Menstrual cycle
,Learning goals:
● Effects of the hormones oestradiol and progesterone on target cells: For oestradiol, limit to cells
in the hypothalamus that secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone. For progesterone, limit to cells
in the endometrium.
● Control of the endocrine system by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Students should have
a general understanding, but are not required to know differences between mechanisms used in
the anterior and posterior pituitary.
● Changes during the ovarian and uterine cycles and their hormonal regulation. Include the roles
of oestradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and both
positive and negative feedback. The ovarian and uterine cycles together constitute the menstrual
cycle.
● Hormonal control of pregnancy and childbirth. Emphasize that the continuity of pregnancy is
maintained by progesterone secretion initially from the. corpus luteum and then from the placenta,
whereas the changes during childbirth are triggered by a decrease in progesterone levels,
allowing increases in oxytocin secretion due to positive feedback.
,Testosterone
+ (Secondary) sex
characteristics
+ Muscle mass
+ Social behaviour like:
dominance, aggression,
courtship display
, Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Important hormonal
glands
,Learning goals:
● Effects of the hormones oestradiol and progesterone on target cells: For oestradiol, limit to cells
in the hypothalamus that secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone. For progesterone, limit to cells
in the endometrium.
● Control of the endocrine system by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Students should have
a general understanding, but are not required to know differences between mechanisms used in
the anterior and posterior pituitary.
● Changes during the ovarian and uterine cycles and their hormonal regulation. Include the roles
of oestradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and both
positive and negative feedback. The ovarian and uterine cycles together constitute the menstrual
cycle.
● Hormonal control of pregnancy and childbirth. Emphasize that the continuity of pregnancy is
maintained by progesterone secretion initially from the. corpus luteum and then from the placenta,
whereas the changes during childbirth are triggered by a decrease in progesterone levels,
allowing increases in oxytocin secretion due to positive feedback.
,Testosterone
+ (Secondary) sex
characteristics
+ Muscle mass
+ Social behaviour like:
dominance, aggression,
courtship display
, Hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Important hormonal
glands
