How do hormones affect your body?
A large part of puberty is controlled by hormones that cause the symptoms you show. The reproductive systems of both females and males lie dormant for the majority of one’s childhood. Puberty and the reproductive system are controlled by the hormones of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis*. This hormone releases Gonadotropin* in a pulsatile* manner which stimulates the release of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)* and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)* from the anterior pituitary gland.
FSH and LH act on the gonads to stimulate the synthesis and release of the sex steroid hormones and support gametogenesis. These sex steroids exert many effects on the reproductive system and provide feedback negatively on the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland to ensure that the levels of circulation remain stable.
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During childhood, the symptoms and the effects of puberty lie dormant because the levels of FSH and LH in the body are low. This is thought to be because of the slow cycling of the GnRH pulse generator in the hypothalamus. A year before the first physical changes of puberty, there is a rise in the pulsatile release of FHS and LH and causes the GnRh pulse generator to release from the CNS inhibition.
The rise in FSH stimulates an increase in estrogen synthesis and oogenesis in females. The rise in LH levels stimulates an increase in production of progesterone in females. As a result of these hormonal changes, the physical changes associated with puberty begin to develop.
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Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis: Hormones that regulate reproduction and fertility
Gonadotropin: hormones that stimulate sex glands to carry out reproductive functions
Pulsatile: beating rhythmically, throbbing, pulsating
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Hormones that help control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries
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“Hormone Concentrations during Puberty.” Default, med.uc.edu/landing-pages/reproductivephysiology/lecture-3/hormone-concentrations-during-puberty#:~:text=At%20puberty%20the%20hypothalamic%20pituitary,LH%20in%20a%20pulsatile%20manner. Accessed 5 Nov. 2023.
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Acevedo-Rodriguez, A., et al. “Emerging Insights into Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Regulation and Interaction with Stress Signalling.” Journal of Neuroendocrinology, vol. 30, no. 10, 7 Aug. 2018, p. e12590, https://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12590.
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Australia, Healthdirect. “Follicle Stimulating Hormone.” Www.healthdirect.gov.au, 4 Dec. 2020, www.healthdirect.gov.au/follicle-stimulating-hormone#:~:text=It%20is%20an%20important%20hormone.
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Cleveland Clinic. “Pituitary Gland: What It Is, Function & Anatomy.” Cleveland Clinic, 4 Apr. 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21459-pituitary-gland.