Steroids reproductive pharmacology

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. 

Reproductive organs are the primary source of the steroid hormones that influence sexual and reproductive functions. In men, the testes produce testosterone and similar androgens that are responsible for spermatogenesis and the secondary sexual characteristics of adult males.7,26 In women, sexual maturation and reproductive function are governed by the production of estrogens and progestins from the ovaries.27 The release of male and female sex steroids is controlled by hormones from the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.32 The control of male and female hormone activity and the pharmacologic implications of these hormones are discussed in Chapter 30. 

The development of steroidal progestins led to a variety of products with different pharmacological profiles. The use of progestins in combination with estrogens as oral contraceptives has had and still today has an enormous impact on the reproductive behavior in developed countries. This is also reflected in the global market volume of oral contraceptives, which was 5.35 billion in 2005 and is expected to grow to 7.55 billion in 2011. Additional indications for the use of progestins are... 

Reviews and Meetings - An excellent review is that of Swyer on "Fertility Control Achievements and Prospects". highly pertinent reviews by the World Health Organization seem only to have become available recently. These are "Clinical Aspects of Oral 6estogens"5 and "Mechanism of Action of Sex Hormones and Analogous Substances"S5. An article entitled "Pharmacologic Alteration of Steroid Hormone Functions"S6 included a section on reproduction and contraception. The two feature articles by Kiefers fully examined the problem of overpopulation in terms of philosophies, prospects, present activities and possible future actions. 

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