AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
(HT only) Students should be able to explain the interactions of FSH,…
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: (HT only) Students should be able to explain the interactions of FSH, oestrogen, LH and progesterone, in the control of the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle is controlled by four interacting hormones in a negative feedback system.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 9 of 10
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The menstrual cycle is controlled by four interacting hormones in a negative feedback system. FSH, secreted by the pituitary gland, matures a follicle in the ovary and stimulates oestrogen release. Oestrogen, from the developing follicle, thickens the uterus lining and, at high concentrations, triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary. The LH surge causes ovulation around day 14 and forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH, preventing new follicles from maturing. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone falls, inhibition is removed, and FSH rises to begin a new cycle.
What earns the marks
- FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland, causing a follicle to mature and stimulating the ovaries to produce oestrogen.
- Oestrogen causes the uterus lining to thicken and, at high levels, stimulates the pituitary gland to release a surge of LH.
- LH triggers ovulation (release of the egg) and causes the empty follicle to develop into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.
- Progesterone maintains the thick uterus lining and inhibits the release of both FSH and LH by the pituitary gland.
- When progesterone levels fall due to the breakdown of the corpus luteum, the inhibition of FSH is lifted, allowing a new cycle to begin.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Reversing the roles of FSH and LH.
Put it right by remembering that FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) matures the follicle early in the cycle, whereas LH (Luteinising Hormone) triggers ovulation at day 14.
Stating that oestrogen only inhibits FSH.
Put it right by explaining that while low levels inhibit FSH, a high concentration of oestrogen stimulates the LH surge required for ovulation.
Forgetting the source glands for each hormone.
Put it right: Explicitly stating that FSH and LH are released by the pituitary gland, while oestrogen and progesterone are released by the ovaries.
Exam tips
- Explaining the complex interactions and negative feedback between these four hormones is assessed at Higher Tier only; ensure you can sequence them correctly.
- For extended response questions, systematically link each hormone to its source gland, its target organ, and its specific effect on the next hormone in the sequence.
- Use the term 'negative feedback' explicitly when describing how progesterone prevents further follicles from maturing by inhibiting FSH and LH.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: (HT only) Students should be able to explain the interactions of FSH, oestrogen, LH and progesterone, in the control of the menstrual cycle. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How does the release of oestrogen affect the production of other hormones during the menstrual cycle?
Listen
The menstrual cycle is controlled by four interacting hormones in a negative feedback system. FSH, secreted by the pituitary gland, matures a follicle in the ovary and stimulates oestrogen release. Oestrogen, from the developing follicle, thickens the uterus lining and, at high concentrations, triggers a surge of LH from the pituitary. The LH surge causes ovulation around day 14 and forms the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the uterus lining and inhibits FSH and LH, preventing new follicles from maturing. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum breaks down, progesterone falls, inhibition is removed, and FSH rises to begin a new cycle. A strong answer earns marks for these points. FSH is secreted by the pituitary gland, causing a follicle to mature and stimulating the ovaries to produce oestrogen. Oestrogen causes the uterus lining to thicken and, at high levels, stimulates the pituitary gland to release a surge of LH. LH triggers ovulation (release of the egg) and causes the empty follicle to develop into the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone. Progesterone maintains the thick uterus lining and inhibits the release of both FSH and LH by the pituitary gland. A common slip: Reversing the roles of FSH and LH. Instead, remembering that FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) matures the follicle early in the cycle, whereas LH (Luteinising Hormone) triggers ovulation at day 14. Exam tip: Explaining the complex interactions and negative feedback between these four hormones is assessed at Higher Tier only; ensure you can sequence them correctly.
Key words
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Negative feedback
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Hormonal coordination of the menstrual cycle
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Glandular sources and target organs
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See every definition
- Negative feedback
- A system in which progesterone inhibits the release of FSH and LH, and when progesterone falls the inhibition is removed so FSH rises to begin a new cycle.
- Hormonal coordination of the menstrual cycle
- Four interacting hormones control the cycle in a sequence, from FSH maturing a follicle to progesterone maintaining the uterus lining.
- Glandular sources and target organs
- FSH and LH are released by the pituitary gland, while oestrogen and progesterone are released by the ovaries, each acting on its target.
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