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Summary
Hypothalamic neurohormones are produced before birth, regulating endocrine functions. Some hormones, like thyroliberin and somatostatin, show activity only after birth in mammals.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in regulating endocrine functions.
- Understanding the timing of hypothalamic control during mammalian development is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data on hypothalamic control of endocrine functions during mammalian ontogenesis.
- To elucidate the temporal aspects of neurohormone synthesis, accumulation, and function.
Main Methods:
- Review of published data and author's own findings.
- Analysis of hypothalamic and adenohypophyseal function during prenatal and postnatal development.
Main Results:
- Adenohypophyseotropic neurohormones are synthesized and stored in the hypothalamus prenatally.
- Most hypothalamic neurohormones reach the adenohypophysis by late gestation, regulating tropic hormone secretion.
- Thyroliberin and somatostatin exhibit regulatory functions primarily in the early postnatal period in rats.
Conclusions:
- Hypothalamic control over endocrine functions is established during prenatal development.
- Specific neurohormones have distinct temporal patterns of activity, with some emerging postnatally.