See Also: luteinize(dictionary)

luteinize (iou)



luteinize verb trans. Also luteinise. E20.
[from LUTEIN + -IZE.]
Physiology. Cause to produce lutein; cause to form a corpus luteum. Chiefly as luteinized, luteinizing ppl adjectives.
luteinizing hormone: secreted by the adenohypophysis and (in females) promoting ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum, (in males) promoting secretion of androgens.
luteini'zation noun the formation of the corpus luteum from the cells that remain of the Graafian follicle after expulsion of the ovum, with accompanying production of lutein E20.