Endocrinology of Pregnancy

Question 1

5 hormones secreted by the placenta?

Answer 1

Chorionic Gonadotropin
Progesterone
Estrogen
Placental Lactogen
Relaxin

Question 2

5 things hormones produced by placenta can do

Answer 2

1. Stimulate ovarian function
2. Maintain pregnancy
3. Influence fetal growth
4. Stimulate mammary functions
5. Assist in parturition

Question 3

What does “progesterone block” mean?

Answer 3

Progesterone prevents any uterine contraction during pregnancy (myometrial contractions)

Question 4

What species is the CL not required for the entire gestation?

Answer 4

Ewe
Mare
Woman

Question 5

Gestational length in the following species.

Alpaca

Answer 5

11.4months

Question 6

Gestational length in the following species.

Bitch

Answer 6

2months

Question 7

Gestational length in the following species.

Camel

Answer 7

12.3months

Question 8

Gestational length in the following species.

Cow

Answer 8

9months

Question 9

Gestational length in the following species.

Ewe

Answer 9

5months

Question 10

Gestational length in the following species.

Goat

Answer 10

5months

Question 11

Gestational length in the following species.

Llama

Answer 11

11.3 months

Question 12

Gestational length in the following species.

Mare

Answer 12

11months

Question 13

Gestational length in the following species.

Queen

Answer 13

2months

Question 14

Gestational length in the following species.

Rabbit

Answer 14

1month

Question 15

Gestational length in the following species.

Sow

Answer 15

3.8months

Question 16

What do endometrial cups produce and what does it act as?

Answer 16

eCG
Acts as a luteotropic factor

Also induces multiple lutenization of dominant follicles during pregnancy, causing for multiple CL which increases progesterone levels

Question 17

Which species have placental lactogen?

Answer 17

Cows
Sheep
Mice
Humans

Question 18

Role of placental lactogen?

Answer 18

1. Promotes growth of fetus

2. Can stimulate mammary glands

Question 19

Explain initiation of parturition?

Answer 19

Stress on fetus causes for release of ACTH from fetal anterior lobe of pituitary

Two major events triggered

1. Removal of progesterone block
2. Increase of reproductive tract secretions

Question 20

Effect of PGF2alpha secreted by placenta?

Answer 20

1. Causes increase of myometrium activity

2. Causes regression of the CL

Question 21

How does estrogen profile of mare differ from cow during gestation?

Answer 21

Cow has a sudden sharp increase of estrogen when compared to the mares more gradual increase

Question 22

3 Stages of parturition?

Answer 22

1. Initiation of myometrial contractions (removal of progesterone block)
2. Expulsion of fetus
3. Expulsion of fetal membranes

Question 23

What is puerperium?

Answer 23

Period after parturition when the reproductive tracts return to non-pregnant conditions

Question 24

4 major events of puerperium?

Answer 24

1. Myometrial contractions and expulsion of lochia
2. Endometrial repair
3. Resumption of ovarian functions
4. Elimination of bacterial contamination of the reproductive tract

Question 25

3 roles of myometrial contractions?

Answer 25

1. Facilitate the discharge of fluids
2. Compress the uterine vasculature and minimize the hemorrhage
3. Reduce the size of the uterus

Question 26

What is lochia?

Answer 26

Discharge expelled from the vulva

Question 27

How much lochia in a cow is discharged in first days of puerperium?

Answer 27

up to 2000ml of lochia