activin
/ˈaktɪvɪn/Physiology
noun
A gonadal glycoprotein which acts to stimulate the synthesis and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone by the pituitary gland, and has a number of other physiological functions.
- Activin is a dimer and exists in two principal forms, usually termed activin A and activin B..
Origin
1980s. From active + -in, after inhibin (which has the opposite biological effect).