Inhibins and activins in reproduction

Over the last decade a series of new gonadal proteins have been discovered. Inhibins and activins belong to this ever-growing family of proteins, which includes Mullerian inhibiting substance, epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), and insulin-like growth factors (IGF). It has become evident that the regulation of gametogenesis can no longer be explained solely by the effects of the sex-steroids and the two gonadotrophins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing (LH). This review will focus on the inhibin-related proteins. The structure of these proteins, their production and actions will be discussed as well as their clinical importance.