Peptide Profile
LH
Luteinizing Hormone · hLH · human luteinizing hormone · lutropin
LH (luteinizing hormone) is an endogenous heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced by pituitary gonadotrophs, sharing the common alpha subunit with FSH, TSH, and hCG, with a unique LH-beta subunit structurally homologous to…
- Routes
- subcutaneous, intramuscular
Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.
Educational research tools — not medical advice.
What LH is
About LH
Binds LH receptors on testicular Leydig cells, stimulating the cholesterol → testosterone biosynthetic pathway. In women, the LH surge triggers ovulation and supports luteal phase progesterone production.
LH (luteinizing hormone) is an endogenous heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced by pituitary gonadotrophs, sharing the common alpha subunit with FSH, TSH, and hCG, with a unique LH-beta subunit structurally homologous to hCG-beta; LH drives sex steroid synthesis through pulsatile release regulated by hypothalamic GnRH, and mediates the midcycle LH surge that triggers ovulation in women and sustains Leydig cell testosterone production in men. LH activates its receptor (LHR/LHCGR) on ovarian theca cells to stimulate androgen synthesis (which granulosa cells aromatize to estrogen under FSH regulation) and triggers follicular rupture and corpus luteum formation during the ovulatory surge; in men, tonic LH stimulates Leydig cell testosterone biosynthesis through cAMP/StAR pathway activation. A double-blind randomized controlled trial of supplemental recombinant LH (lutropin alfa) during controlled ovarian stimulation for ART demonstrated comparable clinical outcomes to FSH-only protocols in patients with baseline LH deficiency, providing evidence that lutropin alfa can serve as an effective LH substitute in gonadotropin-deficient women undergoing fertility treatment. Lutropin alfa (Luveris; Pergoveris in co-formulation with FSH) is approved in the European Union and several other jurisdictions for stimulation of follicular development in women with profound LH deficiency, but is not broadly approved in the United States; endogenous LH is not used as a therapeutic agent, and hCG — structurally similar to LH with a longer plasma half-life — is typically used as an LH surrogate for ovulation triggering and luteal phase support in US clinical practice.
LH Benefits & Research Areas
What the evidence says about LH
Research Evidence
based on 9 studies · 1 RCT · most recent 2026
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
- FDA Status
- FDA Approved
- Effective Date
- October 8, 2004
- Source
- View FDA source →
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
9 sources cited · 9 moderate
1 RCT · 5 Cohorts · 3 Reviews
Effect of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone or equine chorionic gonadotropin on the ovarian response in guinea pig.
Vet Res Commun · 2026
# Summary Research found that in guinea pigs, combining a specific synchronization protocol (S2) with either equine chorionic gonadotropin or recombinant human FSH/LH produced similar numbers of normal embryos and resulted in increased embryo recovery compared to control groups. This study demonstrated that the S2 protocol paired with recombinant human FSH/LH generated the highest number of corpora lutea, suggesting this combination may be most effective for superovulation in this species.
Pulsatile LH release in male and female Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats in different reproductive states.
J Neuroendocrinol · 2026
# Research Summary This study demonstrated that luteinizing hormone (LH) exhibits distinct pulsatile secretion patterns across different reproductive states in both male and female rats, with LH pulsatility varying across the estrous cycle in females, increasing substantially after gonadectomy in both sexes, and remaining pulsatile during gestation with rapid restoration during lactation. Researchers observed that these conserved yet differentiated LH secretion patterns across sex, strain, and reproductive conditions support the rat as a valuable model for studying the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Stress as a Neuroendocrine Modulator of the Reproductive Axis: Roles of Glucocorticoids, Kisspeptin and Serotonergic Signalling in Animal Models.
Neuroendocrinology · 2026
Show 6 more sources ↓
Functional Landscape of Zebrafish Gonadotropins and Receptors: A Comprehensive Genetic Analysis.
Genetics · 2026
Stress as a Neuroendocrine Modulator of the Reproductive Axis: Roles of Glucocorticoids, Kisspeptin and Serotonergic Signalling in Animal Models.
Neuroendocrinology · 2026
Functional Landscape of Zebrafish Gonadotropins and Receptors: A Comprehensive Genetic Analysis.
Genetics · 2026
Recovery of gonadal axis in patients with prolactinomas.
Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes · 2026
# Summary Research found that patients with prolactinomas treated with cabergoline showed recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, with normalization of LH and other gonadal hormones occurring over a mean duration of 82 days. This study demonstrated that the timeline for HPG axis recovery was significantly influenced by baseline prolactin levels, patient gender, and age.
Menopause and vascular endothelial health: Is it all about the oestrogen?
Exp Physiol · 2026
# Summary Research found that while cardiovascular disease risk increases during menopause is traditionally attributed solely to declining estrogen, the menopause transition involves multiple hormonal changes—including rises in luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)—that directly affect vascular endothelial health through mechanisms involving oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelin signaling. This review demonstrates that understanding cardiovascular risk in menopausal women requires examining the combined effects of multiple sex hormones beyond estrogen alone.
The use of recombinant human LH (lutropin alfa) in the late stimulation phase of assisted reproduction cycles: a double-blind, randomized, prospective study
Human Reproduction · 2005
In a double-blind randomized controlled trial of 114 normo-ovulatory women undergoing IVF, adding recombinant human LH (75 IU/day) to rFSH during the late follicular phase significantly increased estradiol on the day of HCG administration, but provided no additional benefit in oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, pregnancy rate, or live birth rate, contextualizing the clinical role of exogenous LH supplementation in normo-ovulatory patients.
LH Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Research-use compound with limited human data. Evidence strength varies — see the Evidence section.
Absolute contraindications
Under clinical review
Being verified by our medical team before we display contraindications for this peptide.
Common monitoring markers in research protocols
Under clinical review
Being verified by our medical team before we display monitoring guidance for this peptide.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions — LH
LH (luteinizing hormone) is an endogenous heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced by pituitary gonadotrophs, sharing the common alpha subunit with FSH, TSH, and hCG, with a unique LH-beta subunit structurally homologous to hCG-beta; LH drives sex steroid synthesis through pulsatile release regulated by hypothalamic GnRH, and mediates the midcycle LH surge that triggers ovulation in women and sustains Leydig cell testosterone production in men. LH activates its receptor (LHR/LHCGR) on ovarian theca cells to stimulate androgen synthesis (which granulosa cells aromatize to estrogen under FSH regulation) and triggers follicular rupture and corpus luteum formation during the ovulatory surge; in men, tonic LH stimulates Leydig cell testosterone biosynthesis through cAMP/StAR pathway activation.
testosterone stimulation, fertility support, HPG axis support, ovulation induction, Leydig cell activation.
Research on LH primarily documents effects related to testosterone stimulation and fertility support and HPG axis support and ovulation induction and Leydig cell activation. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
For LH, its FDA status is FDA-approved, and it is designated for research use only. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
# Summary Research found that in guinea pigs, combining a specific synchronization protocol (S2) with either equine chorionic gonadotropin or recombinant human FSH/LH produced similar numbers of normal embryos and resulted in increased embryo recovery compared to control groups. This study demonstrated that the S2 protocol paired with recombinant human FSH/LH generated the highest number of corpora lutea, suggesting this combination may be most effective for superovulation in this species.
How to get LH
Where to buy LH
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