Follicle Stimulating Hormone Gonadotrophs

An informative article on: Follicle Stimulating Hormone Gonadotrophs.

Gonadotrophs or gonadotropes refers to basophilic cells in the anterior pituitary gland that produce critical hormones like Follicle-Stimulating Hormone or FSH and Luteinizing Hormone or LH. The hormones produced by the gonadotrophs are commonly referred to as gonadotropins. A gonadotropin is often denoted as Gn. Thus, FSH and LH are together, referred to as gonadotropins. These two hormones are produced by the gonadotrophs when the endocrine cells are acted upon by another hormone, called GnRH or gonadotropin-releasing hormone. GnRH has specific receptor cells that activate the gonadotrophs and stimulates them into a hormone-producing state. GnRH is produced by the hypothalamus and carried to the anterior pituitary via the bloodstream.

Basics of Follicle-stimulating Hormone: Gonadotrophs

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland in both men and women. Among women, FSH is responsible for controlling the menstrual cycle apart from other, functions such as the ovulation cycle. FSH levels tend to change more rapidly among women in accordance with the hormonal changes that a female’s body undergoes. FSH levels in women usually vary according to the menstrual cycle. Among men, FSH is responsible for regulating the formation of sperm. There are minimal changes in the FSH levels of a man. In fact, throughout the entire life of an average male, the FSH levels hardly ever fluctuate after puberty.

Follicle-stimulating Hormone: Gonadotrophs in Men & Women

FSH is responsible for the growth and maturation of pubertal features in children. Apart from this, FSH is critical for an important reproductive function, i.e. stimulation of germ cells, among both males and females. In males, FSH is responsible for stimulating the Sertoli Cells for producing trace amounts of a hormone that is responsible for the formation of male, reproductive cells. In females, FSH is responsible for stimulating and sustaining the follicular development.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: Gonadotrophs in Women

Follicle-stimulating hormone effects in females are more pronounced. Apart from the initiation and regulation of the ovulation phase, FSH is responsible for controlling the number of ovulatory bodies. This includes establishing coordination between the number of follicles being destroyed and maintained across, successive ovulation cycles. FSH helps in the selection of follicles that have the maximum probability of surviving through the ovulation stage. In a girl child, FSH is largely responsible for regulating puberty. Pubertal development is deeply affected if more-than-average FSH is secreted—often referred to as precocious puberty or the early onset of puberty that is more common among girls.

Testing for Follicle-stimulating Hormone: Gonadotrophs

Follicle stimulating hormone tests are commonly conducted among men and women to identify the cause for infertility. Though these tests are more routinely conducted for women, they are being increasingly sought for males too when the couple has been childless for a substantial period. FSH testing is also conducted to confirm menopause among women. Follicle stimulating hormone tests are able to decipher other problems that may be interfering with the fertility or causing other health problems in women. This includes an evaluation of the overall performance of the menstrual cycle with an emphasis on finding out the absence or irregularity of menstrual periods. FSH testing can confirm some common causes of infertility such as ovarian survival rate in women and the sperm count in men.