1. Ovarian/Testicular endocrine dysfunction
Gonadal function controlled by
gonadotrophins- LF & FSH, and
estrogen, progesterone, testosterone

2. Gonadotrophins
 Glycoprotein hormones,
produced by anterior pituitary
 LH-
 LH surge causes ovulation
& converts residual follicle to corpus luteum
 Hormone production from theca cells in ovary
& leydig cells in testis
 FSH-
 Stimulates germ-cell maturation,
through granulosa cells in ovary & sertoli cells in testis
 Secretion controlled by hypothalamus-GRH
& gonadal hormones

3. Estrogen- estradiol
 A steroid hormone
 Produced by granulosa cells of ovary, by
aromatization of androstenedione produced
in theca cells
 Also produced by placenta, adipose tissue, adrenal cortex, brain
& testes
 Function-
 Development of 2° sexual characteristics in females
 Growth hormone for reproductive organs in females
 Maintains oocytes, induces ovulation
 Prepares endometrium for implantation, maintains pregnancy
 Promotes bone growth & mental health in females

4. Progesterone
 A steroid hormone
 Produced by corpus luteum & placenta
 Functions-
 Prepares uterus for implantation,
withdrawl leads to normal menstrual bleeding
 Maintains pregnancy- decreases uterine contractility
 Inhibits lactation during pregnancy
 Fall facilitates onset of labor & triggers lactation
 A potent antagonist of aldosterone receptor, hence elevated
levels result in natriuresis & low extracellular volume

5. Testosterone
 A steroid hormone, an androgen
 Produced by leydig cells in testes
 Also by theca cells in ovary, placenta
& adrenal cortex
 Functions-
 Genital virilization in fetus- dihydrotestosterone
 2° sexual characteristics- males-all, females-some
 Libido, anabolic, virilization
 Normal sperm development/differentiation
 Affects attention, memory, spatial ability- through estradiol
 Levels fall in males on falling in love & becoming a father

6. Gametogenesis
 Oogenesis- a staged process
 Oogonium- converts to 1° oocyte before birth
 1° oocyte- diploid- arrested in dictyate-
prophase I from birth to menarche, few mature
sequentially/cyclically
 2° oocyte- haploid- arrested at metaphase II stage until fertilization
 Ovum- mature follicle, ready to fertilize
 Spermatogenesis- a continuous process that starts at
puberty; each cycle takes ~64 days
 Spermatogonium- divide mitotically to produce copies or
 1° spermatocyte- diploid
 2° spermatocyte- haploid
 Spermatid- matures & becomes motile in epididymis
 Sperm- ready to fertilize

7. Sex hormone disorders
 Disorders of sex development-
 Hermaphroditism
 Gonadal dysgenesis
 Androgen insensitivity syndrome
 Hypogonadism- inherited or acquired
 1°- hypergonadotropic- gonadal failure
 2°- hypogonadotropic- pituitary hypofunction
 Disorders of puberty- precocious or delayed
 Menstrual disorders- amenorrhea & PCOS
 Hirsuitism or virilization in females, gynecomastia in males
 Fertility disorders- infertility