Reproductive Hormones

A collection of flashcards summarizing key terms and definitions related to reproductive hormones, based on the lecture notes.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)

Hormone produced by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Hormone that stimulates the growth of primary follicles in the ovaries and is involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.

Luteinising Hormone (LH)

Hormone that triggers ovulation and supports the maintenance of the corpus luteum.

Corpus luteum

Structure formed from the empty follicle after ovulation, responsible for secreting progesterone.

Inhibin

Hormone secreted by the ovarian follicles that inhibits FSH production from the pituitary gland.

Oestradiol

Main form of estrogen produced by the Graafian follicle, regulating the menstrual cycle and triggering ovulation.

Gonadotropin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF)

Factor thought to reduce the magnitude of the LH surge before ovulation, produced by the ovarian follicles.

Menstrual cycle

Cycle that lasts about 28 days, encompassing phases of follicular and luteal cycles, regulated by various hormones.

Negative feedback

Mechanism by which the rising levels of certain hormones inhibit their own production, such as oestrogen and inhibin reducing FSH.

Positive feedback

Mechanism where the increase in a hormone leads to an additional increase, such as rising oestradiol triggering an LH surge.

Progesterone

Hormone produced by the corpus luteum that prepares the endometrium for potential pregnancy.

Vascularisation

Process carried out by progesterone to increase blood supply to the endometrium during the luteal phase.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced by the early embryo that supports the corpus luteum and maintains progesterone levels during pregnancy.

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone responsible for development of male reproductive tissues and secondary sexual characteristics.

Spermatogenesis

Process of sperm cell development and maturation, stimulated by FSH and testosterone.