Episodic hormone secretion: a comparison of the basis of pulsatile secretion of insulin and GnRH

Endocrine. 2014 Sep;47(1):49-63. doi: 10.1007/s12020-014-0212-3. Epub 2014 Mar 8.

Abstract

Rhythms govern many endocrine functions. Examples of such rhythmic systems include the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cell, which regulates blood glucose, and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron, which governs reproductive function. Although serving very different functions within the body, these cell types share many important features. Both GnRH neurons and beta-cells, for instance, are hypothesized to generate at least two rhythms endogenously: (1) a burst firing electrical rhythm and (2) a slower rhythm involving metabolic or other intracellular processes. This review discusses the importance of hormone rhythms to both physiology and disease and compares and contrasts the rhythms generated by each system.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Hormones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Insulin / metabolism*
  • Insulin Secretion
  • Insulin-Secreting Cells / metabolism
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Periodicity*
  • Pulsatile Flow

Substances

  • Hormones
  • Insulin
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone