Reproductive pharmacology receptors

OT receptors in the hypothalamus are regulated by steroids. OT systems in the CNS are involved in homeostasis, reproduction, and related behavior. OT is also excitatory to neurons in the CNS at nanomolar concentrations (86), but relatively Httle is known about neuronal mechanisms and pharmacology. 

Buelke-Sam J, Bryant HU, Francis PC (1998) The selective estrogen receptor modulator, raloxifene an overview of nonclinical pharmacology and reproductive and developmental testing. Reprod Toxicol 12 217-221... 

Fig. 5.5 Desensitization of the activated (Tadrenergic receptor, PAR. PARK is the p-adrenergic receptor kinase, as and py are the activated a-subunit and the Py-subunits of the heterotrimeric G protein, Gg. AC is the activated effector, the enzyme adenylyl cyclase. Phosphorylation of activated GPCRs enhances binding of a family of proteins, the arrestins, which prevent access of G proteins and uncouple the receptor from G proteins. The arrestin involved in the desensitization of the P-adrenergic receptor is p-arrestin. (Reproduction of this scheme has been made possible through the generosity of Professor Martin Lohse, Department of Pharmacology, University of Wurzburg, Medical School.)...

At present it is not known if the receptor mediating the effect of NPY on feeding is pharmacologically distinct from the receptor mediating the effect of NPY on LH secretion. Further studies are certainly needed to characterize fully the receptor type mediating the effect of NPY on LH release. This is an important consideration if selective NPY receptor antagonists for the treatment of obesity are to be developed devoid of any effect on reproductive function in humans. 

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