| Luteinizing hormone is hormone secreted by the pituitary gland in vertebrates, which stimulates ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum in females. The luteinizing hormone is released from the anterior pituitary and in females has a positive effect on
ovulation and in the male is involved in spermatogenesis. In males it is necessary for the process of spermatogenesis and testosterone. The hormone stimulates the ovaries to produce and release eggs each month during the menstrual cycle. and the secretion of testosterone by the testes in males. Luteinizing hormone is a hormone synthesised and secreted by gonadotropes in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Luteinizing hormone is a glycoprotein, that is it a dimeric protein subunit, each of which is connected to a sugar moiety. It is one of the gonadotropins, the other being follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This pituitary hormone works in concert with FSH. FSH starts the development of the egg, and LH finishes the development and starts progesterone production. FSH is important to stimulate the cells of the follicle to produce estrogen. Leydig cells in male testes respond to LH by producing testosterone, while theca cells in the female ovary respond to LH by producing androgens and estrogens. In females, a LH surge about halfway through the menstrual cycle triggers the onset of ovulation. LH also induces the ovulated follicle to become a corpus luteum, which then secretes progesterone.
The luteinizing hormone (LH) test is a test of the blood or urine to measure the level of luteinizing hormone (lutropin). This hormone level is highest immediately before a woman ovulates during her menstrual cycle. The LH test is frequently used to determine the timing of ovulation. Couples who are trying to become pregnant may use information about the timing of ovulation to improve their chance of conception. LH is a protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In women, an LH surge at mid-cycle causes ovulation. For the next week or so, LH maintains the corpus luteum which synthesizes progesterone. If a woman does not become pregnant, the corpus luteum disintegrates after about 10 days. In men, LH stimulates production of testosterone by the Leydig cells of the testes. |
