HHB physiology and health - gamete production and hormonal control of reproduction in males

name the part of the brain which secretes a releaser hormone

a releaser hormone is produced/secreted in (by) the hypothalamus

describe the role of the releaser hormone

the releaser hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) in females or interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) in males

name the part of the brain which secretes FSH, ICSH and LH

the pituitary gland secretes the hormones of FSH, ICSH and LH

name the structure within the testes which produces the male gamete (sperm cells)

the structure within the testes which produces sperm is called the seminiferous tubules

name the structure within the testes which produces testosterone

the structure within the testes which produces testosterone is called the interstitial cells

describe the function of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles

the prostate gland and seminal vesicles secrete fluids that maintain the mobility (ability to move) and viability (ability to fertilise an egg) of the sperm

the seminal fluid from this is added to the sperm to form semen

describe the effect of FSH and ICSH on the testes

FSH promotes sperm production in the testes' seminiferous tubules, sperm cells are produced from germline stem cells by meiosis

ICSH stimulates the production of testosterone by the testes' interstitial cells

describe the effects of testosterone

testosterone stimulates sperm production and activates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles

name the hormones which are inhibited by high levels of testosterone

the hormones inhibited is FSH and ICSH

explain how levels of testosterone are controlled by negative feedback

testosterone levels are controlled through negative feedback of FSH and ICSH

when testosterone levels are very high, it inhibits (reduces) the release of FSH and ICSH by the pituitary
- a decrease in FSH and ICSH causes a decrease in testosterone release

once the levels of testosterone are low, it stops inhibiting the release of FSH and ICSH
- an increase in FSH and ICSH causes testosterone release to increase