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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'follicle-stimulating hormone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of follicle-stimulating hormone was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near follicle-stimulating hormone

Cite this Entry

“Follicle-stimulating hormone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follicle-stimulating%20hormone. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

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

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