Abstract
The gametogenic and steroidogenic functions of the ovary and testis are both well known and extensively studied in a number of species including primates. Besides sustaining the growth and secretory activity of the accessory sex organs, the gonadal steroids also exert important positive and negative feedback effects on pituitary gonadotropin secretion in both sexes. The suggestion that the testis (gonads) may also secrete additional hormonal factors that are soluble in aqueous solutions and different from steroids, was made a long time ago. It was further suggested that this factor(s) may be involved in the regulation of pituitary gonadotropin secretion. The name inhibin was thus coined for this hypothetical substance (McCullagh, 1932). The hypothesis fell into disrepute and remained dormant until the 1970’s. The pertinent literature covering this has been authoritatively reviewed, to which the interested reader is referred (Setchell and Main, 1974; Main et al., 1979; Franchimont et al., 1979b). Although earlier studies connected inhibin with the regulation of FSH secretion primarily in the male, there is now convincing evidence to show its existence in the female.
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References
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© 1982 Plenum Press, New York
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Sairam, M.R. et al. (1982). Characteristics of Inhibin: A Comparative Study Using Bull and Human Seminal Fluids and Porcine Follicular Fluid. In: Channing, C.P., Segal, S.J. (eds) Intraovarian Control Mechanisms. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 147. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9278-5_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9278-5_5
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