Role of stress and sympathetic innervation in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome

This work attempts to give a review of ovarian innervation, the mechanism of regulation of nerve activity and the role of the sympathetic activity in ovarian pathologies affecting reproductive function. We provide a succinct outline of the findings of our group in this area. The participation of stress as an etiological factor for ovarian pathologies throughout animal models and preliminary data in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome give strong support for a participation of sympathetic nerves in the ovary function both in normal and pathological states.