Actions of sex hormones MALES Testosterone 1.

Fetal differentiation of the internal male genital tract: epipidymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicles 2. Puberty: increased muscle mass, growth spurt, closure of epiphyseal plates, growth of penis + seminal vesicles, voicebreaking, spermatogenesis and increased libido 1. Fetal differentiation of external male genitalia: penis, scrotum and prostate 2. Male hair distribution 3. Sebaceous gland activity 4. Growth of prostate (5a-reductase inhibitors treat benign prostatic hypertrophy)

Dihydrotestosterone

FEMALES Estrogen Menstruation & Puberty Proliferative phase: proliferation of granulosa cells, growth of endometrium + glands + stroma, elongation of spiral arteries, cervical mucus becomes watery and elastic to allow sperm to penetrate Proliferation and development of granulosa cells Upregulation of estrogen, progesterone and LH receptors Breast development estrogen stimulate growth of areolar, lobular ducts and adipose tissue Maturation and maintenance of internal female genitalia: uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and upper 1/3 of vagina Decrease LDL cholesterol Anti-osteoporotic Growth of myometrium Growth of ductal system in breasts Stimulation of prolactin secretion Enlargement of external genitalia Blocks action of prolactin on breasts Decreases uterine threshold to contractile stimuli Secretory phase: proliferation of endometrium slows, uterine glands become tortuous, glycogen vacuoles increase, mucus secretion increase, stroma of endometrium becomes edematous, spiral arteries grow and coil, cervical mucus decrease, becoming thick and non-elastic Progesterone coordinate with estrogen to stimulate secretion in mammary ducts Maintains endometrial lining of uterus Increases uterine threshold to contractile stimuli

Pregnancy

Progesterone

Menstruation & Puberty

Pregnancy