follicle-stimulating hormone

Main Entry: follicle–stimulating hormone
Function: noun
: a hormone from an anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of the ovum-containingfollicles in the ovary and that activates sperm-forming cells called also follitropin

follicle-stimulating hormone n.
Abbr. FSH
A glycoprotein hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the Graafian follicles and assists in follicular maturation and in the secretion of estradiol. It also stimulates the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules and assists in inducing spermatogenesis. Also called follitropin.

follicle-stimulating hormone   A glycoprotein hormone secreted by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland. It stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovary and induces the formation of sperm in the testis.

follicle-stimulating hormone

one of two gonadotropic hormones (i.e., hormones concerned with the regulation of the activity of the gonads, or sex glands) produced by the pituitary gland. FSH, a glycoprotein operating in conjunction with luteinizing hormone (LH), stimulates development of the graafian follicle, a small, egg-containing vesicle in the ovary of the female mammal; in the male, it promotes the development of the tubules of the testes and the differentiation of sperm. Though in the male the presence of FSH is necessary for the maturation of spermatozoa, additional FSH may not be required for months because testosterone can maintain this activity. In the female, however, there is a rhythmic, or cyclical, increase and decrease of FSH, which is essential for monthly ovulation. See also luteinizing hormone; menstruation.

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