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Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are integral components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, which controls sexual maturation and functionality. In the absence of signaling through their shared receptor, fetal sexual differentiation and post-natal development c...

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Autores principales: Choi, Janet, Smitz, Johan
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Informa UK Ltd. 2014
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956631/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24283620
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2013.859670
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author Choi, Janet
Smitz, Johan
author_facet Choi, Janet
Smitz, Johan
author_sort Choi, Janet
collection PubMed
description Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are integral components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, which controls sexual maturation and functionality. In the absence of signaling through their shared receptor, fetal sexual differentiation and post-natal development cannot proceed normally. Although they share a high degree of homology, the physiologic roles of these hormones are unique, governed by differences in expression pattern, biopotency and regulation. Whereas LH is a key regulator of gonadal steroidogenesis and ovulation, hCG is predominantly active in pregnancy and fetal development. Emerging evidence has revealed endogenous functions not previously ascribed to hCG, including participation in ovulation and fertilization, implantation, placentation and other activities in support of successful pregnancy. Spontaneous and induced mutations in LH, hCG and their mutual receptor have contributed substantially to our understanding of reproductive development and function. The lack of naturally occurring, functionally significant mutations in the β-subunit of hCG reinforce its putative role in establishment of pregnancy. Rescue of reproductive abnormalities resulting from aberrant gonadotropin signaling is possible in certain clinical contexts, depending on the nature of the underlying defect. By understanding the physiologic roles of LH and hCG in normal and pathologic states, we may better harness their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential.
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spelling pubmed-39566312014-03-18 Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles Choi, Janet Smitz, Johan Gynecol Endocrinol LH and HCG Luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are integral components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, which controls sexual maturation and functionality. In the absence of signaling through their shared receptor, fetal sexual differentiation and post-natal development cannot proceed normally. Although they share a high degree of homology, the physiologic roles of these hormones are unique, governed by differences in expression pattern, biopotency and regulation. Whereas LH is a key regulator of gonadal steroidogenesis and ovulation, hCG is predominantly active in pregnancy and fetal development. Emerging evidence has revealed endogenous functions not previously ascribed to hCG, including participation in ovulation and fertilization, implantation, placentation and other activities in support of successful pregnancy. Spontaneous and induced mutations in LH, hCG and their mutual receptor have contributed substantially to our understanding of reproductive development and function. The lack of naturally occurring, functionally significant mutations in the β-subunit of hCG reinforce its putative role in establishment of pregnancy. Rescue of reproductive abnormalities resulting from aberrant gonadotropin signaling is possible in certain clinical contexts, depending on the nature of the underlying defect. By understanding the physiologic roles of LH and hCG in normal and pathologic states, we may better harness their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential. Informa UK Ltd. 2014-03 2013-11-27 /pmc/articles/PMC3956631/ /pubmed/24283620 http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2013.859670 Text en © 2014 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the source is credited.
spellingShingle LH and HCG
Choi, Janet
Smitz, Johan
Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
title Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
title_full Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
title_fullStr Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
title_full_unstemmed Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
title_short Luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
title_sort luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin: distinguishing unique physiologic roles
topic LH and HCG
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956631/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24283620
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2013.859670
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