Puberty and Hormonal Regulation

Question 1

What happens during puberty in men? Which hormone drives these changes?

Answer 1

changes:
- deepened voice
- growth of sex organs
- increased muscle mass
- growth of pubic, axillary, and facial hair

hormone: testosterone

Question 2

Describe the signaling pathway involving GnRH, FSH, LH, ABP, testosterone, and inhibin

Answer 2

• hypothalamus releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
• anterior pituitary gland responds by secreting follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)
• LH stimulates the interstitial endocrine cells in the testes to produce testosterone
• FSH stimulates nurse cells to secrete androgen-binding protein (ABP) and binds to testosterone
• testosterone and ABP promotes sperm production (spermatogenesis)
• nurse cells secretes inhibin which provides negative feedback to the pituitary reducing FSH secretion
• testosterone also has a negative feedback effect, reducing GnRH release from the hypothalamus

Question 3

What age does puberty begin in females? Which hormone triggers this?

Answer 3

• between 8 and 10
• gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)

Question 4

What are 3 stages of female puberty? What changes occur?

Answer 4

• thelarche: breast development; estrogen progesterone, and prolactin stimulate the formation of lobules and ducts in the breast
• pubarche: growth of pubic and armpit hair; androgen
• menarche: menstrual period

Question 5

What is menopause?

Answer 5

ending of menstruation/reproductive years

Question 6

When and why does menopause occur?

Answer 6

• between 45-55
• ovaries run out of viable follicles

Question 7

What changes occur during menopause?

Answer 7

• decline is estrogen and progesterone
• hot flashes
• potential bone density loss
• mood changes