Gonadotropin hormones are the primary hormones responsible for controlling the reproductive health of both male and female. This hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, which then further stimulate testes in the men and ovaries in the female to perform reproductive functions.
What are gonadotropin hormone?
There are two types of gonadotropin hormone,
- Lutenizing hormone
- Follicle stimulating hormone
Lutenizing hormone in men stimulates testesteron production. In female, it triggers the ovulation process.
Follicle stimulating hormone helps in sperm production in men. In female, it regulate and promote the growth of ovarian follicle in ovaries.
There is third hormone, called Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) which is produced by the placenta during early stage of pregnancy. It is also a gonadotropin hormone helping to sustain preganancy in early few weeks.
How this Gonadotropins forms and work smoothly?
This gonadotropin hormone works in a communication loop that is called as Hypothalamic-pituitar-gonadal (HPG)axis.
- Hypothalamus releases the Gonadotropin-Releasing hormone (GnRH)
- GnRH stimulate anterior pituitary gland to form the Lutenizing hromone and Follicle stimulating hormone and release them into the blood.
- This two hormones reach to the ovaries or testes which further triggers the release of sex hormones that are estrogen, progesteron and testosteron. This hormones helps in maturation of egg or sperm.
- When the hormones rises to a level, it trigger to the brain to slow down the production of GnRH so production of hormones get decreases. This way this sexual health of person is maintained via gonadotropin hormone.
What happen when Gonadotropin Hormone Imabalnce?
In case of hypergonadotroic where the brain is not receiving the response from the gonad like ovaries or testes. In this cases, the gonadotropin hormone secretes in more quantity.
Symptoms in women are – hot flashes, irregular or absent period
Symptom in Men are – low sex drive, muscle loss and erectile dysfunction
Hypogonadotropic – This occurs when the hypothalamus is not sending the signal to pituitary gland to start the reproductive functions.
Symptoms in female are – Infertility, delayed puberty, fatigue and unexplained weight changes
In small children – delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics
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