Hormones Flashcards
Where is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) produced?
Placenta
What is the role of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)?
- Produced after implantation
- Supports corpus luteum
- Detected by pregnancy
Where is progesterone produced?
- Ovaries
- Corpus luteum, then placenta during pregnancy
What is the role of progesterone?
- Stimulates angiogenesis
- Inhibits uterine contractions
- Strengthens pelvic wall muscles
Where is Oestrogen produced?
- Ovaries
- Placenta during pregnancy
What is the role of oestrogen?
- Maintenance & growth of uterus
- Helps foetal organ development
- Regulates production of other hormones
- Stimulates breast growth & milk duct development
Where is prolactin produced?
Pituitary gland
What is the role of prolactin?
- Enlargement of mammary glands
- Production of breast milk
- Progesterone inhibits prolactin during pregnancy
Where is relaxin produced?
Placenta
What is the role of relaxin?
- Inhibits uterine contractions to prevent premature birth
- Increases blood flow to placenta
- Relaxes & softens pelvis during birth
Where is oxytocin produced?
Pituitary gland
What is the role of oxytocin?
- Stimulates uterine contractions
- Triggers prostaglandin production
Where is follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) produced?
- Anterior pituitary
- Through action of GnRH
What is the role of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)?
- Stimulates production of sperm in seminiferous tubules of testes
- Stimulates development of follicular granules cells of Graafian follicle
Where is luteinising hormone (LH) produced?
Anterior pituitary
What is the role of luteinising hormone (LH)?
- Stimulates Leydig cells of testes to produce testosterone
Where is gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) produced?
Hypothalamus
What is the role of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)?
- Triggers release of FSH & LH
Where is testosterone produced?
Leydig cells of testes
What is the role of testosterone?
Development & function of male reproductive system:
- Stimulates spermatogenesis in presence of androgen-binding protein
- Associated with sex drive & make aggression
- Responsible for male secondary sexual characteristics, such as growth of body hair, antlers etc.
Where is androsterone produced?
Leydig cells in testes
Where is the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) produced?
- Liver
What is the role of the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)?
- It is a glycoprotein in blood that binds to androgens & oestrogens
- It acts to limit exposure to both androgens & oestrogens
Where is inhibin produced?
Sertoli cells in testes
What is the role of inhibin?
- Secreted when they are low on nutrients to nourish developing sperm cells
- Acts as negative feedback as it regulates FSH synthesis & inhibits FSH secretion
