Hormonal pulsatility describes the non-continuous, episodic pattern of hormone secretion characterized by bursts of release separated by periods of lower or absent secretion. This temporal organization is a fundamental feature of the endocrine system, particularly for hormones governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary axes, such as Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Growth Hormone (GH). The frequency and amplitude of these pulses are critical for maintaining receptor sensitivity and appropriate target tissue response.
Origin
The concept of pulsatile hormone release emerged with the advent of highly sensitive radioimmunoassays and frequent blood sampling techniques in the mid-20th century, which revealed that many hormones were not secreted steadily but in discrete, rhythmic pulses. The term combines hormonal, relating to chemical messengers, with pulsatility, derived from the Latin pulsare (to beat or push), accurately describing the rhythmic nature of their release. This discovery fundamentally changed the understanding of endocrine regulation.
Mechanism
The mechanism is primarily governed by the central nervous system, where hypothalamic neurons release regulatory hormones, such as GnRH, in a synchronized, intermittent fashion. These pulses then travel via the portal circulation to the pituitary, which responds by releasing its own hormones in corresponding pulses. The pulsatile delivery is essential because continuous, non-pulsatile exposure to some hormones, notably GnRH, leads to the desensitization and downregulation of pituitary receptors, ultimately inhibiting hormone release.
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