It is widely recognized that proper gonadal function depends on the coordinated action of multiple factors influencing the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropin hormones. The term gonadotropin derives from the combination of gonas (from Greek gonos or “seed”) and tropin (from Greek trepein or “to change”). Thus, gonadotropins are protein hormones that have the ability to change gonadal function. Although the word gonadotrophin is also used in scientific literature, the etymological derivation of this alternative spelling is different. Trophic (from Greek trophe or “nutrition”) implies a nurturing action, a function that is not consistent with the nature.
