production and mutual secondary specific relationships
mare cow
Extrahypophysal gonadotrophins

eCG (PMSG) - mare

- combined effectiveness of FSH and LH,
biological half-time 30 hours, endometrial
cups accessory CL
hCG - woman
- effectiveness of LH, placenta

diagnosis of pregnancy, treatment

 Ovaries - estrogens
estradiol, estron, estriol

follicles (granulosis, theca interna)

placenta
partial ovarian interstitium

feedback for the hypothalamus and

hypophysis
 Estrogens
specific enzymes proliferation of
cells, capillary expansion, anabolic
progression of mineral and water
metabolism….

development of the secretionary sexual

tract, secondary sexual signs, mammary
glands, sexual behavior, cyclical changes
in the sex organs
 Ovaries - gestagens
progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone

yellow body (corpus luteum)

placenta
adrenal cortex

completion of changes induced by estrogens,

ovulation, origination and preservation of
pregnancy, mammary gland, maternal instinct

feedback for the hypothalamus

mare cow
ewe sow
bitch
 Ovaries - androgens
testosterone, dihydrotestosterone

theca interna
ovarian interstitium(?)

low concentration
Graafian follicles, cellular metabolism ...

all steroids (binding on transport proteins)

 Ovaries - relaxin
polypeptide

CL graviditatis toward the end of

pregnancy

relaxing of the birth canals

(pelvic symphysis, sacrolumbar joint,
cervix, pelvic ligaments)
Ovaries – inhibins and activins
„growth factors“
follicular fluid
inhibition / stimulation of FSH secretions
by the adenohypophysis
follistatin – inhibin and simultaneous
binding and neutralization of activins
autocrine and paracrine function
regulation of follicular growth waves
Prostaglandins - PgF2 , PgE
Uterine mucous membrane (influence of
estrogens)
placenta (+ other tissues)
regression of CL
birth
tensing of the uterus (direct + ↑ oxytocin)
production of progesterone in the placenta
and adrenal glands
follicle ovulation and development of CL
 Countercurrent multiplication
system
estrogen?
?
endometrium
PGF2 / PGE

CL
oxytocin

endometrium
PGF2

CL - regression
Seasonality

longer light

pineal body
melatonin

hypothalamus
GnRH
Eq -
Ov, Cp -
 Hormonal
regulation
and
energy
metabolism

IGF – synergy with

gonadotrophins?

Noakes et al.
 Literature used
Hafez, E.S.E., Hafez, B. (2000):
Reproduction in Farm Animals. Lippincott,
Philadelphia, 7th ed., pp.509;
Noakes et.al.(2001): Arthur‘s Veterinary
Reproduction and Obstetrics. Saunders,
London, 8th ed., pp.868.