Abstract
Animal studies and the limited available experiences in the human have shown that female sex hormones and similarly-acting substances exert profound influences on the brain. This paper reviews the data published to date and some of the assumptions made concerning the physiological and pharmacological significance of these substances. After discussion of uptake, distribution and binding in the central nervous system, the effects of oestrogenic and of progestational compounds on brain mechanisms such as respiration, water, electrolyte and protein metabolism, and enzyme activities, and on neurotransmitters are summarized. An account is then given of the effects of these substances on brain functions, including their effects on ovulation, posture, locomotion, body temperature and respiration, as well as on brain excitability, electrical activity and sleep. Finally, consideration is given to the influences of female sex hormones and of their pharmacological equivalents on sexual and non-sexual behaviour in animals and in man, and on psychic functions in the human. It is concluded that very little of the highly interesting findings is, as yet, applicable for therapeutic medicine, the use of these substances for substitution purposes in cases of deficiency being the only exception.
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Kopera, H. (1980). Female hormones and brain function. In: Hormones and the Brain. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8709-8_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8709-8_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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