FSH

(noun)

Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates both the production of androgen-binding protein by Sertoli cells and the formation of the blood-testis barrier.

Related Terms

Examples of FSH in the following topics:

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Reproductive System

    • At the pituitary, GnRH stimulates the synthesis and secretion of the gonadotropins, FSH and LH.
    • Low-frequency GnRH pulses lead to FSH release, whereas high-frequency GnRH pulses stimulate LH release.
    • FSH also enhances the production of androgen-binding protein by the Sertoli cells of the testes by binding to FSH receptors on their basolateral membranes.
    • FSH production is inhibited by the hormone inhibin, which is released by the testes.
    • In females, FSH stimulates development of egg cells (or ova) in structures called follicles.

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Male Reproductive System

    • If the pituitary gland is removed, spermatogenesis can still be initiated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone.
    • There it stimulates the synthesis and secretion of the gonadotropins, FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH).
    • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)  is released by the anterior pituitary gland.
    • Increasing the levels of FSH increases the production of spermatozoa by preventing the apoptosis of type A spermatogonia.
    • Inhibin is secreted by the Sertoli cells and acts to decrease the levels of FSH.

  • Male Hormones

    • The onset of puberty is controlled by two major hormones: FSH initiates spermatogenesis and LH signals the release of testosterone.
    • In response, the pituitary gland releases follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the male system for the first time.
    • FSH enters the testes, stimulating the Sertoli cells, which help to nourish the sperm cells that the testes produce, to begin facilitating spermatogenesis.
    • This inhibits the release of GnRH and FSH, which will cause spermatogenesis to slow down.
    • In turn, the testes production of testosterone and the hormone inhibin inhibit the release of GnRH, FSH, and LH in a negative feedback loop.

  • Female Hormones

    • In females, FSH stimulates the development of egg cells, called ova, which develop in structures called follicles.
    • Follicle cells produce the hormone inhibin, which inhibits FSH production.
    • Progesterone assists in endometrial re-growth and inhibition of FSH and LH release .
    • The inhibition of FSH and LH prevents any further eggs and follicles from developing.
    • As women approach their mid-40s to mid-50s, their ovaries begin to lose their sensitivity to FSH and LH.

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive Cycle

    • Levels of FSH peak during the first week of the follicular phase.
    • The rise in FSH recruits tertiary-stage ovarian follicles (antral follicles) for entry into the menstrual cycle.
    • Under the influence of FSH, granulosa cells begin estrogen secretion.
    • Ovulation is triggered by a spike in the amount of FSH and LH released from the pituitary gland.
    • Increased levels of FSH start recruiting follicles for the next cycle.

  • Ovarian Cycle

    • During the follicular phase, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
    • FSH levels begin to rise in the last few days of the previous menstrual cycle and peak during the first week of the follicular phase.
    • After ovulation, the pituitary hormones FSH and LH cause the remaining parts of the dominant follicle to transform into the corpus luteum.
    • The hormones produced by the corpus luteum suppress production of the FSH and LH, causing the corpus luteum will atrophy.
    • This in turn causes increased levels of FSH, leading to recruitment of follicles for the next cycle.

  • Hormonal Methods

    • Progesterone negative feedback decreases the frequency of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) released by the hypothalamus, which decreases the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and greatly decreases the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary.
    • Decreased levels of FSH inhibit follicular development, preventing an increase in estrogenl levels.
    • Estrogen negative feedback on the anterior pituitary greatly decreases the release of FSH, which inhibits follicular development and helps prevent ovulation.

  • Puberty

    • GnRH signals from the hypothalamus induce pulsed secretion of LH (and to a lesser degree, FSH) at roughly one to two hour intervals.
    • Smaller increases of FSH induce an increase in the aromatase activity of these granulosa cells, which converts most of the testosterone to estradiol for secretion into the circulation.
    • Hormones include: 1 Follicle-stimulating hormone - FSH. 2 Luteinizing hormone - LH. 3 Progesterone. 4 Estrogen. 5 Hypothalamus. 6 Pituitary gland. 7 Ovary. 8 Pregnancy - hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin). 9 Testosterone. 10 Testicle. 11 Incentives. 12 Prolactin - PRL.

  • Biochemical Products of Recombinant DNA Technology

    • Isolating proteins in large quantities: many recombinant products are now available, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Follistim AQ vial, growth hormone, insulin and some other proteins.

  • Oogenesis

    • At the start of the menstrual cycle, some 12-20 primary follicles begin to develop under the influence of elevated levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to form secondary follicles.