Gonadotropins | Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Summary

In this educational video, Dr. Mike explains the crucial role of gonadotropins, hormones produced by the brain, in both male and female reproductive systems. He describes how the hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate the production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). For females, these hormones stimulate the maturation of eggs and ovulation, leading to the production of estrogen and progesterone, which prepare the uterus for implantation. In males, FSH and LH stimulate the production of androgen binding protein and testosterone, respectively, essential for sperm production. The video provides a clear understanding of the complex hormonal interactions that drive human reproduction.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The hypothalamus and pituitary gland, particularly the anterior lobe, are crucial for producing gonadotropins.
• 🚼 'Gonado' in gonadotropins refers to the reproductive organs, while 'tropins' indicates these hormones travel to the gonads to stimulate hormone release.
• 🌟 There are two main gonadotropins: Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), named for their roles in the female reproductive system.
• 🌿 FSH's role is to stimulate the maturation of primary follicles into secondary follicles, which then produce estrogen.
• 🥚 LH triggers ovulation, where a mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tubes for potential fertilization.
• 🟡 After ovulation, the remaining cells form the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone.
• 🤰 Both estrogen and progesterone are essential for preparing the uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg or blastocyst.
• 🧬 In the male reproductive system, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to produce Androgen Binding Protein (ABP).
• 🏋️‍♂️ LH stimulates Leydig cells (interstitial cells) to produce testosterone, the male sex hormone.
• 🔗 ABP binds with testosterone to facilitate sperm production.
• 🔄 Gonadotropins play a vital role in both the male and female reproductive systems, with FSH and LH influencing hormone production and reproductive processes.

Q & A

What is the role of gonadotropins in the reproductive system?

Gonadotropins are hormones produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that play a crucial role in both the male and female reproductive systems by stimulating the gonads to release hormones.

Which part of the brain is responsible for producing gonadotropins?

The anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, which is a projection of the hypothalamus, is responsible for producing gonadotropins.

What are the two main types of gonadotropins mentioned in the script?

The two main types of gonadotropins are Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH).

How does FSH affect the female reproductive system?

FSH stimulates the primary follicle to become a secondary follicle, which then produces estrogen and eventually leads to the maturation of the follicle for ovulation.

What is the primary function of LH in the female reproductive system?

LH stimulates ovulation, causing the mature egg to be released from the ovary into the fallopian tubes for potential fertilization.

What happens after LH triggers ovulation in the female reproductive system?

After ovulation, the remaining cells form the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to prepare the uterine lining for implantation.

How do estrogen and progesterone contribute to pregnancy in the female reproductive system?

Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for endometrial thickening, which prepares the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg or blastocyst.

What is the role of FSH in the male reproductive system?

FSH stimulates Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testes to produce Androgen Binding Protein (ABP), which is involved in sperm production.

What does LH stimulate in the male reproductive system?

LH stimulates Leydig cells (also known as interstitial cells) in the testes to produce testosterone, which is essential for sperm production.

How do ABP and testosterone work together in the male reproductive system?

ABP binds to testosterone, and together they facilitate the production of sperm in the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Can you summarize the overall function of gonadotropins in both male and female reproductive systems?

In the female reproductive system, gonadotropins stimulate the maturation of the follicle and ovulation, and prepare the uterus for implantation. In the male reproductive system, they stimulate the production of ABP and testosterone, which are essential for sperm production.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Hormonal Control of Reproduction

Dr. Mike introduces the concept of gonadotropins, hormones produced by the brain that play a crucial role in the reproductive systems of both males and females. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are highlighted as key structures, with a focus on the anterior lobe of the pituitary where gonadotropins are produced. The two primary gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), are explained in the context of their functions in the female reproductive system, including the maturation of eggs and the preparation for ovulation.

05:01

🌟 The Role of Gonadotropins in Female Reproduction

This paragraph delves into the specifics of how FSH and LH influence the female reproductive system. FSH is described as stimulating the development of primary to secondary follicles in the ovaries, which in turn produce estrogen. LH is then highlighted for its role in triggering ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. The paragraph explains how estrogen and progesterone work together to prepare the uterine lining for potential fertilization and implantation.

10:03

🚹🚺 Gonadotropins in Male and Female Reproductive Systems

The final paragraph synthesizes the information on gonadotropins' roles in both male and female reproductive systems. In females, LH is associated with ovulation and the production of progesterone by the corpus luteum, which prepares the uterus for implantation. In males, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to produce androgen binding protein (ABP), while LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone. The combination of ABP and testosterone leads to sperm production. The paragraph concludes by summarizing the协同 functions of these hormones in preparing the reproductive environments for successful fertilization and the beginning of life.

Keywords

💡Gonadotropins

Gonadotropins are a group of hormones produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that play a crucial role in the regulation of the reproductive system. In the context of the video, gonadotropins include Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH), which are essential for processes such as ovulation and sperm production. The script explains how these hormones travel to the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females) to stimulate the release of sex hormones and the maturation of gametes.

💡Hypothalamus

The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. It is responsible for controlling various bodily functions, including the release of hormones related to reproduction. In the script, it is mentioned as the part of the brain that projects to the pituitary gland, which in turn produces gonadotropins, highlighting its importance in the endocrine system's role in reproduction.

💡Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. It has two lobes, anterior and posterior, with the anterior lobe being the focus of the video script as it is responsible for the production of gonadotropins. The script discusses how the pituitary gland's anterior lobe produces hormones that regulate the function of the gonads, thereby controlling the reproductive cycle.

💡Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Follicle Stimulating Hormone, or FSH, is a gonadotropin that plays a key role in the female reproductive system by stimulating the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles. In the video script, FSH is described as initiating the development of primary follicles into secondary follicles, which then produce estrogen, a hormone critical for the preparation of the uterine lining for potential fertilization.

💡Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Luteinizing Hormone, or LH, is another gonadotropin that triggers ovulation in females and stimulates the production of testosterone in males. The script explains that LH causes the mature follicle to release an egg during ovulation and, post-ovulation, leads to the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone to further prepare the uterus for implantation.

💡Ovary

The ovaries are the female reproductive organs that produce eggs (ova) and female sex hormones. In the script, the ovary is the site where FSH and LH act to stimulate the maturation of follicles and the production of estrogen and progesterone, which are essential for the menstrual cycle and potential pregnancy.

💡Estrogen

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. It plays a vital role in the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. In the video script, estrogen is mentioned as being produced by the secondary follicles stimulated by FSH, which helps in thickening the uterine lining for implantation.

💡Progesterone

Progesterone is a hormone that is produced after ovulation by the corpus luteum. It prepares the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg and maintains pregnancy if fertilization occurs. The script describes how progesterone is produced following LH's stimulation of ovulation, highlighting its importance in the reproductive process.

💡Testes

The testes are the male reproductive organs responsible for the production of sperm and male sex hormones. In the script, the testes contain seminiferous tubules where sperm production occurs, and the action of FSH and LH on the testes is crucial for the development of sperm and the production of testosterone.

💡Seminiferous Tubules

Seminiferous tubules are the coiled tubes within the testes where sperm cells develop. The script explains that FSH stimulates the Sertoli cells within these tubules, which then produce androgen binding protein (ABP), a component necessary for sperm maturation alongside testosterone.

💡Androgen Binding Protein (ABP)

Androgen Binding Protein is a protein that binds to testosterone, facilitating the transport of the hormone to the developing sperm cells within the seminiferous tubules. The script describes how FSH stimulates the production of ABP by Sertoli cells, which, in conjunction with testosterone, is essential for sperm production.

💡Testosterone

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics and the production of sperm. In the video script, LH is described as stimulating Leydig cells to produce testosterone, which, together with ABP, is crucial for spermatogenesis.

Highlights

Dr. Mike discusses the crucial role of gonadotropins in the male and female reproductive systems.

Gonadotropins are produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

Gonadotropins include Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH).

FSH and LH are named for their roles in the female reproductive system.

FSH stimulates the maturation of primordial follicles into primary follicles in the ovary.

Secondary follicles develop from primary follicles under the influence of FSH, producing estrogen.

LH triggers ovulation, releasing the mature egg into the fallopian tubes.

After ovulation, the remaining cells form the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone.

Progesterone and estrogen prepare the uterine lining for potential fertilization and implantation.

In the male reproductive system, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells to produce ABP, an androgen binding protein.

LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone, the male sex hormone.

The combination of ABP and testosterone in the male reproductive system facilitates sperm production.

Gonadotropins play a pivotal role in both the preparation of the uterus and sperm production.

The video provides a clear distinction between the functions of FSH and LH in both male and female systems.

The process of ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum are key to understanding the menstrual cycle.

The video simplifies complex hormonal interactions with visual aids and clear explanations.

Understanding gonadotropins is essential for grasping the basics of human reproduction.

Transcripts

hi everybody dr mike here in this video

i want to discuss the really important

role

that the gonadotropins a set of hormones

produced by the brain

what role they play in both the male and

female reproductive systems

so to begin with we know that there is a

part of the brain called the

hypothalamus and there is a projection

of the hypothalamus called the pituitary

gland

and it has an anterior and posterior

lobe

we're going to focus on the anterior

lobe of the pituitary gland because that

is where

the gonadotropins are produced so

the gonadotropins

gonado tropins firstly

gonad is referring to the male and

female

reproductive organs so for the males

testes females ovaries

tropins tells you that this hormone or

these hormones

are going to travel to these tissues the

gonads and tell them to release more

hormones

all right now what are the

gernadotropins the gonadotropins are

follicle stimulating hormone

so it's follicle

stimulating

hormone

also known as fsh and

luteinizing hormone also known as

lh now

these two gonadotropins follicle

stimulating hormone luteinizing hormone

they're named after what they do in the

female reproductive system

so let's focus on that one first so what

do they do all right

firstly let's look at follicle

stimulating hormone and we know they

play their role at the

ovary so let's draw an ovary up here

and what we need to know is that every

month

through the menstrual cycle the

reproductive cycle what's happening

is that there are these primordial

follicles

so there's a whole number of eggs and

they need to begin to mature

now what you're going to find is that

around about 14 days of this cycle

an egg will be ovulated this egg will be

taking up

into the uterine tubes or the fallopian

tubes

and we'll be waiting for fertilization

for a sperm to come along

now in order for this process to happen

you're going to have a number

of primordial oocytes

that will turn into something called a

primary follicle so this is a primary

follicle

right here now the primary follicle will

be frozen it's stuck there until

follicle stimulating hormone comes along

that's unsurprising right

it's named after what it does it

stimulates the follicle so follicle

stimulating hormone comes along

and stimulates the primary follicle to

turn into something called a

secondary follicle and this secondary

follicle

will start to grow and develop a number

of different cells

around it now these cells

are going to produce a hormone called

estrogen really important estrogen

that's the first thing the second thing

is that this secondary

follicle is going to begin to turn into

a more mature or graphene follicle

and this more mature follicle

is going to really start to thicken up

these cells

now these cells are called granular

cells or thicker cells they're going to

start to thicken up

really pump out that estrogen but now

we're at around about day 14

and something needs to happen that egg

inside needs to be ovulated

this is where luteinizing hormone comes

along luteinizing hormone

stimulates ovulation this egg

then becomes then gets ovulated and it's

going to ovulate into the fallopian

tubes

right now the thing is this once

luteinizing hormones told that egg to

ovulate

these cells remain now we said that

follicle stimulating hormone

stimulates the follicles what does

luteinizing hormone do

so lutein means yellow luteinizing means

to make something yellow

what happens is these cells that are now

remaining so there's a little

group of cells that are now remaining

they start to

become yellow and they are called the

corpus

luteum corpus meaning body lutein

meaning

yellow now haven't drawn it up as yellow

but it is and what these cells

do is they start to produce progesterone

so what have we found we've found that

follicle stimulating hormones stimulate

a primary follicle to go to a secondary

follicle

and that produces estrogen luteinizing

hormone

tells the egg to ovulate and

the remaining cells called the corpus

luteum

produce progesterone what does both

estrogen and progesterone do

they prepare the uterine lining for

implantation so

uterus preparation endometrial

thickening

starts to become more vascular starts to

thicken and this is going to obviously

be

beneficial for egg implantation or some

fertilized blastocyst implantation let's

now focus on what's happening in d

so again let's just label this because

this is the ovary this is going to be

female

let's now have a look at what's

happening in the male reproductive

system

so we're going to have a testy not an

ovary we're going to have a testing

and in the testy we're going to have

something called seminiferous tubules

this is where sperm is produced and

that's going to give you an indication

as to

what these two particular hormones are

going to do so what we're going to find

is in the test

we're going to look inside the test is

we're going to have a look inside the

seminiferous tubules and it's going to

be a hollow

tube like this what you're going to find

is there's a couple of different

types of cells all right first type of

cell

is going to be a group of cells that sit

inside this

tube like this these cells are called

sustentacular sustain

tacular cells also known as sertoli

cells

really important then there's going to

be a group of cells that sit outside

the tubules they're called interstitial

cells

into cells also known as

lady cells all right what happens

follicle stimulating hormone

gets released what does follicle

stimulating hormone do

follicle stimulating hormone stimulates

the setoli cells all right

what does it stimulate the setoli cells

to do stimulates them to produce

something

what does it stimulate them to produce

something called

a b p abp

is androgen binding protein androgen

binding protein all right what does

luteinizing hormone do i'll tell you

what it does in a sec

luteinizing hormone stimulates the

leydig cell so

think of the l in luteinizing

stimulating the lady

cells and what do they produce they

produce testosterone

testosterone all right here's the thing

androgen an androgen is a male sex

hormone testosterone is the male

sex hormone antigen binding protein so

it must bind to testosterone and that's

exactly what it does

abp and testosterone bind together

and what do they do together they start

to produce

sperm so what do we have we've got

estrogen and progesterone

preparing the endometrium or the uterus

for implantation

and abp and testosterone producing sperm

so luteinizing hormone stimulates latex

cells to produce testosterone

follicle stimulating hormones stimulates

setoly cells to produce

abp there's going to be a quick and easy

way to present this now

let's have a look what we can now do

is take this information that we've

learnt

we can say all right here's

male reproductive system his female

reproductive system follicle stimulating

hormone

for the male reproductive system

follicle stimulating hormone

for the female reproductive system what

did it do let's start with female

stimulated primary

to secondary follicle

then what did that secondary follicle do

it produced

estrogen

what about in the male reproductive

system follicle stimulating hormone

stimulated what cell type was it it was

the

was it interstitial was it certainly it

was cetoli

stimulated the setoli cells

and these setoli cells produced do you

remember what it was androgen

binding protein a

b p luteinizing hormone

luteinizing hormone stimulated ovulation

in the female reproductive system

and that corpus luteum that was

remaining what did that

so led to a corpus luteum

what did that corpus luteum do it

produced

progesterone

what about in the male reproductive

system luteinizing hormone

latex cells what did the lady cells do

testosterone

testosterone and

together what did these two do

sperm production

and what did these two do in the female

reproductive system

prepare the uterus

so there we go this is the role that the

gonadotropins

fsh and lh play in the male and female

reproductive systems