Hormones and reproduction

• What role do hormones play in human reproduction?

  They control human reproduction processes
• What do sex hormones cause during puberty?

  Development of secondary sexual characteristics
• What is the main female sex hormone?

  Oestrogen
• What happens to eggs at puberty?

  They begin to mature and are released
• What is the main male sex hormone?

  Testosterone
• Where is testosterone produced?

  In the testes
• What does testosterone stimulate?

  Sperm production
• How do sperm production and the menstrual cycle differ after puberty?

  Men produce sperm continuously; women have cycles
• What hormones control the menstrual cycle and their functions?

  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH):
  • Secreted by Pituitary Gland
  • Causes eggs to mature
  • Stimulates ovaries to produce oestrogen
  • Oestrogen:
  • Secreted by ovaries
  • Inhibits FSH release
  • Stimulates uterine lining growth
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH):
  • Secreted by Pituitary Gland
  • Stimulates the release of eggs (ovulation)
  • Progesterone:
  • Secreted by empty follicle in ovaries
  • Maintains lining of uterus during the cycle
• What do oral contraceptives contain to reduce fertility?

  Oestrogen and progesterone
• How do oral contraceptives work?

  They inhibit FSH production to prevent egg release
• What is a non-hormonal method of contraception?

  Condoms
• What do doctors give to increase fertility in women?

  FSH and LH in a fertility drug
• What are the non-hormonal methods of reducing fertility?

  • Condoms and diaphragms: prevent sperm from reaching egg
  • Intrauterine devices: prevent embryo implantation
  • Spermicidal creams: kill or disable sperm
  • Abstaining during ovulation
  • Surgical sterilization: cutting sperm ducts or tying fallopian tubes
• What are the steps involved in fertility treatment?

  1. Administer FSH to stimulate egg growth
  2. Collect eggs from the woman
  3. Fertilize eggs in the lab
  4. Insert embryos into the woman's uterus
  5. Note: Treatment can be emotionally and physically stressful
  6. Success rates may not be high
  7. Risk of multiple births exists
• What are the potential downsides of fertility treatments?

  They can be stressful and have low success rates
• What is a risk associated with fertility treatments?

  Multiple births