Chapter 8. Neuroendocrine regulation of reproductive (menstrual) function
8.1. BASIC FUNCTIONS OF FEMALE BODY
The female reproductive system has important biological and specific functions: childbearing function (reproduction); sexual (stimulation of reproduction); hormonal (secretory), responsible for development of sex characteristics, physiology of genital organs, pregnancy development; menstrual function (periodic interaction of organs and systems to maintain the childbearing potential).
All these functions are closely correlated and are interdependent both with one another and with the functions of the whole body. Anatomical and physiological features of a woman's body are intended to ensure the main biological function: reproduction, maintaining the quality of the offspring, safety for mother and child. Thus, the reproductive system according to a definition by P.K. Anokhin (1933) is a "basic functional system with hierarchical organization and provided with multiple complex regulation of its separate links".
Reproductive system regulation is provided via direct effect and feedback response between its central and peripheral links. Before pregnancy, the reproductive system acts to guard the maternal organism and prevents its onset in unfavorable conditions. After the onset of pregnancy, the main goal of reproductive system is fetal protection, in some cases with harm for maternal organism. Therefore, in some severe conditions (glomerulonephritis, brain, liver, vascular system disorders and hematological diseases) pregnancy does not develop. Also, not every pregnancy can be preserved "at any cost" without harm to the woman's health. But it cannot be claimed that a woman with some disease will give birth to an unhealthy child. Protective and adaptive reactions in the maternal organism have a very high potential, so such prognosis is highly challenging and unreliable.