Hormones in human reproduction

• Function of reproductive hormones during puberty?

  • M: cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics
  • F: cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics and maturation of eggs
• Main male reproductive hormone

  testosterone, which is produced by the testes and controls sperm production
• Main female reproductive hormone

  oestrogen, produced by ovaries and is involved in the menstrual cycle
• What is the menstrual cycle?

  monthly cycle of physiological changes, involving the shedding of the uterus lining and ovulation
• Describe the events of the menstrual cycle

  • uterus lining thickens and eggs begin to mature in the ovaries
  • egg is released from one of the ovaries (ovulation) - uterus lining remains thick
  • if fertilised, pregnancy may occur
  • if not, both the egg and uterus lining are shed during menstruation
• What is ovulation?

  release of a mature egg from the ovaries, which occurs approximately every 28 days
• Name the 4 main hormones involved in the menstrual cycle

  • oestrogen
  • progesterone
  • follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • luteinising hormone (LH)
• Role of FSH in the menstrual cycle

  • secreted by pituitary gland
  • controls the maturation of eggs within the ovaries (inside a follicle) and triggers the production of oestrogen by the ovaries
• Role of oestrogen in the menstrual cycle

  • produced by the ovaries and released due to the action of FSH - it causes the regrowth of the uterus lining
  • triggers the production of LH and restricts the release of more FSH
• Role of LH in the menstrual cycle

  • produced in the pituitary gland as a result of oestrogen
  • release triggers ovulation
• Role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle

  • secreted from the follicle of the ovary
  • sustains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH