Bovine - Female Repro Physiology Flashcards
What are the important endogenous hormones of the estrous cycle?
GnRH, LH, FSH, Estrogen/estradiol, inhibin, P4, PGF2-alpha
What does GnRH stand for?
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone
What is the origin and target of GnRH?
it originates in the hypothalamus and targets the anterior pituitary
What is the function of GnRH?
stimulate production and release of gonadotropins (FSH and LH)
What system does GnRH utilize?
the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal
What does FSH stand for?
follicle stimulating hormone
What is the origin and target of FSH?
originates in the anterier pituitary and targets the ovary
What is the function of FSH?
stimulate follicular recruitment and early follicular development - increases estrogen
What does LH stand for?
Luteinizing hormone
What is the origin and target of LH?
It originiates in the anterier pituitary and targets the theca and granulosa cells of ovarian follicle (especially the dominant) and corpus luteum
What is the function of LH?
it aids in follicular maturation, causes ovulation, and aids in maintaining the CL - it causes an increase in androgens
What happens to the androgens (testosterone) that LH influences the thecal cells to produce?
They are essentially pushed from the thecal cells to the granulosa cells to be converted into estrogens (estradiol)
What is the origin and target of etrogen/estrodial?
It originates in the follicles and targets the pituitary and hypothalamus and reproductive organs
What is the function of estrogen/estradiol?
It promotes GnRH release from the hypothalamus and alters FSH/LH ratio from pituitary
What is the origin and target of inhibin?
It originates in the granulosa cells in the ovarian follicle (dominant) and targets the anterior pituitary (negative feedback)
What is the function of inhibin?
suppresses the production and secretion of FSH
What is the origin and target of progesterone?
It originates in the corpus luteum and placenta and targets the hypothalamus and uterus
What is the function of progesterone?
It suppressess the secretion of GnRH from the hypothalamus (surge center) and allows for maternal recognition and maintenance of pregnancy
What is the origin and target of prostaglandin?
It originates in the endometrium and potentially the ovary and targets the corpus luteum
Where is prostaglandin excreted from the body?
the lungs
What is the function of prostaglandin?
lysis of the CL
What does prostaglandin utilize to move throughout the body?
it utilizes the utero-ovarian vascular countercurrent diffusion
What male structure is the utero-ovarian vascular countercurrent exchange homologous to?
the pampiniform plexus
What is the bovine cyclicity like?
polyestrous