The Sources and Consequences of Variation in Ovarian Hormonal Function

Backgrand: Female ovarian function is highly variable. Understanding the sources and consequences of this variation are two principle question which helps to determine the women&’s reproductive functioning and diversity of the fertility pattern. The purpose of this review is to describe variation in ovarian hormonal function and evaluate its effect on fertility pattern. Methods: The articles related to the hormonal function of human ovaries and developmental diversity of reproductive performance of women were collected using English keywords including ovarian hormonal function, biological anthropology and reproductive ecology. The literature review was done using MEDLINE andGoogle Scholar database without time limitations. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively. Discussion & Conclusion: In this review article, variation in ovarian function in response to ecological factors and its potential effect on fertility pattern were examined. Modulation of ovarian steroids is associated with age, energy accessibility, physical activity, psychosocial stress. Fertility as a successful reproductive outcome is highly associated with the concentration of ovarian steroid. But the evidence ascertaining the linkbetween ovarian hormonal function and fertility is inconsistent. It seems that detection of variability in women’s fertility is possible by considering life history of individual and other biological and ecological contexts using field research. In this regard, only clinical studies do not meet the health needs of communities, and anthropologicalstrategy is fundamental to study the variability in individual’s fertility and pathology of infertility in populations.

Keywords:

Ovarian Hormonal Function , Fertility , Biological Anthropology , Reproductive Ecology