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Phys II Unit III > 2 Female Reproduction > Flashcards

2 Female Reproduction Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary female reproductive organ?

A

Ovaries

Produce ova via oogenesis

Secrete female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

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2
Q

Why do we need estrogen?

A

Female secondary sex characteristics

Ova maturation and release

Primes tissues to progesterone —> increasing progesterone receptors

Contributes to transport/viability of sperm in female

Contributes to breast development for lactation

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3
Q

Why do we need progesterone?

A

Prepares uterus for nourishment of embryo/fetus

Contributes to breasts’ ability to produce milk

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4
Q

Primordial germ cells undergo mitosis until…

A

20-24 weeks gestation

Peaks at 6-7 million oogonia

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5
Q

What happens to the oogonia produced from 8-9 weeks gestational to 6 months after birth?

A

Enter prophase I of meiosis and become primary oocytes

Enclosed by a layer of pre-granulomatosis cells

DEVELOPMENT ARRESTED IN PHOPHASE I OF MEIOSIS

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6
Q

Primary oocytes remain arrested in prophase I of meiosis until…

A

Just before ovulation

Meiosis resumes only in the oocyte released at ovulation

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7
Q

Of the 6-7 million oogonia produced, only ______ remain at birth, _____ remain by puberty, and ________ are ovulated throughout life

A

2 million oocytes at birth

400,000 at puberty

400-500 are ovulated

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8
Q

When does mitosis proliferation of oogonia occur

A

PRIOR TO BIRTH ONLY

Primary oocytes arrested in first meiosis division

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9
Q

After puberty, ____ primary oocyte reaches maturity and is ovulated about ___________.

A

1 primary oocyte

Once a month until menopause ensues

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10
Q

What happens to Primary oocyte just before ovulation

A

ONE primary oocyte enlarges —> completes first meiosis division just prior to ovulation —> secondary oocyte released —> second meiosis division completed after fertilization —> mature ovum

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11
Q

What is the difference between the mature ovum and the 3 polar bodies

A

Same amount of chromosomal info between all of them, but cytoplasm is inequally split

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12
Q

What happens to the secondary oocyte if no fertilization occurs?

A

Oocyte is discarded in menses without ever completing oogenesis

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13
Q

What happens to the secondary oocyte if fertilization occurs?

A

Sperm entry triggers second meiosis division, yielding second polar body and mature haploid ovum, which unites with the haploid sperm, completing fertilization

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14
Q

Oogenesis vs Spermatogenesis:

Time to completion

A

Spermatogenesis = accomplished within 2-3 months

Oogenesis = takes anywhere from 12 to 50 years to complete on cyclic basis from onset of puberty until menopause (only happens if fertilization occurs)

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15
Q

Oogenesis vs Spermatogenesis:

Number of products

A

Postpubertal male can produce several hundred million sperm each day

Female born with limited, largely non-renewable supply of germ cells

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16
Q

Oogenesis vs Spermatogenesis:

Primary cell yield

A

Each primary spermatocyte —> 4 equally viable spermatozoa

Each primary oocyte —> only one cytoplasm-rich ovum and three cytoplasm-poor polar bodies that disintegrate

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17
Q

The average ovarian cycle lasts ______.

A

28 days

Normally interrupted only by pregnancy

Finally terminated by menopause

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18
Q

What are the two alternating phases of the ovarian cycle?

A

Follicular phase - dominated by maturing follicles

Luteal phase - characterized by corpus luteum

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19
Q

What event separates the Follicular phase from the Luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

A

Ovulation

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20
Q

In a primary follicle, a primary oocyte is surrounded by…

A

Single layer of granulosa cells

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21
Q

Under the influence of ________, granulosa cells proliferate and form the __________ around the oocyte

A

Local paracrines —> zona pellucida

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22
Q

Surrounding ovarian connective tissue differentiates into ________, converting a primary follicle into a preantral follicle

A

Thecal cells

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23
Q

Follicles reaching the preantral stage are recruited for further development under the influence of ________ at the beginning of the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle

A

FSH

A recruited follicle develops into an antral, or secondary, follicle as an estrogen-rich antrum starts to form

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24
Q

After about 2 weeks of rapid growth under the influence of ______, the secondary follicle has developed into a mature follicle, with a greatly expanded antrum. It’s now called ….

A

FSH —> Graafian follicle

Contains a secondary oocyte displaced to one side

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25
At midcycle, in response to __________, the mature follicle bulging on the ovarian surface, ruptures and releases the secondary oocyte
LH surge Results in ovulation and the end of the follicular phase
26
At the beginning of the luteal phase, the ruptured follicle develops into a ________ under the influence of ____.
Corpus Luteum LH
27
The corpus luteum continues to grow and secrete ___________ and __________ that prepare the uterus for implantation of a fertilized ovum
Progesterone and estrogen
28
14 days after ovulation, if a fertilized ovum does not implant in the uterus, what happens to the corpus luteum?
Degenerates The luteal phase ends and a new follicular phase begins under the influence of a changing hormonal milieu
29
As a primordial follicle becomes a primary follicle, the pre-granulosa cells become...
Cuboidal —> secrete a gel-like substance that covers the oocyte called the zona pellucida
30
As the primary follicle develops into the secondary preantral follicle, what happens to the granulosa cells?
Cuboidal granulosa cells proliferate and the outer most layers become stratified Meanwhile, the surrounding ovarian tissue differentiates into theca cells
31
The development of a primordial follicle into a preantral follicle is a __________ process
Hormone-independent Oogenesis stops here and regresses in prepubertal ovary
32
_______ cells secrete the zona pellucida
Granulosa cells
33
__________ and ________ cells secrete increased amounts of estrogen
Granulosa and thecal cells
34
After ovulation, old follicular cells undergo structural transformation to form _____________ in a process known as __________.
Corpus Luteum | Luteinization
35
Why is the corpus luteum named as it is?
“Yellow Body” due to storage of cholesterol Luteal cells enlarge and become steroid hormone producing tissue
36
What are the functions of the corpus luteum?
Secretes estrogen and progesterone Becomes highly vascularized after ovulation and fully functional within four days after ovulation Continues to increase in size for another four or five days
37
If released oocyte is not fertilized or does not implant, what happens to the corpus luteum?
Degenerates within about 14 days after its formation and becomes the Corpus Albicans
38
Why is the corpus albicans named as it is?
“White Body” due to fibrous tissue
39
If fertilization and implantation do occur, what happens to the corpus luteum?
Continues to grow and produce estrogen and progesterone and becomes the corpus luteum of pregnancy
40
Theca cells contain ____________ which upon _____ stimulation converts cholesterol primarily to androstenedione (androgens) during the follicular phase
Cholesterol desmolase | LH stimulation
41
Granulosa cells contain __________ which upon _______ stimulation converts androgens to __________.
Aromatase FSH Estradiol
42
Theca and granulosa cells only secrete ________ after being converted to luteal cells
Progesterone, via LH stimulation
43
What are the steps in the production of estrogen by an ovarian follicle?
1. LH stimulates the thecal cells in the follicle —> convert cholesterol into androgen 2. Androgen diffuses from the thecal cells into the adjacent granulosa cells 3. FSH stimulates the granulosa cells in the ovarian follicle —> convert androgen into estrogen 4a. Part of the estrogen is secreted into the blood—> systemic effects 4b. Part of the estrogen remains within the follicle —> contributes to antral formation 5. Local estrogen, along with FSH, stimulates proliferation of the granulosa cells
44
Estrogen binds to __________ in circulation
Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
45
Progesterone binds to __________ in circulation
Corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG)
46
_______ and _________ increase sex hormone binding globulins (SHBG)
Estrogen and thyroxine
47
_________ and __________ decrease sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
Progesterone and androgens
48
How much of estradiol is free and active in circulation?
3% Does not vary significantly during the menstrual cycle
49
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is released from the hypothalamus in a _________ manner
Pulsatile
50
_______ pulse frequency stimulates FSH gonadotropes
Low
51
_______ pulse frequency stimulates LH gonadotropes
High
52
FSH and LH stimulate _________.
Ovarian follicles
53
_______ induces Inhibin release from _______ cells
FSH | Granulosa cells
54
Inhibin has a negative feedback on ______ release specifically
FSH
55
______ has a feedback control for gonadotropes in general
Estrogen
56
What inhibits GnRH release?
``` Prolactin Stress Exercise Endorphins Chronic illness ```
57
When it’s time for ovulation, the dominant follicle has a positive cycle for estrogen synthesis, so ....
Estrogen levels are high - now has a POSITIVE FEEDBACK Hypothalamus increases GnRH frequency Pituitary increases GnRH receptors —> Explosive LH surge —> ovulation
58
Why does FSH not rise as much as LH during ovulation?
Negative feedback inhibition by Inhibin
59
What are the effects of the LH surge at ovulation?
Stimulates conversion of antral follicle to Graafian follicle Process of meiosis is resumed Stimulates production of proteolytic enzymes in follicle —> digestion of follicle for ovulatory rupture Increases prostaglandins —> increase follicular blood flow, follicular wall distensibility, and follicular proteolytic enzymes Differentiate follicle cells into corpus luteum
60
The luteal cells (transformed from follicular granulosa and theca cells) produce both _______ and _______ in high levels
Progesterone and Estrogen
61
__________ has a negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary —> suppresses the positive feedback of estrogen, suppressing a second LH surge
Progesterone
62
What hormone is released if pregnancy occurs?
Placental hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
63
What are the three phases of the Endometrial (Uterine) Cycle?
Menstrual phase (may vary): Days 0-4 Proliferative phase (may vary): Days 5-14 Secretory (progestational) phase (constant): days 15-28
64
The menstrual phase of the uterine cycle is characterized by...
Discharge of blood and endometrial debris from the vagina First day of menstruation marks the start of a new cycle
65
Menses occurs ____ days after ovulation, regardless of the cycle length. Therefore for cycles longer than 28 days, there is a longer ________ phase
14 days Proliferative (follicular) phase
66
What does the release of uterine prostaglandins do during the menstrual phase of the uterine cycle?
Causes vasoconstriction of endometrial vessels, which disrupts blood supply and results in death of endometrium Stimulates mild rhythmic contractions of uterine myometrium which helps expel blood and endometrial debris from the uterine cavity to vagina
67
The proliferative phase of the uterine cycle begins concurrent with ....
The last portion of the ovarian follicular phase Endometrium starts to repair itself and proliferate under influence of estrogen from newly growing follicles
68
The _______-dominant proliferative phase lasts from end of menstruation to ovulation
Estrogen Peak estrogen levels trigger LH surge responsible for ovulation
69
The uterus enters the ______ phase after ovulation, when the new corpus luteum is formed
Secretory or progestational phase Corpus luteum secretes large amounts of progesterone and estrogen
70
What is the effect of progesterone (produced by corpus luteum) on the endometrium?
Converts endometrium to highly vascularized, glycogen-filled tissue Endometrial glands actively secrete glycogen If fertilization and implantation do not occur, corpus luteum degenerates, new follicular phase and menstrual phase begin once again
71
The endometrium is subdivided into what two layers?
Basal layer (constant) Functional layer - the one that builds up and is shed each month
72
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Heart
Protests from cholesterol Maintains low blood cholesterol (high HDL, low LDL) Arterial vasodilator Decreases atherosclerosis
73
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Liver
Reduces cholesterol in blood
74
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Ovary
Produced from growing eggs
75
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Uterus
Monthly preparation for pregnancy or menstrual cycle
76
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Vagina
Makes it moist | Protects from infection (proliferation of epithelial layer)
77
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Brain
Helps adjust body temperature Increases memory Adjusts libido
78
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Breasts
Grows and shapes breast Prepares breast for feeding • Increases ductal growth/growth of the breast • Increases nipple size and pigmentation
79
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Skin
Makes skin young Inhibits body and facial hair growth (except pubic and axillary areas) Promotes pubic and axillary hair growth
80
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Bone
Allows for epiphyseal closure Facilitates calcium uptake into bone —> strengthens Antagonizes PTH on bone (decreases rate of resorption) Decreases production of cytokines Inhibits osteoclasts
81
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Fallopian tubes
Increases the number of cilia and their rate of beating, drawing the ovum into the tube
82
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Myometrium
Increases oxytocin receptors and contractions
83
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Endometrium
Thickens, increases permeability and blood supply | SYNTHESIZES RECEPTORS for progesterone on uterine cells
84
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Cervix
Mucous thin, watery, and alkaline | Increases distensibility, making birthing easier
85
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Body fat
Increased deposit of subcutaneous fat in hips and breasts
86
Estrogen effect on a woman’s body: Kidneys
Increases absorption of Na+, Cl-, and H2O, contributes to bloating during the menstrual cycle
87
Physiologic effects of Progesterone: Uterus
Needs estrogen prior to stimulation**** Increases development/differentiation of endometrial glands, converts uterus into actively secreting tissue Induces deciduous formation (placenta) Decreases contractility
88
Physiologic effects of Progesterone: Cervix
Antagonizes estrogen**** Decreases distensibility Thick, acidic mucus —> poor environment for sperm
89
Physiologic effects of Progesterone: Vagina
Antagonizes estrogen***** Decreases proliferation of epithelial layer
90
Physiologic effects of Progesterone: Mammary glands
Increases branching of the ductal system
91
Physiologic effects of Progesterone: Body as a whole
Increases temperature following ovulation (by 0.5-1˚C, used as an indicator that ovulation has occurred) Increases appetite
92
Physiologic effects of Progesterone: Kidneys
Decreases Na+ reabsorption by competing with aldosterone
93
________ are responsible for growth and development of the vagina, uterus, and oviducts - organs essential to OVUM TRANSPORT and ZYGOTE IMPLANTATION
Estrogens
94
________ is the hormone of pregnancy responsible for implantation of the zygote and maintenance of the pregnant state
Progesterone Thus it acts on estrogen-primed tissues and typically antagonizes estrogen’s effects
95
Menstrual cramps are due to...
Contractions of the uterus, caused by increased prostaglandins as menstruation begins Last 1-2 days
96
Severe pain combined with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea at the time of menstruation
Dysmenorrhea
97
A complex of symptoms occurring in the luteal phase that affects up to 40% of women of reproductive age, with severe impairment occurring in 5%.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) are a more severe version related to severe mood disorder
98
Symptoms of PMS
``` Bloating of the abdomen and pelvis Weight gain, increasing appetite Breast tenderness, ankle edema, and HA Irritability Mood swings Depression, anxiety Fatigue Difficulty concentrating and working effectively ```
99
Decline in fertility associated with a decline in ovarian function
Menopause Related to a drop in the critical mass of primordial follicles
100
Mean age of menopause
51.4 years (range 40-58)
101
Follicular atresia accelerates at about ____ years —> ______
37.5 years —> climacteric
102
In perimenopause, the decreased follicle pool —>
Decreased Inhibin —> increased FSH —> Acceleration of follicular maturation —> shorter cycle
103
As follicular pool continues to decrease just before menopause, —>
Decreases E2 —> delayed positive feedback —> longer cycle Insufficient E2 —> NO positive feedback —> anovulatory
104
Once menopause begins, the dramatically reduced follicle pool —>
Severely decreased E2 —> Increased LH and FSH —> cycle arrest
105
Diagnosis of menopause
FSH > 30 mlU/ml OR No menses for 12 months in women of typical age range There’s also a fancy new test but it costs $60. WHY!?!?!?!?!?
106
The downsides of menopause
Hot flashes Urogenital atrophy • Atrophy of estrogen-dependent tissues (breast, uterus, vagina) • Decreased vaginal secretions —> painful intercourse Change in cognitive function —> increased risk of Alzheimer’s Osteoporosis CVD
107
How does hormonal contraception work for women?
Combination preparations (monophonic or multiphasic) or progesterone alone PREVENTS OVULATION by negative feedback on the anterior pituitary, PREVENTING THE LH SURGE Thickens cervical mucus —> reduced sperm motility Decreased motility of uterus/fallopian tubes Decreased uterine glycogen production —> impairs blastocyst survival and interferes with implantation

Phys II Unit III (5 decks)

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