“Should Hormones be used to control human reproduction?”
...eption, I will also be looking at the disadvantages of using such hormones. Firstly, I have written about the cycle itself and then discussed about how the hormones are used biologically to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The secretion of reproductive hormones in a woman follows a cycle which repeats itself approximately every month. The cycle is known as the menstrual cycle There are two female sex hormones secreted by the ovaries, oestrogen and progesterone. Oestrogen and progesterone, like testosterone, are steroid hormones. The secretions of these hormones are under the control of two glycoprotein hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. These are lutinising hormone, LH and follicle stimulating hormone, FSH. There are three main stages to the menstrual cycle: • The follicular stage: During the first part of the cycle, one or more follicles start to develop. The follicle cells surrounding the oocyte grow and divide. They produce hormones that affect other parts of the reproductive system. The follicular stage leads to the development of a mature female gamete and prepares the rest of the reproductive system for a possible pregnancy. • Ovulation: the Oocyte is released from the ovary and passes down the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. • The luteal stage: Most of the follicl...