What is the Origin of Gonadal Signals?

'Gonadal' refers to the gonads, derived from the Greek gonos (seed, generation), and 'signals' refers to the chemical communication molecules. This concept is foundational to reproductive and clinical endocrinology, describing the output of the primary sex hormone-producing glands.

What is the Mechanism of Gonadal Signals?

Gonadal signals operate via endocrine pathways, traveling through the circulation to act on distant target cells possessing specific nuclear or membrane receptors. The production of these signals is tightly controlled by the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis through precise negative feedback loops. Optimal function requires not only adequate production but also appropriate pulsatility and tissue receptor sensitivity.

Gonadal Signals ∞ Area

Gonadal Signals

Meaning

The complex array of chemical messages, primarily steroid hormones and peptides, secreted by the gonads—the testes in males and ovaries in females—that regulate reproductive function and exert profound systemic effects. These signals include testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and inhibin, influencing everything from muscle mass and bone health to mood and cognitive function. They are the principal drivers of sex-specific physiological characteristics.