HLH

Description

This is a gonadotropic glycoprotein hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary. In females, an LH surge triggers ovulation and stimulates the development of the corpus luteum. In males, LH stimulates androgen production and spermatogenesis. Gonadotropic fractions with the properties of LH were purified from the ovine in the late 1950s, and subsequently LH has been isolated from many other species. Human LH was first fully purified in 1964. The aa sequence of the ovine LH β-subunit was determined in 1972. The full nucleotide sequence of the human LH β-subunit gene was determined in 1984.

The Uses of HLH

A surge of LH is tested to predict ovulation using urinary ovulation predictor kits. Recombinant human LH is used for the treatment of female infertility. Menotropins (human menopausal gonadotropin, hMG), a mixture of FSH and LH, are used to treat infertility in women. hCG derived from the urine of pregnant women is used as an LH substitute.

General Description

LH is another glycoprotein. It acts after the maturing actionof FSH on ovarian follicles, stimulates production of estrogens,and transforms the follicles into corpora lutea. LHalso acts in the male to stimulate the Leydig cells that producetestosterone.