Pituitary gland
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.
Sperm
The male sex cell or gamete. The full name is spermatazoan, abbreviated to sperm cell or sperm.
Menstruation
The discharge of blood and the lining of the uterus which happens approximately once a month. Also known as a period.
LH
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.
Lactation
The production of milk by the mammary glands.
FSH
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
Sex Hormones - Puberty
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).
Puberty
Girls
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:
- The breasts develop
- The hips and thighs widen
- Pubic and underarm hair develop
- The ovaries start to produce eggs
- Menstruation starts
Boys
The testes start to produce testosterone which begins the development of secondary sexual characteristics. In boys these are:
- The voice breaks
- Hair grows on the face and the body
- The body becomes more muscular
- The genitals develop
- Sperm are produced
Question 2
