Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is a 695 amino acid G-protein coupled receptor. FSH binds to the receptor in a hand-clasp fashion via its α and β subunits. While the α subunit of FSH is involved in the binding of FSH to the receptor, the β subunit stabilizes this interaction. Linkage studies suggest that a missense mutation in the FSHR gene can cause reduced FSH binding affinity and lead to a condition known as hypergonadotropic ovarian dysgenesis (ODG). In males however, this mutation does not appear to have a detrimental affect on fertility. It is believed that a mutation in the FSHR gene is also associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; a condition characterized by the presence of multiple serous and hemorrhagic follicular cysts lined by luteinized cells.
