LH
Meaning of LH: LH is a pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation in females and stimulates testosterone production in males, acting on the ovaries or testes respectively.
Definition of LH
LH, or luteinizing hormone, is a hormone produced and released by the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain. It travels through the bloodstream to act on the reproductive organs, where its effects differ between males and females.
In females, a surge in LH triggers the release of an egg from a mature ovarian follicle, a step known as ovulation, and LH also supports the ovary in producing hormones that help prepare the uterine lining for a potential pregnancy. In males, LH acts on the testes, stimulating cells there to produce testosterone.
Because LH release is closely tied to reproductive function, measuring LH levels in blood or urine is used to help evaluate fertility, detect the timing of ovulation, and investigate certain hormonal conditions affecting the reproductive system in both males and females.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
LH levels were measured as part of the fertility evaluation.
Good to know
An LH surge signals the timing of ovulation in females, while in males LH acts continuously on the testes to support ongoing testosterone production, reflecting the hormone's differing roles between the sexes.