[Contemporary physiology of the menstrual cycle. Part II. The reproductive hormones, regulatory mechanisms and cyclical hormonal changes].

Knowledge of the biochemistry of the hormones that regulate the normal menstrual cycle provides the clinician with a tool that allows physiological management of the patient. The biochemistry of the gonadotrophins and their roles in the physiology of the normal menstrual cycle are briefly reviewed. The present state of knowledge of the regulatory mechanisms is discussed and the hormonal events during the normal menstrual cycle in 50 patients are presented.