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Endo - not zara > 1a Male and Female Reproductive Systems > Flashcards

1a Male and Female Reproductive Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What does seminal fluid contain? FFFBC

A

Fructose, citric acid, bicarbonate, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic enzymea

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2
Q

Where is seminal fluid produced?

A

In the epididymis (small contribution)
Main: accessory sex glands :
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate
-Bulbourethral glands

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3
Q

Why are the testicles suspended in the scrotum?

A

To keep them 2-3 degrees lower than the rest of the body so that sperm production can continue

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4
Q

Why is essential that the testicles and therefore the epididymis remains at a suitable temperature?

A

A small increase in temperature can cause sperm production to stop

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5
Q

What transports sperm from the epididymis to the penis?

A

Vas deferens

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6
Q

What structures does the spermatic cord contain and where is it formed

A
  • Testicular artery
  • Pampniform plexus of veins
  • Autonomic nerves
  • Lymph vessels
  • Vas deferens
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7
Q

What is the function of the seminal vesicle?

A

Secrete seminal fluid

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8
Q

What is the function of the epididymis?

A
  • Stores and transports sperm
  • Produces seminal fluid
  • Matures sperm
  • Destroys sperm that is not ejaculated
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9
Q

What type of nervous stimulation causes an erection?

A

Parasympathetic stimulation

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10
Q

What type of nervous stimulation causes ejaculation?

A

Sympathetic stimulation

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11
Q

How does a penis become engorged?

A

During erection, the corpora cavernosa will become engorged with arterial blood

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12
Q

What muscles make up the penis?

A

2 x Corpora Cavernosa
1 x Corpora Spongiosum

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13
Q

Where is the spermatic cord formed?

A

At the deep inguinal ring

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14
Q

What is involved with a vasectomy?

A

Cutting the vas deferens - this is how the sperm travel from the epididymis to the penis

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15
Q

What is the outer most layer of the testes called?

A

Tunica vaginalis

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16
Q

What does the tunica vasculosa contain?

A

Blood vessels

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17
Q

What is the tunica albuginea?

A

Tunica albuginea is the tough fibrous layer of connective tissue that surrounds the corpora cavernosa of the penis.

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18
Q

What is the arterial blood supply of the testes?

A

Testicular arteries from the aorta via the spermatic cord

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19
Q

What is the lymphatic drainage of the testes?

A

Para-aortic lymph nodes

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20
Q

What structures does the spermatic cord contain?

A

Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus
Autonomic and GF nerves
Lymph vessels
Vas deferens

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21
Q

How many seminiferous tubules would you expect to find in the lobules of the testes?

A

1-4

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22
Q

In what cavity do the ovaries sit

A

The peritoneal cavity

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23
Q

What type of movement is engaged to move egg from ovaries into the central part of the reproductive tract?

A

Peristaltic movement

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24
Q

In what part of the fallopian tube does fertilisation occur in?

A

In the ampulla - the widest part of the fallopian tube

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25
Q

What supports the uterus and stops it form prolapsing out of vagina ?

A
  • The tone of pelvic floor - levator ani and coccygeus muscles
  • Uterosacral ligaments
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26
Q

What muscles are found on the pelvic floor?

A

Levator ani and the coccygeus

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27
Q

During menses, what is shed?

A

The endometrium

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28
Q

What is the endometrium?

A

The lining of the uterus

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29
Q

What is found 1 cm lateral to the uterus? and why is this clinical relevant?

A

Ureter - cervical cancer spread to the ureter

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30
Q

How are all areas superior to the cervix kept sterile?

A
  • Low pH due to production of lactic acid by lactobacillus bacteria
  • Shedding of endometrium
  • Thick cervical mucus
  • Narrow external os
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31
Q

What can occur when the vagina flora is disrupted?

A

Infection, as there is nothing to kill possible bacteria which may enter into the vagina

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32
Q

What supplies the female reproductive system with arterial blood?

A

Ovaries supplied from the ovarian arteries
Uterus / Vagina from the uterine arteries

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33
Q

What is the lymphatic drainage of the ovaries?

A

Para-aortic lymph nodes

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34
Q

What is the lymphatic drainage of the uterus/vagina?

A

Iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal lymph nodes

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35
Q

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

A

In the infratubular compartment of the seminiferous tubules

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36
Q

How long does it take for sperm to be ready for release?

A

64 days

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37
Q

What is the genotype of a primary spermatocyte?

A

44XY

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38
Q

What is the genotype of a secondary spermatocyte which has undergone meiosis 1?

A

22X or 22Y

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39
Q

What is the name given to the product of meiosis 2 in spermatogenesis?

A

Spermatid

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40
Q

What is the genotype of a sperm?

A

22X or 22Y

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41
Q

What are the three layers of the uterus called?

A

Endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium

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42
Q

What happens after the oocyte and sperm fuse?

A

The fusion of the secondary oocyte and sperm causes a calcium influx, produces OVA

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43
Q

What happens to the oogonia in the 2nd trimester?

A

All the oognia in the foetus develop into primary oocytes forming primordial follicles

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44
Q

What is the outermost layer of the seminiferous tubules called?

A

Tunica propria

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45
Q

What are spermatogonium?

A

a cell produced at an early stage in the formation of spermatozoa, formed in the wall of a seminiferous tubule and giving rise by mitosis to spermatocytes

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46
Q

What receptors do Sertoli cells contain?

A

FSH receptors

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47
Q

What is the function of the Sertoli cells?

A

To support the developing germ cells
Hormone synthesis

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48
Q

How do Sertoli cells support developing germ cells

A
  • Transport nutrients from capillaries to developing germ cells
  • Assist in movement of germ cells to tubular lumen
  • Phagocytosis of damaged germ cells
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49
Q

Where is FSH secreted from?

A

The anterior pituitary

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50
Q

Which 3 hormones are synthesised by Sertoli cells

A
  • Inhibin and activin
  • Anti- Mullerian hormone
  • Androgen binding protein
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51
Q

What does Anti-Mullerian Hormone do?

A

It aids the regression of the Mullerian ducts in male sex development - otherwise the male would form fallopian tube

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52
Q

What does Androgen-Binding Protein do?

A

Helps direct testosterone from the Leydig cells to the germ cells

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53
Q

Where are Leydig cells found?

A

Between the seminiferous tubules

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54
Q

Why do leydig cells have a pale cytoplasm?

A

They contain alot of cholesterol

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55
Q

What receptors do Leydig cells have?

A

LH receptors

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56
Q

What is the main function of Leydig cells

A

Hormone synthesis

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57
Q

Apon LH stimulation, what is released from the Leydig cells?

A

Testosterone, Androstenedione and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

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58
Q

How many sperm are produced per second?

A

1500 per second

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59
Q

When does gametogenesis start?

A

At the start of puberty

60
Q

What is produced from spermatogenesis?

A

Mature spermatozoa

61
Q

What process occurs in the male testes?

A

Spermatogenesis

62
Q

What process occurs in the female ovaries?

A

Oogenesis

63
Q

Describe the process of oogenesis

A
  • In second trimester of pregnancy, all Diploid Oogonia in foetus develop into Diploid Primary Oocytes (forming primordial follicles) by mitosis
  • By Menarche, the Primary Oocytes divide into Haploid Secondary Oocytes via meiosis
  • Secondary Oocytes divide into Haploid Ootids via meiosis
  • Ootids differentiate into Ova.
64
Q

What is a polar body?

A

A haploid cell with basically no cytoplasm that is produced because oocytes do not divide evenly

65
Q

Describe the process of folliculogenesis?

A

1) Primordial follicle (primary oocyte at birth)

2) Primary (aka preantral) follicle → primary oocyte and layers of granulosa and outer theca cells

3) Secondary (aka antral) follicle → fluid-filled cavity (antrum) develops FSH an LH receptors

4) Mature (aka Graafian/preovulatory) follicle → forms due to LH surge - secondary oocyte formed

5) Ruptured follicle, ruptures surface of ovary

6) Corpus Luteum → produces progesterone and oestrogen (stimulated by LH/hCG) and in pregnancy, production of these is taken over by placenta

66
Q

What secretes progesterone and oestrogen during folliculogenesis?

A

Corpus luteum

67
Q

During pregnancy, what produces progesterone and oestrogen?

A

Placenta

68
Q

How does the dominant follicle form?

A

The follicle that produces the most oestrogen is chosen as dominant causing FSH stimulation of other follicles to stop.

69
Q

What are the three oestrogens?

A

Oestradiol, Oestrone and Oestriol

70
Q

What are the three androgens?

A

Testosterone, Androstenedione and DHEA

71
Q

What reproductive hormones are produced by the ovaries?

A

Oestrogens
- Oestradiol
- Oestrone
- Oestriol
Progestogens
- Progesterone
Androgens
- Testosterone
- Androstenedione
- DHEA
Relaxin
Inhibin

72
Q

What does relaxin do?

A

relaxes the ligaments in the pelvis and softens and widens the cervix in preparation for pregnancy

73
Q

What does the hormone inhibin do?

A

It inhibits the synthesis and release of the follicle-stimulating hormone in the pituitary gland and reduces the hypothalamic LH - releasing hormone content.

74
Q

Where is inhibin produced in men and women?

A

Men = sertoli cells
Women = granulosa cells

75
Q

What cell is associated with the outer part of the ovarian follicle?

A

Theca

76
Q

What is the function of the theca cell?

A

Support of folliculogenesis
Hormone synthesis

77
Q

What do the theca cells produce?

A

Androgens due to binding of LH to LH receptors on theca cell

78
Q

What does overactivity of theca cells lead to?

A

High androgen levels - leads to infertility

79
Q

what cell is associated with the inner part of the ovarian follicles?

A

Granulosa cells

80
Q

What is the function of the granulosa cell?

A

Hormone synthesis

81
Q

What does FSH do to the granulosa cell?

A
  • Binds to FSH receptors to convert androgens to oestrogens
82
Q

What enzyme is used to convert androgens into oestrogens?

A

Aromatase

83
Q

What hormones are produced by the granulosa cells

A

Inhibin and activin

84
Q

What happens to granulosa cells after ovulation?

A

Granulosa lutein cells

85
Q

What do granulosa lutein cells produce

A

Progesterone and relaxin

86
Q

How does progesterone promote pregnancy?

A

maintaining endometrium

87
Q

What are the primary reproductive hormones?

A

LH and FSH

88
Q

Describe the HPG axis

A

1)Kisspeptin neurones release kisspeptin
2) GnRH travels down Hypophyseal-Portal Circulation to the Anterior Pituitary
3) LH/FSH released from Gonadotrophs of anterior pituitary to gonads
4) This causes oestrogen/progesterone/androgen to be produced

89
Q

What type of secretion rhythm do the sex steroid hormones show?

A

Diurnal rhythm

90
Q

Why are morning erections common?

A

Due to the diurnal fluctuations in sex steroid hormone concentrations, they are higher in the morning, resulting in increased testosterone

91
Q

Why can GnRH not be measured in a blood test?

A

The levels are too low as GnRH is contained primarily within this local circulation

92
Q

Where does testosterone act upon in negative feedback loops when it is secreted?

A

Acts to inhibit the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary

93
Q

What is hyperprolactinaemia?

A

When there is an over production of prolactin

94
Q

What does hyperprolactinaemia result in?

A

The inhibition of kisspeptide neurones

95
Q

How does hyperprolactinaemia inhibit kisspeptin release?

A

The prolactin binds to prolactin receptors on kisspeptin neurones in the hypothalamus which inhibits kisspeptin release

96
Q

What other conditions can hyperprolactinaemia result in?

A

Oligo-amenorrhoea
Low Libido
Infertility
Osteoporosis

97
Q

What can cause an excess of prolactin?

A

A prolactin secreting tumour, drugs, disturbances to the pituitary gland

98
Q

Which hormone is negative feedback on the hypothalamus pituitary-gonadal axis primarily mediated by?

A

Oestrogen

99
Q

What hormone will be found in excess when a patient has aromatase deficiency?

A

testosterone

100
Q

Why are patients with an aromatase deficiency often tall?

A

They lack oestrogen as they cannot convert testosterone into oestrogen, and oestrogen is needed in order for the epiphyseal growth plates to fuse in long bone which halts growth

101
Q

What can an aromatase deficiency present as?

A

lower voice, facial hair, acne

102
Q

How can an aromatase deficiency lead to osteoporosis?

A

Oestrogen is needed to maintain bone density, meaning low bone density = osteoporosis

103
Q

Nutrients (eg fructose) & glycoprotein secretion into epididymal fluid is induced by what?

A

Androgens

104
Q

Tubular fluid reabsorption resulting in concentration of seminal fluid is induced by what?

A

(induced by oestrogen)

105
Q

What are the three stages of the capacitation of the sperm?

A

Loss of glycoprotein ‘coat’
Change in surface membrane characteristics
Develop whiplash movements of tail

106
Q

Where does the capacitation of the sperm take place?

A

the fallopian tube

107
Q

What two substances is the capacitation of the sperm dependant on?

A

Oestrogen and calcium

108
Q

Describe the acrosome reaction

A

Process in which sperm reaches ovum
1. Sperm binds to ZP3 (sperm receptor).
2. Ca2+ influx into sperm stimulated by progesterone
3. Release of hyaluronidase and proteolytic enzymes from acrosome
4. Sperm penetrates the zona pellucida (glycoprotein layer surrounding plasma membrane of oocyte)

109
Q

What receptor does the capacitated sperm bind to during the acrosome reaction?

A

ZP3

110
Q

What stimulates the Ca2+ influx into the sperm during the acrosome reaction?

A

Progesterone

111
Q

What is released from the acrosome?

A

Hyaluronidase and proteolytic enzymes

112
Q

During the acrosome reaction, which layer of the ovum is penetrated?

A

The zona pellucida

113
Q

Describe the cortical reaction

A
  1. Cortical granules release molecules which degrade the Zona Pellucida
  2. Therefore any further binding of sperm to ZP2 and ZP3 is prevented as there are no receptors
  3. Haploid gametes form diploid zygote
114
Q

How is poly spermy prevented?

A

The cortical granules which are released degrade the zona pellucida, meaning there are now no more receptors for the sperm to bind into

115
Q

What does hyaluronidase do?

A

Breaks down polysaccharides

116
Q

Where does the process of fertilisation occur?

A

Within the widest part of the fallopian tube - ampulla

117
Q

What are the stages for the development of conceptus after the fertilisation?

A
  • Cell continues to divide as it moves down Fallopian tube to uterus (3-4 days)
  • Receives nutrients from uterine secretions
  • This free-living phase lasts 9-10 days
  • Inner cell mass will form the embryo
118
Q

how long does the free-living phase of the conceptus last?

A

9-10 days

119
Q

During the free-living phase, how does the conceptus receive nutrients?

A

From uterine secretions

120
Q

8 cell conceptus compacts to form what?

A

Morula

121
Q

What occurs during the attachment phase of implantation?

A

The outer trophoblast cells contact theuterine surface epithelium

122
Q

What are the three factors which are involved in the attachment of the blastocyst?

A

Leukaemia inhibitory factor, interleukin-11 and progesterone

123
Q

What does Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) do?

A

Stimulates the adhesion of blastocyst to the endometrial cells

124
Q

What stage of implantation follows from the attachment phase?

A

The decidualisation phase

125
Q

What happens in the decidualisation phase?

A

Endometrial changes due to progesterone

126
Q

What are the endometrial changes which occur due to progesterone?

A

Glandular epithelial secretion
Glycogen accumulation in the stromal cell cytoplasm
Growth of capillaries
Increased vascular permeability (→oedema)

127
Q

What are the factor involved in decidualisation?

A

Interleukin-11 (IL11), histamine, certain prostaglandins & TGFb (TGFb promotes angiogenesis)

128
Q

What hormones does implantation require?

A

Progesterone domination in the presence of oestrogen

129
Q

How does progesterone affect the implantation phase?

A

Promotes gestation - It prepares the endometrium for implantation

130
Q

In the first 40 days how is progesterone and oestrogen produced during pregnancy?

A

hCG produced by trophoblasts acts on receptors of corpus luteum to stimulate oestrogen and progesterone production in corpus luteum.

131
Q

During the early stage of pregnancy, what hormone is essential for the maintenance of the corpus luteum?

A

hCG

132
Q

During late pregnancy, what happens to the number of oxytocin receptors?

A

It increases

133
Q

What does hCG do to LH and FSH during pregnancy?

A

Inhibits both

134
Q

What three things are oxytocin responsible for?

A
  • Uterine contractions
  • Cervical dilation
  • Milk ejection
135
Q

Why is hCG only present during pregnancy?

A

It is produced by the placenta

136
Q

As pregnancy progresses which hormones increase in concentration?

A

Oestrogen and progestone

137
Q

From what day does the placenta start making oestrogen and progesterone?

A

Day 40

138
Q

How does hCG ensure that oestrogen is being produced even when Oestrogen suppresses LH?

A

The hCG acts like LH and acts on LH receptors to stimulate oestrogen production

139
Q

What is the main substrate for oestrogens and what can make it?

A

DHEAS - made by mother and foetus

140
Q

How does the placenta make progesterone?

A

From cholesteronl

141
Q

Why is there an increase in iodothyronines during pregnancy?

A

as increased requirement – driven by hCG which shares common alpha subunit w TSH – leads to lower TSH in T1/2

142
Q

What stimulates the corpus luteum to produce oestrogen and progesterone?

A

hCG

143
Q

Why can you not monitor a prolactinoma via prolactin levels during pregnancy?

A

The levels are increased anyways

144
Q

How are prolactinomas monitored during pregnancy?

A

They are monitored using visual fields like MRIs to check the tumour is not imposing on the optic chiasm

145
Q

Why does TSH levels decrease during pregnancy?

A
  • hCG is high during pregnancy
  • hCG and TSH share a common alpha subunit
  • Therefore hCG also stimulates the pituitary
  • A stimulated pituitary then increases negative feedback on TSH, therefore reducing TSH levels
146
Q

What effect does an increase in PTH related peptides have on the foetus

A

Increases Ca2+ ions for the fetal skeleton

147
Q

Why does pituitary growth hormone decrease?

A

The placenta makes growth hormone

Endo - not zara (3 decks)

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