The Role of Hormones in

Male and Female

Reproductive System
By: Group 3 
In females, hormones like estrogen and progesterone control the
development of the reproductive organs, regulate the menstrual cycle, and
support pregnancy. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland stimulate ovulation and regulate the
menstrual cycle.

In males, hormones like testosterone are responsible for the development of

male reproductive organs, sperm production (spermatogenesis), and
secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and deep voice. Follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary
gland stimulate the production of testosterone and regulate sperm
production.
• The human female and male reproductive cycles are controlled
by the interaction of hormones from the hypothalamus and
anterior pituitary with hormones from reproductive tissue’s and
organs.
• Remember, that the body must reach puberty in order
for the adrenal glands to release the hormones that
must be present for GnRH to produced.
• Puberty involves the onset of sexual maturity and the
ability to reproduce.
 Regulation of Reproductive Hormone
Secretion In Males
• At start of puberty the hypothalamus will release GnRH to stimulate
the anterior pituitary gland to produce and release LH and FSH.
 The main function of the Hormone
Testosterone
• It stimulates spermatogenesis

• For the Secondary male sexual characteristics, just like:

1. Deepening of the voice
2. The growth of facial, axillary, and pubic hair
3. And the beginning of sexual urge

• A negative feedback system occurs in the male with rising levels of

testosterone acting on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to inhibits
the release of GnHR, FSH, and LH
The hormone inhibin stops the release of
GnRH and FSH, which will cause
spermatogenesis to slow down

Inhibin
 Regulation of Reproductive Hormone
Secretion in Females
• The female reproductive system is also regulated by hormones. The
GnRH from hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release the
hormones FSH and LH into the ovaries
Function of Estrogen
• Assists in endometrial regrowth
• Ovulation
• Calcium absorption

Secondary Sexual characteristics of females:

1. Breast development
2. Widening of the hips
3. Shorter period necessary for bone maturation
Functions of Progesterone
• Assists in endometrial re-growth
• Inhibition of the release of FSH and LH
Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH)
• Stimulates development of egg cells or ova.
Follicle cells produce the hormone
inhibin, which stops FSH
production.

Inhibin
The Menstrual Cycle
• A menstrual cycle begins when you get your period
or menstruate. This is when you shed the lining of
your uterus. This cycle is part of your reproductive
system and prepares your body for a possible
pregnancy.
• What is Menstruation?

• The word “menstrual” means monthly. Something is

described as a “cycle” if it always follows the same
sequence of events and repeats itself regularly
• What is a menstrual cycle?

• The menstrual cycle is a term to describe

the sequence of events that occur in your
body as it prepares for the possibility of
pregnancy each month. Your menstrual
cycle is the time from the first day of your
menstrual period until the first day of your
next menstrual period
• Monthly Changes
• - Each month the same sequence of change happens in a
woman's ovaries and uterus to prepare her body for
pregnancy. The only time that monthly change do not happen
is if the woman is pregnant. On average the menstrual
cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in phases.:
Phase of the Menstrual
Cycle
1.Menstruation (Day 1-5) > The Period
• Menstrual phase begins on the first day of
menstruation and last till the 5th day of the menstrual
cycle.
 Follicular Phase day 6-13
• This phase also begins on the first day of
menstruation, but it lasts till the 13th day
of the menstrual cycle. The following
events occur during this phase:
• The pituitary gland secretes a hormone
that stimulates the egg cells in the
ovaries to grow.
• One of these egg cells begins to mature
in a sac-like-structure called follicle. It
takes 13 days for the egg cell to reach
maturity.
• While the egg cell matures, its follicle
secretes a hormone that stimulates the
uterus to develop a lining of blood
vessels and soft tissue called
endometrium.
• Ovulation phase (day 14)
• On the 14th day of the cycle,
the pituitary gland secretes a
hormone that causes the
ovary to release the matured
egg cell. The released egg cell
is swept into the fallopian tube
by the cilia of the fimbriae.
Fimbriae are finger like
projections located at the end
of the fallopian tube close to
the ovaries and cilia are
slender hair like projections on
each Fimbria.
• Luteal phase (day 15-28)
• This phase begins on the 15th day
and lasts till the end of the cycle.
The following events occur during
this phase:
• The egg cell released during the
ovulation phase stays in the
fallopian tube for 24 hours.
• If a sperm cell does not impregnate
the egg cell within that time, the egg
cell disintegrates.
• The hormone that causes the uterus
to retain its endometrium gets used
up by the end of the menstrual
cycle. This causes the menstrual
phase of the next cycle to begin.