Chapter 5: Sex Hormones, Sexual Differentiation, and the Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
the time from conception to birth
prenatal period
chemical substances secreted by the endocrine glands into the bloodstream
hormones
a hormone secreted by the testes in males (and also present at lower levels in females)
testosterone
the group of male sex hormones, one of which is testosterone
androgens
the group of female sex hormones
estrogens
a sex hormone secreted by the ovaries
progesterone
a small endocrine gland located on the lower side of the brain below the hypothalamus; regulates levels of sex hormones
Pituitary gland
a small region of the brain that is important in regulating many body functions, including the functioning of the sex hormones
Hypothalamus
a hormone secreted by the pituitary; it stimulates follicle development in females and sperm production in males
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
a hormone secreted by the pituitary; it regulates estrogen secretion and ovum development in females and testosterone production in males
Lutenizing Hormone (LH)
a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that regulates the pituitary’s secretion of gonad-stimulating hormones
GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)
hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis; the negative feedback loop that regulates sex-hormone production
HPG axis
a hormone secreted by the testes and ovaries that regulates that regulates FSH levels
Inhibin
a pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production by the mammary glands
Prolactin
a pituitary hormone that stimulates milk ejection from the nipples and contractions of the uterus during childbirth
Oxytocin
stands for sex-determining region, Y chromosome
SRY
ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in males they degenerate, and in females they develop into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the upper part of the vagina
Mullerian Ducts
ducts found in both male and female fetuses; in females they degenerate, and in males they develop into the epididymis, the vas deferens, and the ejaculatory duct
Wolffian Ducts
undescended testes; the condition in which the testes do not descend to the scrotum as they should during prenatal development
Cryptorchidism
chemicals in the environment that affect the endocrine system and the biological functioning and behavior of animals, including humans
endocrine disrupters
organs in the male and female that develop from the same embryonic tissue
Homologous organs
organs in the male and female that have similar functions
Analogous organs
a condition in which the individual has a mixture of male and female reproductive structures, so that it is not clear at birth whether the individual is a male or a female. ; formerly called a pseudohermaphrodite
Intersex
a newer term for intersex conditions
Disorders of sex development (DSD)
a condition in which a genetic female produces abnormal levels of androgens prenatally and therefore has male-appearing genitals at birth
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
a genetic condition in which the body is unresponsive to androgens so that a genetic male may be born with a female-appearing body
Androgen-insensitivity syndrome (AIS)
the time during which there is sudden enlargement and maturation of the gonads, other genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics, so that the individual becomes capable of reproduction
puberty
first menstruation
menarche
a hormone related to the onset of puberty
Leptin
endocrine glands located jujst above the kidneys; in females they are the major producers of androgens
Adrenal Glands
a time of increased secretion of adrenal androgens, usually just before age eight
Adrenarche
the first phase of the menstrual cycle, beginning just after menstruation, during which an egg matures in preparation for ovulation
Follicular phase
release of an egg from the ovaries; the second phase of the menstrual cycle
Ovulation
the third phase of the menstrual cycle, following ovulation
Luteal phase
the mass of cells of the follicle remaining after ovulation; it secretes progesterone
Corpus luteum
the fourth phase of the menstrual cycle, during which the endometrium of the uterus is sloughed off in the menstrual discharge
Menstruation
painful menstruation
dysmenorrea
chemicals secreted by the uterus that cause the uterine muscles to contractl they are a likely cause of painful menstruation
Prostaglandins
a condition in which the endometrium grows abnormally outside the uterus; the symptom is unusually painful periods with excessive bleeding
Endometriosis
the absense of menstruation
Amenorrhea
a combination of severe physical and psychological symptoms, such as depression and irritability, occurring just before menstruation
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
a tentative diagnostic category in the DWM, characterized by sumptoms such as sadness, anxiety, and irritability in the week before menstruation
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
