At the onset of puberty, the hypothalamus releases
A) gonadotropin-releasing hormone.
B) luteinizing hormone.
C) follicle-stimulating hormone.
D) estradiol.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus releases a hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the onset of puberty, which stimulates the pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones, in turn, stimulate the gonads (testes in males and ovaries in females) to produce sex hormones, such as estradiol in females. Therefore, the release of GnRH is the first step in the hormonal cascade that leads to full sexual maturation.

At the Onset of Puberty, the Hypothalamus Releases