Abstract
The immune system is regulated by the gonadal steroids estrogen, androgen, and progesterone, but the circulating levels of these steroids can also be affected by immune system function. Such interactions appear to be mediated through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal-thymic axis and depend on pituitary luteinizing hormone released by thymic factors under the control of the gonadal steroids.
Publication types
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Androgens / physiology
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Animals
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Antibody Formation
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Castration
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Cricetinae
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Estrogens / physiology
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Female
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Gonadal Steroid Hormones / physiology*
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Guinea Pigs
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / physiology
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Immunity*
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Male
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Mice
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Ovary / physiology
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Pregnancy
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Rabbits
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Rats
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T-Lymphocytes / physiology
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Testis / physiology
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Thymosin / physiology
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Thymus Gland / physiology
Substances
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Androgens
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Estrogens
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Gonadal Steroid Hormones
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Thymosin