Reproductive Hormones and Processes Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from the lecture notes.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Hormone that controls testosterone production and spermatogenesis.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates Sertoli cells for sperm maturation.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.

Leydig cells

Cells in the testes that produce testosterone.

Sertoli cells

Cells in the testes that support and guide sperm maturation.

Spermatogenesis

The process of sperm maturation, requiring Sertoli cells and testosterone.

Drop in testosterone levels

The main trigger for the release of GnRH.

Testosterone

Hormone responsible for the development of male internal and external genitalia.

Primary sexual characteristics

Reproductive structures and genitalia.

Secondary sexual characteristics

Physical and biological characteristics that differ between males and females.

Anabolic effect of testosterone

Increased bone density and muscle mass due to testosterone's effects.

Dimorphic differences

Differences in physical characteristics between males and females

GnRH

Hormone that triggers the release of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in females.

Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone

Hormones released due to GnRH that bind to cells within the ovaries.

Ovaries

Structures in females homologous to the testes in males.

Follicular cells

Cells surrounding the eggs in the ovaries.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (in females)

Hormone that stimulates the maturation of follicular cells and initiates estrogen production.

Oogenesis

Process of egg development, triggered and maintained by estrogen.

Ovulation

The release of a mature egg from the ovary, triggered by luteinizing hormone.

Corpus luteum

The structure that develops from the remaining follicular cells after ovulation.

Estrogen

Hormone produced by follicular cells and the corpus luteum.

Progesterone

Hormone that helps rebuild the endometrial wall and initiates mammary gland development.

Endometrial wall

The lining of the uterus that is sloughed off during menstruation.

Menstrual cycle

The cycle females go through every month.

Estrogen and progesterone

The main hormones fluctuating during the female reproductive cycle.

Corpus luteum

The follicular cells develop into this structure after ovulation.

Ovulation

The event of egg release.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Hormone that initiates follicular cell maturation and estrogen production

Luteinizing Hormone

Hormone released mid-cycle that triggers the release of a mature follicle.

Testosterone

These are required for the development of sperm within the seminiferous tubules