Difference Between FSH and LH
Gonadotropins are a combination of two words, gonads (meaning organs that make gametes) and tropins (meaning stimulating hormones). Hence, gonadotropins are hormones that help produce other reproductive hormones. This is accomplished by stimulating the ovaries and testes. FSH, short for Follicle-stimulating hormone, and LH, short for luteinizing hormone, are the two primary gonadotropins. The pituitary gland, which is located inside the brain, produces these hormones. While both of these hormones serve the same basic functions, they have some important differences as well.
FSH vs LH
The main difference between FSH and LH is that while FSH stimulates the release of estrogen in females and ABP in men, the LH causes progesterone to be released in females and testosterone in men.
Follicle-stimulating hormone, also known as FSH, is the gonadotropin responsible for menstruation in females. Other than that it also controls ovulation and several other reproductive functions of humans. FSH stimulates the primary follicle in females and helps it turn into the secondary follicle. It also stimulates the Sertoli cells present in the testes of males to generate the androgen binding protein.
The Luteinizing Hormone, or LH, is a gonadotropin that works with the FSH to control the reproductive functions of the human body. The LH hormone moves mature eggs from the ovary to the fallopian tube in females. The LH stimulates testosterone synthesis in men by stimulating the Leydig cells.
Comparison Table Between FSH and LH
| Parameters of Comparison | FSH | LH |
| Functionality in females | Induces secondary follicles to produce estrogen by stimulating primary follicles. | Induces ovulation, which produces progesterone. |
| Functionality in males | It stimulates the Sertoli cells to produce the ABP. | It stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone. |
| Sexual organ development | The primary sexual organs are developed by FSH. | Primary sexual organs are not developed by LH. |
| Reliance | Even if LH is not present in the body, FSH can still stimulate the immature follicle. This means that FSH is independent of LH. | If FSH is lacking, LH cannot stimulate the ovulation process. LH is thus dependent on FSH. |
| Effect on menstruation | FSH affects the menstrual cycle. | LH does not affect the menstrual cycle. |
What is FSH?
A female’s ovary is the principal site of FSH action. When a woman begins her menstrual cycle, several primordial oocytes develop into primary follicles. The primary follicles remain dormant until it is stimulated by FSH. FSH promotes the formation of secondary follicles from the primary follicle. Many different cells surround the secondary follicle as it develops. These cells go on to produce estrogen. As a result, FSH plays an important part in the production of estrogen in females.
The testes are the site of FSH activity in males. Several types of cells occupy the seminiferous tubule of the male testis. The sustentacular cells, or Sertoli cells, are one of them and are found inside these tubules. These Sertoli cells are stimulated by the LH hormone to release ABP (Androgen Binding Protein).
Low FSH levels in females may indicate:
- Egg production by the ovaries is insufficient.
- The pituitary gland is not functioning properly.
- There’s a problem with the hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for regulating the pituitary gland and other functions.
- They’re severely underweight.
When males have low FSH levels, they may be suffering from a pituitary gland or hypothalamic disorder.
What is LH?
LH completes the work started by FSH in females. When the secondary follicle is matured by FSH, it develops into the egg. This process thickens up the granules. Approximately 14 days into a woman’s menstrual cycle, the LH enters the picture. This hormone promotes the movement of the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube. The process is known as ovulation. When ovulation occurs, granular cells turn yellow – known as the luteum corpus. Progesterone is released from these cells when ovulation occurs. It is through LH that progesterone is formed in females.
In males, LH works in conjugation with the FSH. A group of cells called interstitial cells or Leydig cells exists outside the seminiferous tube. These cells are stimulated by LH to release testosterone by the LH hormone.
LH in excess or insufficient can lead to several problems. Some of these inconveniences include infertility and menstrual disorder in females. Lowering of sex drive may be observed in males. Both children and adolescents are capable of experiencing early and late puberty.
Main Differences Between FSH and LH
Conclusion
Gonadotropins are necessary hormones for keeping the reproductive system and other things related to it in check. FSH and LH are the two gonadotropins that are essential for humans. These gonadotropins, which are produced in female bodies, prepare the uterine lining for the implantation of an embryo. Together, they thicken the uterus, which facilitates fertilization. In males, these gonadotropins are responsible for the release of ABP, and testosterone binds together and starts the production of sperms. Both of these processes are necessary for reproduction and thus lower levels of these gonadotropins should never be neglected and checked for immediately.
References
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