HPG Axis Negative Feedback is the essential homeostatic mechanism within the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis where the end-product hormones, primarily sex steroids like testosterone and estrogen, act to inhibit the upstream production and release of their own regulatory hormones. This precise, self-regulating loop is crucial for ensuring that circulating sex hormone levels are maintained within a tightly controlled physiological range. This constant modulation prevents both excessive production and deficiency, thereby sustaining reproductive health and systemic endocrine balance.
Origin
This concept is absolutely central to classical endocrinology, specifically defining the control system for all reproductive hormones in both males and females. The term negative feedback is borrowed from control systems engineering, signifying that the output of a system acts to reduce its own initial stimulus. The HPG axis involves the coordinated endocrine function of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, and the gonads.
Mechanism
When the concentration of sex steroids in the bloodstream rises above a pre-set threshold, these hormones bind to receptors in the hypothalamus, which suppresses the release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH). Simultaneously, they act directly on the anterior pituitary gland to inhibit the secretion of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH). This suppression reduces the stimulatory signal sent to the gonads, consequently leading to a decrease in sex steroid production until the levels normalize, completing the homeostatic cycle.
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