Estrous Cycle Flashcards
What are the four major constituents of the ovary?
ovaries, oocyte, corpus luteum, granulosa and theca cells
What is the general function of the ovary?
contain the follicles that are the central determinants of the estrous cycle
What is the general function of the oocyte?
the component of the follicle that is released at the end of the follicular phase of the estrous cycle
What is the general function of the corpus luteum?
a remnant of the follicle that facilitates the luteal phase
What is the general function of the granulosa and theca cells?
cells in the follicle and later on in the CL that regulate the estrous cycle
What is estrus?
a specific phase of the estrous cycle in which many hormones peak and sexual receptivity is highest
What is estrous?
a series of temporal transitions that define the female reproductive cycle
What does polyestrous mean?
estrous cycle repeats throughout the span of the reproductive age of the female
What does seasonal polyestrous mean?
estrous cycle repeats during a specific portion of the calendar year
What species are seasonally polyestrous?
cats, horses, sheep, and goats
What does monoestrous mean?
estrous cycle occurs only one time in succession
What does diestrous mean?
a specific phase of the estrous cycle where peak progesterone and maximal CL activity occurs
What are the two defenitions for anestr(o)us?
period in between estrous cycles (in mono and diestrous; seasonally polyestrous) and a condition in which estrus does not return in a polyestrous animal
Which female reproductive hormone increases and decreases inversely to the other major female hormones?
progesterone
What is the order of synthesis of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone and what enzyme is used in the last step?
progesterone to testosterone then enzyme aromatase to change into estrogen
What type of receptors do estrogens interact with?
receptors inside of the cell
What type of receptors do progestins interact with?
receptors inside of the cell
What type of receptors does inhibin interact with?
cell surface receptor
What type of receptors do PGF 2 alpha, LH, FSH, and GnRH interact with?
G protein - coupled receptors
What are the three hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis?
GnRH, LH, and FSH
How is the release of GnRH regulated?
by several different factos such as hormones
What is the release of LH and FSH regulated by?
GnRH
What is the general function of PGF 2 alpha?
it is released during diestrus if the fertilized ovum has not implanted in the uterus and is responsible for continuing the estrous cycle if the animal is not pregnant
What is the general function of inhibin?
mildly inhibits the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus and strongly inhibits FSH from the anterior pituitary
What enzyme deficiency can lead to female virilization?
aromatase deficiency
