page_title: Follicle-stimulating hormone
section_title: Activity/functions
hierarchical_section_title: Follicle-stimulating hormone / Activity/functions
caption_attribution_description: English: Reference ranges for the blood content of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) during the menstrual cycle. Interpretation[edit] The time scale starts with the beginning (or "onset") of (last) menstrual period (LMP), given as day number. Day number 1 corresponds to 0 to 0.99 days from LMP, and Day number 2 corresponds to 1.00 to 1.99 days from LMP and so forth. The time scale ends at whatever is the actual next menstruation, which marks the beginning of the next cycle, which is equivalent to starting all over again from the beginning of the time scale. Inter-cycle (also called within-woman or intrawoman) variability for ovulation and next menstruation are the 95% prediction intervals for the timing of these events in any single woman, assuming an inter-cycle average duration that is equal to population average. Inter-woman variability for ovulation and next menstruation are the 95% prediction intervals for the timing of these events in the overall population. Hormone levels represent usual ones, not necessarily related to what is healthy. Hormone ranges vary between cases at the same biological stage of the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, the actual timing (usually given in day numbers from mentruation) of that biological stage varies, both between cycles of any single woman (inter-cycle) and between somen (inter-woman). Therefore, the appropriate ranges to use depend on how certain the actual biological stage can be estimated at any time. The ranges denoted By biological stage are the 90% prediction intervals for hormone levels for women at the same biological stage. These reference ranges may be used in closely monitored menstrual cycles in regard to other markers of its biological progression, with the time scale being compressed or stretched to how much faster or slower, respectively, the cycle progresses compared to an average cycle. In the luteal phase, a known time of ovulation is sufficient to use these ranges. The ranges denoted Inter-cycle variability (also called within-woman or intrawoman variability) are the up to 95% prediction intervals for any single woman, assuming an inter-cycle average duration that is equal to population average. These ranges are more appropriate to use in non-monitored cycles with only the beginning of menstruation known, but where the woman accurately knowing her average cycle lengths and time of ovulation, and that they are somewhat averagely regular, with the time scale being compressed or stretched to how much a woman's average cycle length is shorter or longer, respectively, than the average of the population. The ranges denoted Inter-woman variability are the up to 95% prediction intervals for hormone levels in the overall population. These ranges are more appropriate in non-monitored cycles, where the average cycle lengths and time of ovulation are unknown, but only the beginning of menstruation is given. Derivation[edit] See source article: &#32;(2014).&#32;"Reference ranges for estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone during the menstrual cycle". WikiJournal of Medicine&#32;1&#32;(1). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.001.
context_page_description: Follicle-stimulating hormone is a gonadotropin, a glycoprotein polypeptide hormone. FSH is synthesized and secreted by the gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland, and regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes of the body. FSH and luteinizing hormone work together in the reproductive system.
context_section_description: FSH regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation and reproductive processes of the human body. 
  In both males and females, FSH stimulates the maturation of primordial germ cells.
  In males, FSH induces Sertoli cells to secrete androgen-binding proteins (ABPs), regulated by inhibin's negative feedback mechanism on the anterior pituitary. Specifically, activation of Sertoli cells by FSH sustains spermatogenesis and stimulates inhibin B secretion.
  In females, FSH initiates follicular growth, specifically affecting granulosa cells. With the concomitant rise in inhibin B, FSH levels then decline in the late follicular phase. This seems to be critical in selecting only the most advanced follicle to proceed to ovulation. At the end of the luteal phase, there is a slight rise in FSH that seems to be of importance to start the next ovulatory cycle.
  Control of FSH release from the pituitary gland is unknown. Low frequency gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulses increase FSH mRNA levels in the rat, but is not directly correlated with an increase in circulating FSH. GnRH has been shown to play an important role in the secretion of FSH, with hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection leading to a cessation of FSH. GnRH administration leads to a return of FSH secretion. FSH is subject to oestrogen feed-back from the gonads via the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.
caption: Reference ranges for the blood content of follicle-stimulating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle.[11] 
  - The ranges denoted By biological stage may be used in closely monitored menstrual cycles in regard to other markers of its biological progression, with the time scale being compressed or stretched to how much faster or slower, respectively, the cycle progresses compared to an average cycle. 
  - The ranges denoted Inter-cycle variability are more appropriate to use in non-monitored cycles with only the beginning of menstruation known, but where the woman accurately knows her average cycle lengths and time of ovulation, and that t–––—°′″hey are somewhat averagely regular, with the time scale being compressed or stretched to how much a woman's average cycle length is shorter or longer, respectively, than the average of the population. 
  - The ranges denoted Inter-woman variability are more appropriate to use when the average cycle lengths and time of ovulation are unknown, but only the beginning of menstruation is given.
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