Embryology & Pregnancy Physio Flashcards
How many days after fertilization is pituitary LH stimulating luteal cells to secrete progesterone & estrogen in preparation for implantation
10 days
What happens to the trophoblastic cells on day 5 of fertilization
they begin to secrete hCG which will take over for the luteal hormones completely by day 10
What does the B subunit of fetal hCG do
stimulates corpus luteum to secrete progesterone & estrogen
When does fetal hCG peak during pregnancy
in the first 3 mos
What is measured as an index of fetal well-being
estriol, th emain placental estrogen
What are the peripheral effects of hormonal changes during the 4th+ months of pregnancy
- massive growth of the uterus (myometrium)
- increased growth of all components of the breast
- estrogen/progesterone primarily secreted by the placenta
What is measured as an index of placental well-being
hPL (human placental lactogen)
- increases maternal lipolysis & ketogenesis
- decreases maternal energy stores
- anti-insulin actions (gestational DM)
Which peptide hormone secreted by the ovaries during pregnancy is responsible for distention of the pubic symphysis, cervix, & vagina
Relaxin (non-essential: this will still happen in the absence of ovarian secretion)
Describe the role of oxytocin near the end of pregnancy
- receptors in the myometrium increase in response to elevated plasma estrogens
- elevated oxytocin causes uterine prostaglandin secretion to increase (which causes uterine contractions)
Describe the process by which a spontaneous abortion occurs in fetal demise
toxic products from the fetus increase prostaglandin release from the uterus which initiate contractions & spontaneous abortion
describe the interaction of estrogen in lactation
- high estrogen increases prolactin secretion
- estrogen blocks milk synthesis (estrogen drops during parturition/childbirth which withdraws the block on milk synthesis)
Describe how lactation is maintained
- suckling stimulates nipple receptors & transmits to hypothalamus
- oxytocin & PRL released & GnRH decreased (which decreases FSH & LH)
- decreased FSH & LH lead to decreased estrogen
- decreased estrogen leads to anovulation and amenorrhea
Define fertilization
Fusion of an ovum and spermatozoon to form a single cell/zygote
- occurs within 24 hrs after ovulation
- goals: restores diploid chromosomes, determines sex, initiates cleavage
List the gestational periods
- Germinal period: 1st - 3rd weeks of development
- Embryonic period: 4th - 8th weeks of development (most organ/tissues formed & 3 germ layers differentiate)
- Fetal period: 9th week to term (rapid fetal growth, placental development completed)
What are the main components of the germinal period (1st-3rd weeks)
- cleavage
- morula formation (12-16 cell stage)
- blastocyst formation
- implantation
- trophoblast & chorion differentiate