Role of Inhibins and Activins in Reproduction

It is well established that mammalian reproduction is controlled by hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal hormones. Until recent years, steroid hormones had been considered the only known gonadal hormones. However, recent progress in endocrinology has begun to clarify the fact that nonsteroidal gonadal factors play an important role in reproduction. Among these nonsteroidal gonadal factors, inhibin and activin are the most important.