Short notes on the role of sex hormones in human beings

Short notes on the role of sex hormones in human beings

A number of hormones are secreted by the human body of initiate, main­tain and complete the process of sexual reproduction. Basically two hormones are secreted by the adenohypophysis of the pitu­itary gland to control the process of sexual reproduction.

Generally called gonadotropins there are two types of hormones which induce the sex or­gans to produce sex hormones. The two gnadotropins are follicle stimulat­ing hormone (FSH) in females and Luteinzing hormone (LH). The LH in the case of females stimulates ovulation while in the case of males it stimu­lates the production of male hormones called androgens. Female hormones (secreted by the ovary) under the influence of FSH the ovary secrets two hormones namely estro­gen and progesterone.

Estrogen is necessary to initiate the menstrual cycle. It also helps in the development of secondary sexual characters. The proges­terone is a hormone that is necessary to maintain pregnancy. It helps in the formation of endometrium to allow for the implantation of the egg. Male hormones (secreted by the testis)

Under the influence of LH, the testis in human male’s secrets hormones generally called androgens. Testosterone is a hormone secreted by the in­terstitial cells of the testis and helps in the development of the secondary sexual characters. Besides it also helps in the maturation of male sex or­gans.

The placenta is also known to produce several hormones which are essen­tially meant to suppress fresh ovulation (during pregnancy) and continue the pregnancy. Some of these hormones are progesterone, estradion, hu­man chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and human chorionic growth hormone prolactin (CGP). It is known that CGP induces prolactin in the develop­ment of mammary glands in females. The corpus lutuem is helped by HCG.