5.3.4: Hormones in human reproduction
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During puberty, reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop.
Oestrogen is the main female reproductive hormone and is produced in the ovary.
At puberty, eggs begin to mature and one is released approximately every 28 days; this is ovulation.
Testosterone is the main male reproductive hormone, is produced by the testes and stimulates sperm production.
FSH causes maturation of an egg in the ovary.
LH stimulates release of the egg.
Oestrogen and progesterone are involved in maintaining the uterus lining.
Higher tier: FSH, oestrogen, LH and progesterone interact to control the menstrual cycle.
Menstrual-cycle graphs often show FSH rising before egg maturation, oestrogen rising before the LH surge, LH peaking at ovulation, and progesterone rising after ovulation.
Common exam mistakes
Do not say FSH causes ovulation; FSH matures the egg, while LH stimulates egg release.
Do not say testosterone is produced by the ovaries; it is produced by the testes.
Oestrogen is produced in the ovary, not by the pituitary gland.
In menstrual-cycle graph questions, link the LH peak to ovulation rather than to menstruation.
Do not treat oestrogen and progesterone as the same hormone; both are involved with the uterus lining but have different patterns in the cycle.