Final Answer:
It releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland.
Option D is the answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hypothalamus plays a crucial role in sexual maturation by releasing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH and FSH, in turn, regulate the development and maturation of the gonads (ovaries in females and testes in males).
In females, FSH stimulates the maturation of ovarian follicles, and LH triggers ovulation. In males, FSH promotes the production of sperm, and LH stimulates the production of testosterone. This intricate cascade of hormonal events initiated by GnRH from the hypothalamus is essential for the onset and progression of sexual maturation.
Option D is the answer.