Luteinizing hormone (LH), a glycoprotein gonadotropin secreted by adenohypophyseal cells, can promote the conversion of cholesterol into sex hormones in gonadal cells. For women, it works together with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to promote follicle maturation, secretion of estrogen, ovulation, production and maintenance of corpus luteum, secretion of progesterone and estrogen. For men, luteinizing hormone contributes to the synthesis and release of testosterone by Leydig cells.