The physiology of reproduction has been of interest to researchers for centuries.
The purpose of this work is to review the development of our knowledge on the neuroendocrine
background of the regulation of ovulation. We first describe the development of the
pituitary gland, the structure of the median eminence (ME), the connection between
the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, the ovarian and pituitary hormones involved
in ovulation, and the pituitary cell composition. We recall the pioneer physiological
and morphological investigations that drove development forward. The description of
the supraoptic-paraventricular magnocellular and tuberoinfundibular parvocellular
systems and recognizing the role of the hypophysiotropic area were major milestones
in understanding the anatomical and physiological basis of reproduction. The discovery
of releasing and inhibiting hormones, the significance of pulse and surge generators,
the pulsatile secretion of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and the subsequent
pulsatility of luteinizing (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) in the human
reproductive physiology were truly transformative. The roles of three critical neuropeptides,
kisspeptin (KP), neurokinin B (NKB), and dynorphin (Dy), were also identified. This
review also touches on the endocrine background of human infertility and assisted
fertilization.
