Video Transcript
Which of the following statements
about the hormones of the menstrual cycle is correct? (A) LH stimulates the release of
FSH and progesterone but inhibits the production of estrogen. (B) Estrogen stimulates the
production of LH but inhibits the release of FSH. (C) FSH stimulates the release of
LH but inhibits the release of estrogen. (D) Progesterone stimulates the
release of estrogen and LH.
Hormones are chemical messengers
that regulate the body’s essential activities. Let’s take a look at the hormones
involved in controlling the menstrual cycle.
We have FSH, or
follicle-stimulating hormone; LH, or luteinizing hormone; estrogen; and
progesterone. FSH stimulates structures called
follicles in the ovaries, causing an egg cell to develop. In addition, it stimulates the
ovaries to produce and release estrogen. Estrogen causes the uterine lining
to thicken and stimulates the secretion of LH from the anterior pituitary gland. It also inhibits the secretion of
FSH.
LH is a hormone which stimulates
ovulation, which is the release of the mature egg cell from the ovary into the
Fallopian tube. Finally, progesterone is
responsible for maintaining the lining of the uterus. It also inhibits the release of
both LH and FSH.
We now have a clear picture of the
different interactions between the hormones involved in the menstrual cycle. Let’s go over our answer options to
see which of them is correct.
Answer choice (A) states that LH
stimulates the release of FSH and progesterone but inhibits the production of
estrogen. From our diagram, we can see that
LH doesn’t have an effect on other hormones. So, this is incorrect. Answer choice (B) states that
estrogen stimulates LH and inhibits FSH. This appears to be the correct
choice. But let’s look at the remaining
options to be sure.
Answer choice (C) states that FSH
stimulates LH and inhibits estrogen. This is incorrect. Finally, answer choice (D) states
that progesterone stimulates estrogen and LH. This is also incorrect.
Therefore, the option that
identifies the correct statement regarding the menstrual cycle is given by answer
choice (B). Estrogen stimulates the production
of LH but inhibits the release of FSH.
