The pitutary gonadotropin hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), play an essential role in mammalian development and normal reproductive function. These two gonadotropin hormones are composed of two subunits, a common alpha-subunit and a beta-subunit which is unique and confers specificity. Dr. Attardi has demonstrated that gonadotropin releasing hormone, a hormone found in the hypothalamus of the brain, and the gonadal hormones, inhibin, activin and follistatin, cause rapid and profound effects on the synthesis of FSH but not LH. These changes are mediated through alternation in the messenger RNA which codes for the beta-subunit of the FSH protein. Dr. Attardi will examine whether these effects result from changes in synthesis rate of messanger RNA for FSH beta-subunit or from changes in stability of the FSH beta-subunit molecules. The results from these studies will help elucidate how hypothalamic and gonadal hormones regulate gonadotropin synthesis and secretion. This will increase our understanding of how pituitary cells communicate among themselves as well as with hypothalamic neurons and cells in the ovaries and testes. Moreover, the results could lead to the development of safer and more effective methods of fertility control and increased ability to diagnose and treat problems of infertility.
