Gonadotropins

Gonadotropins encompass a group of hormones primarily responsible for stimulating the activity of the gonads (ovaries in females and testes in males). The most well-known gonadotropins are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), both of which are produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In males, LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone, while FSH acts on the Sertoli cells to promote spermatogenesis, the production of sperm. In females, LH and FSH regulate the menstrual cycle, with FSH stimulating the growth of ovarian follicles and LH triggering ovulation and the production of estrogen and progesterone. Gonadotropins play a pivotal role in reproductive health, influencing processes such as puberty, menstruation, and fertility. Abnormal levels of these hormones can indicate reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in females or hypogonadism in males. Treatments involving gonadotropins, such as hormone replacement therapy or fertility treatments, aim to restore normal hormonal balance and function.