Neuroendocrine, Autocrine, and Paracrine Control of Follicle-stimulating Hormone Secretion

Overview

Journal Mol Cell Endocrinol

Specialties Cell Biology
Endocrinology
Molecular Biology

Date 2019 Nov 5

PMID 31682864

Citations 11

Authors

Vasantha Padmanabhan

Rodolfo C Cardoso

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary that plays a central role in controlling ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in females. Moreover, recent studies strongly suggest that FSH exerts extragonadal actions, particularly regulating bone mass and adiposity. Despite its crucial role, the mechanisms regulating FSH secretion are not completely understood. It is evident that hypothalamic, ovarian, and pituitary factors are involved in the neuroendocrine, paracrine, and autocrine regulation of FSH production. Large animal models, such as the female sheep, represent valuable research models to investigate specific aspects of FSH secretory processes. This review: (i) summarizes the role of FSH controlling reproduction and other biological processes; (ii) discusses the hypothalamic, gonadal, and pituitary regulation of FSH secretion; (iii) considers the biological relevance of the different FSH isoforms; and (iv) summarizes the distinct patterns of FSH secretion under different physiological conditions.

Citing Articles

Integrated transcriptomic hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis network analysis reveals the role of energy availability on egg production in layers.

Peng J, Cui Y, Liang H, Xu S, Weng L, Ru M Anim Nutr. 2025; 20:66-79.

PMID: 39949733 PMC: 11821414. DOI: 10.1016/j.aninu.2024.08.009.

Mechanisms of extracellular vesicle uptake and implications for the design of cancer therapeutics.

Jackson Cullison S, Flemming J, Karagoz K, Wermuth P, Mahoney M J Extracell Biol. 2024; 3(11):e70017.

PMID: 39483807 PMC: 11522837. DOI: 10.1002/jex2.70017.

Single nucleus/cell RNA-seq of the chicken hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis offers new insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development.

Leng D, Zeng B, Wang T, Chen B, Li D, Li Z Zool Res. 2024; 45(5):1088-1107.

PMID: 39245652 PMC: 11491784. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.037.

Meta-Analytical and Meta-Regression Evaluation of Subclinical Hyperthyroidism's Effect on Male Reproductive Health: Hormonal and Seminal Perspectives.

Bahreiny S, Ahangarpour A, Rajaei E, Sharifani M, Aghaei M Reprod Sci. 2024; 31(10):2957-2971.

PMID: 39168918 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01676-8.

Elevated gonadotropin levels are associated with increased biomarker risk of Alzheimer's disease in midlife women.

Nerattini M, Rubino F, Jett S, Andy C, Boneu C, Zarate C Front Dement. 2024; 2.

PMID: 38774256 PMC: 11108587. DOI: 10.3389/frdem.2023.1303256.

References

McCANN S, Karanth S, Mastronardi C, Dees W, Childs G, Miller B . Control of gonadotropin secretion by follicle-stimulating hormone-releasing factor, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, and leptin. Arch Med Res. 2001; 32(6):476-85. DOI: 10.1016/s0188-4409(01)00343-5. View

Caraty A, Orgeur P, Thiery J . [Demonstration of the pulsatile secretion of LH-RH into hypophysial portal blood of ewes using an original technic for multiple samples]. C R Seances Acad Sci III. 1982; 295(2):103-6. View

Sairam M, Bhargavi G . A role for glycosylation of the alpha subunit in transduction of biological signal in glycoprotein hormones. Science. 1985; 229(4708):65-7. DOI: 10.1126/science.2990039. View

Moenter S, Caraty A, Locatelli A, Karsch F . Pattern of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion leading up to ovulation in the ewe: existence of a preovulatory GnRH surge. Endocrinology. 1991; 129(3):1175-82. DOI: 10.1210/endo-129-3-1175. View

Liu P, Ji Y, Yuen T, Rendina-Ruedy E, DeMambro V, Dhawan S . Blocking FSH induces thermogenic adipose tissue and reduces body fat. Nature. 2017; 546(7656):107-112. PMC: 5651981. DOI: 10.1038/nature22342. View

Smitz J, Wolfenson C, Chappel S, Ruman J . Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: A Review of Form and Function in the Treatment of Infertility. Reprod Sci. 2015; 23(6):706-16. DOI: 10.1177/1933719115607992. View

Densmore V, Urbanski H . Relative effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-I and GnRH-II on gonadotropin release. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003; 88(5):2126-34. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2002-021359. View

Devleta B, Adem B, Senada S . Hypergonadotropic amenorrhea and bone density: new approach to an old problem. J Bone Miner Metab. 2004; 22(4):360-4. DOI: 10.1007/s00774-004-0495-1. View

Padmanabhan V, Karsch F, Lee J . Hypothalamic, pituitary and gonadal regulation of FSH. Reprod Suppl. 2003; 59:67-82. View

10.

Cook R, Thompson T, Jardetzky T, Woodruff T . Molecular biology of inhibin action. Semin Reprod Med. 2004; 22(3):269-76. DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-831902. View

11.

Gault P, Maudsley S, Lincoln G . Evidence that gonadotropin-releasing hormone II is not a physiological regulator of gonadotropin secretion in mammals. J Neuroendocrinol. 2003; 15(9):831-9. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2826.2003.01065.x. View

12.

Phillips D, Albertsson-Wikland K, Eriksson K, Wide L . Changes in the isoforms of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone during puberty in normal children. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1997; 82(9):3103-6. DOI: 10.1210/jcem.82.9.4254. View

13.

Barrios-de-Tomasi J, Timossi C, Merchant H, Quintanar A, Avalos J, Andersen C . Assessment of the in vitro and in vivo biological activities of the human follicle-stimulating isohormones. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2002; 186(2):189-98. DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00657-8. View

14.

Woodruff T, Besecke L, Groome N, Draper L, Schwartz N, Weiss J . Inhibin A and inhibin B are inversely correlated to follicle-stimulating hormone, yet are discordant during the follicular phase of the rat estrous cycle, and inhibin A is expressed in a sexually dimorphic manner. Endocrinology. 1996; 137(12):5463-7. DOI: 10.1210/endo.137.12.8940372. View

15.

Welt C . Regulation and function of inhibins in the normal menstrual cycle. Semin Reprod Med. 2004; 22(3):187-93. DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-831894. View

16.

DePaolo L, Bicsak T, Erickson G, Shimasaki S, Ling N . Follistatin and activin: a potential intrinsic regulatory system within diverse tissues. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1991; 198(1):500-12. DOI: 10.3181/00379727-198-43286a. View

17.

Corrigan A, Bilezikjian L, Carroll R, Bald L, Schmelzer C, Fendly B . Evidence for an autocrine role of activin B within rat anterior pituitary cultures. Endocrinology. 1991; 128(3):1682-4. DOI: 10.1210/endo-128-3-1682. View

18.

Gieske M, Kim H, Legan S, Koo Y, Krust A, Chambon P . Pituitary gonadotroph estrogen receptor-alpha is necessary for fertility in females. Endocrinology. 2007; 149(1):20-7. PMC: 2194602. DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-1084. View

19.

Okada Y, Murota-Kawano A, Kakar S, Winters S . Evidence that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) II stimulates luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone secretion from monkey pituitary cultures by activating the GnRH I receptor. Biol Reprod. 2003; 69(4):1356-61. DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.103.016162. View

20.

Kumar T . Extragonadal Actions of FSH: A Critical Need for Novel Genetic Models. Endocrinology. 2017; 159(1):2-8. PMC: 5761596. DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03118. View