Gonadotropins

Five years after the demonstration of anterior pituitary dominance over the gonads by the Smiths and Aschheim and Zondek, Moore and Price asserted the classic principle of the reciprocal "feedback" relationship between the secretions of these organs. Three decades later continued investigation of this interdependence has culminated in two major advances in clinical medicine: steroid inhibition of ovulation for contraception and successful induction of ovulation in specific circumstances of gonadotropin insufficiency. Such therapeutic accomplishments might be construed to reflect basic understanding of the chemical and biological properties of the agents involved in these events but unfortunately this is not the case. Few disciplines in the biologic sciences exhibit such critical imbalance of information as the mechanisms of mammalian reproduction. The therapeutic reversals of gonadal and pituitary function mentioned have merely, albeit spectacularly, reaffirmed the adequacy of Moore's original thesis. One hiatus critical to our continued ignorance concerns the identity and function of the gonadotropins. These hormones have been the object of renewed investigative interest in recent years. Much of the progress made is reviewed, catalogued, and evaluated in the volume Gonadotropins. Arranged by chapter, the topics discussed include the physiology, chemistry, immunology and levels of gonadotropins in tissues and biologic fluids. Possibly the most intelligible review of the control of secretion of gonadotropins yet to appear is presented by C. H. Sawyer. As in this instance, each section is written by a recognized authority. Each contribution is accompanied by very complete bibliographic references. The result is a carefully substantiated and authoritative text of importance to all serious students in the field. Despite the thoughtful concentration of data found here it is apparent that a basic formulation of gonadotropin function is still beyond our capability. Throughout these pages reference is continually made to the legendary problems of "how many ?", "how much ?", "'which standard ?" "which test ?" When conclusive data on chemical, biological, or immunological identity becomes available and meaningful quantitation initiated, much of what is stated here may require revision. This excellent volume indicates the rapid progress being made towards the realization of this goal. NATHAN KASE