Hormones Produced by the Ovary and Testis

The testes (singular: testis) in the scrotum produce the male gamete, sperm, which is ejaculated in seminal fluid by the penis. The female reproductive system primarily consists of internal organs. The female gamete, ovum, is produced in the ovaries and is released monthly to travel to the uterus via the Fallopian tubes.

In this article:
Overview
Ovaries
Mnemonic for ovarian hormones
Testes
Mnemonic for Testicular hormones

Overview

Fertilization can occur if the penis is inserted through the vulva into the vagina and sperm is ejaculated towards the cervix. If an ovum is currently in the uterus, it can then be fertilized by sperm that manage to enter the cervix.

Once fertilized, an ovum becomes a zygote and if all goes well, develops into a fetus in the uterus.

Natural birth occurs when the fetus is pushed from the vagina after nine months in the uterus.

Ovaries

The ovaries are extremely essential components of the female reproductive organ. They are the two female reproductive organs that produce eggs and, in vertebrates, also produce the sex hormones.

Mnemonic for ovarian hormones

A mnemonic for recalling these hormones is -- Ovaries are RIPE with hormones:

• Relaxin,
• Inhibin,
• Progesterone, and
• Estrogen.

Testes

The testes are extremely essential components of the male reproductive gland. They are the paired male reproductive glands, roundish in shape, that produce sperm and male sex hormones, and hang in a small sac scrotum.

Mnemonic for Testicular hormones

The testis secretes hormones which can be remembered by the mnemonic -- Testis makes Mr. TIM strong:

• Testosterone,
• Inhibin, and
• Mullerian-inhibiting hormones.