Follicle-stimulating hormone
Also known as: FSH
Facts (91)
Sources
The Normal Menstrual Cycle and the Control of Ovulation - NCBI - NIH ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Aug 5, 2018 21 facts
claimProgesterone stimulates the midcycle rise in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
referenceNimrod A., Erickson G.F., and Ryan K.J. published a study in 1976 in the journal Endocrinology titled 'A specific FSH receptor in rat granulosa cells: properties of binding in vitro', which characterizes follicle-stimulating hormone receptors.
claimThe increase in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor numbers is caused by an increase in the population of granulosa cells rather than an increase in the concentration of FSH receptors per granulosa cell.
claimDuring the last few days of the menstrual cycle, declining steroid production by the corpus luteum and a dramatic fall of inhibin A allow follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels to rise.
claimFollicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) receptors are located exclusively on the membranes of granulosa cells.
claimA decline in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels leads to the production of a more androgenic microenvironment within follicles adjacent to the growing dominant follicle.
claimThe luteinizing hormone (LH) surge stimulates the luteinization of granulosa cells and the synthesis of progesterone, which is responsible for the midcycle follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) surge.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates several steroidogenic enzymes, including aromatase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD).
claimIncreasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels during the late luteal phase lead to an increase in the number of FSH receptors and an increase in estradiol secretion by granulosa cells.
claimIn the presence of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the formation of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors on granulosa cells, allowing for the secretion of small quantities of progesterone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), which may exert a positive feedback on the estrogen-primed pituitary to augment LH release.
measurementEach granulosa cell has approximately 1500 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors by the secondary stage of follicular development, and this number remains relatively constant for the remainder of development.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is elevated during the early follicular phase and begins to decline until ovulation.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors exist exclusively on the granulosa cell membranes.
referenceErickson G.F., Wang C., and Hsueh A.J. published a study in 1979 in the journal Nature titled 'FSH induction of functional LH receptors in granulosa cells cultured in a chemically defined medium', which details the induction of luteinizing hormone receptors by follicle-stimulating hormone.
referenceZeleznik A.J., Midgley A.R. Jr, and Reichert L.E. Jr. published a study in 1974 in the journal Endocrinology titled 'Granulosa cell maturation in the rat: increased binding of human chorionic gonadotropin following treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone in vivo', which explores hormonal interactions in granulosa cells.
claimElevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels at midcycle are thought to free the oocyte from follicular attachments, stimulate plasminogen activator, and increase granulosa cell luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors.
claimThe luteinizing hormone (LH) surge stimulates the luteinization of granulosa cells and the synthesis of progesterone, which is responsible for the midcycle follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) surge.
claimDuring the last few days of the menstrual cycle, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels rise due to declining steroid production by the corpus luteum and a dramatic fall in inhibin A levels.
claimIn large antral follicles, the concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, and progesterone are high, while the concentration of prolactin is low.
claimReduced levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) during the follicular phase can lead to a shortened luteal phase and the development of a smaller corpus luteum.
claimDuring the recruitment stage, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) leads to the recruitment of a cohort of follicles from the pool of non-proliferating follicles.
Seasonal Changes of Serum Gonadotropins and Testosterone in ... frontiersin.org Jan 9, 2020 21 facts
measurementReinberg et al. (38) studied 260 men undergoing vasectomy in France (median age 32 years) and found annual peaks for testosterone and LH in autumn, and an annual peak for FSH in summer.
procedureInclusion criteria for the study required male patients to be older than 18 years and to have testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measured in the same venous blood sample taken in the morning after an overnight fast.
measurementTotal serum testosterone levels are directly related to luteinizing hormone (LH) (R = 0.147, p < 0.001), but not to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (R = -0.006, p = 0.482).
measurementSawhney et al. (39) studied 9 healthy men in Antarctica and found bi-annual peaks for testosterone in summer and autumn, with no seasonality detected for LH or FSH.
procedureThe study 'Seasonal Changes of Serum Gonadotropins and Testosterone in...' analyzed testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measurements collected between January 2010 and January 2019 using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay, excluding subjects with factors interfering with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
measurementIn a study of adult human males, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels did not show a statistically significant seasonal variation (p = 0.312), with mean levels of 5.21 IU/L in winter, 5.38 IU/L in spring, 5.02 IU/L in summer, and 5.19 IU/L in autumn.
claimProlactin (PRL) serum levels in adult human males do not correlate with testosterone (Rho: 0.002, p = 0.804), luteinizing hormone (Rho: 0.005, p = 0.665), or follicle-stimulating hormone (Rho: 0.006, p = 0.734).
referenceMeriggiola et al. (1996) examined annual patterns of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, and inhibin in normal men.
measurementAbbaticchio et al. (27) studied 248 infertile men in Italy (mean age 28.9 ± 7.5 years) and detected no seasonality for testosterone, LH, or FSH.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in males do not show a significant seasonal distribution, as confirmed by autocorrelation functions, ARIMA modeling, and the Box-Ljung test (p = 0.306).
measurementSerum luteinizing hormone (LH) is directly related to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (R = 0.538, p < 0.001).
measurementPatient age is inversely related to serum testosterone levels (R = -0.148, p < 0.001) and directly related to luteinizing hormone (LH) (R = 0.185, p < 0.001) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (R = 0.281, p < 0.001).
procedureThe researchers evaluated the distribution of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) based on the date of examination using autocorrelation analyses.
measurementBellastella et al. (28) studied 106 pre-pubertal males in Italy (age range 6–10 years) and found an annual peak for testosterone in summer and an annual peak for LH in winter, with no seasonality detected for FSH.
measurementTestosterone, LH, and FSH levels in the study cohort were not normally distributed (p < 0.001).
measurementNicolau et al. (36) studied 63 healthy men in Romania (mean age 77.0 ± 8.0 years) and found annual peaks for testosterone and LH, but no seasonality for FSH.
measurementLuteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (Architect, Abbott, Longford, Ireland). The inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 4.1% and 3.1% for LH, and 4.6% and 4.2% for FSH, respectively.
measurementBellastella et al. (29) studied 10 healthy men in Italy (age range 25–30 years) and found an annual peak for testosterone in autumn and an annual peak for LH in spring, with no seasonality detected for FSH.
referencePrepubertal males exhibit circannual rhythms of plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, prolactin, and cortisol, according to a 1983 study by Bellastella et al.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in adult human males are not related to environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, or daylight duration.
measurementIn a study of seasonal hormonal variations, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in males were measured as 5.52 IU/L in winter, 5.72 IU/L in spring, 5.31 IU/L in summer, and 5.44 IU/L in autumn, with a p-value of 0.202.
Physiology, Male Reproductive System - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 14 facts
claimGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), produced by the hypothalamus, regulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland.
claimThe onset of male puberty is stimulated by a rise in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, which triggers the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary.
claimInhibin serves as a negative feedback control exerted by Sertoli cells on the hypothalamic-pituitary system to decrease FSH release.
claimSecondary hypogonadism in human males results from a disruption in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis where low gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), or follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) leads to low testosterone and impaired spermatogenesis.
referencePlant TM and Marshall GR reviewed the functional significance of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in spermatogenesis and the control of its secretion in male primates.
claimFSH stimulates Sertoli cells to promote sperm production and release inhibin B and MIS (Müllerian inhibiting substance).
claimFSH and LH exert their physiological effects by binding to and activating a G protein receptor, which activates adenylyl cyclase and increases cellular cAMP levels to stimulate Sertoli and Leydig cells.
claimAfter the onset of puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a pulsatile fashion every one to two hours to maintain levels of FSH, LH, and plasma testosterone.
claimGnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary by binding to and activating a G protein receptor on gonadotrophs, which triggers inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) activation and increases intracellular calcium, leading to the release of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone).
claimSertoli cells, when stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), help regulate the process of spermatogenesis.
claimThe anterior pituitary secretes LH and FSH into the blood, which act on membrane receptors in the Leydig and Sertoli cells of the testes, respectively.
claimFSH and testosterone stimulate Sertoli cells, located in the periphery of the seminiferous tubules of the testes, to release androgen-binding protein (ABP), which provides testosterone to germ cells during spermatogenesis.
claimFSH and LH belong to the same glycoprotein family and consist of identical alpha subunits, but are differentiated by their unique beta-subunits.
claimTestosterone acts on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary via negative feedback to decrease the secretion of LH and FSH.
4 Phases of Menstrual Cycle: Hormone Changes Chart - Liv Hospital int.livhospital.com Mar 19, 2026 4 facts
claimThe follicular phase is primarily characterized by the rise of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estrogen to develop an egg, whereas the luteal phase is characterized by the rise of progesterone to prepare for pregnancy.
claimThe menstrual phase initiates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which facilitates the growth of ovarian follicles.
claimThe female menstrual cycle relies on Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone for regularity.
claimThe rise in estrogen during the follicular phase is stimulated by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) produced by the pituitary gland, and this estrogen promotes the growth of the uterine lining in preparation for pregnancy.
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle: A Breakdown of Its Four Phases raleighob.com Jan 15, 2025 3 facts
claimThe menstrual cycle is regulated by the hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone.
claimAt the start of the menstrual cycle, low levels of estrogen and progesterone signal the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles.
claimThe follicular phase is driven by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which promotes the growth of ovarian follicles, which in turn release increasing amounts of estrogen.
Understanding the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle - Clue helloclue.com 3 facts
claimDuring the follicular phase, the pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which signals the ovaries to prepare an egg for ovulation.
claimThe pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) during the follicular phase to signal the ovaries to prepare an egg for ovulation.
claimEstrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) regulate the menstrual cycle by signaling the brain, ovaries, and uterus.
Female Reproductive System: Structure & Function my.clevelandclinic.org Nov 28, 2022 3 facts
claimAs estrogen levels rise during the follicular phase, the hormone acts as a switch to turn off the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), limiting the number of follicles that prepare eggs for release.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) trigger an increase in estrogen production in the ovaries.
procedureDuring the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the brain releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which travel through the blood to the ovaries to stimulate the growth of 15 to 20 eggs, each contained within a follicle.
Follicular Phase Of Menstrual Cycle - Cleveland Clinic my.clevelandclinic.org Aug 8, 2022 3 facts
claimThe pituitary gland releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain, to regulate the menstrual cycle.
claimThe pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which activates the ovaries to begin producing follicles, which are fluid-filled sacs where eggs mature.
claimIncreased estrogen levels trigger the pituitary gland to decrease the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), causing non-dominant follicles to wither and be reabsorbed by the body.
Menstrual Cycle Phases: Decoding the Stages - Perelel perelelhealth.com Oct 22, 2024 3 facts
claimDuring the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the brain sends follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to the ovaries, which brings a pool of eggs out of hibernation.
claimThe menstrual cycle is guided by shifts in estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
claimThe menstrual cycle is regulated by fluctuations in the hormones estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Female Sexual Response & Hormone Control | SEER Training training.seer.cancer.gov 2 facts
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone are the primary hormones that regulate the functions of the female reproductive system.
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone affect the ovaries and uterus, initiating the monthly reproductive cycles.
Which hormones are present in men + women? - MITOcare mitocare.de 2 facts
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes the development of follicles in the ovaries, which are necessary for the production of oestrogen.
claimThe pituitary gland in women releases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to prepare the body for pregnancy during the menstrual cycle.
Understanding the Difference Between Men & Women Hormones prestonspharmacy.com Jan 13, 2026 2 facts
claimWomen experience monthly hormonal cycles tied to the menstrual cycle, which typically lasts 28 days and is regulated by estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
claimWomen experience monthly hormonal cycles tied to the menstrual cycle, which typically lasts 28 days and is regulated by estrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).
Female Reproductive Endocrinology - Gynecology and Obstetrics merckmanuals.com 2 facts
claimLuteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promote ovulation and stimulate the ovaries to secrete the sex hormones estradiol (an estrogen) and progesterone.
claimLuteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promote ovulation in the female reproductive system.
Physiology, Male Reproductive System - PubMed pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov May 1, 2023 1 fact
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are released from the anterior pituitary gland and modulate the production of hormones in the testes.
The Menstrual Cycle | Patient Education - UCSF Health ucsfhealth.org 1 fact
claimFollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), produced by the pituitary gland, initiates follicle (egg) development and causes estrogen levels to rise.
Female hormone physiology - Straight Healthcare straighthealthcare.com 1 fact
claimThe follicular phase occurs during days 1-13 of the menstrual cycle and is characterized by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promoting ovarian follicle growth, which leads to increased estrogen levels.
Menstrual Cycle (Normal Menstruation): Overview & Phases my.clevelandclinic.org Dec 9, 2022 1 fact
claimDuring the follicular phase, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) causes follicles in the ovaries to grow, and between days 10 and 14, one follicle forms a mature egg (ovum).
Reproductive Hormones endocrine.org Jan 24, 2022 1 fact
claimThe pituitary gland produces, stores, and stimulates Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HcG), Prolactin, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
Male Reproductive System: Structure & Function - Cleveland Clinic my.clevelandclinic.org Aug 5, 2023 1 fact
claimThe pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is necessary for the production of sperm, a process known as spermatogenesis.
Unknown source 1 fact
claimThe recruitment stage of the menstrual cycle occurs during days 1 through 4, during which follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) recruits a cohort of follicles from the pool of non-proliferating follicles.
Physiology, Menstrual Cycle - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Sep 27, 2024 1 fact
claimGonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) travels to the anterior pituitary gland, where it activates G protein–coupled receptors, signaling the pituitary gland to release follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).