HORMONAL REGULATION

Hormonal regulation in males

1.Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH):

Source: Produced by the hypothalamus.
Function: GnRH stimulates the release of LH
and FSH from the pituitary gland.

2.Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-

Stimulating Hormone (FSH):
Source: Produced by the pituitary gland.
Function:
LH: Stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to
produce testosterone.
FSH: Acts on the Sertoli cells in the testes to
support spermatogenesis.

3.Testosterone:
Source: Produced by the Leydig cells in the
testes.
Function: Promotes the development of male
reproductive organs (such as the testes and
accessory glands).
Stimulates the development of secondary
sexual characteristics (facial and body hair,
deepening of the voice, increased muscle mass,
etc.).
Supports spermatogenesis, the process of
sperm production.

4.Inhibin:
Source: Produced by the Sertoli cells in the
testes.
Function: Inhibin acts as a feedback
mechanism to regulate FSH secretion. When
sperm production is sufficient, inhibin inhibits
FSH release, helping to maintain a balance in
the reproductive system.
The regulation of these hormones occurs
through a negative feedback loop. When
testosterone levels are low, the hypothalamus
releases more GnRH, which, in turn, stimulates
the pituitary gland to release more LH and FSH.
Increased LH stimulates the Leydig cells to
produce more testosterone. As testosterone
levels rise, they provide negative feedback to
the hypothalamus and pituitary, reducing the
release of GnRH, LH, and FSH.

Hormonal regulation in females

1.Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH):
Source: Produced by the hypothalamus.
Function: GnRH stimulates the release of LH
and FSH from the pituitary gland.

2.Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-

Stimulating Hormone (FSH):
Source: Produced by the pituitary gland.
Function:
LH: Stimulates the release of an egg (ovulation)
from the mature ovarian follicle.
FSH: Stimulates the growth and development of
ovarian follicles, each containing an immature
egg.

3.Estrogen:
Source: Produced primarily by the ovaries
(specifically, the developing ovarian follicles).
Function:Stimulates the growth and
development of the endometrium (lining of the
uterus) during the menstrual cycle.
Inhibits the further release of FSH, creating a
negative feedback loop.
Promotes the secondary sexual characteristics
in females, including breast development and
regulation of the menstrual cycle.

4.Progesterone:
Source: Produced by the corpus luteum (a
structure formed from the ruptured ovarian
follicle after ovulation).
Function:Supports the maintenance of the
endometrium to prepare for a potential
pregnancy.
Inhibits the release of FSH and LH, contributing
to the negative feedback loop.
Prepares the mammary glands for potential
breastfeeding.
The menstrual cycle is divided into several
phases, including the follicular phase, ovulation,
and the luteal phase. The dynamic changes in
hormone levels during these phases regulate
the development and release of eggs, as well as
the preparation of the uterus for a potential
pregnancy.

Gametogenesis
Gametogenesis is the process by which
specialized cells, called gametes, are produced
in sexually reproducing organisms. Gametes
are sex cells that are involved in sexual
reproduction and carry the genetic information
necessary for the formation of a new individual.

In humans and many other animals, there are

two types of gametes: sperm cells in males and
egg cells (ova or oocytes) in females.
Gametogenesis occurs through the following
processes:

Spermatogenesis (in males): This is the

process by which sperm cells are produced in
the testes. It begins at puberty and continues
throughout a male's life. Spermatogenesis
involves the division and differentiation of
diploid cells (spermatogonia) into haploid
sperm cells (spermatozoa) through the stages
of spermatogonium, primary spermatocyte,
secondary spermatocyte, spermatid, and finally,
spermatozoa.

Oogenesis (in females): This is the process by

which egg cells are produced in the ovaries.
Unlike spermatogenesis, oogenesis begins
before birth, with the development of primary
oocytes. The process is arrested at various
stages until puberty, when one or a few oocytes
resume development during each menstrual
cycle. The mature egg is released during
ovulation. Oogenesis involves the division and
differentiation of oogonia into haploid eggs
through the stages of oogonium, primary
oocyte, secondary oocyte, and mature ovum.
Gametogenesis is crucial for maintaining
genetic diversity in sexually reproducing
populations. During fertilization, a sperm cell
from a male fuses with an egg cell from a
female, combining their genetic material to
form a zygote. The zygote then undergoes cell
division and differentiation to develop into a
new individual.