Ghrelin and fertility

Ghrelin is an orexigene hormone which was primarily located in the stomach. It is a peptide which is made of 28 amino acids. It regulates the energetic balance and many more processes which take place in the human organism. Its influence on hunger is probably exerted indirectly by the interaction of ghrelin with glicemia and insulinemia. Ghrelin influences the so-called brain’s prize system which is responsible for sensing pleasure and addiction.

Apart from the stimulating influence on production of GH, it also increases the secretion of PRL, ACTH and cortisol. The influence of ghrelin on LH production is unambiguous. Previous research conducted on animals and people is contradictory and it cannot be clearly stated whether it has a stimulating or restraining effect. It is suggested that it decreases the frequency of LH pulsing. Ghrelin may play an important physiological role in the reproductive function.

It was discovered that in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) the concentration of ghrelin was lower comparing to the one of healthy women, but unfortunately the news regarding this subject is unambiguous. Ghrelin is a hormone that is closely related to energetic balance, obesity, insulin resistance and probably also with the reproductive function. Because PCOS predisposes to obesity and metabolic changes such as for instance insulin resistance, we can assume that the function of ghrelin is connected with the origins of PCOS. Therefore, the observations that the deficiency of this hormone may lead to fertility dysfunctions seem to be understandable.