Neurohormonal Process
The endocrine reproductive system consists of the hypothalamus, the pituitary, the gonads, and the adrenal glands, with input and regulation from many other body systems. True puberty is often termed "central puberty" because it begins as a process of the central nervous system. A simple description of hormonal puberty is as follows:
- The brain's hypothalamus begins to release pulses of GnRH.
- Cells in the anterior pituitary respond by secreting LH and FSH into the circulation.
- The ovaries or testes respond to the rising amounts of LH and FSH by growing and beginning to produce estradiol and testosterone.
- Rising levels of estradiol and testosterone produce the body changes of female and male puberty.
The onset of this neurohormonal process may precede the first visible body changes by 1–2 years.
Read more about this topic: Puberty
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