Follicle Stimulating Hormone: Functions, Hormonal Levels, FSH test

Follicle Stimulating Hormone is a gonadotropic hormone. It is a glycoprotein polypeptide hormone that is responsible for reproduction. Follicle-stimulating hormone is associated with the development of sperms in males and ova in females. This hormone is made by the gonadotropic cells in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain and is released in the blood. FHS is accountable for the development of puberty, growth, and reproduction in the human body. This hormone develops ovarian follicles in the ovaries of a woman and acts on Sertoli cells in the testes of a man to produce sperms. 

Keyterms: FSH, Gonadotropic hormone, Hormone, Glycoprotein polypeptide hormone, Reproduction, Sperm, Pituitary gland, Brain, Blood, Germ cell, Cell

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An Introduction to Follicle Stimulating Hormone

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The main function of the Follicle-stimulating hormones is to mature the primordial germ cells in both males and females. The ovarian cells and the sperm cells rely on this hormone for their growth and development. The Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) are called gonadotropins because they regulate the gonads in both males and females. 

This hormone is released by the hypothalamus gland as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and stimulates the Pituitary gland to release Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) which is also related to reproduction. This way the Follicle-stimulating hormone along with the Luteinizing hormone stimulates the production of ova and sperms. 

Also Read: Genetic Drift

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Males

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• The Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates spermatocytes to produce mature sperms in the testes.
• This hormone is regular in men after they attain the age of puberty.
• It regulates testosterone levels.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Males

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Females

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• The Follicle-stimulating hormone stimulates immature ovarian follicles.
• The hypothalamus produces the gonadotrophin which stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH.
• FSH and LH regulate ovulation in females.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Females

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Children

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• The Follicle-stimulating hormone in infants is raised after a short period of their birth.
• This hormone falls after 6 months of birth in a male child.
• In a female child, it falls after 1 to 2 years of birth. 
• At gaining the age of puberty, the Follicle-stimulating hormone is raised again and helps in the regulation of sexual characteristics of the children.

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FSH: Hormonal Levels

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Levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone in women vary during the menstrual cycle. Also, the level increases just before a female releases an egg (ovulates).

The level varies with the person’s age and sex.

High FSH levels in boys or girls indicate that puberty is about to start.

High FSH levels in women

The main reasons behind an increase in the production of FSH are:

• Turner syndrome
• After menopause
• Hormone therapy
• Presence of tumour in the pituitary gland

High FSH levels in men

• Hormone therapy
• Advancing age (male menopause)
• Certain tumours in the pituitary gland
• Problems with genes, such as Klinefelter syndrome
• Damage to testicles caused by alcohol abuse, chemotherapy or radiation

Low FSH levels in women

• Non-functioning of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
• Not producing eggs
• Underweight or rapid weight loss

Low FSH levels in men

Non-functioning of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test

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Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test is used to measure the level of follicle-stimulating hormone in a blood sample. It helps diagnose the causes of infertility and the process is carried out in both men and women. Other uses of this test are:

• Amenorrhea
• Ovarian failure
• A chromosomal abnormality
• Pituitary adenomas
• Causes of early menopause
• Early or delayed puberty in children

Also Read:

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Things to Remember 

• The Follicle-stimulating hormone is a gonadotropic hormone. It is a glycoprotein polypeptide hormone made by the gonadotropic cells in the pituitary gland at the base of the brain and is released in the blood.
• This hormone is released by the hypothalamus gland as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and stimulates the Pituitary gland to release Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) which is also related to reproduction. 
• The Follicle-stimulating hormone is associated with the development of sperms in males and ova in females. FHS is accountable for the development of puberty, growth, and reproduction in the human body. 
• FHS is accountable for the development of puberty, growth, and reproduction in the human body. This hormone develops ovarian follicles in the ovaries of a woman and acts on Sertoli cells in the testes of a man to produce sperms. 
• The Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) are called gonadotropins because they regulate the gonads in both males and females.
• At gaining the age of puberty, the Follicle-stimulating hormone is raised again and helps in the regulation of sexual characteristics of the children.