B9- Reproductive Behavior Flashcards
Gamete
A mature reproductive cell; a sperm or ovum
Sexually dimorphic behavior
A behavior that has different forms or that occurs with different probabilities or under different circumstances in males and females
Sex chromosome
The X and Y chromosome, which determine an organism’s gender. Normally, XX individuals are female, XY individuals are male
Gonad
An ovary or testis
Sry
The gene on the Y chromosome whose product instructs the undifferentiated fetal gonads to develop into testes
Organizational effect (of hormone)
The effect of a hormone on tissue differentiation and development
Activational effect (of hormone)
The effect of a hormone that occurs in the fully developed organism; may depend on the organism’s prior exposure to the organizational effects of hormones
Müllerian system
The embryonic precursors of the female internal sex organs
Wolffian system
The embryonic precursors of the male internal sex organs
Anti-Müllerian hormone
A peptide secreted by the fetal testes that inhibits the development of the Müllerian system, which would otherwise become the female internal sex organs
Defeminizing effect
An effect of a hormone present early in development that reduces or prevents the later development of anatomical or behavioral characteristics typical of females
Androgen
A male sex steroid hormone. Testosterone is the principle mammalian androgen
Masculinizing effect
An effect of a hormone present early in development that promotes the later development of anatomical or behavioral characteristics typical of males
Testosterone
The principle androgen found in males
Dihydrotestosterone
An androgen produced from testosterone through the action of enzyme
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
A condition caused by a congenital lack of functioning androgen receptors; in a person with XY sex chromosomes, it causes the development of a female with testes but no internal sex organs
Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome
A condition caused by a congenital lack of anti-Müllerian hormone or receptors for this hormone; in a male , it causes development of both male and female internal sex organs
Turner’s syndrome
The presence of only one sex chromosome (an X chromosome); characterized by lack of ovaries but otherwise normal female sex organs and genitalia
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
A hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete gonadotropic hormone
Gonadotropic hormone
A hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that has a stimulating effect on cells of the gonads
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
The hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that causes development of an ovarian follicle and the maturation of an ovum
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
A hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that causes ovulation and development of the ovarian follicle into a corpus luteum
Kisspeptin
A peptide essential for the initiation of puberty and the maintenance of male and female reproductive ability; controls the secretion of GnRH, which directs the production and release of the gonadotropic hormones
Estradiol
The principle estrogen of many mammals, including humans
Estrogen
A class of sex hormones that causes maturation of the female genitalia, growth of breast tissue, and development of other physical features characteristics of females
Menstrual cycle
The female reproductive cycle of most primates, including humans; characterized by growth of the lining of the uterus, ovulation, development if a corpus luteum, and (if pregnancy does not occur) menstruation
Estrous cycle
The female reproductive cycle of mammals other than primates
Ovarian follicle
A cluster of epithelial cells surrounding an oocyte, which develops into an ovum
Corpus luteum
A cluster of cells that develops from the ovarian follicle after ovulation; secretes estradiol and progesterone
Progesterone
A steroid hormone produced by the ovary that maintains the endometrial lining of the uterus during the later part of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy; along with estradiol, it promotes receptivity in female mammals with estrous cycles
Refractory period
A period of time after a particular action (for example, an ejaculation by a male) during which that action cannot occur again
Coolidge effect
The restorative effect of introducing a new female sex partner to a male that has apparently become “exhausted” by sexual activity
Lordosis
A spinal sexual reflex seen in many four-legged female mammals; arching of the back in response to the approach of a male or to touching the flanks, which elevates the hindquarters
Pheromone
A chemical released by one animal that affects the behavior or physiology of another animal; usually smelled or tasted
Lee-Boot effect
The slowing and eventual cessation of estrous cycles in groups of female animals that are housed together; caused by a pheromone in the animals’ urine; first observed in mice
Whitten effect
The synchronization of the menstrual or estrous cycles of a group of females, which occurs only in the presence of a pheromone in a male’s urine
Vandenbergh effect
The earlier onset of puberty seen in female animals that are housed with males; caused by a pheromone in the male’s urine; first observed in mice
Vomeronasal organ (VNO)
A sensory organ that detects the presence of certain chemicals, especially when a liquid is actively sniffed; mediates the effects of some pheromones
Accessory olfactory bulb
A neural structure located in the main olfactory bulb that receives information from the vomeronasal organ
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
A condition characterized by hypersecretion of androgens by the adrenal cortex; in females, causes masculinization of the external genitalia
Medial preoptic area (MPA)
A area of cell bodies just rostral to the hypothalamus; plays an essential role in male sexual behavior
Sexually dimorphic nucleus
A nucleus in the preoptic area that is much larger in males than in females, first observed in rats; plays a role in male sexual behavior
Periaqueductal gray matter (PAG)
The region of the midbrain that surrounds the cerebral aqueduct; plays an essential role in various species-typical behaviors, including female sexual behavior
Nucleus paragigantocellularis (nPGi)
A nucleus of the medulla that receives input from the medial preoptic area; contains neurons whose axons form synapses with motor neurons in the spinal cord that participate in sexual reflexes I males
Ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH)
A large nucleus of the hypothalamus located near the walls of the third ventricle; plays an essential role in female sexual behavior
Parturition
The act of giving birth
