Thymic regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

The thymus gland and the cells that it regulates produce a number of soluble factors that are capable of indirectly modulating the immune system via reproductive neuroendocrine circuits. Studies dating to the turn of the century were designed to evaluate the effects of partially purified thymic extracts in treating various reproductive disorders as well as changes in gonadal tissue weights. More recent studies have focused on the chemical nature of the factors responsible for regulating reproductive function. A number of factors have been described. These include thymosin beta 4 which has been found to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH). Other factors such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been found to inhibit the release of these two peptides. IL-1 has also been found to alter the expression of LH receptors in rat granulosa cells. Certain interferons have been found capable of suppressing estrogen and progesterone release. While many of the studies have been carried out using adult animal models, there is increasing evidence that exposure to cytokines during early development can have long lasting if not permanent effects upon the reproductive axis. These and related topics are the subject of this review.