Genetic Approaches to the Study of Pituitary Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Regulation

摘要: The pituitary glycoprotein hormone known as follicle-stimulating (FSH) plays a fundamental role in folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis mammals. Precise regulation of its synthesis secretion is therefore vital to normal reproductive function, particularly females. Several endocrine, paracrine, autocrine factors within the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis have been identified important regulators FSH, including gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH), inhibin, activin, follistatin, sex-steroid hormones. Over past several years, variety genetic loss- gain-of-function models created mice using gene targeting transgenic technologies. This chapter reviews contributions these our understanding FSH synthesis, secretion, function. Many confirm results from years physiological experimentation, but new insights into action emerged result advances molecular genetics. Continued development models, along with use novel vitro model systems, will significantly advance biology.