puberty

(noun)

the age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction

Related Terms

  • testosterone
  • luteinizing hormone
  • follicle stimulating hormone
  • Leydig cell
  • inhibin
  • Sertoli cell

Examples of puberty in the following topics:

  • Male Hormones

    • The onset of puberty is controlled by two major hormones: FSH initiates spermatogenesis and LH signals the release of testosterone.
    • Puberty is a period of several years in which rapid physical growth and psychological changes occur, culminating in sexual maturity.
    • The average onset of puberty is age 11 or 12 for boys.
    • Hormones play an organizational role, priming the body to behave in a certain way once puberty begins, and an activational role, referring to changes in hormones during adolescence that trigger behavioral and physical changes.
    • At the onset of puberty, the hypothalamus begins secreting high pulses of GnRH, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
  • Infertility

    • Short-term stress can affect hormone levels, while long-term stress can delay puberty, causing less-frequent menstrual cycles.
  • Pineal Gland and Gonads

    • Estrogen increases at the time of puberty, causing the growth of the uterus and vagina.
  • Organs with Secondary Endocrine Functions

    • Extremely thin females may enter puberty late; however, if adipose levels increase, more leptin will be produced, improving fertility.
  • Hormonal Regulation of the Reproductive System

    • During puberty, in both males and females, the hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates the production and release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary gland.
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