Inhibins, activins and follistatin in reproduction

The regulation of reproductive processes involves a complex network of communication systems between the brain, endocrine organs, the gonads and other reproductive tissues. Classically, our understanding has focused on the role of endocrine hormones, but more recently interest has also dwelt on the paracrine and autocrine regulation of these cell systems. In this review, the structure and physiology of the inhibins, activins and follistatin are discussed in terms of the evidence supporting their role as endocrine hormones, and how they might function as paracrine factors within the pituitary, gonad and associated tissues. With the advent of more specific techniques and assays for their measurement, the potential of inhibins, activins and follistatin as clinical markers of reproductive function and in the screening of various pathologies is also evaluated.