Endorphins in Reproduction and Stress

Endorphins and other endogenous opioids appear to be theconnecting link between reproductive functions and stressadaption of the human organism. This book contains the con-tributions of an international group of biologists, bioche-mists, and endocrinologists on the opioidergic control me-chanisms in reproduction and stress physiology. Main topicscovered are: endogeneous opioids and the pituitary-gonadalsystem; ovarian endorphinsecretion; pregnancy-associatedchanges of plasma endorphin; and opioid control of the hypo-thalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Although all chapters givean excellent review on various studies in basic opioid re-search, there are numerous clinical implications mentionedin this book.