Activins were identified initially as gonadal proteins having a stimulating
effect on FSH production by the pituitary gland. Strong evidence has accum
ulated that activins are important regulating factors for many reproductive
processes. Activin may have paracrine or autocrine roles rather than solel
y an endocrine action on FSH secretion. Activins together with their signal
ling molecules must be shown to be produced locally in a particular tissue
to provide support for their paracrine or autocrine action in that tissue.
The discovery of the activin receptors, the intracellular signalling mediat
ors (Smads) and some transcription co-factors involved in activin responses
has helped to unravel the activin-transforming growth factor P signalling
mechanism. However, few reports have clearly demonstrated the presence of a
ll of the activin signalling molecules in reproductive tissues, despite the
important roles of activin in these tissues. Several activin receptor type
s and Smad molecules have been identified, indicating either a redundancy i
n signalling molecules or different signalling pathways. At present, it is
not clear which particular subset of these signalling molecules is importan
t in reproductive processes. The aim of this review is to collate the infor
mation available on activin actions, as well as on the signalling molecules
, to understand how activins may transduce their paracrine or autocrine sig
nals in reproductive tissues.