The mammalian reproductive hormone axis regulates gonadal steroid hormone levels and gonadal function essential for reproduction. The neuroendocrine control of the axis integrates signals from a wide array of inputs. The regulatory pathways important for mediating these inputs have been the subject of numerous studies. One class of proteins that have been shown to mediate metabolic and growth signals to the CNS includes Insulin and IGF-1. These proteins are structurally related and can exert endocrine and growth factor like action via related receptor tyrosine kinases. The role that insulin and IGF-1 play in controlling the hypothalamus and pituitary and their role in regulating puberty and nutritional control of reproduction has been studied extensively. This review summarizes the in vitro and in vivo models that have been used to study these neuroendocrine structures and the influence of these growth factors on neuroendocrine control of reproduction.

中文翻译：

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胰岛素和胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）对生殖神经内分泌功能的调节

哺乳动物生殖激素轴调节性腺类固醇激素水平和生殖所必需的性腺功能。轴的神经内分泌控制整合了来自各种输入的信号。对调节这些输入很重要的调控途径已成为众多研究的主题。一类已被证明可介导中枢神经系统代谢和生长信号的蛋白质包括胰岛素和 IGF-1。这些蛋白质在结构上是相关的，可以通过相关的受体酪氨酸激酶发挥内分泌和生长因子样作用。胰岛素和 IGF-1 在控制下丘脑和垂体方面的作用及其在调节青春期和营养控制生殖方面的作用已得到广泛研究。