:

9.0 REPRODUCTION
AND
DEVELOPMENT

9.0 REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

9.1 Asexual reproduction in plants and animals

9.2 Sexual reproduction in flowering plants
9.3 Human reproductive system
9.4 Fertilization and foetal development
9.5 Roles of hormones

9.5 Roles of hormones

a) Explain the role of hormones during pregnancy
i. progesterone
ii. estrogen
iii. human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
b) Explain the role of hormones during parturition /
birth process
i. progesterone
ii. estrogen
iii. oxytocin
iv. prostaglandin
c) Explain the role of hormones during lactation
i. oxytocin
ii. prolactin

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

PREGNANCY & HORMONES INVOLVED

1st trimester
i.
-

Progesterone
initiates increased mucus in cervix (forming a
protective plug)
stimulates growth of the maternal portion of placenta
maintains the thickness of endometrium
prevents ovulation & menstrual cycle
stimulates breasts enlargement

ii. Estrogen
important for development of uterus, foetus &
mammary glands

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

1st trimester

iii. hCG
(human chorionic gonadotropin)

The chorion secretes hCG

Function: stimulate the

corpus luteum to continue to
secrete progesterone and
estrogen

hCG level is so high & some

is excreted in urine

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

1st trimester
iv. hCS (human chorionic
somatotropin )
Starting at week 5, the placenta
secretes hCS which stimulates:
secretion of estrogens &
progesterone by corpus
luteum
entry of amino acids into
cells of embryo (for protein
synthesis)
development of mammary
glands
glucose & lipid metabolisms
in the mother

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

2nd trimester
hCG secrete by the placenta
declines
Corpus luteum degenerates,
progesterone decrease
Placenta takes over from
corpus luteum by secreting
progesterone & estrogen,
(maintain pregnancy)

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

3rd trimester

Level of estrogen &

progesterone increase
during pregnancy
prevent from miscarriage
And induce the birth
process

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION & HORMONES INVOLVED

During pregnancy, progesterone & estrogens are
secreted by placenta
i.

Progesterone
High level of progesterone prevents contractions of
uterus (prevents birth of immature baby)

ii. Estrogen

- Estrogens reach highest level during last weeks

of pregnancy
- This triggers formation of oxytocin receptors on
uterus

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION & HORMONES INVOLVED

iii. Oxytocin
- secreted by foetus & mothers posterior pituitary
- stimulates contractions of uterus
- stimulates placenta to secrete prostaglandins
iv. Prostaglandins
- Enhance contractions of uterus
- The contractions stimulate release of more oxytocin &
prostaglandins by positive feedback
- Contractions become stronger & more frequent
- that push the baby

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION

Parturition (birth process)

occurs as a result of the strong,
rhythmic contractions (labour)
Induced and regulated by
estrogen, oxytocin, and
prostaglandins.
3 stages of parturition:
i. dilation of cervix
ii. delivery of baby
iii. delivery of placenta

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION

i. dilation of cervix
- opening up & thinning of
cervix
- ending with complete
dilation
- amnion ruptures releasing
amniotic fluid, which flows
out through the vagina.
- contractions get stronger

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION
ii. delivery of baby

- The expulsion of the fetus

- continuous strong
contractions force foetus
down and out of the uterus &
vagina
- aided by mothers pushing
- the umbilical cord is then cut
and clamped

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION

iii. delivery of placenta

- The expulsion of the
placenta
- continuing contraction
expel the placenta &
associated membranes
(the afterbirth)

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

LACTATION & HORMONES INVOLVED

Milk production that
occurs in the mammary
glands
An aspect of postnatal
care
The breasts contain
mammary glands
Alveoli of mammary glands
will produce milk, that is
secreted into mammary
ducts which open at the
nipple

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

LACTATION & HORMONES INVOLVED

During pregnancy, progesterone
stimulates development of mammary
alveoli
Estrogens stimulate development of
mammary ducts
When placenta is discharged after birth,
levels of estrogens & progesterone
decrease
This allows mothers anterior pituitary
to secrete prolactin

[no lactation during pregnancy since

prolactin secretion is inhibited]

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

LACTATION & HORMONES INVOLVED

Prolactin stimulates mammary

alveoli to produce milk (~ 2
days after birth)
Mammary secretion for first
few days is the colostrum
(thick, yellowish fluid with high
protein content & rich in
maternal antibodies)
Oxytocin stimulates
contraction of smooth muscles
surrounding mammary glands,
thus controlling release of milk

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

After birth, milk production is stimulated

by the sucking infant

Nerve impulse will be sent

to the hypothalamus & sent
impulse to posterior
pituitary to release oxytocin
Fx (oxytocin): Contraction
of the smooth muscle of
alveoli & force milk through
the duct & out of the nipple
The anterior pituitary
responds by releasing
prolactin
Fx (prolactin): Stimulate
the production of milk

9.0 REPRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

9.1 Asexual reproduction in plants and animals

9.2 Sexual reproduction in flowering plants
9.3 Human reproductive system
9.4 Fertilization and foetal development
9.5 Roles of hormones

9.5 Roles of hormones

a) Explain the role of hormones during pregnancy
i. progesterone
ii. estrogen
iii. human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)
b) Explain the role of hormones during parturition /
birth process
i. progesterone
ii. estrogen
iii. oxytocin
iv. prostaglandin
c) Explain the role of hormones during lactation
i. oxytocin
ii. prolactin

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

PREGNANCY & HORMONES INVOLVED

1st trimester
i.
-

Progesterone
initiates increased mucus in cervix (forming a
protective plug)
stimulates growth of the maternal portion of placenta
maintains the thickness of endometrium
prevents ovulation & menstrual cycle
stimulates breasts enlargement

ii. Estrogen
important for development of uterus, foetus &
mammary glands

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

1st trimester

iii. hCG
(human chorionic gonadotropin)

The chorion secretes hCG

Function: stimulate the

corpus luteum to continue to
secrete progesterone and
estrogen

hCG level is so high & some

is excreted in urine

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

1st trimester
iv. hCS (human chorionic
somatotropin )
Starting at week 5, the placenta
secretes hCS which stimulates:
secretion of estrogens &
progesterone by corpus
luteum
entry of amino acids into
cells of embryo (for protein
synthesis)
development of mammary
glands
glucose & lipid metabolisms
in the mother

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

2nd trimester
hCG secrete by the placenta
declines
Corpus luteum degenerates,
progesterone decrease
Placenta takes over from
corpus luteum by secreting
progesterone & estrogen,
(maintain pregnancy)

Learning outcomes :
(a) Explain the role of hormone during pregnancy

3rd trimester

Level of estrogen &

progesterone increase
during pregnancy
prevent from miscarriage
And induce the birth
process

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION & HORMONES INVOLVED

During pregnancy, progesterone & estrogens are
secreted by placenta
i.

Progesterone
High level of progesterone prevents contractions of
uterus (prevents birth of immature baby)

ii. Estrogen

- Estrogens reach highest level during last weeks

of pregnancy
- This triggers formation of oxytocin receptors on
uterus

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION & HORMONES INVOLVED

iii. Oxytocin
- secreted by foetus & mothers posterior pituitary
- stimulates contractions of uterus
- stimulates placenta to secrete prostaglandins
iv. Prostaglandins
- Enhance contractions of uterus
- The contractions stimulate release of more oxytocin &
prostaglandins by positive feedback
- Contractions become stronger & more frequent
- that push the baby

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION

Parturition (birth process)

occurs as a result of the strong,
rhythmic contractions (labour)
Induced and regulated by
estrogen, oxytocin, and
prostaglandins.
3 stages of parturition:
i. dilation of cervix
ii. delivery of baby
iii. delivery of placenta

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION

i. dilation of cervix
- opening up & thinning of
cervix
- ending with complete
dilation
- amnion ruptures releasing
amniotic fluid, which flows
out through the vagina.
- contractions get stronger

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION
ii. delivery of baby

- The expulsion of the fetus

- continuous strong
contractions force foetus
down and out of the uterus &
vagina
- aided by mothers pushing
- the umbilical cord is then cut
and clamped

Learning outcomes :
(b) Explain the role of hormone during parturition / birth process

PARTURITION

iii. delivery of placenta

- The expulsion of the
placenta
- continuing contraction
expel the placenta &
associated membranes
(the afterbirth)

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

LACTATION & HORMONES INVOLVED

Milk production that
occurs in the mammary
glands
An aspect of postnatal
care
The breasts contain
mammary glands
Alveoli of mammary glands
will produce milk, that is
secreted into mammary
ducts which open at the
nipple

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

LACTATION & HORMONES INVOLVED

During pregnancy, progesterone
stimulates development of mammary
alveoli
Estrogens stimulate development of
mammary ducts
When placenta is discharged after birth,
levels of estrogens & progesterone
decrease
This allows mothers anterior pituitary
to secrete prolactin

[no lactation during pregnancy since

prolactin secretion is inhibited]

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

LACTATION & HORMONES INVOLVED

Prolactin stimulates mammary

alveoli to produce milk (~ 2
days after birth)
Mammary secretion for first
few days is the colostrum
(thick, yellowish fluid with high
protein content & rich in
maternal antibodies)
Oxytocin stimulates
contraction of smooth muscles
surrounding mammary glands,
thus controlling release of milk

Learning outcomes :
(c) Explain the role of hormone during lactation

After birth, milk production is stimulated

by the sucking infant

Nerve impulse will be sent

to the hypothalamus & sent
impulse to posterior
pituitary to release oxytocin
Fx (oxytocin): Contraction
of the smooth muscle of
alveoli & force milk through
the duct & out of the nipple
The anterior pituitary
responds by releasing
prolactin
Fx (prolactin): Stimulate
the production of milk