Question

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is secreted by
a. Thyroid gland
b. Anterior pituitary
c. Posterior pituitary
d. Gonad

Answer 1

Hormones are the chemical messengers or the information molecules that are secreted in trace amounts by the endogenously located endocrine glands. It is generally released in the bloodstream and they have specific effects on the specific target organs.

Complete answer:

Thyroid:
Thyroid is the largest endocrine gland of humans that lies on the ventral and lateral sides of the upper part of the trachea in the neck below the larynx. It is brownish red, highly vascular, shield shaped gland. It secretes two hormones- thyroxine and thyrocalcitonin.

Pituitary:
Pituitary gland is a small-sized, pinkish colored, pea-shaped gland present below the hypothalamus. It lies in a depression called sella turcica, in the sphenoid bone of the cranium of the skull. It is connected with the hypothalamus by an infundibular stalk formed of connective tissue with blood capillaries and nerve fibres.

Anatomically, it is formed of two parts- adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. Adenohypophysis or anterior pituitary secretes six hormones- growth hormone or somatotrophic hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, leuteotrophic hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin hormone.

Neurohypophysis or posterior pituitary secretes two hormones- antidiuretic and oxytocin. These two neurohormones produced by the neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus reach the pituitary through the axon terminals of the secretory neurons.

Gonads:
It includes tests in male and ovaries in females. Testes secrete androgens from which testosterone is synthesized while ovaries secrete estrogens.
So FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is secreted by anterior pituitary.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Follicle stimulating hormone in males stimulates spermatogenesis while in females it stimulates growth of ovarian follicles. It indirectly controls the level and functions of estrogens in females. The secretion of this hormone is triggered by FSRH from the hypothalamus and inhibition by its own level.