Sex Hormones

Produced by endocrine glands

Male endocrine glands = Testes

Female endocrine glands = Ovaries

Sex Hormones

What happens when a male or female goes through puberty? Why?

Hormonal Regulation

TestosteroneSecondary Sex Characteristics = Enable body to produce gametes◦ Lower pitch voice◦ Causes the testicles to descend◦ Changes in body form◦ Growth of beard/body hair

Throughout the life of a man, his body will continue to produce testosterone, although the production rate will decline in old age.

Females also produce testosterone◦ Helps with osteoporosis & production of estrogen

Male Sex Hormone

Estrogen & Progesterone – produced by ovaries

LH & FSH – produced by pituitary gland◦ Luteinizing Hormone◦ Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

Functions = 1. Secondary Sex Characteristics = enable body to produce gametes

◦ Development of breasts◦ Change in body form◦ Growth of body hair

2. Enable body to prepare for pregnancy

**Men also produce estrogen and progesterone!!

Female Sex Hormones

1. The release of a mature egg from a follicle

2. The preparation of the uterus for pregnancy

Menstrual Cycle

Begins a puberty

Ends at menopause

“Normal” (average) cycle is 28 days can vary greatly and is affected by illness, stress and other factors.

Menstrual Cycle

Four stages:

1. Follicle stage2. Ovulation 3. Corpus leutem stage4. Menstruation

Menstrual Cycle

Four stages:

1. Follicle stage:◦ FSH stimulates maturation of egg in follicle. ◦ Estrogen from follicle stimulates uterine lining to thicken.◦ This takes 10-14 days to complete

Menstrual Cycle

Four stages:

2. Ovulation – ◦ Mature egg released from follicle.◦ FSH inhibited by estrogen -> stimulates release of LH◦ This happens around/on day 14.

Menstrual Cycle

Four stages:

3. Corpus luteum stage – ◦ 10-12 days in length◦ Burst follicle develops into corpus luteum -> produces

progesterone◦ Progesterone stimulates further thickening of uterine lining.

Menstrual Cycle

Four stages:

4. Menstruation – ◦ occurs if no egg is fertilized. ◦ Progesterone secretion decreases◦ Uterine lining degenerates◦ Tissue/blood are discharged from body

Menstrual Cycle

Estrogen

Progesterone

Hormone Overview - Ovary

FSH

LH

Hormone Overview - Pituitary