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Note E1 Ch.4 2

The document outlines the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle, detailing the roles of FSH, LH, oestrogen, and progesterone in regulating ovulation and uterine lining preparation. It also discusses the significance of these hormones in reproduction, pregnancy, contraceptive methods, and infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. Key processes such as hormonal feedback mechanisms and the effects of contraceptives on ovulation and uterine lining are highlighted.

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5 views

Note E1 Ch.4 2

The document outlines the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle, detailing the roles of FSH, LH, oestrogen, and progesterone in regulating ovulation and uterine lining preparation. It also discusses the significance of these hormones in reproduction, pregnancy, contraceptive methods, and infertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization. Key processes such as hormonal feedback mechanisms and the effects of contraceptives on ovulation and uterine lining are highlighted.

Uploaded by

long chow
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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E1 Ch.

4 Hormonal control of reproductive cycle

Menstrual cycle
 Start at puberty (the pituitary gland starts to have a cyclic release of FSH and LH)

 Regulated by four hormones


 follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestrogen and progesterone
Hormone Site of secretion Function
 Stimulate follicle development
FSH
 Stimulate follicle to secrete oestrogen
 Stimulate ovulation
Pituitary gland  Stimulate the ruptured follicle to form yellow body
LH  Stimulate yellow body to secrete oestrogen and
progesterone
 Prevent degeneration of yellow body
 Stimulate thickening of uterine lining
Oestrogen  Promote growth of sex organs, development of
Ovary secondary sexual characteristics, fat accumulation
 Maintain thickness of uterine lining
Progesterone
 Inhibit contraction of uterus, promote fat burning

Interactions among hormones

 FSH  oestrogen
 LH  oestrogen + progesterone
 Low oestrogen level inhibits FSH
 Oestrogen (low level)  FSH (-ve feedback)
 Low oestrogen level inhibits FSH secretion
 Oestrogen (high level)  FSH, LH (+ve feedback)
 Oestrogen + progesterone  FSH, LH (-ve feedback)
Day 1-5
 Pituitary gland secretes more FSH FSH
 stimulate follicle development
Day 6-13
 Developing follicle secretes more oestrogen oestrogen
 stimulate thickening of uterine lining  prepare for implantation of embryo
 inhibit further secretion of FSH  prevent other follicles from maturation
 Oestrogen level reaches a peak
 stimulate sudden release of FSH and LH FSH, LH
Day 14
 High level of LH triggers ovulation
 ruptured follicle forms becomes a yellow body
Day 15-28
 Yellow body secretes oestrogen and progesterone oestrogen, progesterone
 maintain the thickness of uterine lining
 inhibit further secretion of FSH and LH FSH, LH
 Yellow body degenerates oestrogen, progesterone
 uterine lining breaks down

Significance of hormonal control in menstrual cycle: maximize the chance of successful reproduction
1. Ensure only one ovum is released each cycle (reduce competition  increase survival chance of foetus)
2. Ensure the uterine lining is thick enough (for secure attachment of embryo and placenta)
3. Prepare for next possible pregnancy (if no fertilization occurs, oestrogen and progesterone level drop,
inhibition on FSH secretion removed  another cycle begins)
Pregnancy

 ~12 weeks: the embryo secretes human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)


 HCG prevents degeneration of yellow body
 yellow body keeps secreting oestrogen and progesterone to maintain thickness of uterine lining
 After 12 weeks: The fully developed placenta secretes oestrogen and progesterone
 maintain thickness of uterine lining
 prevent further secretion of FSH and LH to prevent another fertilization during pregnancy

Why should the progesterone level be maintained during pregnancy? (2 marks)


Ans: Progesterone maintains the thickness / increases vascularisation / blood supply of uterine lining (1)
so that the placenta / embryo can attach to the uterine lining more securely. (1)
(DSE2013 Paper 2 Q1bii2, modified)

Contraceptive pill: progesterone / progesterone + oestrogen

 Day 1 to 21 (hormone containing pill): oestrogen and progesterone levels increase


 inhibit FSH and LH secretion  no follicle development and no ovulation  no mature ovum is
released  no fertilization
 uterine lining thickens
 Day 22 to 28 (hormone free pill / stop taking pills): oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease
 uterine lining breaks down  menstruation

Mini pill: low dose of progesterone


 Thicken the cervical mucus so that sperms cannot get through

Morning after pill: high dose of progesterone / progesterone + oestrogen


 Prevent ovulation and implantation
Explain how progesterone in the contraceptive pill prevented Kathy from becoming pregnant. (5 marks)
Ans: Progesterone inhibits the secretion of FSH (1) and LH (1) from the pituitary.
The low level of FSH is not sufficient to stimulate follicular development. (1)
The low level of LH is not sufficient to stimulate ovulation. (1)
As a result, no fertilization takes place. (1)
(DSE2013 Paper 2 Q1bi)

Infertility
 Male  Female
 low sperm count  poor follicle development
 poor sperm motility  failure in ovulation
 sperms with structural defects  blockage of oviduct
 blockage of sperm ducts  implantation (uterine lining) problem
 failure in copulation  failure in copulation

Hormonal treatment of infertility


Cause Hormones Effect
Poor follicle development FSH Stimulates follicle development
Failure in ovulation LH Stimulates ovulation
Implantation problem Progesterone Stimulates thickening of uterine lining to
(uterine lining problem) (to be taken after ovulation) prepare for implantation of embryo

In vitro fertilization

1. FSH is given to stimulate the development of several follicles.


2. Mature ova are collected from the ovary.
3. Sperms are collected.
4. Sperms and ova are put into a Petri dish with nutrient solution (several hours).
5. Fertilization occurs.
6. The fertilized ova develop into embryos. (several days)
7. Progesterone is given to maintain the thickness of uterine lining.
8. The embryos are put back into the uterus.

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