Endocrine Control of Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
what are the hormones involved in female reproductive cycle produced by
- neurons in brain, pituitary gland, ovaries
list relevant (ovarian) steroid hormones involved in female reproductive cycle
- oestrogen
- progesterone
(produced in ovaries)
list relevant protein hormones involved in female reproductive cycle & what produced by
- gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) - hypothalamus
- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - pituitary gland
- luteinising hormone (LH) - pituitary gland
- inhibin - produced in ovaries
sources of environmental, metabolic and endocrine inputs that the brain receives as neuroendocrine input
- circadian cycle
- nutrition
- stress
- steroids (other hormones)
- many other cues
can impact neurons
which neurons are impacted by input into neuroendocrine system
- periventricular nucleus
- arcuate nucleus
what can the periventricular and arcuate neurons do once received input
- interact w hypothalamus
- modulate production GnRH
where does hypothalamus sit
where does pituitary gland sit
- hypothalamus: in brain
- pituitary gland: just below brain in skull
what is GnRH produced by & where is it transported to
- produced by hypothalamus
- transported to pituitary gland
at what point in cycle does pituitary gland respond to GnRH from hypothalamus & what is this response
- early in each new cycle
- responds by producing FSH & secreting into circulation
what happens to secreted FSH early in cycle by pituitary gland
- secreted into circulation
- carried into ovaries
- ovarian follicles express FSH receptor and FSH binds
- promotes further growth and proliferation of follicular cells in follicles -> causes oocyte to simultaneously grow and mature
does complete development of ovarian follicle occur in one 28 day cycle? what does occur?
- no
- last stages of folliculogenesis integrated in controlling menstrual cycle
what do granulosa cells in follicle produce
- oestradiol (type of oestrogen)
what is happening with regard to oestrogen from FSH release to follicles
- since follicles are growing with support of FSH -> incr granulosa cells
- increased oestrogen (oestradiol) secretion into blood
- secreted oestrgoen circulated back to brain & pituitary gland
what does the secreted oestrogen from growing follicles in cycle allow for measurement of
=> oestrogen levels = measure of stage of follicle development
describe how FSH suppression is reached after oestrogen release is stimulated from FSH early in cycle
- as cycle progressives, low but rising oestrogen levels (caused by granulosa cells of growing follicle) have negative feedback effect on both the cells of arcuate nucleus (for hypothalamus to release GnRH) and on pituitary gland -> suppressed FSH release
does negative feedback from oestrogen that suppresses FSH slow down the growth of the dominant follicle & why / why not
- does not
- because its development causes it to gain FSH independence