The role of follicle-stimulating hormone is related to sex. In women, the
function of follicle-stimulating hormone is to promote follicular development
and maturation, and in coordination with luteinizing hormone (LH) to promote
mature follicles to secrete estrogen and ovulation, and participate in the
formation of normal menstruation. In men, the role of follicle-stimulating
hormone is to promote the maturation of the testicular tubules and sperm
production. The role of follicle-stimulating hormone is reflected in:
1. Direct stimulation of granulosa cell proliferation and
differentiation.
2. Induce the synthesis of granulosa cell FSH and LH receptor, and improve
the reactivity of granulosa cell to LH, so as to maintain the synthesis of the
anterior follicle and the formation of corpus luteum after ovulation.
3. FSH can bind to receptors on the surface of granulosa cells and activate
cyclocytase and camp-dependent protein kinases to induce the expression of gene
products, such as the increased activity of aromatase, so as to convert more
androgens into estrogen.
4. FSH can also be active in the synthesis of inhibitors, activators and
insulin-like growth factor-1, which play an important role in regulating
dominant follicles and atresia.