Female Reproductive

Hormones

BIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT
dr. MUTIARA INDAH SARI, MKES
 Pituitary Hormones

Posterior pituitary

Stores and releases 2 hormones that are

produced in the hypothalamus:
o Antidiuretic hormone
(ADH/vasopressin):
o Oxytocin:
 Oxytocin
9 amino acid peptide, produced primarily
by paraventricular nucleus and small
amount by supraoptic nucleus
Targets: Uterus and mammary glands
Contraction of pregnant uterus
Stimulates contractions of the mammary
gland alveoli.
 Milk-ejection reflex.
 Pituitary Hormones
Anterior pituitary

Prolactin
Growth Hormone (GH)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
 PROLACTIN

Protein hormone of 199 amino acids.

In females it stimulates milk production by
the mammary glands.
Release is inhibited in non-pregnant
women.
As estrogen and progesterone levels rise
late in pregnancy, it stimulates prolactin
release.
Hyperprolactinaemia can cause menstrual
problems in females and breast
enlargement in males.
 PROLACTIN

Protein hormone of 199 amino acids.

In females it stimulates milk production by
the mammary glands..
Release is inhibited in non-pregnant
women.
As estrogen and progesterone levels rise
late in pregnancy, it stimulates prolactin
release.
Hyperprolactinaemia can cause menstrual
problems in females and breast
enlargement in males.
Hypo-Pit-Gonadal Axes
HORMONAL CONTROL OVER GONADAL FUNCTION

An Overview

estrogens
GnRH Lh+fsh
androgens

Hypothalamus Anterior pituitary Gonads -

(synthesizes (synthesizes synthesize
Gonadotropin Gonadotropins: gonadal hormones
releasing luteinizing hormone
hormone) follicle stimulating hormone)
 Action of GnRH
A system stimulation of phosphatidylinositol is GnRH
action
GnRH binds to receptors in the cell membrane of the
gonadotrope
Phospholipase C is activated, catalyzes the hidrolysis of
PIP2 to form DAG and IP3
DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC), which
phosphorylates specific protein
It participate in the resulting secretory process to
transport LH and FSH to cell exterior
IP3 stimulates of Ca2+ from calcium stroge particle,
cause increased stimulation of PKC
participates in exocytosis of LH and FSH from cell
Action of GnRH
 GONADOTROPINS
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Target: Ovaries and Testes

Stimulates the maturation of sperm and
egg, in the females causes the release of
estrogen
 GONADOTROPINS
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Target: Ovaries and Testes

Male: Production of testosterone
In females works with FSH to cause
follicle development, and then
independently is responsible for
ovulation.
 Sex Hormones
Gonad and Adrenal

Estrogen
Progesterone
Dihydrotestosterone
Testosterone
 Ovarian hormones

Steroids
o 􀂄 Estrogens
o 􀂄 Androgens
o 􀂄 Progesterone
Peptides
OVARIAN STEROID HORMONES

􀂄 Produced in both interstitial and

follicular cells
􀂄 Derivatives of cholesterol (coming
from LDL-lipoproteins and de novo
synthesis)
Stimulasi sintesis hormon steroid
SYNTHESIS
 ESTROGEN
􀂄 Chemical structure: C18
Source:
o follicular cells
o 􀂄 corpus luteum
o 􀂄 placenta
o 􀂄 adrenal cortex
o 􀂄 adipose tissue (DHEA → androstenedione
→ E1)
 SYNTHESIS
First step happens in mitochondria
􀂄 All the rest in smooth ER
􀂄 Reduction in number of carbon atoms
􀂄 Estrogens are primarily synthesized in
granulosa cells
􀂄 Androgens are primarily synthesized
in
thecal cells
 Estrogens in circulation
Estradiol
o 􀂄 Secreted by the ovary
􀂄 Estrone
o 􀂄 Derived from peripheral conversion of
estradiol and androstenodione
􀂄 Estriol
o 􀂄 Liver metabolite of estrone
 ESTROGENS
Transport in blood
Mostly carrier-bound (albumin, sex
hormone-binding globulin)
􀂄 Two peaks
o􀂄 Before ovulation
o􀂄 Mid-luteal peak
􀂄 Levels : much higher in the follicular
fluid than in the plasma!
 Mechanisms of Action
Cytoplasmic receptor binds to steroid hormone.
Translocates to nucleus.
DNA-binding domain binds to specific HRE of
the DNA.
Dimerization occurs.
 Process of 2 receptor units coming together at the 2
half-sites.
Stimulates transcription of particular genes.
Mechanisms of Action
Metabolism
Metabolized to glucuronides and
sulfates
􀂄 Recycled in enterohepatic circulation
􀂄 Excreted in urine
Physiological
Reproductive system

o Development and maintenance of uterus,

uterine tubes,vagina, external genitalia
and breasts
o Cyclic changes in the endometrium,
cervix, vagina
o Growth of the ovarian follicles
o Motility of the uterine tubes ↑
Physiological
Reproductive system

o Pregnancy: uterine muscle mass ↑,

excitability ↑, breasts ↑
o Female secondary sex characteristics
(fat deposits, etc)
o Estrous behavior in animals, increased
libido in humans
Physiological
Metabolism

o Protein metabolism: anabolism- (in cattle,

chicken, etc.)
o Lipid metabolism: LDL ↓, plasma
cholesterol ↓
o Salt and water retention (by stimulating
angiotensin) → edema
Physiological
Other metabolic

o Maintenance of bone mass

o Clotting factor synthesis ↑ (→ thrombosis)
 Progesteron

The most distinctive hormone between

males and females
􀂄 Chemical structure: C21
􀂄 Source:
o 􀂄 c. luteum
o 􀂄 placenta
o 􀂄 follicles (small amount)
o 􀂄 adrenal cortex
Transport

2% free
􀂄 80% albumin-bound
􀂄 18% corticosteroid-binding protein
(transcortin) -bound
Physiological
Cyclic changes in the endometrium,
cervix, and vagina
Breasts: supports the secretory function
during lactation
Inhibits LH secretion
Responsible for preparing the reproductive
tract for implantation and the maintenance
of pregnancy
Physiological
 OVARIAN PEPTIDE HORMONES
Relaxin
o 􀂄 Relaxes pelvic joints
o 􀂄 Softens and dilates cervix
o 􀂄 Sperm mobility - in males
Inhibin
o 􀂄 Selective inhibitory control of FSH
Activin
o 􀂄 Selective stimulaton of FSH
o 􀂄 Cell differentiation
 OVARIAN PEPTIDE HORMONES
Follistatins
o 􀂄 Inhibit FSH secretion
Gonadotropin surge attenuating factor
o 􀂄 Prevents premature LH surge
POMC hormones
o 􀂄 Vasopressin and oxytocin (in luteal
cells)