Gonadotrophins

Gonadotrophins are hormones that play a crucial role in regulating the reproductive system in both males and females. They are produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. The primary gonadotrophins are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

In females, gonadotrophins stimulate the ovaries to promote follicular development, ovulation, and the production of sex steroids such as estrogen and progesterone. FSH is essential for the maturation of ovarian follicles, while LH triggers ovulation and supports corpus luteum formation, which secretes progesterone necessary for maintaining pregnancy.

In males, gonadotrophins influence the testes by stimulating the production of sperm (spermatogenesis) and supporting the secretion of testosterone. FSH acts on the Sertoli cells within the testes to promote sperm development, whereas LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone, which is vital for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive functions.

Gonadotrophins are utilized therapeutically in various clinical settings, including treatment of infertility, ovarian hyperstimulation, and hypogonadism. Pharmacological preparations of FSH and LH are often derived from human sources or produced through recombinant DNA technology.

Disorders related to gonadotrophin levels include hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which results from insufficient gonadotrophin secretion, leading to delayed or absent puberty and infertility. Conversely, excess gonadotrophin production can be associated with conditions like gonadotropin-secreting tumors.

Overall, gonadotrophins are vital hormones involved in reproductive health, with significant clinical and therapeutic implications.