What happens to FSH and LH production during mid-puberty?

• A. Decrease in production
• B. No change in production
• C. Increase in production
• D. Cessation of production

Answer: (C)

Puberty involves reactivating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, where GnRH pulses from the hypothalamus stimulate the anterior pituitary. In mid-puberty, the pulsatile GnRH signal becomes stronger, causing an increase in the secretion of FSH and LH from the pituitary. These gonadotropins then drive gonadal activity—FSH supports germ cell development and Sertoli cell function, while LH stimulates sex steroid production (testosterone and estrogen) and ovulation in females. This rise in FSH and LH is essential for the ongoing progression of puberty, so the correct outcome is an increase in production. A decrease, no change, or cessation would not explain the continued pubertal progression.