Luteinizing hormone

Table of Contents

• What is Luteinizing hormone?
• Functions of Luteinizing hormone
• Disorders of the Luteinizing hormone
• Hormones Levels and the Risk Factors

Luteinising hormones are called gonadotropic hormones, which are produced and released by the group of cells of the anterior pituitary gland. It is one of the main hormones that control the reproductive system by controlling the function of female reproductive organs – ovaries and male reproductive organs – testes.

LH is formed in the pituitary gland, and binds with receptors in the hypothalamus before it is released into the bloodstream. It then makes its way to the ovaries. Our body maintains the level of LH in the blood cells, but an increase in estrogen creates a spike in luteinizing hormone, which triggers ovulation – the release of a female egg cell from an ovary.

Also Read: Hormones

In males, the luteinizing hormone triggers the production and secretion of hormones known as androgens from the testes. Along with the secretion of androgens and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), this hormone also controls spermatogenesis.

In females, the luteinizing hormone causes ovulation of the Graafian follicles and also maintains the corpus luteum, which is developed from the traces of the Graafian follicles after the ovulation process that produces progesterone.

Also Read: Difference between Estrogen and Progesterone

1. It is responsible for ovulation in females.
2. It plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle.
3. It is responsible for the production of sperm in males.
4. LH stimulates estrogen and progesterone production from the ovary.
5. It subsequently stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone.
6. LH stimulates testosterone production from the interstitial cells of the testes.

• High levels of LH in a woman may be a sign of primary ovarian failure.
• Low levels of LH in a woman may be a sign of secondary ovarian failure.
• High levels of LH in men are a sign of a problem with the testicles.
• Low levels of LH result in disorder with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.

What is LH test used for?

The Luteinizing hormone test measures the amount of LH present in the blood. It is used to detect any sexual abnormalities or problems related to the pituitary gland.

In women, these tests are most often used to diagnose:

1. Causes of infertility
2. Find out when ovulation occurs.
3. Causes for irregular or stopped menstrual periods.
4. To confirm the start of menopause, or perimenopause in a woman around 50 years old.

In men, these tests are most often used to diagnose the:

• Causes of infertility.
• Causes for low sex drive.
• Causes for a low sperm count.

In children, these tests are most often used to diagnose the:

• Causes for early or delayed puberty.
• In girls, puberty is considered early if it starts before the age of 8 – 9 and delayed if it has not started by the age of 12 – 13.
• In boys, puberty is considered early if it starts before the age of 9 – 10 and delayed if it has not started by the age of 13 – 14.

Hormonal Levels

The hormonal level usually varies with the age and sex of an individual. In women, the LH levels vary with the menstrual cycle and menopause. In men, the hormonal level usually varies with age.

Listed below are the normal values of LH blood levels in international units per litre (IU/L):

In women: 

In women, LH level varies at the different stages of the menstrual cycle. It gradually increases during the follicular phase (1.68 to 15 IU/L). It reaches a peak in the middle of the cycle and triggers ovulation (21.9–56.6 IU/L) and decreases again and reaches the level of 0.61–16.3 IU/L at the luteal phase.

The normal range after the menopause is 14.2–52.3 IU/L

In men:

The normal range of LH in males is 1.24 to 7.8 IU/L.

Risk factor

For women

The increased levels of LH can directly affect ovaries.

Low levels of LH can lead to secondary ovarian failure due to less secretion of other hormones from the pituitary gland.

For men

The increased levels of LH can show primary and secondary testicular failure.

Low levels of LH in adult males lead to decreased sexual desire and sexual dysfunction due to a reduced level of testosterone.

For children

The increased levels of LH can cause early onset of puberty in children.

The decreased levels of LH in children cause delayed puberty and is an indication of ovarian or testicular failure, hormone deficiency, etc.

Also Read: Hormones and Hormonal Disorders

This article concludes with the introduction to the Luteinizing hormone (LH), its level of production and its functions.

To know more about the Luteinizing hormone (LH), other related topics and important questions, keep visiting our website at BYJU’S Biology.