Endorphins and other endogenous opioids appear to be the connecting link between reproductive functions and stress adaption of the human organism. This book contains the con- tributions of an international group of biologists, bioche- mists, and endocrinologists on the opioidergic control me- chanisms in reproduction and stress physiology. Main topics covered are: endogeneous opioids and the pituitary-gonadal system; ovarian endorphinsecretion; pregnancy-associated changes of plasma endorphin; and opioid control of the hypo- thalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Although all chapters give an excellent review on various studies in basic opioid re- search, there are numerous clinical implications mentioned in this book.
