4.5.3.4 Hormones in human reproduction

What do reproductive hormones do?

They cause secondary sexual characteristics to develop in men and women and eggs to mature in women

What is the main male reproductive hormone?

Testosterone

Where is testosterone produced and what does it do?

Testosterone is produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production

What is the main female reproductive hormone?

Oestrogen

Where is oestrogen produced and what does it do?

Oestrogen is produced in the ovary and it produces physical changes and is involved in the menstrual cycle

What is the menstrual cycle?

The process the body undergoes each month to prepare for a potential pregnancy

What is the process of the menstrual cycle?

The lining of the uterus breaks down and the woman has her period. The layer then builds up again until ovulation on day 14 when an egg is released from the ovary and moves to the uterus through the fallopian tube. If a fertilised egg has not been embedded in the lining after 28 days, it begins to break down and the cycle continues

What four hormones control the events of the menstrual cycle?

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), oestrogen, luteinising hormone (LH), progesterone

What does the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) cause?

The maturation of an egg in the ovary, within a structure called a follicle

Where is the follicle stimulating hormone produced and what does it do?

It’s produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates the ovaries to produce oestrogen

What does oestrogen cause?

The lining of the uterus to grow again

Where is oestrogen produced and what does it do?

It’s produced in the ovaries, secreted as a result of FSH, it stimulates the production of LH and inhibits the secretion of more FSH

Where is luteinising hormone (LH) produced and what does it do?

It’s produced in the pituitary gland as a result of the hormone oestrogen. Its release results in ovulation

Where is progesterone produced and what does it do?

It’s produced in the ovaries and secreted from the egg follicle, it maintains the lining of the uterus and supports a pregnancy if the egg is fertilised, it inhibits the release of both FSH and LH