gonadotrophin

gonadotropin

 [go´nah-do-tro″pin]

any hormone having a stimulating effect on the gonads. Two such hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary gland: follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, both of which are active, but with differing effects, in the two sexes. Called also gonadotropic hormone.

chorionic gonadotropin (human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) (hCG))

1. a glycopeptide hormone that is produced by cells of the fetal placenta and maintains the function of the corpus luteum during the first few weeks of pregnancy. It is thought to promote steroidogenesis in the fetoplacental unit and to stimulate fetal testicular secretion of testosterone. It can be detected by immunoassay in the maternal urine within days after fertilization; this provides the basis for the most commonly used pregnancy test.

2. the same principle obtained from the urine of pregnant women, used in treatment of certain cases of cryptorchidism and male hypogonadism, to induce ovulation and pregnancy in certain infertile, anovulatory women, and to increase the numbers of oocytes for patients attempting conception using assisted reproductive technologies such as gamete intrafallopian transfer or in vitro fertilization; administered intramuscularly. See also choriogonadotropin alfa.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

go·nad·o·tro·pin

(gō'nad-ō-trō'pin, gon'ă-dō-),

1. A hormone capable of promoting gonadal growth and function; such effects, as exerted by a single hormone, are usually limited to discrete functions or histologic components of a gonad, such as stimulation of follicular growth or of androgen formation; most gonadotropins exert their effects in both genders, although the effect of a given gonadotropin will differ in males and females.

2. Any hormone that stimulates gonadal function.

3. Any substance that has the combined effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Synonym(s): gonadotrophin, gonadotropic hormone

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

go·nad·o·tro·pin

(gō-nad'ō-trō'pin)

1. A hormone capable of promoting gonadal growth and function; such effects, as exerted by a single hormone, usually are limited to discrete functions or histologic components of a gonad, such as stimulation of follicular growth or of androgen formation; most gonadotropins exert their effects in both sexes, although the effect of a given gonadotropin will differ in males and females.
Synonym(s): gonadotrophin.

2. Any hormone that stimulates gonadal function.

3. Any substance that has the combined effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

gonadotrophin

or

gonadotrophic hormones

hormones secreted by the anterior lobe of the PITUITARY GLAND and in some mammals, once pregnancy is under way, by the PLACENTA. FSH and LH are produced by all TETRAPODS though FSH appears to be absent in fish. LTH (Luteotrophin) is present in rats and maintains the CORPUS LUTEUM though it is absent in other mammals. Prolactin is present in some vertebrates and controls milk production (LTH is a form of prolactin). Pituitary output is controlled by the hypothalamus. Gonadotrophins influence other glands connected with reproduction, controlling the activity of the gonads, the onset of sexual maturity, OESTROUS CYCLES, breeding rhythms and LACTATION. See also HCG.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Gonadotrophin

Hormones that stimulate the ovary and testicles.

Mentioned in: Klinefelter Syndrome

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.