Regulation of gonadotropin subunit gene transcription
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine and the Center for Research in Reproduction, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- (Requests for offprints should be addressed to L L Burger; Email: lburger{at}virginia.edu)
Abstract
Reproductive function in mammals is regulated by the pituitary gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH and FSH are secreted by the gonadotrope cell and act on the gonad in a sequential and synergistic manner to initiate sexual maturation and maintain cyclic reproductive function. The synthesis and secretion of LH and FSH are regulated mainly by the pulsatile release of the hypothalamic decapeptide hormone gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The control of differential LH and FSH synthesis and secretion is complex and involves the interplay between the gonads, hypothalamus and pituitary. In this review, the transcriptional regulation of the gonadotropin subunit genes is discussed in a physiologic setting, and we aimed to examine the mechanisms that drive those changes.
- Received 30 June 2004
- Accepted 23 August 2004
- Made available online as an Accepted Preprint 3 September 2004
- © 2004 Society for Endocrinology
