Gonad Glands
Kenny Steimle, Alejandro Maldonado, Ornit Katzin, Olivia Schuster
Period 1
Hormones
• The 3 hormones associated with the gonad glands are:
1. Testosterone
2. Estrogen
3. Progesterone
Testosterone
• Testosterone is secreted in the testes and is necessary for
proper physical development in boys.
• Testosterone is involved in many of the processes in
puberty.
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•
•
•
•
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Healthy development of male sex organs
Growth of facial and body hair
Lowering of the voice
Increase in height
Increase in muscle mass
Growth of the Adams apple
• Through manhood it functions to maintain many
processes.
•
•
•
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Maintains sexual desire
Sperm production
Maintain strength and mass
Promoting healthy bone density
Estrogen
• Produced in ovaries and, in lesser amounts, by the adrenal
cortex, placenta, and male testes.
• Role/Function:
• Not known what it does in males
• Growth and development of sexual characteristics and the
reproductive process
• If fertilization does occur, estrogen and progesterone work together
to prevent additional ovulation during pregnancy
• Estrogen by working with calcium, vitamin D, and other hormones
and minerals helps prevent bone loss.
• However once estrogen levels start to decline, bone breaks down
faster than it builds.
• Therefore after menopause, women lose about 20 percent of their
bone mass.
Progesterone
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1cxceu_what-isprogesterone-for-pregnantfirst-com_lifestyle
• Progesterone is a hormone released by the corpus luteum in the ovary
o The corpus luteum is what is left of the follicle after a woman ovulates.
o After a woman ovulates if the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum dies and
progesterone production stops. When progesterone levels drop, the uterus lining
stops thickening and sheds during a woman’s menstrual cycle
• Role/Function: plays an important part in the menstrual cycle and in
maintaining the early stages of pregnancy
o Helps prepare the uterus for pregnancy.
o Progesterone causes the uterine lining to thicken and helps prepare a supportive
environment in your uterus for a fertilized egg
o During pregnancy the progesterone maintains a supportive environment
Hypogonadism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjXqqDWrHA0&edufilter=d
3ViuWqXvxQy1rRgssBz8Q&safe=active
• Also known as “Gonad deficiency”
• In males it may be called low serum testosterone or
• Andropause
• Occurs when your sex glands produce little or no sex hormones
(testosterone)
• Two types of hypogonadism
• Primary hypogonadism: not enough sex hormones due to problem in the
gonads. Gonads receive message to produce hormones but are unable to
produce them
• Central Hypogonadism: problem lies in the brain. Hypothalamus and pituitary
gland (which control the gonads) are not working properly
Primary Hypogonadism Causes
• autoimmune disorders, such as
Addison’s disease and
hypoparathyroidism
• genetic disorders, such as Turner
syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome
• infection
• liver and kidney diseases
• radiation exposure
• surgery on the sex organs
Central Hypogonadism Cause
• genetic disorders, such as Kallmann
syndrome
• infections, including HIV and AIDS
• pituitary disorders
• obesity
• rapid weight loss
• nutritional deficiencies
• use of steroids or opiates
• Etc.
Symptoms
• Loss of body hair
• Muscle loss
• Breast growth
• Reduced growth of penis and testicles
• Erectile dysfunction
• Low sex drive
• Etc.
Klinefelter Syndrome
• Genetic condition that results when a boy is born with an extra copy
of the X chromosome
• Instead of (XY) sex chromosomes men will have (XXY) in each cell
• Results from a random error during the formation of the egg or sperm
• Affects testicular growth
• Can result in smaller than normal testicles
• Can lead to lower production of testosterone
• May cause reduced muscle mass, reduced body and facial hair, and
enlarged breast tissue
• Produce little or no sperm
Symptoms
Boys and Teenagers:
• taller than average stature
• Symptoms vary by age
• longer legs, shorter torso and
• Babies:
broader hips
• weak muscles
• absent, delayed or incomplete
• slow motor development
puberty
• After puberty, less muscular
• delay in speaking
bodies and less facial hair
• quiet personality
• problems at birth such as • Small, firm testicles
• Small penis
testicles that haven’t
descended into the
• Enlarged breast tissue
scrotum, etc.
• Weak bones
• Low energy levels, etc.
Men:
• Infertility
• Small testicles and
penis
• Smaller than average
stature
• Weak bones
• Decreased facial and
body hair
• Enlarged breast
tissue
• Decreased sex drive
Fun Facts
• When estrogen levels are low, as
in menopause, the vagina can
become drier and the vaginal
walls thinner, making sex painful.
Concept Check Questions
1. Where is testosterone produced? Where is estrogen produced? Name 3
functions for each.
1.
Testosterone is produced in the testes. Estrogen is produced in the ovaries. Testosterone:
maintains sexual desire, sperm production, maintain strength and mass, promote healthy
bone density. Estrogen: growth and development of sexual characteristics and the
reproductive process, helps prevent bone loss, prevent additional ovulation during
pregnancy.
2. What is the corpus luteum and how does it play a role in the production of
progesterone?
1.
The corpus luteum is what’s left of the follicle after a woman ovulates. If the egg becomes
fertilized the production of progesterone increases to help protect the uterus and thicken
the uterine lining.
3. What are the two types of hypogonadism and what are their main differences?
1.
Primary and central hypogonadism. Primary hypogonadism is due to a problem in the
gonads. The gonads receive the message to produce hormones but are unable to. In
central hypogonaism the problem lies in the brain. The glands which control the gonads
are not working properly so the message to produce hormones is not sent.
Bibliography
• "Diseases and Conditions: Klinefelter syndrome." Mayo Clinic. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/klinefelter-syndrome/basics/definition/con20033637>.
• "Endocrine System." Chapter 7. Applied Anatomy and Physiology A Case Study Approach. N.p.:
n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print.
• "Estrogen." Healthy Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.healthywomen.org/condition/estrogen>.
• "Hypogonadism." Healthline. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.healthline.com/health/hypogonadism#Symptoms4>.
• "Progesterone." You and Your Hormones. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/progesterone.aspx>.
• "Progesterone and pregnancy: a vital connection." Resolve. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.resolve.org/about-infertility/understanding-my-body/progesterone-and-pregnancya-vital-connection.html>.
• "What is the corpus luteum?" Just Mommies. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.justmommies.com/articles/corpus-luteum.shtml>.