Reproductive hormones

What do stimulating hormones do?

Stimulates a gland to release more of its hormones if there is not much

What do inhibiting hormones do?

Suppresses the release or secretion of a hormone if there are too much

What are the sex glands?

Ovaries (females) and testes (males)

What are the main hormones found in the reproductive systems?

Androgen (higher levels in males)

Estrogen (higher levels in females)

Progesterone (higher levels in females)

What does estrogen do in the female reproductive system?

Stimulates and controls the maintenance and development of the female reproductive system

What does progesterone do in the female reproductive system?

Prepares and maintains the uterus for implantation of fertilized egg and the development of embryo

What is oogenesis?

Process by which ova (eggs) are produced and released by the female

What is the menstrual cycle?

Process of preparing the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg

Why is reproduction in females complex?

It is controlled by a neuroendocrine group with interactions from:

- Hypothalamus

- Pituitary glands

- Ovaries

- Uterus

What is the ovarian cycle?

Maturation of an egg within the ovary to be released for fertilization

What does testosterone do in the male reproductive system?

Stimulates and controls the development of male secondary sexual characteristics

What is spermatogenesis?

The production and development of sperm cells