Chapter 12

The Hormones of Reproduction

Learning Outcomes

Explain the types and roles of male and female reproductive

01 hormones.

Describe the hormone regulation of the male and female

02 reproductive cycle.
 Introduction
• Hormones are substances produced by a specialized group of cells that are
transported in the blood or lymph to modify some genetically- conditioned end organ.
• It is also known as chemical signals to communicate between organs and tissues to
regulate physiological and behavioral activities.
• Primary hormones - directly involved in various aspects of reproduction such as
spermatogenesis, ovulation, sexual behavior, fertilization, implantation, maintenance of
gestation, parturition, lactation, and maternal behavior.
• Reproductive hormones originate from either the hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads,
uterus, or placenta.
• Function as:
• Releasing factors for other hormones.
• Gonadotropins.
• Sexual activators (steroids).
• Pregnancy maintenance
Primary hormones of Reproduction
 Primary hormones of Reproduction
A. Hypothalamus
• Releasing hormones - GnRH
• Prolactin Inhibiting Factor (PIF)

B. Posterior Pituitary
• Oxytocin.
C. Anterior Pituitary
• FSH
• LH
• Prolactin
 Primary hormones of Reproduction
D. Gonads E. Placenta
• Testes - Androgens * • Estrogens*
• Ovaries • Progesterone*
• Estrogens* • Growth Hormone#
• Progestogens/progesterone* • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)#
• Follistatin #

• Activin # F. Uterus
• Inhibin # • Prostaglandins.
• Pregnant Mares Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG)#

*steroid; #protein
Hormonal regulation of the male reproductive system: GnRH stimulates the production of FSH and LH,
which act on the testes to begin spermatogenesis and to develop secondary sex characteristics in the male.
In turn, the testes production of testosterone and the hormone inhibin inhibit the release of GnRH, FSH, and
LH in a negative feedback loop.
Hormonal control of the female reproductive cycle: The ovarian and menstrual cycles of female
reproduction are regulated by hormones produced by the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovaries. The pattern
of activation and inhibition of these hormones varies between phases of the reproductive cycle.
 GnRH
• Formulated - 1974.
• Chemical Structure - 1977.
• First called releasing factor later termed
gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).
• Induces release of both LH and FSH.
• Application Uses:
• Overcoming cystic follicles in cows.
• 100 mg LHRH induces release of
endogenous LH sufficient to induce
ovulation.
GnRH structure
 Gonadotropins
• LH and FSH are called gonadotropins .
• Gonad - primary sex organ (testes or
ovary).
• Tropin - means stimulating (gonad
stimulating).
• Gonadal hormones - hormones
produced by the gonads.
• E.g. Androgens, estrogens and
progesterone
• Provide a major influence on brain
sexual differentiation. Gonadotrophins

Gonadal hormones
 Pituitary Hormones
(FSH and LH)
• Hypophysis or pituitary gland
• Anterior pituitary causes immediate
growth and maturation of ovaries and
testes.
• Clearly indicated the pituitary gland
secretions were essential for proper
function of gonads.
 Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

• Stimulates growth and development of

follicle.
• Stimulates production of estrogen by follicle
• Theca and granulosa cells.
• Stimulates completion of spermiogenesis in
males.
• Seminiferous tubules of testes.
• After onset of spermatogenesis.
 Luteinizing
Hormone (LH)
• Stimulates production of estrogen by
follicle.
• theca cells.
• Causes Ovulation.
• Release of ovum from the follicle.
• Causes formation and secretion of
corpus luteum.
• Progesterone.
• Stimulate testicular Leydig cells to
produce testosterone.
 Prolactin (LTH)
• A hormone produced in the pituitary gland.
• Also called luteotropic hormone (LTH) or luteotropin
• Functions:
• Stimulates milk secretion and maternal behavior.
• Luteotropic properties- maintenance of corpus luteum.
• Mammals - Growth of mammary tissue and milk production/inhibit post- partum ovulation
 Oxytocin
• Released in response to nerve stimulus.
• Promotes contraction of smooth muscles in two
tissues:
• Mammary alveoli
• OT induces the contraction of myoepithelial
cells to causes the ejection of milk.
• Uterus
• Contracts myometrial muscle causes sperm
transport and fetal expulsion.
• Contracts myometrium only after it has
been sensitized by estrogen. Prevents loss
of conceptus.
 Gonadal Steroids
• Stimulate reproductive organs, germ cell maturation, and the secondary sex
characteristics in the males and the females.
• Can also be produced by the adrenal cortex and the placenta of many species.
• The major sex steroid hormones include:
• Androgens
• male sex steroid i.e., Testosterone.
• produced by males and females.
• Estrogens
• female sex steroid, i.e., Estradiol (E2).
• present in both male and female.
• Progestogens
• They are progestational or pregnancy protecting,
• i.e., Progesterone (P4).
 Gonadal Steroids
• All steroid hormones are
synthesized from
cholesterol .
• Gonadotropin (LH and
FSH) binds to receptor
→ stimulates production
of cAMP.
• cAMP in turn activates
protein kinase which
responsible for
catalyzing
the conversion of
cholesterol to
testosterone and
estradiol.
 Synthesis of Steroid Hormones

• All steroids are derived from

cholesterol via an
intermediate compound
(pregnenolone).
• Pregnenolone is converted to
progesterone and then is
converted to androgens.
• Estrogens are formed by the
aromatization of androgens.
Synthesis
of Steroid
Hormones
 Male Hormones
• Functions:
• Stimulate spermatogenesis.
• Stimulate the secondary sex organs to grow, develop, and become secretory.
• Maintain the life span of the epididymal sperm.
• Stimulate secretory activity of the accessory sex organs.
• Stimulate libido (sexual desire).
• Stimulate nitrogen retention for muscle formation.
 Function of Estrogens
• Stimulate the occurrence of female sexual receptivity (libido).
• Stimulate the growth and development of the uterine endometrium.
• Act on uterus to increase both amplitude and frequency of contractions by potentiating the
effects of oxytocin and PGF2a.
• Increase blood flow to the vagina and vulva.
• Stimulate duct growth and causes development of the mammary gland.
• Increase water retention of the vulva, vagina, and uterus.
• Increase retention of Na+, Cl-, water retention and promotes fat deposition.
• Development of female sex characteristics.
 Progestogens
• Compounds that exhibit progestational activity.
• Secreted by luteal cells of the corpus luteum also by the placenta and adrenal gland.
• Pro - favor.
• Gesterone - Gestation.
 What does Progesterone do?
• Determines length of cycle.
• Causes development of secretory endometrium uterus.
• Slows down contractions of the uterus.
• Smooth muscle control
• Inhibits the motility of the myometrium
• Slows down contractions of the uterus
• Tissue differentiation.
• Prepare the uterus for implantation and maintenance of pregnancy by increasing
secretory glands in the endometrium.
• Develops secretory tissue (alveoli) of the mammary gland.
 Application
• Progestogens are given to prevent abortion in female prone to abortion.
• Due to insufficient progesterone production.
• Most common use - birth control pills.
• Prevent LH surge and subsequent ovulation.
 Pregnancy Hormones
• Estrogens
• Produced by early conceptus (embryo
early pregnancy).
• Produced late in pregnancy (placenta).
• Trigger Parturition (labour).
• Progestogens
• Produced by corpus luteum
• Initiate pregnancy.
• Produced by placenta.
• Inhibit myometrial contractions.
Protein Hormones Produced by the Ovary
• Relaxin
• Polypeptide hormone.
• Released only during pregnancy.
• Produced by corpus luteum , placenta and uterus.
• Actions of relaxin.
• Dilation of cervix and vagina before parturition.
• Causes increased growth of mammary glands.
• Separation of pubic symphysis within 6 hours of injection (to prepare for vaginal birth).
 Protein Hormones Produced by the Ovary
• Activin
• Gonadal glycoprotein.
• Substance believed to be produced by the ovary.
• Known to stimulate release of FSH from pituitary cells in culture media.
• Inhibin
• Protein Hormone.
• Produced by granulosa cells of the follicle.
• Role:
• Controls the release of FSH.
• Controls ovulation rate
 Lipid Hormones- Prostaglandins
• Prostaglandins
• Produced by all tissues of body.
• Can have a local effect on tissues (same tissue which produced it).
• Rapidly degraded in lungs.
• Types: PGE2 and PGF2α
• PGE2
• Causes vasodilation of blood vessels.
• Involved with ovulation, parturition and sperm transport.
• PGF2α
• Causes vasoconstriction of blood vessels.
• Effects luteal cell of CL, luteolytic causes CL regression.