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Gonadotroph cell
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gonadotroph

anatomy
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Gonadotroph cell
Gonadotroph cell About 10 percent of the pituitary gland consists of gonadotroph cells (indicated by arrows), which secrete hormones known as gonadotropins. Examples of gonadotropins include luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, which are essential to fertility.

Gonadotrophs are cells within the pituitary gland that produce gonadotropins. These hormones regulate the function of the gonads, which are the sex glands (ovaries in females and testes in males).1

Gonadotrophs secrete two main gonadotropins:
* Luteinizing hormone (LH): In females, LH triggers ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. In males, LH stimulates the testes to produce testosterone.2
* Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): In females, FSH promotes the development of ovarian follicles containing eggs. In males, FSH stimulates sperm development.3

The secretion of LH and FSH varies with age and, in women, with the menstrual cycle.1

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. luteinizing hormone
  2. gonadotropin
  3. hormone - Follicle-stimulating hormone

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