Inhibin research began in 1923 with the concept of gonadal feedback regulation of pituitary function. A nonsteroidal substance, capable of inhibiting pituitary cell activity was identified in aqueous testicular extracts and named inhibin in 1932. Another 50 years of research was required before inhibin was purified and cloned in 1985, and inhibin’s physiology was not revealed until advances in assay technology allowed analysis of circulating levels in animals and humans. Thus, after 80 years of research, a historical retrospective reveals that many advances were required to achieve our present understanding, and yet there is still a long way to go to reach the original objectives of using inhibin, or compounds based on its structure, to regulate fertility pharmaceutically. Nevertheless, this perspective points out important lessons learned during this journey that are applicable to other areas of endocrinology or are opportunities for future research.
KEYWORDS
Inhibin - hormone - endocrine - gonadotropin - follicle-stimulating hormone
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Alan SchneyerPh.D.
Reproductive Endocrine Unit, BHX-5, Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston MA 02114
