Hormone – LH & FSH

Pituitary hormone, targetĀ and function

Hormone – LH & FSH
Luteinising Hormone (LH)
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Target(s) – Ovaries (Women)
Testes (Men)

Function
Controls reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics. Stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. LH and FSH are known collectively as Gonadotrophins. LH is also referred to as Interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) in males.

Oestrogen (Women)
facilitates growth of the tissues of the sex organs and other tissues related to reproduction. Oestrogen also acts to strengthen bones and has a protective effect on the heart.

Progesterone (Women)

promotes the changes in the uterus that occur in preparation for the implantation of a fertilised ovum and prepares the breats for milk production.

Testosterone (Men)

is responsible for the characteristics of the masculine body, including hair growth on the face and body and muscle development. Testosterone is
essential for the production or sperm and also acts to stengthen bones