ROLE OF HORMONES

INVOLVED IN THE
FEMALE AND MALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEMS

MELC’s: Explain the role of hormones involved in the female and male reproductive systems.
OBJECTIVES:

 Identify the male and Female reproductive

system.
 Explain the role of hormones involved in the
female and male reproductive systems.
 Create an information campaign article about
Reproductive Hormone Disorders that
discusses Overview, Signs and Symptoms,
Causes, and Treatment.
A. FACT or MYTH
Let’s debunk some common sex hormones myths and facts. Tell whether the
statement is a FACT or a MYTH.
1. Hormones such as Testosterone, help the germ cells divide and change
several times and gradually turn into spermatids or young sperm cells.
2. Testosterone is the male hormone, so it’s only for males.
3. Estrogen is the only hormone I need to worry about menopause.
4. Without estrogen, females are at risk for weak bones later in life
5. Progesterone is less important than estrogen which is the “Queen”
hormone.
 Introduction
Hormones play an important
role in both male and female
reproductive systems. The pituitary
gland controls the functions of both
the testes and the ovaries. These
hormones keep the reproductive
system properly functioning.
01 SEX HORMONES
A hormone that is secreted by gonads and is involved
in the regulation of sexual functions, such as the regulation of the
reproductive cycle and the development of accessory
reproductive organs.

“Sex hormones” is the colloquial title covering the

group of hormones that affect our sexual drive and desire.
The purpose of these hormones is to carry messages
between your organs and your cells, ultimately keeping
your body balanced and functioning optimally. These
include estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA.
02 Importance of Sex Hormones
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. What are the different hormones that are the principal

regulators of the male and female reproductive system?
2. What are their functions?
3. What are the glands responsible for the production of sex
hormones?
4. What would happen if GnRH production were blocked?
5. What would happen if testosterone levels get too high?
1. What are the different hormones
that are the principal regulators
of the male and female
reproductive system?
1. FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) - made by your pituitary gland, a
small gland located underneath the brain.

• In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and stimulates

the growth of eggs in the ovaries.
• In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm.

2. LH (Luteinizing Hormone) - a gonadotrophic hormone produced and

released by cells in the anterior pituitary gland.

• In women, LH helps control the menstrual cycle. It also triggers

the release of an egg from the ovary.
• Causes the testicles to make testosterone, which is important for
producing sperm.
3. Testosterone - is the primary sex hormone and anabolic
steroid in males.
• In men, it’s thought to regulate sex drive (libido), bone
mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and
the production of red blood cells and sperm.
• produced in a woman's ovaries in small amounts.
Combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone,
testosterone helps with the growth, maintenance, and
repair of a woman's reproductive tissues, bone mass,
and human behaviors.
4. Estrogen - are hormones produced mostly in ovaries
• Important for sexual and reproductive development,
mainly in women. These include breasts, endometrium,
regulation of the menstrual cycle etc.
• In males estrogen helps in the maturation of the sperm
and maintenance of a healthy libido.
5. Progesterone - a hormone released by the ovaries.
• functions mainly to regulate the condition of the inner
lining (endometrium) of the uterus.
• Influences spermiogenesis, sperm capacitation/acrosome
reaction and testosterone biosynthesis in the Leydig
cells.
What would happen if GnRH
production were blocked?
In men, the lack of gonadotropins will mean the
testes will not grow at puberty and they will not
produce their own testosterone and sperm.

In women, the lack of gonadotropins will mean

the ovaries will not release mature eggs and they will
not produce estrogen or progesterone and
menstruation will not occur.
What would happen if testosterone levels get too
high?

High levels of testosterone feeds back to suppress

the production of GnRH in the hypothalamus. When GnRH
production is subdued, the production of both Luteinizing
Hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) is also
halted.
High testosterone in males and females can cause a
variety of symptoms, including excessive facial and body
hair, aggression, and infertility.
Let’s compare!
Compare and contrast the role of hormones that causes changes to the male and female
reproductive system when a male and a female reaches puberty stage.

MALE FEMALE

At puberty, the Increased levels of estrogen

testes increase testosterone
production. Testosterone
causes reproductive organs to
mature, muscle and bone to
grow, facial and pubic hair to
appear, and the voice to
deepen.
and progesterone initiate the
development of secondary sexual
characteristics, which include:
breast development. hair growth
on the underarms, legs, and
pubic region. increased height.