1 - The Menstrual Cycle Overview / Folliculogenesis Flashcards
What are the names of the two aspects to the menstrual cycle?
1) Ovarian cycle
2) Uterine cycle
What are the 2 functions / end-goals of the menstrual cycle?
1) Transport gametes to the site of fertilisation
2) Provide suitable site for implantation
What process occurs if fertilisation fails?
Menses (endometrial shedding)
What are the 3 phases to the uterine cycle?
1) Menstrual phase
2) Proliferative phase
3) Secretory phase
What days in the uterine cycle does the ‘menstrual phase’ take place?
Days 1-5
What days does the ‘proliferative phase’ take place during the uterine cycle?
5-14
What days does the ‘secretory phase’ take place during the uterine cycle?
14-28
At what day in the ‘ovarian cycle’ does ovulation take place?
Day 14
What hormone predominates the follicular phase within the ‘ovarian cycle’?
Estrogen
What hormones predominates the luteal phase of the ‘ovarian cycle’?
Progesterone (+ estrogen)
What is the ‘oestrous cycle’?
Behavioural strategy to ensure mating occurs at the time of ovulation
What 3 aspects make up the ‘oestrous cycle’?
Attraction - more attracted to the male
Receptivity - more willing to accept male advances
Proceptivity - behavioural gesture to entice female (e.g. dancing)
What what point in human life does the menstrual cycle manifest?
Puberty
In the initiation of puberty, what hormone is FIRST produced within the hypothalamus?
Kisspeptin
Where does Kisspeptin act on and what hormone is stimulated ?
Acts WITHIN the hypothalamus.
Stimulates production of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
Where is GnRH released from?
Neurones within the hypothalamus
Where does GnRH act? And what hormones are produced?
Acts on the ANTERIOR pituitary gland.
Produces gonadotrophins (LH and FSH)
What kind of feedback does estrogen have on GnRH in FEMALES?
Positive
AND
Negative
What kind of feedback does estrogen have on GnRH in MALES?
Negative
Define puberty
Immature individuals acquiring the physical and behavioural attributes that enable them to reproduce.
What controls the onset of puberty?
Genetics - most important
External factors (e.g. stressful events, relationships, adiposity)
What is the biggest external factor to pubertal initiation?
What evidence support this? Why?
Adiposity
Fatties have early puberty. Malnourished /athletes have late puberty.
Puberty is very energy-demanding process + LEPTIN LEVELS.
What two locations is Kisspeptin produced within the hypothalamus?
1) Arcuate nucleus
2) Anteroventral periventricular nucleus
What type of GnRH release is the arcuate important for?
Pulse generation
What feature of the Anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPN) separates it amongst males / females?
Sexually dimorphic (way more in females)
What type of GnRH release is the AVPN for? What is the resulting function?
GnRH / LH Surge
Important for Ovulation.
What gene is responsible for Kisspeptin transcription?
Kiss1
In K/O studies, what 2 phenotypes occur when Kiss1 is removed?
Failure of sexual maturation
Infertility
Kisspeptin therapy in juvenile rats results in what change?
Advances timing of puberty
What receptor does Kisspeptin target? Where are they found?
GPR54 receptor
Expressed within GnRH neurones
What 3 domains make up G-protein coupled receptors?
Ectodomain (-NH2 / outside)
Transmembrane domain
Cytoplasmic (-COOH / inside)
G-protein’s consist of how many sub-units? What are their names?
3
Alpha / Beta / Gamma
When activated, what subunit dissociates away from the receptor?
Alpha subunit
What three alpha subunits are important in reproduction?
G(alpha)Q
G(alpha)S
G(alpha)I
What occurs in response to the activation of G(alpha)Q?
Activation of phospholipase C
What occurs in response to the activation of G(alpha)S?
Activation of adenylate cyclase
What occurs in response to the activation of G(alpha)I?
Inhibition of adenylate cyclase
What alpha subunit is the GPR54 receptor?
GaQ
Children with mutations in the GPR54 have what phenotype?
Delayed puberty
What hormone is responsible for regulating GPR54 / Kisspeptin?
Leptin
Kiss1 neurones express what important receptor?
Leptin receptor