Roles of Hormones

in the
Male and Female
Reproductive systems
1. What are the roles of hormones in the Male
and Female Reproductive systems?
2. What happens in the male and female body
during puberty?
The endocrine system is a
complex network of glands
and organs.
It uses hormones to control
and coordinate your body's
metabolism, energy level,
reproduction, growth and
development, and response
to injury, stress, and mood
 Hormones are organic
substances released by the
glands of the endocrine system
directly into the bloodstream.
The pituitary secretes
hormones that signal the
reproductive organs to make
sex hormones.
The pituitary gland also
controls ovulation and the
menstrual cycle in women.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
(FSH).
 Hypothalamus is the brain regulatory center for maintaining homeostasis receiving nerve signals. It gives instruction to the
pituitary gland.

At the onset of puberty, the Hypothalamus starts releasing GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone) that causes anterior
pituitary gland to secrete FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone) into the male reproductive
system for the first time.
Hormones Male Reproductive System Female Reproductive System

GnRH Cause the pituitary gland in the Cause the pituitary gland in the
brain to make and secrete LH and brain to make and secrete LH and
(Gonadotropin FSH FSH
Releasing Hormone)  

FSH Control the production of sperm cell Helps control the menstrual cycle
Stimulates the growth of eggs in
(Follicle Stimulating the ovaries
Hormone)

LH Causes the testicles to make Triggers the release of egg cell in

testosterone which is important for female
(Luteinizing Hormone) producing sperm

Inhibin Regulates/stops secretion of FSH Regulates/stops secretion of FSH

and LH and LH
 Produces hormones that control Testosterone
maturation of sperm and
development of the secondary
TESTES male sexual characteristics

Produces hormones that influence Estrogen,

development of the secondary Progesterone

OVARIES
female sexual characteristics, and
maturation of the egg cells
and ovulation
 LH enters the male gonads or
testes and stimulates the Leydig
cells to make and release the sex
hormone testosterone into the
testes and blood.

Testosterone stimulates
spermatogenesis and is
responsible for the secondary
sexual characteristics that
develop during adolescence.
 As the FSH enters the
testes, it stimulates the
Sertoli cells that are
responsible for nourishing
the sperm cells that the
testes produce to facilitate
the process of sperm
production.
 In female reproductive system, the
follicles produce estrogen that controls the
growth and release of eggs from the
ovaries.
Together with it is another hormone known
as progesterone which prepares uterus so
that the fertilized egg can grow in it.
 Progesterone is also responsible for
preventing muscle contraction of the
uterus that can cause the egg to detach
from the uterus.
In addition, the hormone inhibin produced
by follicle cells inhibit FSH (follicle
stimulating hormone) production.
 FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and
LH (luteinizing hormone) plays in the
regulation of estrogen-progesterone levels.
It affects the development of the follicles
and maturation of the egg as well as the
process of ovulation.
 What are the secondary sexual characteristics?
• Secondary sexual characteristics develop during
puberty.
• Secondary sexual characteristics in males include the
growth of pubic hair, and facial hair and the voice
deepens.
• Female secondary sexual characteristics include breasts
development, hips widen, and pubic hair begins to grow