Reproductive Hormones and their Functions In Animals

By /

Hi welcome to this blog on the topic: main reproductive hormones and their functions. Male, female reproductive hormones in animals.

Table Of Contents

  1. What is hormone
  2. Male reproductive hormones
  3. Female reproductive hormones estrogen
  4. Progesterone
  5. Revision Questions

What is Hormone

Hormones are chemical substances which co-ordinate the activities of the body. They are secreted by ductless glands in the body and transferred through the blood to the target organs on which they exact their effects. Hormones concerned with reproduction in farm animals can be grouped into male and female reproductive hormones.

Male reproductive hormones Androgen (Testosterone)

Functions

  1. It initiates spermatogenesis (sperm formation).
  2. It is responsible for the initiation of male secondary sex characteristics.
  3. Maintains the sex drive (libido)
  4. Enhances muscular and skeletal growth.
  5. Reduces fat deposition
  6. Promotes the growth of accessory sex glands.
  7. Sustains the life of sperms in the epididymis

Female reproductive hormones estrogen

Functions

  1. Stimulate the development of female secondary sex characteristics, e.g, heat behavior.
  2. Promote the production of eggs through oogenesis.
  3. It is concerned with the preparation of the uterus lining for the reception of the fertilized ovum.
  4. It increases blood supply as well as the water content of the uterus.
  5. It stimulates the growth of the duct system in the mammary glands (udder).
  6. In the oviducts, it increases ciliary activities and mucous secretion.
  7. Induces the rapid multiplication of epithelum in the vagina.

Follicle Stimulating Hormones (FSH)

  1. it stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicle.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

  1. It causes the rupture of the follicle and subsequent release of ova, i.e (ovulation).
  2. It stimulates the secretion of ovarian hormones i.e, oestrogen and progesterone.

Progesterone (Pregnancy hormone)

Functions

  1. It ensures the development of uterus and implantation of the fertilized ovum.
  2. It inhibits oestrus (i.e it prevent the ripening of more follicles).
  3. It causes the development of alveoli in mammary gland.
  4. It ensures the continuance of pregnancy.

Oxytocin

  1. It aid in the contraction of the female uterine muscles during pregnancy.
  2. It affects mammary gland after birth by causing milk let-down or milk production.
  3. It promotes the transport of spermatozoa in the female genital tract.

Relaxing

  1. It causes relaxation of the pelvic ligament during parturition for easy passage of the young one.

Revision Questions

  1. briefly explain the functions of the following hormones: (a) functions of estrogen, (b) functions of oxytocin (c) functions of progesterone.
  2. Enumerate six main reproductive hormones and their functions in animals.
  3. Enumerate five functions of female reproductive hormones estrogen in females.
  4. And enumerate five functions of reproductive hormones in male
Scroll to Top