Reproductive hormones

• What does the endocrine system consist of?

  Different glands that release hormones
• What is the role of human reproductive hormones?

  Control secondary sexual characteristics and menstrual cycle
• What are secondary sexual characteristics?

  • Voice breaks
  • Pubic hair growth
  • Body and facial hair growth
  • Hips get wider
  • Muscle development
  • Breasts develop
  • Testes produce sperm
  • Ovaries start to release eggs
• When do secondary sexual characteristics develop?

  During puberty
• What controls puberty?

  Hormones
• What hormone is produced by the testes?

  Testosterone
• What hormone is produced by the ovaries?

  Oestrogen
• What is the menstrual cycle?

  A reproductive cycle in females lasting approx. 28 days
• What happens on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle?

  Ovulation occurs
• What does the menstrual cycle prepare the uterus for?

  To accept and grow a fertilized egg
• What happens if hormones do not coordinate menstrual events properly?

  Possible problems in the menstrual cycle
• What are the hormones involved in the menstrual cycle (F.O.L.P)?

  1. FSH - released from pituitary gland
  2. Oestrogen - released from ovaries
  3. LH - released from pituitary gland
  4. Progesterone - released from empty follicle
• What does FSH do?

  Matures eggs in the ovaries
• What does oestrogen do?

  Repairs the lining of the uterus
• What does LH do?

  Stimulates release of a mature egg
• What does progesterone do?

  Maintains the lining of the uterus
• How do hormones control each other in the menstrual cycle?

  1. FSH stimulates oestrogen release
  2. Oestrogen inhibits FSH and stimulates LH
  3. LH inhibits oestrogen and stimulates progesterone
  4. Progesterone inhibits LH and FSH
• What happens to LH levels during ovulation?

  They increase sharply
• What happens to progesterone levels after ovulation?

  They begin to increase
• What is the trend of oestrogen levels before ovulation?

  They increase and reach a maximum
• What happens to FSH levels just before ovulation?

  They fall sharply
• What are the effects of high levels of progesterone?

  • Inhibits LH and FSH release
  • Maintains the lining of the uterus
• What could be used as contraceptives and why?

  • Hormones like oestrogen and progesterone
  • They prevent ovulation and regulate menstrual cycle
• What hormones could enhance fertility and why?

  • FSH and LH
  • They stimulate egg maturation and ovulation