Question

Sertoli cells are regulated by the pituitary hormone
A. LH
B. GH
C. FSH
D. Prolactin

Answer 1

Hint: The hormone is responsible for stimulating the growth and development of new follicular cells in the ovarian follicles during the menstrual cycle in females.

Complete answer:
The anterior pituitary gland secretes various hormones namely ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone), TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), GH (Growth Hormone), LH (Luteinising Hormone), FSH (Follicular Stimulating Hormone), PRL (Prolactin), and MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone). The Sertoli cells are stimulated by FSH.
> The GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) from the hypothalamus stimulates the release of FSH from the anterior pituitary.
> The released FSH binds to their receptors on testes and ovary in males and females respectively.
> In males, FSH regulates the functioning of Sertoli cells or the nurse cells. Sertoli cells secrete the androgen binding protein which concentrates the testosterone released by the Leydig cells. Testosterone is essential for spermatogenesis. FSH also stimulates the Sertoli cells to release the hormone ‘Inhibin’. Both testosterone and inhibin send negative feedback to the hypothalamus to stop releasing GnRH so as to stop the further release of FSH by the pituitary.
> In females, FSH induces follicular growth. It increases progressively with LH during the Follicular phase to cause ovulation on the 14th day. They also help in the release of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries.

So, the correct answer is ‘FSH'.

Note:
- An abnormal increase in the FSH level may lead to sterility and the condition is known as hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. It is seen in Klinefelter's syndrome in men and Turner syndrome in females.
- An abnormal decrease in the levels of FSH causes hypogonadotropic hypogonadism as seen in Kallman syndrome.
- The neural pathway by which FSH is regulated is known as the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis.