Video Transcript
The ovaries are endocrine glands
which release two hormones important for sexual development: estrogen and which
other? (A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone,
(B) progesterone, (C) insulin, (D) growth hormone.
This question is asking us to
recall what hormones the ovaries release that are important for sexual
development. To answer this question, let’s
review what we know about the ovaries and their functions as endocrine glands.
As endocrine glands, the ovaries
release hormones that are important for the development of secondary sex
characteristics of biological females and reproduction. One of the most well-known hormones
released by the ovaries is estrogen. Estrogen is a sex hormone produced
during puberty, which is a period of time in where secondary sex characteristics
begin to develop, such as facial hair for men and breasts for women.
Estrogen is also important for
regulating the menstrual cycle, which typically lasts 28 days. This cycle releases a mature egg
that can be fertilized and prepares the female body for a potential pregnancy. In response to follicle-stimulating
hormone, or FSH, which is secreted by the pituitary gland, the ovaries will begin to
produce estrogen that will help to build the lining of the uterus. Once a mature egg is released from
the ovaries, a second hormone is produced, which is called progesterone.
Progesterone helps maintain the
uterine lining in case a fertilized egg implants and begins to develop in the
uterus. If the fertilized egg implants,
then progesterone prevents the uterus from contracting. It also increases the blood flow to
the uterus.
So estrogen and progesterone are
produced by the ovaries and influence the sexual development of the female body. With this information, we’re able
to correctly answer our question. The two hormones important for
sexual development that are released by the ovaries are estrogen and
progesterone.
