follicle-stimulating hormone; follitropin (FSH)

Function

• maintains Sertoli cell function
• supports spermatogenesis
• stimulates secretion of inhibin B
• secreted response to:
  • GnRH from the hypothalamus
  • activin* secreted by:
    • granolosa cells of the ovary
    • Leydig cells of the testes
    • placenta
• 1/2 life is 3 hours

* major factor influencing FSH secretion

Pathology

• gene mutations in beta subunit (FSH-beta):
  • female patients present with amenorrhea
  • insufficient aromatization of androgen precursors

Pharmacology

• available as follitropin alfa & urofollitropin

More general terms

• pituitary gonadotropin
• multisubunit protein

More specific terms

• follitopin alfa (Gonal F)

Additional terms

• activin
• follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum
• follicle-stimulating hormone receptor; FSH-R; follitropin receptor (FSHR, LGR1)
• gonadotropin-releasing hormone/factor; gonadoliberin; LH/FSH-releasing hormone (GnRH, LHRH)
• inhibin
• menotropins (Pergonal, Repronex)
• pituitary adenoma/FSH secreting
• sertoli cell
• urofollitropin (puregon, serono, organon, FSH-beta, Fertinex, Metrodin, Bravelle)

Component of

• follicle stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone
• menotropins (Pergonal, Repronex)