Sex - Basic Aspects of Human Sexuality

The Role of Hormones: Illustration

LH = Luteinizing Hormone; FSH = Follicle Stimulating Hormone. In females: LH plays an important role in the productions of estrogens and progesterone, FSH stimulates the development of egg cells (ova). In males: LH plays an important role in the production of testosterone, FSH plays an important role in the production of sperm.

The production of “sex hormones” represents a feedback system:
Two glands in the lower brain region (hypothalamus and pituitary gland) stimulate the gonads (ovaries in females; testicles in males) which, in turn, influence their stimulators. The different mixture of hormones in females and males produces the secondary sexual characteristics as well as other differences between the sexes.