06_Sexual Development Flashcards
Primary sources of sex hormones
Pituitary gland
Gonads (ovaries and testes)
Pituitary Gland:
Sexual development hormone
Gonadotropic hormone
Hormones secreted by the ovaries
Estrogen
Progesterone
Hormones secreted by the testes
Two types of androgens:
Testosterone
Androstenedione
True or false?
Estrogen and androgen are secreted by both sexes
True.
Females produce more estrogen
Males produce more androgens
Timeline of sexual differentiation
6 to 8 weeks after conception
Differentiation of gonads into male testes or female ovaries
Sexual differentiation during Fetal Development:
Initial and subsequent factors
Initial differentiation = sex chromosomes
Subsequent development = hormonal exposure
Result of a lack of androgen
Female pattern of development in both genetic males and females
Adrenogenital Syndrome
Genetic female exposed to early androgen
Male reproductive organs and tomboyish behaviors
*NO increased tendency for homosexuality
Sexual Dimorphism
There are sex-related differences in the physical appearance of the human brain
E.g. sex-related differences in size of corpus callosum, hippocampus, and SCN
Sexual dimorphism:
Cause
Differential exposure to androgens during prenatal and early postnatal development
Sexual dimorphism:
Example of male-female disparity
Visual spatial tasks
Verbal tasks
Puberty
Increase in gonadal hormones
Emergence of secondary sex characteristics
Development of the reproductive system
Secondary Sex Characteristics:
Triggering mechanism
Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
Adult Sexual Behavior:
Humans vs. Lower Animals
Sex hormones play extremely important role in lower animals
As one ascends the phylogenetic scale, sex hormones become increasingly less important
Learning and experience become more important
True or False?
There is a predictable relationship between estrogen or progesterone on female libido
False
*menopause and ovariectomy also have little to no effect
True or False?
Androgen is more effective than estrogen for restoring sexual arousal and orgasm for women following menopause
true
Effects of androgen deficits on human males
Link between testosterone levels and sexual interest and appetite
However no strong relationship past a minimum threshold of testosterone levels
Also No relationship to erectile functioning
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Reduce negative effects associated with menopause
Effective for eliminating hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness
No evidence of increased libido
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT):
Associated increased risks
Blood clots
Stroke
Breast cancer
