[Hypothalamo-hypophyseal control of ovulation in humans and its principal anomalies]

The main hormonal event required to obtain an adequate ovulation and corpus luteum is the rise in FSH in the first part of the follicular phase. This FSH release is responsible for the development of follicles, then for the selection and maturation of a dominant follicle and, through this last, for a growing secretion of estradiol. The rising estradiol, together with FSH, makes the follicle receptive to LH and prepares, then induces, mainly through a pituitary impact, the preovulatory LH release, leading to ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum. The level of the preovulatory LH and FSH maximums is dependent on adjunctive control mechanisms (preovulatory progesterone secretion and preovulatory LHRH release), which therefore have a bearing on the quality of the corpus luteum. Knowledge of the role of neurotransmitter systems is beginning to improve, especially concerning dopamine and the opium-like systems. A significant number of functional ovulation abnormalities originate in subnormal FSH levels during the follicular phase or insufficient preovulatory release.