A Simple Mathematical Model Demonstrates the Potential for Cell-Based Hormone Therapy to Address Dysregulation of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Ovary Axis in Females with Loss of Ovarian Function.

Tissue-engineering and cell-based strategies provide an intriguing approach to treat complex conditions such as those of the endocrine system. We have previously developed a cell-based hormone therapy (cHT) to address hormonal insufficiency associated with the loss of ovarian function. To assess how the cHT strategy may achieve its efficacy, we developed a mathematical model to determine if known autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine effects of the native hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis could explain our previously observed effects in ovariectomized rats following treatment with cHT.