aging

Question 1

what factors contribute to menopause

Answer 1

oocyte quantity and quality decline with age

-loss of mitochondria
-rates of aneuploidy rise
-microtubule issues
-decrease in response to FSH

Question 2

if follicles in the ovaries no longer respond to FSH adequately, what will happen to E2, ovulation, and menstrual cycle?

Answer 2

arc hyp –> ant. pit –> FSH increases –> ovaries –> follicles: granulosa cells divide, get bigger, secondary to tertiary follicles

-granulosa cells make E2, they will decrease, no ovulation because no follicles to stimulate

-menstruation? no thickening of endometrium due to decreased E2

-decrease of E2 will inhibit arc hyp.

Question 3

what are the effects when you have no follicles or estrogen

Answer 3

-follicles deteriorate and run out of good oocytes = infertile
-no more follicles = no more estrogen
-no estrogen = effects on uterus (menstrual cycle), vagina, breasts
-reproductive system ages prematurely

Question 4

what impact do you expect the higher levels of androgens will have

Answer 4

-some deposition facial hair
-deepening of voice
-increased deposition of fat on the abdomen

Question 5

why do some folks start menopause earlier than others

Answer 5

-genetics
-shorter menstrual cycles
-500 –> 250 follicles

Question 6

what happens to the production of inhibin when follicles deteroriate

Answer 6

-inhibin inhibits FSH
-comes from granulosa cells
-decrease in inhibin, increases FSH, decreases E2

Question 7

what are the hormone changes with menopause

Answer 7

-less/no granulosa cells = less inhibin
-less inhibin = more FSH
-less estrogen = less negative feedback onto FSH and LH secreting cells

Question 8

what happens to GnRH levels during menopause

Answer 8

decrease
-changes centrally occur that are independent of gonad changes

Question 9

physicians can stage reproductive age of a person based on

Answer 9

-cycle regularity
-FSH levels
-antral follicle count (big follicles = not menopausal)
-inhibin

Question 10

what is increases in FSH levels an early indicator of

Answer 10

menopause

Question 11

how do you treat menopause

Answer 11

estrogen/progestin pills

Question 12

what are potential drawbacks of estrogen replacement therapy

Answer 12

increased risk of endometrial cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, gallbladder disease