AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates the release of the egg.
Full specification wording
Hormones in human reproduction: Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates the release of the egg.
Luteinising hormone (LH) is a vital reproductive hormone involved in the menstrual cycle.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Luteinising hormone (LH) is a vital reproductive hormone involved in the menstrual cycle. It is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland and travels through the bloodstream to reach its target organ, the ovary. The primary role of LH is to stimulate the release of a mature egg from the ovary, a process known as ovulation. This typically occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle (approximately day 14).
What earns the marks
- LH is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland.
- LH stimulates the release of a mature egg from the ovary.
- The release of an egg stimulated by LH is called ovulation.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that LH matures the egg.
Put it right: FSH causes maturation of the egg, while LH stimulates its release.
Saying that LH is produced by the ovary.
Put it right: LH is produced by the pituitary gland and acts on the ovary.
Confusing ovulation with menstruation.
Put it right: Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary triggered by LH, whereas menstruation is the shedding of the uterus lining.
Exam tips
- Use the term 'ovulation' when describing the release of the egg, and clearly link this process to LH.
- Contrast LH with FSH carefully: remember 'FSH for maturation, LH for release' to avoid mixing up their functions.
Try the lesson
The start of the Hormones in human reproduction: Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates the release of the egg. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which hormone stimulates the release of the egg from the ovary?
Listen
Luteinising hormone (LH) is a vital reproductive hormone involved in the menstrual cycle. It is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland and travels through the bloodstream to reach its target organ, the ovary. The primary role of LH is to stimulate the release of a mature egg from the ovary, a process known as ovulation. This typically occurs around the middle of the menstrual cycle (approximately day 14). A strong answer earns marks for these points. LH is produced and secreted by the pituitary gland. LH stimulates the release of a mature egg from the ovary. The release of an egg stimulated by LH is called ovulation. A common slip: Stating that LH matures the egg. Instead, FSH causes maturation of the egg, while LH stimulates its release. Exam tip: Use the term 'ovulation' when describing the release of the egg, and clearly link this process to LH.
See it
Put it in order
Put these steps in the order they happen.
- 1. Blood plasma carries LH to ovaries
- 2. LH secreted into blood
- 3. Pituitary gland
- 4. Ovulation
- 5. LH stimulates release of a mature egg
- 6. Ovary
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Luteinising hormone (LH)
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Ovulation
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Pituitary gland
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Ovary
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See every definition
- Luteinising hormone (LH)
- Produced and secreted by the pituitary gland and transported in the blood plasma to the ovaries.
- Ovulation
- The release of an egg from the ovary stimulated by LH.
- Pituitary gland
- The gland that produces and secretes LH.
- Ovary
- The target organ for LH, where the release of a mature egg is stimulated.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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