Learning Objectives

• Describe the physiological and endocrine changes of males and females to puberty
• Appreciate the actions of testosterone and estrogen on primary and secondary sex characteristics of males and females
• Describe the major signs and symptoms of menopause
• Explain the underlying physiological and endocrine changes that cause menopause
• Describe the rationale for using or refusing hormone replacement therapy to mitigate some of these effects

Hormonal Changes

• how does the surge centre develop in males vs females?
• compare male vs female GnRH secretion before and during puberty?
• how do gonadotrophin and sex steroid concentrations change?
• compare male vs female LH secretion during puberty?
• what is the onset of puberty limited by?
• what changes occur in the hypothalamus before and during puberty?
• what causes this change?

Puberty & Primary/ Secondary Sex Characteristics

• what are the earliest changes that indicate the onset of puberty in males vs females?
• what age range does puberty start within in males vs females?
• what are 3 markers of fertility in males?
• what are 3 markers of fertility in females?