Part of “CHAPTER 6 – ENDOCRINE RHYTHMS“

Rhythms in the gonadotropic axis cover a wide range of frequencies, from episodic release in the ultradian range to diurnal rhythmicity and monthly and seasonal cycles. These various rhythms interact to provide a coordinated temporal program governing the development of the reproductive axis and its operation at every stage of maturation. The following summary is centered on 24-hour rhythms and their interaction with pulsatile release at the various stages of maturation of the human reproductive system. More detailed reviews may be found elsewhere.50,59,60