Final answer:
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is the essential hormone released by the pituitary gland that controls pubertal development and the function of the ovaries in women and testes in men.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormone that is essential to pubertal development and the function of women's ovaries and men's testes is called Luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is released by the pituitary gland. In females, LH stimulates the production of estrogens and progesterone in the ovaries, which are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. In males, LH stimulates sperm production in the testes.