The Anterior Pituitary Produces FSH and LH in Female Fetuses
The correct answer is C: The anterior pituitary produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). This is the fundamental endocrine relationship that governs reproductive function throughout life, including fetal development.
Anatomical and Physiological Basis
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis operates through a hierarchical system where:
The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in a pulsatile manner, which serves as the primary regulatory signal from the central nervous system 1, 2, 3
The anterior pituitary gonadotropes respond to GnRH by synthesizing and releasing both FSH and LH - these are the actual gonadotropins that act on the gonads 2, 3, 4
FSH and LH are produced by the same cells (gonadotropes) in the anterior pituitary and share a common alpha subunit while differing in their hormone-specific beta subunits 5
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
Option A is incorrect because the posterior pituitary does not produce or excrete GnRH or LH - it stores and releases oxytocin and vasopressin 1
Options B and D are incorrect because the hypothalamus secretes GnRH only, not FSH or LH 1, 2, 3
Clinical Relevance in Female Fetuses
In female fetuses and throughout reproductive life:
FSH stimulates granulosa cells in ovarian follicles to produce aromatase, which converts androgens to estradiol 2
LH stimulates theca cells to produce androstenedione, the precursor for estradiol synthesis 2
Both gonadotropins work synergistically to regulate follicular development, with FSH being essential for follicle maturation and LH providing necessary androgenic substrate 4, 5
The anterior pituitary's production of FSH and LH is detectable early in fetal development and these hormones can be measured at elevated levels in female fetuses, particularly during mid-gestation when the fetal HPG axis is transiently active before being suppressed by placental steroids 1.