Topic 7: Endocrine System: Reproductive Hormones

Question 1

After puberty diagram for MALES

Answer 1

Question 2

What is the function of testosterone? (4 steps, 5 points)

Answer 2

1. development of organs of reproductive tract and secondary sex characteristics
2. Stimulates bone growth at the epiphyseal plate
   - converted in bone to E to stop growth = closure of plate
3. Promote protein anabolism
4. Directly stimulates spermatogenesis (and FSH!! ON MIDTERM)

Question 3

After puberty diagram for FEMALES

Answer 3

Question 4

What is the function of FSH in females? (2)

Answer 4

• stimulates primary to become secondary follicle
• inhibited by increased progesterone (P)
  therefore increased FSH when P decreases

Question 5

What is the function of LH in females?

Answer 5

• stimulates estrogen production from theca and granulosa cells of follicle

Question 6

What happens when there is a surge in LH? (5)

Answer 6

• ovulation and then formation of corpus luteum from remnants of follicle
• in follicular phase, E from secondary follicle rises for a few days, which stimulates release of LH via gnRH
• this stimulates follicle to increase E secretion (+ feedback)
• leads to LH surge
• Then in luteal phase, P inhibits LH release

Question 7

What is the function of estrogen in females? (4)

Answer 7

• required for ovulation
• development of secondary sex characteristics
• stim growth of and maintains endometrium (allow for possibility of implantation)
• increased bone growth, closure of epiphyses

Question 8

What is the function of progesterone? (2)

Answer 8

• from corpus luteum
• prepares uterus for pregnancy