Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a glycoprotein hormone produced by gonadotropes in the anterior pituitary that plays a central role in controlling ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis in females. Moreover, recent studies strongly suggest that FSH exerts extragonadal actions, particularly regulating bone mass and adiposity. Despite its crucial role, the mechanisms regulating FSH secretion are not completely understood. It is evident that hypothalamic, ovarian, and pituitary factors are involved in the neuroendocrine, paracrine, and autocrine regulation of FSH production. Large animal models, such as the female sheep, represent valuable research models to investigate specific aspects of FSH secretory processes. This review: (i) summarizes the role of FSH controlling reproduction and other biological processes; (ii) discusses the hypothalamic, gonadal, and pituitary regulation of FSH secretion; (iii) considers the biological relevance of the different FSH isoforms; and (iv) summarizes the distinct patterns of FSH secretion under different physiological conditions.

中文翻译：

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神经内分泌，自分泌和旁分泌控制卵泡刺激激素的分泌。

促卵泡激素（FSH）是由垂体前叶的促性腺激素产生的糖蛋白激素，在控制女性卵巢的卵泡形成和类固醇生成中起着核心作用。此外，最近的研究强烈表明FSH发挥性腺外作用，特别是调节骨量和肥胖。尽管它起着至关重要的作用，但尚不完全了解调节FSH分泌的机制。显然，下丘脑，卵巢和垂体因子参与了FSH产生的神经内分泌，旁分泌和自分泌调节。大型动物模型（例如母羊）代表了有价值的研究模型，可用于研究FSH分泌过程的特定方面。这项审查：（i）总结了FSH在控制生殖和其他生物过程中的作用；（ii）讨论了FSH分泌的下丘脑，性腺和垂体调节；（iii）考虑了不同的FSH亚型的生物学相关性；（iv）总结了在不同生理条件下FSH分泌的不同模式。