Science

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

LESSON 11.3
Hormones Controlling the Female
Reproductive System
Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Learning Competency 2

Learning Objectives 2

Warm-Up 2

Learn about It 3
Oogenesis 3
Hormonal Control in Females 4
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone 4
Follicle Stimulating Hormone 5
Luteinizing Hormone 5
Estrogen 5
Progesterone 5
Regulation of Female Hormones 6
Follicular Phase 6
Ovulation 6
Luteal Phase 8

Key Points 7

Check Your Understanding 8

Photo Credit 9

Bibliography 9
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Lesson 11.3
Hormones Controlling the Female
Reproductive System

Menstrual cramps are common before or during a female’s period.

Introduction
Do you know a female friend who complains of unbearable menstrual cramps during her
period? How about observing noticeable changes in a female family member’s voice or hips?
All of these are normal, and females undergo these changes when they reach puberty.
Similar to males, these puberty changes are influenced by hormones. How can hormones
influence these changes? What hormones are involved? Why do you think these
changes must occur in the female’s body?

1
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Learning Competency
At the end of this lesson, the given DepEd learning competency should be met
by the students.
Explain the role of hormones involved in the female and male reproductive
systems (S10LT-IIIb-34).

Learning Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Discuss the role of pituitary glands and gonads in female reproductive
function.
● Explain the feedback mechanisms associated with female reproductive
function.

Warm-Up

Physical Changes for Girls

Materials
● internet-connected device
● piece of paper
● pen or pencil

Procedure
1. Prepare a piece of paper and a writing material to let you take important notes in this
activity.
2. By using an internet-connected device, access the link below and watch the video.

2
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

● Top Signs Girls are in Puberty by Amaze ORG.

Amaze ORG. 2016. ‘‘Top Signs Girls are in Puberty”’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6oka_hqMJk

3. After watching, you will be given 2 to 3 minutes to continue listing down the changes
experienced by girls mentioned in the video.
4. Some of you will be asked to present their outputs in class.

Guide Questions
1. What other changes experienced by girls can you add aside from the ones
mentioned in your list?
2. Are these changes necessary?
3. Do all these changes occur in girls?

Learn about It

Oogenesis
The process of gametogenesis in females is known as oogenesis. Oogenesis involves the
development of a mature ovum or egg cell from an oogonium, a diploid precursor. The
process of oogenesis occurs in the ovaries. Initially, the developing egg is housed in an
ovarian structure known as a follicle. The follicle is in charge of protecting and nourishing
the developing egg cell until it is ready to be released through ovulation.

Unlike in spermatogenesis where four adult sperm cells are produced from one
spermatogonium, oogenesis produces only one viable egg cell from one oogonium.

Essential Question
What hormones control the function of the female reproductive system?

3
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Hormonal Control in Females

The main hormones associated with oogenesis are gonadotropin-releasing hormone
(GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and
progesterone.

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Much like in males, the female body is also controlled by various hormones that trigger
specific changes. The release of female sex hormones are also controlled by the GnRH.
GnRH causes the release of the hormones FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland.

Fig. 1. Hormonal interactions between the ovary and anterior pituitary

4
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

FSH stimulates the development of egg cells, which develop into egg-nourishing structures
called follicles. It also promotes the production of the female sex hormones estrogen and
progesterone.

Luteinizing Hormone
LH also stimulates the development of egg cells. It also stimulates the production of the
female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen
Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development of
breasts, uterus, and vagina. It is also responsible for the broadening of the hips, growth of
pubic and axillary or armpit hair, and increase in adipose tissues. It participates in the
preparation of the female’s body for possible fertilization of the egg cells resulting into
pregnancy.

Fig. 2. Chemical structure of estrogen, the primary female sex hormone

Progesterone
Progesterone is known as the pregnancy maintainer. During pregnancy, high levels of
progesterone keep the endometrium (uterus lining) intact. Specifically, this hormone
maintains the conditions in the uterus necessary for the nourishment and development of
the embryo. Thus, with progesterone present, menstruation does not occur.

5
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Fig. 3. Chemical structure of progesterone, the pregnancy maintainer

Essential Question
What mechanisms affect the normal function of these hormones?

Regulation of Female Hormones

The control of reproductive hormones is more complex in females than in males. The
pattern of activation and inhibition of hormones varies between the phases of the ovarian
cycle.

The hormones usually coincide with the specific phases that occur during the menstrual
cycle. As you will learn, the hormones and physiological changes that occur during the
follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases are different. Thus, similar to that of the male
reproductive system, feedback mechanisms are also present in the regulation of female
hormones.

Follicular Phase
During the follicular phase, the follicles produce low levels of estrogen that inhibit the
production of GnRH, LH, and FSH. Endometrial arteries constrict, resulting in menstruation.

Ovulation
During ovulation, the follicles produce high levels of estrogen that stimulate the production

6
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

of GnRH, LH, and FSH. The endometrium thickens. In addition, this is an example of a
positive feedback mechanism wherein GnRH, the hypothalamic hormone that eventually
stimulates the production of estrogen (a form of which is called estradiol), further increases
its levels as more estrogen molecules are present in the bloodstream.

Fig. 4. The regulation of hormones during ovarian and menstrual cycles of the female
reproductive system involves the activation and inhibition of hormones that vary between
phases of the reproductive cycle.

7
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Luteal Phase
During the luteal phase, LH stimulates the growth of a corpus luteum from follicular tissues.
The corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone. Secretion of GnRH, LH, and FSH is
blocked. This is an example of a negative feedback mechanism where the combination of
both estrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream inhibits the further secretion of GnRH,
FSH, and LH.

Remember
Many of the hormones that trigger sex-specific changes in males and
females are the same. They only differ in their relative quantities, target
organs, and general contribution to the reproductive capacity of an
individual.

Key Points

● Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. This is the counterpart of testosterone
that is the primary sex hormone in males.
● Progesterone is known as the pregnancy maintainer. During pregnancy, high levels
of progesterone keep the endometrium (uterine lining) intact.
● The process of gametogenesis in females is known as oogenesis. Oogenesis
involves the development of a mature ovum or egg cell from an oogonium.
● Unlike in spermatogenesis where four mature sperm cells are produced from one
spermatogonium, oogenesis produces only one viable egg cell from one oogonium.
● The pattern of activation and inhibition of female hormones varies between phases
of the ovarian cycle. Similar to male reproductive system, the regulation of the
secretion of female sex hormone also involves both positive and negative
feedback mechanisms.

8
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Check Your Understanding

A. Provide the correct word(s) that will complete each of the following statements.
1. __________________ from the hypothalamus causes the release of the hormones
__________________ and LH from the __________________.
2. FSH stimulates the development of __________________ cells, which develop in ovarian
structures called __________________.
3. __________________ stimulates the development of egg cells. It also stimulates the
production of the hormones __________________ and __________________.
4. Estrogen aids in the development of female __________________ characteristics during
puberty.
5. Progesterone allows the __________________ of the uterus to thicken during pregnancy.

B. Identify the term being described by each of the following statements.

1. This is the specific type of gametogenesis in females.
2. This process involves the release of mature egg cells from the ovarian follicles.
3. This organ is the site of gametogenesis in the female reproductive system.
4. This hormone helps maintain pregnancy by preserving the vascularization of the
uterus.
5. This hormone is directly involved in the development of secondary sec characteristics
among females.

C. Write true if the statement is accurate and false if otherwise.

1. There is a fixed number of primordial follicles in females at birth.
2. Meiosis in females is completed prior to puberty.
3. The combination of both estrogen and progesterone exerts a negative feedback on
GnRH, LH, and FSH.
4. Menopause refers to the release of eggs.
5. Ovarian follicles nourish the developing egg cells prior to their release.

9
 Science
●

Grade 10 • Unit 11: Hormones and the Reproductive System

Photo Credit
Introduction. Menstrual cramps-1 by Juan Chien-Han (rbmay) is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

Bibliography

Boundless. “Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction: Male Hormones.” Boundless Biology.

Accessed August 26, 2016. Retrieved from:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/hormonal-control-of-
human-reproduction/

Boundless. “Hormonal Control of Human Reproduction: Female Hormones.” Boundless Biology.

Accessed August 26, 2016. Retrieved from:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/hormonal-control-of-
human-reproduction/

Norman, Anthony W. and Helen L. Henry. 2014. Hormones. London: Academic Press.

O’Donnell, Kerri. 2001. The Reproductive System. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

10