Sexual Reproduction

• As we all know, humans reproduce sexually
• However, both sexes appear the same for the first six weeks as embryos
• During week 7, sexual differentiation occurs:

  • Testes and ovaries develop
  • Testosterone develops the male reproductive organs
  • Estrogen develops female reproductive organs
• What develops the male reproductive organs?

  Testosterone
• What develops the female reproductive organs?

  Estrogen
• During week 7 what develops?

  Testes

  Ovaries
• The next major change is during...?

  Puberty
• Reproductive systems become mature and fully

  functional
• Onset of puberty dependent on endocrine system
• What does the hypothalamus release to the pituitary gland?

  Gonadotropin - releasing hormone (GnRH)
• GnRH is released from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland