C3: Physiology of the Female Repro Cycle

Question 1

Describe Perimenopause… how long does this phase last?

Answer 1

A women at the end of her menstrual years (marked by irregular cycle pattern)
Lasts 10 years

Question 2

What is the qualification for menopause?

Answer 2

Periods must have ceased for 1 full year

Question 3

What produces GnRH/GnRF?

Answer 3

The hypothalamus

Question 4

What is the control centre for the menstrual cycle?

Answer 4

Hypothalamus

Question 5

Function of GnRH?

Answer 5

Stimulates anterior pituitary to produce hormones

Question 6

Which hormones are produced in the anterior pituitary by beta cells?

Answer 6

FSH and LH

Question 7

FSH and LH are what type of hormones? And what do they stimulate?

Answer 7

Gonadotropins

Stimulate the ovaries.

Question 8

What specifically does FSH stimulate?

Answer 8

The development of follicles

Question 9

What specifically does LH stimulate? And what does it trigger?

Answer 9

The follicles, but to a lesser extent then FSH and the surge of LH is responsible for ovulation

Question 10

What does LH support?

Answer 10

The growth of the corpus luteum

Question 11

Does LH maintain the corpus luteum?

Answer 11

No

Question 12

What maintains the corpus luteum in pregnancy?

Answer 12

hCG

Question 13

What hormones do the ovaries produce?

Answer 13

Estrogen
Progesterone
Relaxin

Question 14

Where is estrogen produced in the follicle?

Answer 14

From the granulose cells lining the follicles

Question 15

When does peak secretion of estrogen occur?

Answer 15

Just BEFORE ovulation

Question 16

What must occur in order for LH to surge?

Answer 16

Estrogen must hit a threshold

Question 17

What causes the endometrium to develop?

Answer 17

Estrogen

Question 18

What causes the development of female 2ndary sex characteristics?

Answer 18

Estrogen

Question 19

What is the gestational age determined by?

Answer 19

LMP

Question 20

What produces progesterone?

Answer 20

The corpus luteum

Question 21

When is the peak concentration of progesterone reached?

Answer 21

7 days after ovulation

Question 22

What does progesterone induce?

Answer 22

Secretory activity and growth of the endometrium

Question 23

And increase of progesterone inhibits the secretion of which hormone?

Answer 23

LH

Question 24

What is the purpose of relaxin?

Answer 24

Relaxes the symphysis pubis during delivery and helps dilate the cervix for delivery and sperm mobility.

Question 25

What are the stages of menstruation? And what are the timelines for the stages?

Answer 25

Menstruation: Day 1-5 Proliferative: Day 6-14 (also follicular phase) Ovulation: Day 14 Secretory: Day 14-28 (luteal phase)

Question 26

What are common symptoms of menstruation?

Answer 26

Mittelschmerz Fluid Retention Weight Gain in luteal/secretory phase Rise in temperature at ovulation

Question 27

What are 4 visual landmarks of the endometrium in the proliferative phase? (from outer to inner)

Answer 27

1) Hypoechoic Halo 2) Echogenic edge of endometrium 3) Hypoechoic endometrium 4) Apposing endometrial lining

Question 28

What are 2 visual landmarks of the endometrium in the secretory phase? (from outer to inner)

Answer 28

1) Hypoechoic halo (includes the basal layer and vessels) | 2) Hyperechoic endometrium

Question 29

How does the endometrium look in postmenopause?

Answer 29

Thin: 1-5mm (with transvesicular scanning) | >5mm with EV

Question 30

When is the ovum called the Cumulus Oophorus?

Answer 30

When the ovum protrudes from the wall of the follicle into the follicular fluid

Question 31

What are the layers of the ovum?

Answer 31

The corona radiate and zone pellucida

Question 32

what does the cumulus oophorus indicate?

Answer 32

That ovulation is abut to occur

Question 33

What phase do the spiral arterioles undergo lengthening and how do they lengthen?

Answer 33

Proliferative phase | By mitosis

Question 34

What happens to the corpus luteum and estrogen and progesterone levels without fertilization

Answer 34

CL degenerates and E and P decrease

Question 35

What happens to the endometrium if fertilization occurs?

Answer 35

Endo thickens due to the increase in prog. produced by the corpus luteum

Question 36

What do high levels of estrogen and progesterone cause?

Answer 36

High levels suppress the hypothalamus so that ovulation doesn't occur again

Question 37

when does a Corpus Albicans form?

Answer 37

It forms when the corpus luteum degenerates and forms a white scar

Question 38

when does a Corpus Fibrosum form?

Answer 38

Occurs when a follicle does not rupture and the corpus luteum doesnt form. The liquid will gradually absorb and the follicle will shrink

Question 39

when does blood most commonly accumulate in the endometrial canal?

Answer 39

Proliferative phase