Reproductive Hormones

What releases kisspeptin (protein) in the brain and what triggers its release?

Certain neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, its trigger is unkown

What are steroid hormones derived from?

Cholesterol

Where is relaxin produced and what kind of hormone is it?

F: Corpus luteum in ovaries M: Prostate gland PEPTIDE

Relaxin's functions?

F: RELAXes pelvic ligaments and pubic symphisis, helps soften cervix and causes appropriate smooth muscle relaxation in childbirth (uterus) M: encourages motility of sperm in semen

Functions of hCG?

F: maintains the output of estrogens and progesterone from the corpus luteum during pregnancy, thus maintaining the uterine lining (of CORPUS! - of course!)

What are the functions of FSH in females and males?

F: regulates ovarian cycle (stimulates maturation of ovarian follicles) and stimulates estrogen production M: stimulates sperm production

What are the functions of LH in females and males?

F: regulates ovarian cycle, *estrogen and progesterone production* M: stimulates production of androgens (esp. testosterone) from interstitial cells

Prolactin, function?

F: stimulates mammary glands to produce milk ("ProLACTATE")

Functions of estrogen?

Females: development of secondary sex characteristics & regulates the menstrual cycle (endometrium)

Functions of progesterone?

Females: prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilised ovum, maintains pregnancy, and promotes development of mammary glands

What does FSH stand for?

Follicle stimulating hormone

What class of hormone does LH belong to?

Glycoprotein

What kind of hormone is hCG?

Glycoprotein

What does GnRH stand for?

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone

What does hCG stand for?

Human chorionic gonadotropin

What happens after kisspeptin has bound to gpr54 receptors?

Hypothalamus releases GnRH

The functions of inhibin are...

INHIBITS secretion of FSH and exerts negative feedback control on hypothalamus and *pit. gl.* as spermatogenisis / corpus luteum activity increases

Where are androgens and testosterone made?

Interstitial cells in testes

Which 3 hormones are glycoproteins?

LH, FSH and hCG (all abbreviations ex. GnRH!)

Which 4 hormones are produced by the pituitary gland?

LH, FSH, oxytocin and prolactin (F.L.O.P.)

What class of hormones does FSH belong to?

Like LH: glycoproteins!

What does LH stand for?

Luteinising hormone

What are the functions of androgens and testosterone?

Males: development & MAINTAINANCE of primary & secondary sex characteristics, sperm production, virility and libido

Functions of oxytocin?

(Think CONTRACTIONS of smooth muscle) F: contracts uterus during labour (and delivery) and facilitates ejaculation of milk from breast during nursing M: ejaculation

Summarise role of hormones in control of puberty?

*Kisspeptin* released from neurons which triggers hypothalamus to release *GnRH*, which triggers pit. gl. to release *FSH* and *LH*, which triggers gonads to make either *testosterone* (testes) or *estrogen* (ovaries), which triggers production of 2ndary sex ch. as well as *shut down* production of GnRH in hypothalamus, slowly turning of their own production.

What is the first way steroids exert their effects? (Think SURFACE)

1. Binding to a cell's membrane receptors to trigger a chain reaction, just like in neurotransmitters (surface)

What is the second way steroids exert their effects? (Think MIDDLE)

2. Entering cell's cytoplasm and activating certain kinds of proteins (middle)

What is the third way steroids exert their effects? (Think CENTER)

3. Binding to chromosomes where they activate or inactivate certain genes (center)

What kind of hormone is inhibin?

A PEPTIDE

What kind of hormone is estrogen?

A steroid! (sex hormone)

Which class do reproductive hormone NOT belong to?

Amines

What are the four classes of hormones? (in increasing size)

Amines, peptides, glycoproteins and steroids

Which sex hormones are produced by the testes?

Androgens (testosterone) and Inhibin (AIIIII - *points at friend* "ayeeeeee")

What helps explain the increase in muscle and hair of males once they hit puberty?

Androgens stimulate protein synthesis!

What are the 3 categories of sex hormones?

Androgens, estrogens and progestins

What are some examples of the effects which estrogen and testosterone have on the body? (Primary sex characteristics)

Menstruation begins, enlargement of penis/testes

Which hormones are protein hormones?

Only PROlactin, because it's PRO

Which 4 hormones are PEPTIDES?

Oxytocin, Gonadotropin, Inhibin and Relaxin ("OGIRs have layers"- PEP-talk with donkey)

Is prolactin a protein or a peptide hormone?

PROtein!

What class of hormone does GnRH belong to?

Peptides

Prolactin, where is it made?

Pituitary gland

What is hCG produced by?

Placenta

Which sex hormone is produced by the corpus luteum AND the placenta?

Progesterone!

What secretes relaxin in the male reproductive system?

Prostate gland (activates sperm)

What 2 hormones are produced by the corpus luteum?

Relaxin and progesterone (P.R.ogesterone!)

Which 4 hormones are produced by the ovaries?

Relaxin, Inhibin, Progesterone and Estrogen (R.I.P.E. to reproduce)

What is libido?

Sexual drive

What are sex hormones?

Special kinds of sterdoid hormones, released mostly by gonads (also by adrenal glands), which affect the brain, genitals & other organs

What class of hormones do androgens and testosterone belong to?

Steroids! (Sex hormones)

What are both LH and FSH produced by?

The ANTERIOR pituitary gland

What is GnRH produced by?

The hypothalamus

Where in the body is estrogen made?

The ovaries

Where is oxytocin produced and what kind of hormone is it?

The pituitary gland, PEPTIDE

What makes hormones able to diffuse through membranes easily?

Their fat-soluble components

What are gonads and how are they related to reproductive hormones?

They are primary sex organs and in males, they produce androgens/testosterone and inhibin, whereas in females, they produce estrogen, progesterone, inhibin and relaxin

What does kisspeptin bind to after release?

To gpr54 receptors on other neurons in hypothalamus

What is the function of GnRH?

To stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to begin producing/secreting LH and FSH

What are some examples of the effects which estrogen and testosterone have on the body? (Secondary sex characteristics)

Widening of hips, lower voice, axillary hair, facial hair, pubic hair, breasts, broadening shoulders

What are hormones for?

Widespread communication throughout the body

Define the pituitary gland:

a pea-sized organ attached to the hypothalamus which helps control *growth* and *development* and the functioning of other *endocrine glands*

What are the receptors called which kisspeptin binds to?

gpr54

Which 2 hormones are produced by the placenta?

hCG and progesterone ("PROGESTERONE helps make HUMAN(chorionic gonadotropin)")

Define puberty:

the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.

Define adolescence:

the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.