Video Transcript
What is the primary role of FSH,
follicle-stimulating hormone, in the menstrual cycle? (A) To initiate ovulation, the
release of an egg from an ovary. (B) To thicken the uterine lining
and stimulate the release of LH. (C) To stimulate an egg to develop
in the ovaries. Or (D) to maintain the uterine
lining after ovulation and prior to menstruation.
To answer this question asking us
about the role of FSH in the menstrual cycle, let’s first take a look at the
menstrual cycle and the various hormones it involves.
First, follicle-stimulating
hormone, or FSH, is released from the pituitary gland, which is an endocrine gland
located at the base of the brain. FSH, as its name suggests,
stimulates follicles in the ovaries. This causes an immature egg cell,
the female gamete or sex cell, to develop. In addition, it stimulates the
ovaries to produce and release a different hormone called estrogen.
Next, estrogen causes the uterine
lining to thicken. Estrogen also stimulates the
secretion of another hormone, luteinizing hormone or LH, from the pituitary
gland. LH stimulates ovulation, which is
when the ovary releases an egg cell from one of the follicles into the corresponding
fallopian tube.
The final hormone we will discuss
is called progesterone. Progesterone maintains the lining
of the uterus, preparing it for the possible implantation of an embryo should the
egg cell be fertilized by a sperm cell.
Let’s go back to the question,
which asks us to determine the primary role of FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone, in
the menstrual cycle. Now we know that the primary role
of FSH in the menstrual cycle is (C) to stimulate an egg to develop in the
ovaries.
