The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is produced by neurons in the hypothalamus. It is sent to the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland in the brain, which as a response produces the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH and FSH have an effect on reproductive functions such as the ovulation. Studies have shown that in patients with PCOS, GnRH secretion is relatively fast, leading to abnormal patterns of LH and FSH release.
Sources:
- Hormone Health Network (The Endocrine Society). GnRH. https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/gnrh (accessed 3. August 2020)
- Park S. et al. Double-edged sword of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): A novel role of GnRH in the multiple beneficial functions of endometrial stem cells. Cell Death Dis 9, 828 (2018). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41419-018-0892-3
- Welt C.K. Physiology of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/physiology-of-gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (accessed 3. August 2020)
- University of Virginia. Causes of PCOS. https://med.virginia.edu/research-in-reproduction/patient-information/causes-of-pcos/ (accessed 3. August 2020)
