Which of the following pituitary hormones acts on the Sertoli cells?

The correct answer is Option (1) → FSH

At puberty, GnRH from the hypothalamus acts on the anterior pituitary, which then secretes two gonadotropins. Each of them acts on a different kind of cell in the testis.

Option (1) FSH — Correct. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) acts on the Sertoli cells and stimulates the secretion of some factors that help in spermiogenesis.

Option (2) LH — Incorrect. LH (luteinising hormone) acts on the Leydig cells and stimulates the synthesis and secretion of androgens.

Option (3) Prolactin — Incorrect. Prolactin is one of the hormones whose level is increased several-folds in the maternal blood during pregnancy. The book does not link it to the Sertoli cells.

Option (4) Oxytocin — Incorrect. Oxytocin is released from the maternal pituitary at the end of pregnancy. It acts on the uterine muscle and causes stronger contractions during parturition.

NCERT Extract:
Gametogenesis – “… Spermatogenesis starts at the age of puberty due to significant increase in the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This, if you recall, is a hypothalamic hormone. The increased levels of GnRH then acts at the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates secretion of two gonadotropins – luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). LH acts at the Leydig cells and stimulates synthesis and secretion of androgens. Androgens, in turn, stimulate the process of spermatogenesis. FSH acts on the Sertoli cells and stimulates secretion of some factors which help in the process of spermiogenesis.”
Pregnancy and Embryonic Development – “… In addition, during pregnancy the levels of other hormones like estrogens, progestogens, cortisol, prolactin, thyroxine, etc., are increased several-folds in the maternal blood.”
Parturition and Lactation – “… This triggers release of oxytocin from the maternal pituitary. Oxytocin acts on the uterine muscle and causes stronger uterine contractions, which in turn stimulates further secretion of oxytocin.”