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LH and FSH: The Gonadotropins

  • Chapter
The Pituitary Gland

Part of the book series: Clinical Surveys in Endocrinology ((CSED,volume 1))

Abstract

The gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), are synthesized by the pituitary gonadotropes, which constitute 5–10% of the pituitary cell population. The pituitary gonadotropes are randomly distributed within the central wedge and the lateral wing of the gland. The same cell secretes both LH and FSH, since immunoperoxidase stains localize both LH and FSH to the same cell. The glycoprotein secretory granules measure 275–375 nm in diameter and appear basophilic by conventional staining techniques. These cells are periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive; they have been referred to as castration cells, because they enlarge with striking vacuolation following gonadectomy. Measurement of gonadotropin content within the pituitary has revealed extremely low hormonal content in prepubertal children; during the reproductive phase the glandular content of LH, FSH varies; approximately 700 IU of LH and 200 IU of FSH is contained within the pituitaries of menstruating women with a three fold increase in LH after menopause.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Department of Medicine, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    C. R. Kannan M.D. (Chairman, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine)

  2. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    C. R. Kannan M.D. (Chairman, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine)

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  1. C. R. Kannan M.D.
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© 1987 Plenum Publishing Corporation

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Kannan, C.R. (1987). LH and FSH: The Gonadotropins. In: The Pituitary Gland. Clinical Surveys in Endocrinology, vol 1. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1849-1_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1849-1_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9032-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-1849-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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