FSH: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 22:24, 15 December 2024

Overview of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Follicle-stimulating hormone

  File:FSH.png

Structure of FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), also known as follitropin, is a glycoprotein hormone involved in the regulation of the reproductive processes in both males and females. It is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and plays a crucial role in the development of ovarian follicles in females and the process of spermatogenesis in males.

Structure[edit]

FSH is a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of two subunits, alpha and beta. The alpha subunit is common to other pituitary hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), while the beta subunit is unique to FSH and confers its specific biological activity.

Function[edit]

In females, FSH is essential for the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. It stimulates the granulosa cells of the ovary to produce estrogen, which is necessary for the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. In males, FSH acts on the Sertoli cells of the testes to promote spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production.

Regulation[edit]

The secretion of FSH is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH. The levels of FSH are also modulated by the feedback mechanisms involving inhibin, activin, and sex steroids such as estrogen and testosterone.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Abnormal levels of FSH can indicate various reproductive disorders. Elevated FSH levels in women may suggest primary ovarian insufficiency or menopause, while low levels can be associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. In men, high FSH levels may indicate testicular failure, whereas low levels can be a sign of pituitary dysfunction.

FSH is also used therapeutically in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

Measurement[edit]

FSH levels can be measured in the blood to assess reproductive health and diagnose disorders of the reproductive system. The test is often performed in conjunction with other hormone tests such as LH, estrogen, and testosterone.

Also see[edit]

Template:Reproductive hormones

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-'''FSH''' or '''Follicle-stimulating hormone''' is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It is one of the gonadotrophic hormones, along with luteinizing hormone (LH). In females, FSH stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in the ovary before the release of an egg from one follicle at ovulation. It also increases estradiol production. In males, FSH enhances the production of androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells of the testes and is critical for spermatogenesis.
+{{Short description|Overview of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)}}
+{{Infobox hormone
+| name = Follicle-stimulating hormone
+| image = FSH.png
+| width = 250
+| caption = Structure of FSH
+| synonyms = Follitropin
+| secreted_by = [[Anterior pituitary]]
+| target = [[Ovaries]], [[Testes]]
+| function = Stimulates growth of ovarian follicles and spermatogenesis
+| CAS_number = 9002-68-0
+}}
-== Function ==
+'''Follicle-stimulating hormone''' ('''FSH'''), also known as '''follitropin''', is a [[glycoprotein]] hormone involved in the regulation of the reproductive processes in both males and females. It is secreted by the [[anterior pituitary]] gland and plays a crucial role in the development of [[ovarian follicles]] in females and the process of [[spermatogenesis]] in males.
-In both males and females, FSH is essential for puberty and fertility. FSH, along with LH, acts on the gonads, i.e., the ovaries in females and the testes in males, to promote sexual maturation and the production of the sex cells and sex hormones.
+==Structure==
+FSH is a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of two subunits, alpha and beta. The alpha subunit is common to other pituitary hormones such as [[luteinizing hormone]] (LH) and [[thyroid-stimulating hormone]] (TSH), while the beta subunit is unique to FSH and confers its specific biological activity.
-=== In Females ===
+==Function==
+In females, FSH is essential for the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. It stimulates the granulosa cells of the ovary to produce [[estrogen]], which is necessary for the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. In males, FSH acts on the [[Sertoli cells]] of the testes to promote spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production.
-In females, FSH initiates follicular growth, specifically affecting granulosa cells. With the rise in estrogen levels, negative feedback leads to a decrease in FSH production by the anterior pituitary. This decrease in FSH levels causes the dominant follicle to begin secreting its own estrogen causing a rapid increase in estrogen levels.
+==Regulation==
+The secretion of FSH is regulated by the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis]]. The [[gonadotropin-releasing hormone]] (GnRH) from the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH. The levels of FSH are also modulated by the feedback mechanisms involving [[inhibin]], [[activin]], and sex steroids such as estrogen and testosterone.
-=== In Males ===
+==Clinical Significance==
+Abnormal levels of FSH can indicate various reproductive disorders. Elevated FSH levels in women may suggest [[primary ovarian insufficiency]] or menopause, while low levels can be associated with [[hypogonadotropic hypogonadism]]. In men, high FSH levels may indicate testicular failure, whereas low levels can be a sign of pituitary dysfunction.
-In males, FSH enhances the production of androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells of the testes and is critical for spermatogenesis.
+FSH is also used therapeutically in assisted reproductive technologies such as [[in vitro fertilization]] (IVF) to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
-== Measurement and Testing ==
+==Measurement==
+FSH levels can be measured in the blood to assess reproductive health and diagnose disorders of the reproductive system. The test is often performed in conjunction with other hormone tests such as LH, estrogen, and testosterone.
-FSH levels are typically measured in the first few days of the menstrual cycle, often day 3. These levels can be used to assess fertility, ovarian reserve, and menopause.
+==Also see==
+* [[Luteinizing hormone]]
+* [[Gonadotropin-releasing hormone]]
+* [[Menstrual cycle]]
+* [[Spermatogenesis]]
+* [[In vitro fertilization]]
-== Disorders Related to FSH ==
+{{Reproductive hormones}}
+{{Endocrinology}}
-High levels of FSH in females can indicate a failure of the ovaries, also known as primary ovarian insufficiency or early menopause. In males, high FSH levels can indicate testicular failure. Low levels of FSH can indicate problems with the pituitary gland and can cause problems with sexual development and function.
+[[Category:Hormones]]
+[[Category:Reproductive system]]
 [[Category:Endocrinology]]
-[[Category:Reproductive system]]
-[[Category:Hormones]]
-{{stub}}