Gonadotropin-releasing hormone signals the pituitary gland to produce FSH and LH, which contribute to the maturation of follicles and sperm cells. It plays an important role in human reproduction, and its production can be affected by other hormones. Hypogonadism can cause low sex hormone production, resulting in growth problems and sexual dysfunction.
A gonadotropin-releasing hormone is a hormone that normally originates in the hypothalamus of the brain and signals the pituitary gland to produce follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Follicle-stimulating hormone typically contributes to the maturation of follicles in a female’s ovaries and to the maturation of sperm cells in a male. Luteinizing hormone generally stimulates the secretion of testosterone in a male’s testicles or female’s ovaries. In most cases, the testosterone produced in the female ovaries is converted into estrogen. LH can also stimulate the secretion of progesterone in female ovaries.
Gonadotropin releasing hormone plays an important role in the normal human reproductive process. The activation of reproductive hormone production by gonadotropin-releasing hormone often helps men maintain healthy testosterone levels and produce healthy sperm cells for reproduction. A woman’s reproductive health is generally supported by adequate levels of estrogen and progesterone which are typically maintained by the activity of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
The production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone can decrease or increase in response to the levels of other hormones in the body. A high level of testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone in the bloodstream typically signals the hypothalamus to decrease the release of its gonadotropin-stimulating hormone. The decreased level of gonadotropin-releasing hormone usually signals the pituitary gland to decrease its release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and causes the ovaries or testicles to decrease production of the sex hormones. Low blood levels of reproductive hormones normally cause the hypothalamus to increase the production of its gonadotropin-stimulating hormone. Increased production of gonadotropin-releasing hormones typically stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone—these hormones ultimately cause the testicles or ovaries to increase production of their reproductive hormones in most cases.
Some people have medical conditions such as hypogonadism that cause low sex hormone production that is typically not corrected by an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Primary hypogonadism is usually caused by improper functioning of the testicles or ovaries and can result from radiation, autoimmune disease, or kidney or liver disease. Genetic disorders such as Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome can also cause hypogonadism. Central hypogonadism is usually caused by problems with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland and can develop from nutritional deficiencies, internal bleeding or infection. Pituitary tumors and genetic disorders such as Kallmann syndrome can also cause some cases of central hypogonadism.
Hypogonadism in boys can cause growth problems as well as lack of muscle development and facial hair growth. Some men with this disorder may develop sexual dysfunction, breast enlargement, or muscle loss. Girls with hypogonadism may have stunted growth, no menstruation, and a lack of breast development. Hot flashes, low libido, and missed periods have occurred in some women with the condition.
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