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Hormonal Control of The Reproductive System

The female reproductive cycle is regulated by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus secretes GnRH which stimulates the pituitary to secrete FSH and LH. These hormones control the ovarian and uterine cycles. In the ovarian cycle, FSH and LH stimulate follicle growth and ovulation. In the uterine cycle, hormones regulate thickening and shedding of the uterine lining. If implantation does not occur, menstruation begins the next cycle. Male reproduction is also controlled by hypothalamic and pituitary hormones which regulate testosterone secretion and sperm production.

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Ramoj Reveche Palma
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945 views11 pages

Hormonal Control of The Reproductive System

The female reproductive cycle is regulated by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus secretes GnRH which stimulates the pituitary to secrete FSH and LH. These hormones control the ovarian and uterine cycles. In the ovarian cycle, FSH and LH stimulate follicle growth and ovulation. In the uterine cycle, hormones regulate thickening and shedding of the uterine lining. If implantation does not occur, menstruation begins the next cycle. Male reproduction is also controlled by hypothalamic and pituitary hormones which regulate testosterone secretion and sperm production.

Uploaded by

Ramoj Reveche Palma
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Hormonal Control of the

Reproductive System
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
(GnRH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormore (FSH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
The Reproductive Cycles of Females

• In females, the secretion of hormones and the


reproductive events they regulate are cyclic

• 2 human female cycles are:


– The menstrual cycle
– The ovarian cycle
The Human Female Reproductive Cycle: A Closer Look

• The female reproductive cycle is one integrated


cycle involving two organs: the uterus and ovaries
• Secretion of GnRH from the hypothalamus and of
FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary
orchestrates the female reproductive cycle
• Five kinds of hormones participate in an elaborate
scheme involving positive and negative feedback

Animation: Ovulation

Animation: Post Ovulation


Control by hypothalamus
Inhibited by combination of
estrogen and progesterone
Hypothalamus
Stimulated by high levels
GnRH of estrogen

Anterior pituitary Inhibited by low levels of


estrogen

FSH LH

Pituitary gonadotropins
in blood

LH

FSH
FSH and LH stimulate LH surge triggers
follicle to grow ovulation
Ovarian cycle

Growing follicle Corpus Degenerating


Mature corpus luteum
luteum
follicle
Follicular phase Ovulation Luteal phase
Estrogen secreted Progesterone and
by growing follicle in estrogen secreted
increasing amounts by corpus luteum
Ovarian hormones Peak causes
in blood LH surge

Estrogen Progesterone

Estrogen level Progesterone and estro-


very low gen promote thickening
of endometrium

Uterine (menstrual) cycle

Endometrium

Menstrual flow phase Proliferative phase Secretory phase


Days

0 5 10 14 15 20 25 28
The Ovarian Cycle

• In the ovarian cycle, hormones stimulate follicle


growth, which results in ovulation
The Ovarian Cycle

• Following ovulation, the follicular tissue left behind


transforms into the corpus luteum
Menstrual Cycle

• Ovulation occurs after the endometrium has


started to thicken in preparation for implantation
• The endometrium is shed from the uterus in a
bleeding called menstruation
• Sexual receptivity is not limited to a timeframe
The Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

• Cycle after cycle, the maturation and release of


egg cells from the ovary are integrated with
changes in the uterus
• If an embryo has not implanted in the
endometrium by the end of the secretory phase, a
new menstrual flow commences
Menopause

• After about 450 cycles, human females undergo


menopause, the cessation of ovulation and
menstruation
Hormonal Control of the Male Reproductive
System
• Testosterone and other androgens are directly
responsible for the primary and secondary sex
characteristics of the male
• Androgen secretion and sperm production are
controlled by hypothalamic and pituitary hormones

Animation: Male Hormones


LE 46-14
Stimuli from other
areas in the brain
Hypothalamus

GnRH
Anterior
pituitary

Negative
feedback

FSH LH

Leydig cells
make
testosterone
Sertoli cells Primary and
secondary sex
characteristics

Spermatogenesis Testis

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