07 - Introduction to the Anatomy and Endocrinology of the female reproductive cycle

Question 1

(Introduction to the Anatomy and Endocrinology of the Female Reprouctive Cycle)

We will explore the physiology of the estrous cycle by using as our model a continuously polyestrous, spontaneously ovulating animal (bold arrows). With modifications we can fit this to all the other species.

(The model cycle)

Answer 1

check this out as well

Question 2

(What do you need to have a cycle?)

(The hypothalamus)

1. what does it do?
2. Does so by doing what?

Answer 2

1. drives the whole thing
2. secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnRH)

Question 3

(What do you need to have a cycle?)

(The anterior pituitary gland)

1. what does it do?
2. It does this using what gonadotropin hormones?

Answer 3

1. transduces the coded GnRH signal from the hypothalamus and sends it to the ovary
2. follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)

Question 4

(What do you need to have a cycle?)

(The ovaries)

1. containing what?
2. follicles respond to gonadotropin signals by doing what?
3. The corpus luteum forms from the remnant of what?

secretes what to prepare the uterus for pregnancy?

Answer 4

1. follicles and the corpus luteum
2. growing and maturing the oocyte

(releasing it at ovulation and secreting estrogen to give behavioral and physiologic traits necessary for mating)

3. the ovulated follicle

progesterone

Question 5

(What do you need to have a cycle?)

(The endometrium (uterine epithelial lining))

1. does what?

what else?

2. Accomplishes this by doing what?

Answer 5

1. detects the presence or absence of pregnancy.

caues return to estrus in cycles that don’t result in pregnancy

2. secreting prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)

Question 6

(What do you need to have a cycle?)

1. the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary gland, and ovaries are commonly referred to as what?

Answer 6

1. hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis

Question 7

While the reproductive cycles are driven by the hypothalamus, they require precise coordination/orchestration of all the components. This is the function of the hormones which govern and integrate the cycle through a system of positive and negative feedback.

(on to the chart)

(for each hormone… give source then function)

1. GnRH
2. FSH
3. LH

Answer 7

1. hypothalamus

promote synth and secretion of LH & FSH

2. anterior pituitary

growth of ovarian follicles, estrogen and inhibin synthesis

3. anterior pituitary

promote follicular steroidgenesis, surge release causes ovulation

Question 8

(for each hormone… give source then function)

4. Estrogen
5. inhibin
6. progesterone

Answer 8

4. ovarian follicles

behavioral estrus, prep of repro tract for mating, cause LH surge

5. ovarian follicles (granulosa cells)

inhbibt FSH secretion

6. corpus luteum

prep uterus for pregnancy, maintain pregnancy, stop estrus behavior

Question 9

(for each hormone… give source then function)

7. oxytocin
8. PGF2a

Answer 9

7. posterior pituitary

promote synth and release of PGF2alpha

8. uterine endometrium (most species)

cause lysis of CL in non-pregnant cycles –> return female to estrus

Question 10

(The Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis)