role of arginine-phenylalanine-amide-related peptides in mammalian reproduction

ABSTRACT

Until 2000 it was believed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] was the sole regulator of hypophyseal gonadotropes. In 2000, the discovery of a gonado-tropin inhibitory hormone [GnlH] initiated a revolution in the field of reproductive physiology. Identification of GnlH homologues in mammals, the arginine-pheny-lalanine-amide [RFamide]-related peptides [RFRPs], indicated a similar function. Subsequently, further works conducted in various laboratories worldwide have shown that these neuropeptides inhibit the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. This review discusses the role of RFRPs in mammalian reproductive processes