The biology of gonadotroph regulation
Nick A Ciccone1, Ursula B Kaiser
1Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
To discuss recent progress in our understanding of pituitary gonadotroph development and gonadotropin gene regulation, with an emphasis on differential luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion and subunit synthesis, and the implications this may have on female reproductive health.
Recent Findings:
In the mature gonadotroph, there is an emerging concept that differential synthesis of gonadotropin beta-subunit genes, essential for cyclic reproductive function, is associated with modification of activation and/or stability of important regulatory proteins and transcription factors. Recent studies suggest that cellular events, which affect histone modification, play an essential role in both gonadotroph development and the ontogeny of gonadotropin subunit gene expression. Such dynamic events are under the orchestration of the hypothalamic neuropeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), potentially through the ability of GnRH to activate several distinct signaling cascades within the gonadotroph.
Summary:
Greater insight into the cellular events that are key to gonadotroph physiology will contribute to our understanding of abnormal gonadotropin secretion in disorders such as hypothalamic amenorrhea and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and provide a context for the design of novel therapeutic approaches.
More Related Videos
05:31Gonadectomy and Blood Sampling Procedures in the Small Size Teleost Model Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Published on: December 11, 2020
09:30Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Hypothalamic Slices
Published on: February 23, 2010
Related Concept Videos
01:26Testosterone: Functions and Regulation
01:22Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
01:24Gonadal and Placental Hormones
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair growth — and...
01:30Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
01:19Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Humoral stimuli,...
01:31Overview of the Reproductive System
The gonads, or primary reproductive organs, produce gametes and sex hormones. In males, the testes produce spermatozoa and testosterone, which is responsible for developing secondary male sex characteristics, including a deeper voice, larger muscles, facial and body...