follicle-stimulating hormone

noun

: a hormone produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of the ovum-containing follicles in the ovary and activates sperm-forming cells

—abbreviation FSH

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Fertility hormone tests look for anywhere from one to seven markers of fertility, including progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) for ovulation prediction, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) for egg quality. —Sarah Bradley, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2023

The GnRH signals the pituitary gland to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). —Elizabeth Boskey, Verywell Health, 15 Mar. 2023

Testosterone and estrogen levels are assessed, and so are your levels of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones—the pituitary hormones responsible for testosterone and sperm production, respectively—as well as your cholesterol and lipids. —Andrew Zaleski, Men's Health, 20 Feb. 2023

My doctor instructs me to take 75 intravenous units of Menopur (a follicle-stimulating hormone) and 225 IU of Gonal-F every night around 10 p.m. —refinery29.com, 30 July 2020

Some doctors do a blood test measuring a woman’s level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) — remember, that’s the hormone that rises to try to get your winding-down ovaries to perk up — to determine whether someone is perimenopausal. —Meryl Davids Landau, Good Housekeeping, 6 July 2022

Progesterone’s main mechanism of action is to prevent ovulation by inhibiting the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in your blood. —Anuradha Varanasi, Forbes, 8 June 2022

The Genetics Home Reference also says genetic variants that interfere with follicle-stimulating hormone, energy production, inflammation, and insulin production and regulation, may also contribute to PCOS. —Emilia Benton, Health.com, 14 Oct. 2021

Here’s how that might work: The pituitary gland regulates levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which then prepare ovarian follicles for maturation. —Mary Claire Lagroue, SELF, 12 Sep. 2019

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Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

follicle-stimulating hormone

noun

: a hormone from the pituitary gland that causes the graafian follicles to grow in females and makes sperm-forming cells active in males

Medical Definition

follicle-stimulating hormone

noun

: a hormone from an anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that stimulates the growth of the ovum-containing follicles in the ovary and that activates sperm-forming cells

called also follitropin