Female Sex Hormones

Question 1

The hypothalamus releases … which stimulates the anterior pituitary to produce luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Answer 1

The hypothalamus releases gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to produce luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Question 2

LH and FSH stimulate the development of follicles in the ovaries. The … … cells around the follicles secrete oestrogen. Oestrogen has a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to suppress the release of GnRH, LH and FSH.

Answer 2

LH and FSH stimulate the development of follicles in the ovaries. The theca granulosa cells around the follicles secrete oestrogen. Oestrogen has a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to suppress the release of GnRH, LH and FSH.

Question 3

Oestrogen has a … feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to … the release of GnRH, LH and FSH.

Answer 3

LH and FSH stimulate the development of follicles in the ovaries. The theca granulosa cells around the follicles secrete oestrogen. Oestrogen has a negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to suppress the release of GnRH, LH and FSH.

Question 4

Oestrogen is a steroid sex hormone produced by the ovaries in response to LH and FSH. The most prevalent and active version is 17-beta oestradiol. It acts on tissues with oestrogen receptors to promote female secondary sexual characteristics. It stimulates:

Answer 4

Breast tissue development
Growth and development of the female sex organs (vulva, vagina and uterus) at puberty
Blood vessel development in the uterus
Development of the endometrium

Question 5

Progesterone is a steroid sex hormone produced by the … … after ovulation.

Answer 5

Progesterone is a steroid sex hormone produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation. When pregnancy occurs, progesterone is produced mainly by the placenta from 10 weeks gestation onwards. Progesterone acts on tissues that have previously been stimulated by oestrogen. Progesterone acts to:

Question 6

Progesterone is a steroid sex hormone produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation. When pregnancy occurs, progesterone is produced mainly by the placenta from 10 weeks gestation onwards. Progesterone acts on tissues that have previously been stimulated by oestrogen. Progesterone acts to:

Answer 6

Thicken and maintain the endometrium
Thicken the cervical mucus
Increase the body temperature