Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction: Female

Kindly transfer all of these info to your respective notebooks to be checked on Friday, deadliest deadline 5:00 PM.
Submit at ASTB.
The Ovarian and Menstrual Cycle
 Ovarian Cycle – governs the preparation of endocrine tissues and release of eggs
 Menstrual Cycle – governs the preparation and maintenance of the uterine lining
 These cycles occur concurrently and are coordinated over a 22-32 day cycle, with an average length of 28 days
Hormones Involved
Hormone Source Function
Gonadotropin- hypothalamus produced and sent to the anterior pituitary when
releasing hormone reproductive hormones are required
(GnRH)
Follicle Stimulating anterior pituitary stimulates the development of the egg cells called ova from
Hormone (FSH) gland the follicles
Luteinizing Hormone anterior pituitary plays a role in the development of ova, induction of
(LH) gland ovulation and stimulation of estradiol and progesterone
Estrogen Ovaries reproductive hormone in females assists in endometrial
regrowth, ovulation and calcium absorption; responsible for
the secondary characteristics of females.
Estradiol During follicular phase one of the four types of estrogen being produced; works
and ovulation: follicle with progesterone.
During luteal phase:
corpus luteum
Progesterone Corpus luteum maintains the endometrium to help in ensuring pregnancy
and inhibits FSH and LH release
Inhibin Follicle Cells inhibits FSH production, LH also plays a role in the
development of the ova, induction of ovulation and
stimulation of estradiol and progesterone production by
the ovaries.

Effects of Hormones in each Phase

Effects of Hormones
Pituitary Hormones
( Luteinizing Hormone
[LH] and Follicle
Stimulating Hormone
[FSH])
Ovarian Hormones
(Estradiol and
Progesterone)
Follicular Phase
(First half of the ovarian
cycle)
LH and FSH stimulate
several follicles to grow.
Follicles produce low
levels of estradiol that:
1. Inhibit GnRH secretion
by the hypothalamus
keeping LH and FSH
Levels low
2. Cause the endometrial
arteries to constrict
resulting in menstruation
PHASES
Ovulation
(14th Day)
LH and FSH stimulate maturaion
of one of the growing follicles.
Growing follicles begin to
produce high level of estradiol
which
1. Stimulate GnRH secretion by
the hypothalamus. LH and FSH
Levels rise, resulting in ovulation
about a day later
2. Cause the endometrium to
thicken.
Luteal Phase
(15th-28th Day)
LH stimulates growth of a
corpus luteum from
follicular tissue left behind
after the ovulation
The corpus luteum secretes
estradiol and progesterone
that
1. Block GnRH production
by the hypothalamus and
LH and FSH production by
the pituitary
2. Cause the endometrium
to further develop