Question

What is the role of hypothalamus and pituitary in human reproduction?

Answer 1

Hypothalamus:

1. It is a major gland in the endocrine system located in the forebrain.
2. It is neurosecretory and releases hormones known as hypothalamic hormones.
3. These can be releasing hormones or inhibitory hormones.
4. These can either stimulate or inhibit the pituitary gland.
5. At puberty, the hypothalamus secretes large amounts of gonadotropin-releasing hormones, also known as GnRH.

Pituitary gland:

1. It is a pea-sized endocrine gland that is attached to the base of the brain.
2. GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete two gonadotropins: FSH and LH.
3. FSH is also known as a follicle-stimulating hormone, and it stimulates the formation of follicles in females.
4. In males, it helps in stimulating the Sertoli cells to release certain factors which are required for sperm formation through the process of spermatogenesis.
5. LH is also known as luteinizing hormone.
6. It stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to release testosterone hormone, which is required for the attainment of sexual maturity in males and is also associated with the process of sperm formation.
7. In females, it helps in the process of ovulation.