2.2 - the menstrual cycle: effects of hormonal changes

Question 1

what do gonadotrophins affect?

Answer 1

the ovary, gonadal steroids and the rest of the body

Question 2

what happens in the early follicular phase in terms of FSH + LH binding?

Answer 2

FSH binds to the granulosa cells

LH to thecal cells

Question 3

what is the function of FSH and LH?

Answer 3

FSH stimulates

LH maintains the growth of antral follicles

Question 4

what happens as the follicles grow?

Answer 4

more and more oestradiol is secreted

Question 5

what does the LH surge cause?

Answer 5

ovulation

Question 6

what do LH and FSH maintain? what does it secrete?

Answer 6

maintains corpus luteum - which secretes oestrogen + progesterone

Question 7

in the follicular phase, steadily rising titres of oestrogen stimulates what?

Answer 7

1. fallopian tube
2. myometrium
3. endometrium
4. cervical mucus
5. mitotic activity
6. anabolic metabolic changes
7. effects on CVS

Question 8

in the follicular phase, how does steadily rising titres of oestrogen affect the fallopian tube?

Answer 8

stimulates secretion + muscular contraction in fallopian tube, growth + motility of Fallopian cilia

Question 9

in the follicular phase, how does steadily rising titres of oestrogen affect the myometrium?

Answer 9

stimulates growth + motility of myometrium

Question 10

in the follicular phase, how does steadily rising titres of oestrogen affect the endometrium?

Answer 10

stimulates thickening of the endometrium + increase in number & size of glandular invaginations
the cells secrete a watery fluid conducive to sperm

Question 11

in the follicular phase, how does steadily rising titres of oestrogen affect the cervical mucus?

Answer 11

stimulates secretion of cervical mucus which is thin and alkaline and also conductive to sperm transport

Question 12

in the follicular phase, how does steadily rising titres of oestrogen affect the mitotic activity?

Answer 12

stimulates increased mitotic activity in the vaginal epithelium

Question 13

in the follicular phase, how does steadily rising titres of oestrogen affect the anabolic metabolic changes?

Answer 13

stimulates mildly anabolic metabolic changes, depress appetite and maintain bone structure

Question 14

in the luteal phase, the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells are what?

Answer 14

1. Fallopian tube
2. myometrium
3. endometrium
4. cervical mucus
5. catabolic metabolic changes
6. body temp
7. salt + water excretion

Question 15

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the fallopian tube?

Answer 15

reduces fallopian tube motility, secretion and cilia activity

Question 16

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the myometrium?

Answer 16

stimulates further thickening of the myometrium, but reduces myometrial motility

Question 17

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the endometrium?

Answer 17

stimulates further thickening of the endometrium, increased secretion and in particular the development of spiral arteries

Question 18

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the cervical mucus?

Answer 18

stimulates thickening and acidification of cervical mucus, inhibiting sperm transport

Question 19

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the metabolism?

Answer 19

stimulate a mildly catabolic metabolic change

Question 20

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the body temp?

Answer 20

elevates basal body temperature

Question 21

how does the action of progesterone on oestrogen primed cells in luteal phase affect the salt and water excretion?

Answer 21

promotes change in salt and water excretion which may, in combination with oestrogen lead to net sodium and water retention

Question 22

a sudden fall in progesterone and oestrogen levels leads to what?

Answer 22

the elaborate secretary epithelium of the endometrium collapses - apoptotic cell death
the tissue is shed as a menstrual bleed

Question 23

what reduces the menstrual bleed as tissue is shed?

Answer 23

spiral arteries contract to reduce bleeding

Question 24

what is the uterine cycle produced by?

Answer 24

steroids