reproductive hormones

Secondary sexual characteristics

Characteristics caused by reproductive hormones that develop during puberty such as body hair and pelvic build

Testosterone

The main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes, stimulates sperm production

Oestrogen

The main female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries, a key hormone involved in the menstrual cycle

Menstrual cycle

A hormone-controlled cycle that occurs in the female reproductive system to prepare for pregnancy

Menstruation

The process of discharging blood and material from the lining of the uterus through the vagina, if pregnancy does not occur

28 days

The typical length of a menstrual cycle

Day 14

The typical day in to a menstrual cycle where ovulation occurs

Ovulation

The release of an egg from a follicle in the ovary during the menstrual cycle

Ovary

An organ of the female reproductive system where egg development occurs and oestrogen and progesterone are released

Uterus

A muscular organ of the female reproductive system where a fertilised egg develops into an embryo and eventually a foetus

Lining of the uterus

The walls of the uterus that need to be maintained for an embryo to implant and develop

Fallopian tube or oviduct

The tube connecting the ovary and uterus, where the egg moves from the ovary and meets the sperm if intercourse has occurred

Fertilised egg or zygote

When a sperm cell and egg cell fuse and begin to develop into an embryo

Egg cell

Contains genetic information from the mother, needs to fuse with a sperm cell for fertilisation to occur

Sperm cell

Contain genetic information from the father, needs to fuse with an egg cell for fertilisation to occur

Follicle

A small sac that houses one developing egg cell and is found in the ovaries

Pituitary gland

The master gland that is responsible for releasing FSH and LH

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Responsible for stimulating the growth of a follicle and the maturation of an egg in the ovary

Luteinising hormone (LH)

Responsible for ovulation by stimulating the release of the egg from a follicle in the ovary

Oestrogen and progesterone

Reproductive hormones responsible for maintaining the lining of the uterus

Corpus luteum

A structure that forms from a follicle when an egg is released, releases progesterone