FSHR - Follicle Stimulating Hormone Receptor | Elisa - Clia - Antibody - Protein

Background

FSHR is a G protein-coupled receptor primarily expressed in the gonads, including the ovaries in females and the testes in males. Mediates the biological effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a glycoprotein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. FSH, a heterodimeric hormone composed of an alpha and a beta subunit, binds to and activates FSHR.FSHR plays crucial roles in regulating reproductive processes in both males and females by mediating the effects of FSH on ovarian follicle development, steroidogenesis, and spermatogenesis. Dysregulation of FSHR signaling can lead to various reproductive disorders, highlighting its importance as a therapeutic target in reproductive medicine.

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Physiological Functions

• Ovaries:FSHR activation in granulosa cells of ovarian follicles stimulates follicular development, steroidogenesis, and estrogen production. It is essential for ovarian follicle maturation and ovulation.
• Testes: FSHR activation in Sertoli cells of the testes stimulates spermatogenesis, the process of sperm production, and supports the maturation of germ cells.

Regulation:

FSHR activity is tightly regulated by factors such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), estradiol, inhibin, and activin, which modulate its expression and signaling pathways

Upon binding FSH, FSHR undergoes a conformational change that activates G proteins. This leads to the activation of the adenylate cyclase pathway, increasing cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels and triggering downstream signaling cascades.

Clinical Implications:

• Mutations or dysregulation of FSHR can lead to reproductive disorders such as infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in females, and impaired spermatogenesis and male infertility in males.
• FSHR is a target for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols used in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments.

Therapeutic Potential:

Drugs targeting FSHR, such as FSH analogs (e.g., recombinant FSH) and FSHR agonists or antagonists, are used clinically for the management of infertility and as part of ART protocols to induce ovulation and control follicular development.