Follicle stimulating hormone, as the name suggests, stimulates the follicles (of the ovary) to produce eggs. For this reason it is useful in fertility treatment of women whose ovaries are not producing eggs
Luteinising hormone is one of the many hormones produced by the pituitary gland. In males it is involved with the production of testosterone. In females it triggers ovulation and is involved in the production of progesterone by the ovary.
A gland which secretes hormones straight into the bloodstream rather into the blood via a tube or duct.
The discharge of blood and the lining of the uterus which happens approximately once a month. Also known as a period.
The production of milk by the mammary glands.
An endocrine gland attached to the hypothalamus which has two lobes. The posterior lobe secretes several different hormones whereas the anterior lobe just stores and releases one particular hormone.
The male sex cell or gamete. The full name is spermatazoan, abbreviated to sperm cell or sperm.
Sex hormones are responsible for some of the most dramatic changes that occur in the body. They control puberty, egg and sperm production, pregnancy, birth and lactation (breastfeeding).
In girls, between the ages of about 10 and14, the pituitary gland produces Luteinising Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) which together stimulate the production of the sex hormones by the ovaries.
The ovaries start to produce oestrogen and progesterone which begin the bodily changes that happen during puberty. The changes, known as secondary sexual characteristics, are: