11. Endocrinology of Pregnancy Flashcards
LOOK AT YEAR 1 GONADS LECTURE
LOOK AT YEAR 1 GONADS LECTURE
Role of oestrogen in the rete testis and early epididimus
Used to control tubular fluid reabsorption there
Where is oestrogen in tubular fluid produced
Produced by sertoli cells
Where is a vasectomy perforemed
A the vas deferens towards the bottom end
Components of semen
- Spermatozoa- 15-120 x106/ ml
- Seminal fluid- 2-5ml
- leucocytes
- Potentially viruses
A lot of fluid will be added to the spermatozoa between the vas deferens and the urethra so the concentration further down the reproductive tract is lower than in the vas deferens
Role of seminal fluid
Important in providing energy so that the spermatazoa can function properly
Also consists of fibrinogen and fibrinolytic enzymes- after ejaculation the semen initially clots and must be broken down
Activation of spermatozoon
In the seminiferous tubule: quiescent and incapable of fertilising an ovum
In the vas deferens: capable of limited movement and have limited capability for fertilisation
Within the female reproductive tract: full activity and fertilising capability
This is CAPACITATION
Capacitation of the spermatazoa
Changes are OESTROGEN DEPENDANT (all changes are also calcium dependant)
Glycoprotein coat has a protective function in the vagina but is no longer necessary in the ovum- lost
Changes in the surface membrane lead to the acromosome reaction
Tail begins to move in a whiplash fashion
Acromosome Raction
AS the sperm enters the uterus, changes in its surface membrane occur as part of capacitation
This allows the spermatazoon to bind to the ZP3 glycoprotein on the zona pellucida of the ovum.
One bound, progesterone stimulates Ca2+ influx into the sperm
This stimulates the spem to bind to a secondary receptor, ZP2 and causes release of enzymes from the acromosome (cap at anterior end of sperm)
Allows penetration of the zona pellucida
Immediate result of fertilisation in fallopian tube
Expulsion of the second polar body
Zonal reaction following fertilisation
- Cotical granules release molecules which degrade the zona pellucida
- This prevents further binding of sperm to ZP2/3 domains
- Calcium dependant
Development of the conceptus
- The 2-cell conceptus develops once diploidy is established
- Continues to divide as it moves down the fallopian tube towards the uterus
- Recieves nutrients from uterine secretions
- Continues until there is an imbalance between the nutrients the outer and inner cells of the conceptus recieve
- Free living phase= 9-10 days (during luteal phase)
- 8-16 cell morula is now developed
- Becomes a BLASTOCYST with: inner cell mass (embryo), trophectoderm (placenta)
How is blastocyst transfer to the uterus fascilitated
By increasing progesterone, oestrogen ratio
Implantation Process
INVASIVE in humans
- Involves an initial attachment phase- trophoblast cells must make contat with the uterine surface
- Now get decidualisation of the underlying uterine stromal tissue
- DECIDUA= modified mucous membrane shed with afterbirth
- This process requires PROGESTERONE DOMINATION in the prescence of oestrogen
Process of attachment and molecules involved
TWO molecules are of particular importance:
- Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF)
- Interleukin (IL-11)
LIF:
Produced from endometrial secretory glands and blastocyst. Stimulates adhesion of blastocyst to the endometrial cells
IL-11:
Also released from endometrial cells. Released into the uterine fluid. Involved in trophoblast migration and decidualisation
Main Hormone changes during pregnancy
- Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) reaches a peak around 8 weeks- important in this period as a replacement for LH
Normally negative feedback of E and P cause falling LH levels, case falling E/P. But in pregnancy high levels of E and P are required so HCG is produced by trophoblast cells. It binds to receptors on the corpus luteum.
- After 5 weeks the placenta takes over production of the hormones
- E and P levels increase throughout, Progesterone remains dominant
- Human Placental Lactogen- is also produced by the placenta and has prolactin like effects- growth and development
Production of oestrogens in pregnancy
Steroid production is achieved by action of the mother, foetus AND placenta:
- Mother- provides precursors (tends to be pregenalone) leading to the production of progesterone, produces DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) along with the foetus
- Foetus- Produces DHEAS and uses progesterone in steroid production. Produces the main oestrogen of pregnancy OESTRIOL (weak but lots of it) by conjugation of DHEAS to 16a hydroxy DHEAS in liver
- Placenta- takes up DHEAS to produce oestrone. Deconjugates 16a-hydroxyDHEAS
