The female hormone system is determined by a regulatory circuit consisting of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland (hypophysis) and the ovaries (ovaries). The female ovaries are the central organ for the production of the female sex hormones estradiol and progesterone as well as for female fertility. Only a functioning interaction between the ovaries, the hypothalamus, the … Hormones in women
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) GnRH is delivered pulsatile, i.e. rhythmically, every 60-120 minutes by the hypothalamus and causes LH and FSH to be produced and released from the frontal lobe of the pituitary gland. Due to this mechanism, GnRH is considered to be one of the stimulating (“releasing”) hormones of the hypothalamus. The measurement of … Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) | Hormones in women
Male sex hormones (androgens) The control hormone LH from the front lobe of the pituitary gland stimulates the production of androgens (male sex hormones) in the 1st half of the female cycle. Under the influence of another control hormone from the front lobe of the pituitary gland, the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), these are converted … Male sex hormones (androgens) | Hormones in women
Estrogens Oestrogens, which belong to the class of female sex hormones, include oestrone (E1), oestradiol (E2) and oestriol (E3). These three estrogens differ in their biological activity. Estron (E1) has about 30% and estriol (E3) only about 10% of the biological activity of estradiol. Thus, estradiol (E2) is the most important estrogenic hormone. In addition … Estrogens | Hormones in women
Progesterone After ovulation, which is triggered by a rapid increase in LH, the so-called “LH peak”, the corpus luteum produces progesterone. The corpus luteum is formed from the ovarian follicle after ovulation. In non-pregnant women, unlike estrogens, progesterone is produced exclusively in the ovaries. During pregnancy, progesterone is produced in much higher quantities by the … Progesterone | Hormones in women
Inhibin Inhibin belongs to the class of proteohormones, i.e. it has a protein structure (protein = egg white). In women it is produced in certain cells of the ovaries, the so-called granulosa cells, and in men in the testicles. Inhibin is responsible for inhibiting the release of FSH from the frontal lobe of the pituitary … Inhibin | Hormones in women
Prolactin Prolactin is produced in cells of the front lobe of the pituitary gland. During pregnancy, prolactin prepares the female mammary gland for the approaching production of milk. Together with estrogens and progesterone, it stimulates the differentiation of the mammary gland tissue during this period. However, the high concentrations of estrogens and progesterone present during … Prolactin | Hormones in women
