Abstract

HENAO, Guillermo. Epistemology and endocrinology: the hypothalamic-hypophysis-ovary axis revisited. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol [online]. 2004, vol.55, n.3, pp.218-231. ISSN 0034-7434.

History of the discovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and its role in nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems is related to conceptions about the existence of subtle substances formerly named animal spirits and recently as hormones, neurotransmitters, and others. This research usually follows a lineal series model, A…B type, according to the «one cause, one effect» principle. Nevertheless, its discovery was performed in a contrary sense, «effect-cause». This scheme was broken for another discoveries: hormone feed-back -one effect may acts on its own cause-, and multiple factors, including outside the system, have a random influence. Therefore, there are superpositions between exocrine, endocrine, immunologic and nervous systems and its traditional limits may don’t appear. So, diagnostic and therapeutic methods may be insufficient for its purposes. There are practical consequences related to treatment and ethics in medical exercise.

Keywords : hormones; neurotransmitters; causality; codependence; biologic factors.

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