endoReproFemale

Question 1

estrogen

Answer 1

Essential for ova maturation and release
Establishment of female secondary sexual characteristics
Essential for transport of sperm from vagina to fertilization site in oviduct
Contributes to breast development in anticipation of lactation

Question 2

progesterone

Answer 2

Important in preparing suitable environment for nourishing a developing embryo/fetus
Contributes to breasts’ ability to produce milk

Question 3

ovarian cycle

Answer 3

Average ovarian cycle lasts 28 days
Normally interrupted only by pregnancy
Finally terminated by menopause

Question 4

ovarian cycle phases alternating

Answer 4

Follicular phase
Dominated by presence of maturing follicles
Luteal phase
Characterized by presence of corpus luteum

Question 5

follicular phase

Answer 5

• Operates first half of cycle
• Granulosa cells of some primary follicles proliferate
• Oocyte inside each follicle enlarges
• Theca cells in follicle secrete increased amounts of estrogen
Rapid follicular growth continues during follicular phase
One follicle usually grows more rapidly and matured about 14 days after onset of follicular development
Follicle ruptures to release oocyte from ovary
Event is called ovulation
Released oocyte enters oviduct where it may or may not be fertilized

Question 6

luteal phase

Answer 6

• Last 14 days of ovarian cycle
• Old follicular cells undergo structural transformation to form corpus luteum
• Becomes highly vascularized
• Becomes fully functional within four days after ovulation
Continues to increase in size for another four or five days
• If released ovum is not fertilized and does not implant, corpus luteum degenerates within about 14 days after its formation

Question 7

FSH rise signals

Answer 7

During follicular phase, the rise in FSH signals ovarian follicle to secrete more estrogen
Rise in estrogen feeds back to inhibit FHS secretion which declines as follicular phase proceeds

Question 8

LH rises in follicular phase

Answer 8

As it peaks in mid-cycle, it triggers ovulation

Question 9

corpus lute secretes what during luteal phase

Answer 9

progesterone and estrogen
Progesterone output inhibits release of FSH and LH
Low LH – corpus luteum degenerates Progesterone levels decline
FSH can start to rise again, initiating new cycle

Question 10

control of ovulation and subsequent luteinazation of the ruptured follicle are triggered by…

Answer 10

an abrupt, massive increase in LH secretion

Question 11

This LH surge brings about four major changes in the follicle:

Answer 11

during the ovulation..
Halts estrogen synthesis
Reinitiates meiosis in the oocyte of the developing follicle
Triggers production of locally acting prostaglandins Differentiation of follicular cells into luteal cells

Question 12

LH and corpue luteum

Answer 12

LH “maintains” the corpus luteum; that is, after triggering development of the corpus luteum, LH stimulates ongoing steroid hormone secretion by this ovarian structure
Under the influence of LH, the corpus luteum secretes both progesterone and estrogen, with progesterone being its most abundant hormonal product

Question 13

uterine or menstrual cycle

3 phases

Answer 13

reflects hormonal changes during ovarian cycle
average 28 days
- menstrual phase
- proliferative phase
- secretory or progetational phase

Question 14

menstrual phase

Answer 14

discharge of blood and endometrial lining debris from vagina
First day of menstruation is considered start of new cycle
• Coincides with end of ovarian luteal phase and onset of follicular phase

Question 15

proliferative phase

Answer 15

• Begins concurrent with last portion of ovarian follicular phase
– Endometrium starts to repair itself and proliferate under influence of estrogen from newly growing follicles
• Estrogen-dominant proliferative phase lasts from end of menstruation to ovulation
• Peak estrogen levels trigger LH surge responsible for ovulation

Question 16

Secretory or Progestational Phase

Answer 16

Uterus enters this phase after ovulation when new corpus luteum is formed
Corpus luteum secretes large amounts of progesterone and estrogen
Progesterone
Converts endometrium to highly vascularized, glycogen- filled tissueEndometrial glands actively secrete glycogen
If fertilization and implantation do not occur
Corpus luteum degenerates
New follicular phase and menstrual phase begin once again

Question 17

menopause

Answer 17

Cessation of woman’s menstrual cycle
• Usually occurs between ages of 45 and 55
• Midlife hypothalamic change may trigger onset of menopause

Question 18

climacteric

Answer 18

Period of transition
menopause —Preceded by period of progressive ovarian failure
Increasingly irregular cycles
Dwindling estrogen levels
Loss of estrogen primarily affects skeleton and cardiovascular system

Question 19

fertilization site

Answer 19

oviduct upper third in the ampulla
Must occur within 24 hours after ovulation
Sperm usually survive about 48 hours but can survive up to five days in female reproductive tract

Question 20

first sperm to reach ovum ..

Answer 20

Fuses with plasma membrane of ovum
– Triggers chemical change in ovum’s surrounding membrane that makes outer layer impermeable to entry of any more sperm
– Head of fused sperm gradually pulled into ovum’s cytoplasm
– Within hour, sperm and egg nuclei fuse
• Fertilized ovum now called a zygote

Question 21

more fert

Answer 21

Fertilized ovum divides mitotically
Within week grows and differentiates into blastocyst capable of implantation
Blastocyst implants in endometrial lining by means of enzymes released by trophoblasts
Enzymes digest endometrial tissue
Carve hole in endometrium for implantation of blastocyst
Release nutrients from endometrial cells for use by developing embryo

Question 22

placenta

Answer 22

Organ of exchange between maternal and fetal blood

Acts as transient, complex endocrine organ that secretes essential pregnancy hormones

Question 23

pregnancy hormones (3)

Answer 23

Human chorionic gonadotropin – maintains corpus luteum until placenta takes over function in last two trimesters
Estrogen – essential for maintaining normal pregnancy
Progesterone – essential for maintaining normal pregnancy

Question 24

functions of placenta

Answer 24

• The placenta performs the functions of the digestive system, the respiratory system, and the kidneys for the “parasitic” fetus
– Nutrients and oxygen diffuse from the maternal blood across the thin placental barrier into the fetal blood, whereas carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes simultaneously diffuse from the fetal blood into the maternal blood

Question 25

gestation

Answer 25

38 weeks from conception

• The placenta performs the functions of the digestive system, the respiratory system, and the kidneys for the “parasitic” fetus
– Nutrients and oxygen diffuse from the maternal blood across the thin placental barrier into the fetal blood, whereas carbon dioxide and other metabolic wastes simultaneously diffuse from the fetal blood into the maternal blood– Respiratory activity increases by about 20 percent
– Urinary output increases
– Kidneys excrete additional wastes from fetus
– Nutritional requirements increase
– Metabolism of mother shunts glucose, calcium and fatty acids to fetus
– human Chorionic Somatomammatropin (hCS) from placenta (acts like Growth Hormone in
mother)

Question 26

parturition

Answer 26

labor delivery birth
Requires
– Dilation of cervical canal to accommodate passage of fetus from uterus through vagina and to the outside
– Contraction of uterine myometrium that are sufficiently strong to expel fetus
• Exact factors triggering increase in uterine contractility and initiating parturition not fully established

Question 27

what kind of feedback is parturition

hormone?

Answer 27

positive
Pressure of fetus against cervix reflexively increases oxytocin secretion
Role of oxytocin
Causes stronger contractions
Positive-feedback cycle progressively increases until cervical dilation and delivery are complete

Question 28

lactation -

Answer 28

During gestation
Lactation
Elevated placental estrogen and progesterone promote development of ducts and alveoli in mammary glands

Question 29

lactation after birth - prolactin

Answer 29

Stimulates synthesis of enzymes essential for milk production by alveolar epithelial cells
Withdrawal of placental steroids at parturition initiates lactation

Question 30

lactation - oxytocin

Answer 30

Sustained by suckling
Triggers release of oxytocin and prolactin
Oxytocin
Causes milk ejection by stimulating cells surrounding alveoli to squeeze secreted milk out through ducts

Question 31

amenorrhea

Answer 31

• Possible causes of no menstrual cycle
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Stress-induced downregulation of gonadotropins (life changes, dieting, intense exercise, anorexia)

Question 32

polycystic ovary syndrome

Answer 32

• Hirsutism, amenorrhea, infertility, risk of endometrial cancer
• Hyperinsulinemia results in downregulation of Steroid Binding Globulins and altered IGF-1
• High levels of both androgen and estrogen (estrone)
• Ovaries increased in size but no ovulation
• 2-5% of women
• Obesity associated

Question 33

endometriosis

Answer 33

• Ectopic endometrial tissue in abdomen
• Subject to same endocrine cycles as uterus (expansion, vascularization and sloughing)
• Often associated with painful menstrual cycles

Question 34

gestational DM

Answer 34

• Altered glucose regulation during pregnancy creates a state of insulin-resistance
• 2-5% of pregnancies
• Fetal macrosomia (high fetal insulin and growth)
• Mothers at high risk of subsequent Type 2 DM