Reproductive Hormones
Reproductive Hormones
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Male
• Testerone is the main androgen that stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
• Broadening of the shoulders.
• Deepening of the voice due to enlargement of larynx.
• Hair at the pubic area, armpit and chin regions.
• Penis and testis enlarge and produce sperms.
• Body becomes more masculine.
Female
• Enlargement of mammary glands.
• Hair grows around pubic and armpit regions.
• Widening of the hips.
• Ovaries mature and start producing ova.
• Menstruation starts.
• Oestrogen triggers the onset of secondary sexual characteristics.
| Hormone | Source | Function |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) |
Pituitary gland | Development of ovarian follicle; stimulates secretion of oestrogen by the ovary |
| Luteinising Hormone (LH) | Pituitary gland | Causes ovulation; causes development of Graafian follicle into the corpus luteurn; causes secretion of progesterone by the ovary |
| Prolactin | Pituitary gland | Initiates production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands |
| Oxytocin | Pituitary gland | Causes contraction of the uterus during parturition (birth) |
| Progesterone | Corpus luteum in the ovary |
Causes contraction of wall of the uterus to thicken after ovulation |
| Oestrogen | Ovary | Causes changes in the uterine wall in preparation for implantation; initiates development of secondary sexual characteristics |
| Androgens-Testosterone | Interstitial cells of testis |
Stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics |
| Interstitial Cell Stimulating Hormone (lCSH) |
Pituitary gland | Stimulates the interstitial cells of testis to release androgens |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) |
Chorionic villi | Stops the degeneration of the corpus luteum for production of oestrogen and progesterone |
Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Male
• Testerone is the main androgen that stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
• Broadening of the shoulders.
• Deepening of the voice due to enlargement of larynx.
• Hair at the pubic area, armpit and chin regions.
• Penis and testis enlarge and produce sperms.
• Body becomes more masculine.
Female
• Enlargement of mammary glands.
• Hair grows around pubic and armpit regions.
• Widening of the hips.
• Ovaries mature and start producing ova.
• Menstruation starts.
• Oestrogen triggers the onset of secondary sexual characteristics.