Basic Physiology Flashcards
What is the FSH-independent stage of ovulation?
Primordial follicle (oocyte) becomes a primary follicle
What is the FSH-dependent stage of ovulation?
(theca cells)
Fluid filled vesicles in forms Graafian follicle
What happens to a Graafian follicle when an eg is released?
Forms Corpus Luteum –> Corpus albicans
A surge in what gonadotrophic hormone triggers ovulation?
LH
What are the main phases of the ovarian cycle?
Follicular Stage
Luteal phase
What are the main phases of the uterine cycle?
Menses (0-7 days)
Proliferative (7-14)
Secretory (14-28)
Which hormone causes the thickening of the uterine wall?
Progesterone
Which ovarian hormone sees a rapid increase before ovulation?
Estrogen
What are the main female reproductive hormones?
GnRH FSH LH Estradiol Progesterone
Where does GnRH originate?
Hypothalamus
What is the function of GnRH?
Stimulate FSH and LH secretion from the anterior pituitary
What is the function of LH?
Maintain dominant follicle
Induce follicular maturation
Induce ovulation
Stimulate Corpus Luteum function
What is the function of FSH?
Stimulate follicular recruitment and development
Where is Estradiol secreted?
Granulosa Cells
What is the function of Estradiol?
Support female 2ndary sexual characteristics and reproductive organs
Inhibit LH and GnRH (causes LH surge in late-follicular stage)
Stimuates proliferative endometrium
Negative control of FSH
Where is progesterone secreted from?
Corpus luteum
What is the function of progesterone?
Maintain Secretory Endometrium
Negative feedback control of hypothalamic-pituiary-ovarian axis
What proportion of germ cells remain - on average - at 35 years old?
5%
How long after the LH surgedoes ovulation occur?
36hrs
First meiotic devision creates what?
Secondary oocyte
First polar body
Outline the sequence triggered by the LH surge?
Oogonia –> Daughter cell (mitotic division)
Primary Oocyte –> Secondary oocyte (meiotic division)
What are the systemic effects of oestrogen?
Protein metabolism Carb metabolism Lipid metabolism H2O + Salt balance Blood clotting
Which systems are targetted by estrogen?
Fat deposition Mammary gland Pituitary Hypothalamus Bones Uterus CNS
Where is seminal fluid produced?
Seminal vesicle (60%) Prostate gland (30%) Bulbourethral gland (5%)
What is the average ejaculate concentration?
20-200million sperm/ml
What is the sequence of sperm production?§
Production: (75 days) - Spermatocytogenesis - Meiosis - Spermiogenesis Storage: (15 days) - Become motile
Where are mature spermatids stored?
Epididymis
Where does spermatogenesis take place?
Seminiferous tubule
What are the target organs of testosterone?
Skin Brain Liver Male sexual organs Muscle Kidney Bone marrow Bone
