reproductive hormones

• Puberty


  The period during which adolescents start to develop secondary sexual characteristics
• Secondary sexual characteristics


  • Facial hair in men
  • Breasts in women
• Reproductive hormones


  Hormones that trigger the development of secondary sexual characteristics
• Testosterone


  Hormone produced in the testes that stimulates sperm production in men
• Estrogen


  Hormone produced by the ovaries in women
• Female reproductive system


  • Uterus
  • Uterus lining
  • Ovaries
  • Fallopian tubes
• Menstrual cycle


  The cycle of changes in the uterus lining over approximately 28 days
• Stages of the menstrual cycle

  1. Menstruation

  2. Uterus lining builds up

  3. Ovulation

  4. Maintaining uterus lining
• Menstruation


  The period of bleeding due to the breakdown of the uterus lining
• Uterus lining build up

  The uterus lining becomes a thick spongy layer with blood vessels to prepare for a fertilized egg
• Ovulation


  The release of an egg from one of the ovaries
• Maintaining uterus lining


  The uterus lining is maintained if no fertilized egg implants, otherwise the cycle stops due to pregnancy
• Estrogen


  Stimulates the growth of the uterus lining
• Progesterone


  Maintains the uterus lining
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)


  Stimulates the maturation of an egg in the ovaries
• Luteinizing hormone (LH)


  Stimulates the release of the mature egg (ovulation)
• FSH stimulates the ovaries


  To produce estrogen
• Increasing estrogen levels


  Inhibit FSH (negative feedback)
• High estrogen levels


  Stimulate the release of LH, causing ovulation
• Progesterone


  Inhibits both LH and FSH