Hormones in Human Reproduction (OCR GCSE Combined Science A (Gateway))

Hormones in Human Reproduction

• Hormones play a key role in human reproduction

• During puberty, reproductive hormones cause secondary sex characteristics to develop

Male reproductive hormones

• The main male reproductive hormone is testosterone which is produced by the testes;

  • Testosterone stimulates...

    • Sperm production

    • Growth of body hair

    • Growth of penis and testes

    • Muscle development

    • Deepening of the voice

Male secondary sexual characteristics

Female reproductive hormones

• The main female reproductive hormone is oestrogen which is produced by the ovaries

  • Oestrogen plays an important role in the menstrual cycle which begins at puberty,

  • It also causes physical changes to occur in the body...

    • Breast development

    • Widening of hips

    • Growth of body hair

  • Other key female reproductive hormones include

    • Progesterone which is responsible for maintaining the lining of the uterus

    • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that is responsible for stimulating the maturation of an egg in the ovary

    • Luteinising hormone (LH) which is responsible for ovulation of the egg once matured

Female secondary sexual characteristics