Gonadotrophin

Gonadotrophin is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and the placenta, which stimulates the gonads and controls reproductive activity. Gonadotrophins include Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), and Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Function

Gonadotrophins play a crucial role in the regulation of the reproductive system. They stimulate the gonads - the ovaries in women and the testes in men - to produce sex hormones and gametes (eggs in women, sperm in men).

Follicle-stimulating hormone

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the growth and maturation of follicles in the ovaries of women. In men, FSH stimulates the production of sperm in the testes.

Luteinizing hormone

Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation in women - the release of a mature egg from the ovary. In men, LH stimulates the production of testosterone, the main male sex hormone.

Human chorionic gonadotropin

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. It maintains the corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone necessary for maintaining pregnancy.

Clinical significance

Gonadotrophins are used in fertility treatments to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs for In vitro fertilization (IVF). They are also used to treat certain conditions such as Hypogonadism and Delayed puberty.

See also

• Endocrine system
• Reproductive system
• Hormone
• Pituitary gland

References

Gonadotrophin Resources
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