Regulation of Gonadotropins Synthesis

The gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (lutropin, LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin, FSH) through their ability to regulate the synthesis of the sex steroids (androgens and estrogens), are indispensable for proper gonadal development and function(1). The synthesis and secretion of gonadotropins are regulated by the hormones produced by the pituitary itself (such as follistatin and activin), as well as the hormones from the hypothalamus and the gonads(2,3,4,5,6). This tripartite regulatory network is known as the hypothalamuspituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis (Fig. 1).