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LH

Meaning

LH, or Luteinizing Hormone, is a crucial glycoprotein hormone produced and released by the anterior pituitary gland, playing a central role in regulating the function of the gonads in both sexes. In women, the mid-cycle LH surge triggers ovulation and promotes the formation of the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone. In men, LH stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to synthesize and secrete testosterone, the primary male androgen. Clinical measurement of LH levels is essential for diagnosing fertility issues, assessing pubertal development, and evaluating the functional status of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis.