Commentary on the recent FSH collection: known knowns and known unknowns.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a dimeric glycoprotein secreted by the anterior pituitary gonadotrope, which is necessary for reproductive function in mammals. FSH primarily regulates granulosa cells and follicular growth in females, and Sertoli cell function in males. Since its identification in 1930s and sequencing in 1970s, significant progress has been made in elucidating its regulation and downstream function. Recent advances provide deeper insight into FSH synthesis and effects in the gonads, suggest potential roles in extragonadal tissues, and examine pharmacological approaches and clinical applications in infertility treatment, that now affects 18% of couples. These advances were discussed in detail in a number of reviews published in the last two years in Endocrinology. In this brief commentary, we summarize these reviews and point to the outstanding questions that should be answered in the near future to bridge a gap in our understanding of this hormone.
Endocrinology