Puberty is the stage of ontogenesis , when an individual reaches the ability to reproduce sexually . In males, it occurs with the onset of spermatogenesis , in females with the first ovulation (and in women, the so-called menarche begins).
The moment of puberty is the beginning of the fertility period. It is preceded by a puberty (puberty) period and ends with a climacteric (extinction) period.
Content
Puberty Process
The process of puberty in mammals is regulated by the thyroid gland , in particular, the hormone thyroxine produced by it. During the maturation process, the male body begins to produce sperm ( spermatogenesis ), while the female body produces fertile eggs , which the female can tolerate in the event of pregnancy; if fertilization does not occur, the egg leaves during the next menstruation . The first menstrual bleeding ( menarche ) usually occurs without ovulation preceding it, after several irregular anovulatory cycles , the first ovulation occurs, from this moment the female is capable of sexual reproduction.
In addition, during puberty, the development of primary and secondary sexual characteristics in both sexes.
Animal puberty
In different animals, puberty (readiness for reproduction) is different. In addition to species differences, there are also individual variations. Unlike other classes, in female mammals, puberty occurs earlier than in males .
Puberty usually occurs earlier than the main growth, structural and physiological development of the animal, ensuring its high fertility, normal functioning of the body during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation, the birth of a healthy offspring ends [1] . It is generally accepted that an animal has reached a reproductive period if its body weight is at least 70% of the estimated body weight of a mature animal. In this regard, sexually mature females are not allowed to mate with males during the first 2-3 sexual cycles and do not produce artificial insemination [2] . This is mainly due to the need for strong offspring and the absence of damage from pregnancy for the mother's body.
In free conditions and in the wild, mating occurs in full dependence on individual characteristics - that is, when a female estrus sets in. In most animal species, the period of sexual activity is seasonal, and the onset and rhythm of ovulation falls on periods favorable for gestation and nursing.
Human puberty
The period of physical development, when the human genitals become suitable for reproductive function. In girls, puberty usually begins after the onset of the first menstrual cycle. In young men, puberty is less obvious, but is usually accompanied by hair growth on the body. [3]
See also
- Ontogenesis
- Puberty
Notes
- ↑ ZooAtlas.ru: Sexual and physiological maturity of dogs
- ↑ Lobacheva A. Artificial insemination of animals
- ↑ Mike Cordwell. Psychology. AND I. Dictionary / Per. from English K. S. Tkachenko. - M .: FAIR-PRESS. Mike Cordwell 2000 ..
Links
- Sexual maturity // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.