Plenary Session IV. Hormonal regulation. Chairperson: M.A. Driancourt (France) Hormonal regulation of reproduction - general concepts

Findlay, J.K., Robertsod, D.M.. Clarke, I.J., Klein, R., Doughton. B.W., Xiao, S., Russell, D.L. and Shukovski. L.. 1992. Hormonal regulation of reproduction-general concepts. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 28: 319-325. Tbii review focuses cm the role of the inbibin-related peptides, inbibin, activin, follistatin and a-N, in the hormonal regulation of reproduction, using data from the sheep, cilw. pig and rat. Emphasis is placed on recent advaxes and remabting gaps in knowledge of the roles of these substances. The evidence eotirmr a role for i&bin as a circulating hormone. regulating the secretion of FSIi in concert with oestradiol. Although iollistatin is found in peripheral blood, its role as a circulating bormane nmaios uccertaiq more likely follistatin acts as a binding protein for activin in its actions as a local re@tor in many t&us including the ovary. a-N, a post tmnrlatianal product of the Ly chain of inhibii, apprus to have a role in the control of ovulation. A major cbaUenge is to develop more sp&lic assays for all these wsxides which will allow diirimination between the secreted and circu