Gonadotropic cell

Cell type

An image of the Gonadotropic cell

Gonadotropic cells (called also gonadotropes, gonadotrophs, delta cells or delta basophils)^[1] are endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary that produce the gonadotropins, such as the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Release of FSH and LH by gonadotropes is regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.^[2]

Gonadotropes appear basophilic in histological preparations.

Gonadotropes have insulin receptors, which can be overstimulated by too high insulin levels. This may lead to infertility as hormone release levels are disrupted.^[3][4]

Gonadotropes are feedback inhibited by specific hormones, including estradiol.^[5]

See also

• List of human cell types derived from the germ layers
• List of distinct cell types in the adult human body

References

1. DOUGLAS, ANDERSON (2012). Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 32 edition. USA: Elsevier. p. 797. ISBN 978-1-4160-6257-8.
2. Ganong, William F.: "Review of Medical Physiology", page 248. Lange, 2005.
3. Brothers, K. J.; Wu, S.; Divall, S. A.; Messmer, M. R.; Kahn, C. R.; Miller, R. S.; Radovick, S.; Wondisford, F. E.; Wolfe, A. (2010). "Rescue of Obesity-Induced Infertility in Female Mice due to a Pituitary-Specific Knockout of the Insulin Receptor (IR)". Cell Metabolism. 12 (3): 295–305. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2010.06.010. PMC 2935812. PMID 20816095.
4. Hill JW, Elias CF, Fukuda M, Williams KW, Berglund ED, Holland WL, Cho YR, Chuang JC, Xu Y, Choi M, Lauzon D, Lee CE, Coppari R, Richardson JA, Zigman JM, Chua S, Scherer PE, Lowell BB, Brüning JC, Elmquist JK (2010). "Direct insulin and leptin action on pro-opiomelanocortin neurons is required for normal glucose homeostasis and fertility". Cell Metabolism. 11 (4): 286–97. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2010.03.002. PMC 2854520. PMID 20374961.
5. Iqbal, Javed; Latchoumanin, Olivier; Sari, Ika P.; Lang, Richard J.; Coleman, Harold A.; Parkington, Helena C.; Clarke, Iain J. (2009-09-01). "Estradiol-17beta inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced Ca2+ in gonadotropes to regulate negative feedback on luteinizing hormone release". Endocrinology. 150 (9): 4213–4220. doi:10.1210/en.2009-0092. ISSN 1945-7170. PMID 19477939.