Puberty is the development of the ability to reproduce. It is associated with pulsing of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) secretion from the hypothalamus. GnRH stimulates FSH and LH secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates sex steroid hormone production and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates gametogenesis. In both males and females, secondary sex characteristics appear during puberty and distinguish the genders.
The gonads are the ovaries in females and the testes in males. The ovaries produce estrogens and progesterone (female sex hormones). They are important in oocyte maturation, ovulation, and uterine development during the menstrual cycle. They also drive the development of female secondary sex characteristics. The testes produce testosterone. Male secondary sex characteristics and production of sperm depend on secretion of the androgens, testosterone and dehydrotestosterone (DHT).
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