gonadotrofer

Gonadotrophs are specialized cells of the anterior pituitary gland that synthesize and secrete the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

These hormones are glycoprotein hormones composed of a common alpha subunit and distinct beta subunits, which confers their biological specificity. The secretion of gonadotropins is primarily regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, released in pulses. The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses influence the relative production of LH and FSH, while feedback from gonadal steroids and inhibin modulates overall secretion.

FSH promotes gametogenesis by acting on Sertoli cells in the testis and granulosa cells in the ovarian follicle, helping to support the maturation of gametes. LH stimulates the production of sex steroids by gonadal cells: testosterone from Leydig cells in males, and estrogen and progesterone from ovarian theca and granulosa cells in females. LH also triggers ovulation by inducing rupture of the mature follicle in the ovary.

Gonadotrophs originate from the anterior pituitary during development and are governed by transcription factors and signaling pathways that establish the gonadotroph lineage. Disruptions in their function or number can contribute to reproductive disorders, including delayed or precocious puberty, hypogonadism, and, less commonly, gonadotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas. This network of signaling ensures coordinated control of puberty, fertility, and gonadal function across vertebrates.