Intraovarian peptides. Stimulators and inhibitors of follicular growth and differentiation.

It was the objective of this article to highlight the concept of putative intraovarian regulators and their emerging role in normal ovarian physiology. A sample of representative putative intraovarian regulators has been provided, although the listing is far from complete. There is every reason to expect that novel putative intraovarian regulators will be uncovered in the foreseeable future, adding further complexity to the ovarian life cycle. That notwithstanding, knowledge gained in the process is expected to emphasize key aspects of ovarian physiology, thereby improving our overall understanding of the workings of this complex organ.