Useful For

FSH is secreted by the anterior pituitary under the control of hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone.  The function of FSH in both males and females is to facilitate the development and maintenance of the gonadal tissues.  These tissues synthesize and secrete steroid hormones, which in turn control FSH concentrations by negative feedback.  At menopause, ovarian function and steroid secretion cease, causing FSH concentrations to rise due to a lack of negative feedback control.  FSH concentrations are similarly raised in women of pre-menopausal age who suffer ovarian failure, or whose ovaries failed to mature during puberty.  Elevated FSH concentrations are found in males when the testes have failed to develop to functional maturity, or, in cases of infertility, due to primary testicular failure.