Video Transcript
The formation of gametes, ova and
sperm, is stimulated by the same pituitary hormone in males and females. What is the name of this
hormone?
The pituitary gland, which is an
endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, releases several different
hormones, some of which are involved in the formation of gametes following
puberty. As mentioned in the question, there
are two types of gametes in humans: ova, which are otherwise known as egg cells, in
biological females, and sperm cells in biological males.
The testes are the site of sperm
production, a process that is often called spermatogenesis. Two pituitary hormones are
essential to this process: luteinizing hormone, or LH, and follicle-stimulating
hormone, or FSH. At the onset of puberty, LH begins
to be secreted in larger quantities from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland in
the brain. The blood transports LH throughout
the entire body, including to its target tissues in the testes of biological
males. There, LH can bind to receptors on
its target cells, which are called Leydig cells. This stimulates the Leydig cells to
produce and secrete another hormone that is vital to spermatogenesis,
testosterone.
Meanwhile, FSH is produced and
secreted by the pituitary gland and travels via the blood to the testes. FSH has different target cells in
the testes, Sertoli cells. Upon binding to receptors on the
Sertoli cells, FSH stimulates spermatogenesis by inducing these Sertoli cells to
produce testosterone receptors, which are sometimes called androgen-binding
proteins. The androgen-binding proteins are
presented on the surface of the Sertoli cells so that testosterone, which has been
produced by the Leydig cells, can bind to them.
Together, FSH and testosterone
regulate spermatogenesis by helping Sertoli cells to function properly, for example,
by stimulating them to produce fluids that support sperm cell development. In biological females, FSH helps to
control the menstrual cycle and stimulate the growth of the female gametes, ova, in
the ovaries.
Now, we have enough information to
answer this question correctly. The pituitary hormone that
stimulates the formation of gametes in both males and females is
follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH.
