Produced by endocrine glands
Male endocrine glands = Testes
Female endocrine glands = Ovaries
Sex Hormones
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 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