Gonadotroph
A cell type in the anterior pituitary gland that produces and secretes the gonadotropins LH and FSH in response to GnRH stimulation. Gonadotrophs are the direct target cells for GnRH agonist and antagonist therapy used in prostate cancer, endometriosis, and fertility treatment.
Technical Context
Gonadotrophs constitute approximately 10% of anterior pituitary cells and produce both LH and FSH (the same cell can produce both). GnRH receptors on gonadotrophs are Gαq-coupled GPCRs — activation triggers the IP3/DAG/calcium pathway leading to gonadotropin synthesis and release. Crucially, the GnRH receptor has no cytoplasmic tail for beta-arrestin-mediated desensitisation — instead, desensitisation relies on receptor internalisation and reduced expression (downregulation). This unique receptor biology explains the mechanism of GnRH agonist therapy: continuous agonist exposure drives receptor internalisation and transcriptional downregulation over 1-2 weeks, ultimately suppressing gonadotropin output despite persistent agonist presence.