Common Reproductive Hormones: Male vs. Female

Nahid Bukhari

Nov 26, 2025 - 15:07

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Common Reproductive Hormones: Male vs. Female

This chart outlines the major hormones, their primary sources, and their key functions in both sexes.

Hormone	Primary Source(s)	Key Functions in Males	Key Functions in Females
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)	Hypothalamus	Stimulates anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH.	Stimulates anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH; critical for menstrual cycle initiation and ovulation.
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)	Anterior Pituitary	- Stimulates Sertoli cells to support spermatogenesis. - Stimulates Sertoli cells to produce Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP).	- Stimulates follicular growth and development in the ovary. - Stimulates granulosa cells to produce estrogen.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)	Anterior Pituitary	- Stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.	- Triggers ovulation. - Stimulates corpus luteum formation and maintenance (secreting progesterone and estrogen).
Testosterone (an Androgen)	- Leydig cells in testes - Adrenal cortex (minor)	- Primary male sex hormone. - Essential for spermatogenesis. - Development and maintenance of male secondary sexual characteristics (muscle mass, deep voice, hair growth). - Sex drive.	- Precursor for estrogen synthesis. - Contributes to female libido. - Involved in bone and muscle mass.
Estrogen (e.g., Estradiol)	- Granulosa cells in ovarian follicles - Corpus luteum - Adrenal cortex (minor) - Fat cells (from androgens)	- Involved in bone density and cardiovascular health (in very low levels).	- Primary female sex hormone. - Promotes development of female secondary sexual characteristics. - Stimulates endometrial proliferation during the menstrual cycle. - Bone health, cardiovascular health.
Progesterone	- Corpus luteum (primarily) - Adrenal cortex (minor) - Placenta (during pregnancy)	- Precursor to other steroid hormones (androgens and estrogens).	- Prepares and maintains the endometrium for implantation. - Maintains pregnancy. - Inhibits uterine contractions. - Raises basal body temperature.
Inhibin	- Sertoli cells in testes - Granulosa cells in ovarian follicles - Corpus luteum	- Selectively inhibits FSH release from the anterior pituitary.	- Selectively inhibits FSH release from the anterior pituitary.
Prolactin	Anterior Pituitary	- Minor role, possibly involved in male reproductive function, but less understood.	- Stimulates milk production (lactation) after childbirth.
Oxytocin	Posterior Pituitary (produced in hypothalamus)	- May play a role in sperm transport within the male reproductive tract.	- Stimulates uterine contractions during labor. - Triggers milk ejection (let-down reflex) during breastfeeding. - Involved in bonding and social behaviors.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)	Placenta (after implantation)	Not applicable in males	- Maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy, ensuring continued progesterone production. - Basis of pregnancy tests.

Key Differences and Distinctions:

While both sexes share common regulatory hormones like GnRH, FSH, and LH, their specific targets and the primary sex hormones they regulate differ significantly.

Primary Sex Hormones:
- Males: Predominantly Testosterone.
- Females: Predominantly Estrogen and Progesterone.
Cyclical vs. Continuous Release:
- Males: Hormone levels (especially testosterone) are relatively continuous after puberty, maintaining steady spermatogenesis.
- Females: Hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH) are highly cyclical, driving the ovarian and uterine cycles.
Feedback Mechanisms:
- Both use negative feedback, but females also exhibit positive feedback (e.g., high estrogen leading to LH surge) to trigger ovulation.
Pregnancy-Specific Hormones:
- hCG is unique to pregnancy in females, playing a crucial role in maintaining the early pregnancy.
- The placenta becomes a major endocrine organ during pregnancy, producing high levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Glandular Secretions:
- Males have prostate and seminal vesicle secretions as part of semen production.
- Females have vestibular glands for lubrication, and mammary glands for lactation (regulated by hormones like prolactin and oxytocin).

These differences highlight the distinct biological roles of the male and female reproductive systems, yet both are intricately linked through the fundamental HPG axis.