Defining the gonadal effects of FSH distinct from those of LH remains difficult. We have characterized and compared the level of Sertoli and germ cell development in three mouse models recently created to isolate FSH activity from LH effects. Two models used LH-deficient hypogonadal (hpg) mice to selectively study either pituitary-independent transgenic (tg) FSH or ligand-independent activated ...

FSH is produced by the pituitary gonadotrope to regulate gametogenesis. Steroid hormones, including androgens, progestins, and glucocorticoids, have all been shown to stimulate expression of the FSH subunit in primary pituitary cells and rodent models. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of steroid induction of FSH has been difficult due to the heterogeneity of the anterior pituitary. Immort...

The quaternary structural relationships between subunits of the follitropin (FSH) receptor were determined through the use of the reversible, homobifunctional, chemical cross-linking reagent bis[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]sulfone (BSOCOES) after formation of covalent 125I-azidobenzoyl-FSH-receptor subunit complexes by photoaffinity labeling. This experimental approach resulted in the fo...

The modulating actions of peptide growth factors on ovarian follicular maturation were studied in granulosa cells during CAMP-dependent differentiation induced by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). During a 48-h culture of granulosa cells from hypophysectomized diethylstilbestrol-treated immature rats, FSH induced a 100-fold rise in cAMP and progesterone accumulation and a Ibfold increase in l...

This review summarizes observations on the background and potential clinical significance of interference with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) regulation of human ovarian function. This interference may occur at the level of the pituitary by the secretion of FSH isoforms with reduced or absent bioactivity. In addition, interference with FSH may occur in the circulation, or within the ovarian...

CONTEXT FSH is routinely administered to in vitro fertilization patients to induce follicle maturation. During this process, granulosa cells differentiate and acquire specific functional characteristics that are required to coordinate ovulation and oocyte maturation. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating human granulosa cell differen...

FSH and Testosterone (T) regulate spermatogenesis via testicular Sertoli cells (Sc), which bear receptors for these hormones. Despite sufficient circulating levels of FSH and T postnatally, predominant appearance of spermatogonia B and spermatocytes is not discernible until 11 and 18 days of postnatal age, respectively, in rat testes. In an attempt to explore the underlying causes, we cultured ...

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms of androgen regulation of the FSH gene; however, studies suggest that it consists of a complex feedback loop that involves multiple mechanisms acting at both the level of the hypothalamus and the pituitary. In the present study, we address androgen regulation of the FSH gene in immortalized gonadotrope cells and investigate the roles of activin and...

In patients with normogonadotropic anovulation, either with or without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), factors interfering with FSH action may be involved in arrested follicle development. The aim of this study is to assess whether factors inhibiting FSH receptor activation are elevated in serum or follicular fluid from anovulatory patients, as compared with regularly cycling women. For this ...

Elevated serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are associated with diminished bone density in women, beginning years before menopause and the decline in estradiol. We hypothesized that FSH promotes development of myeloid cells toward the bone-resorbing osteoclast phenotype. This was tested by isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells from nine healthy adults, incubating ...