Female Hormones

Question 1

Describe the mechanism of releasing the hormones (egg becomes fertilized)

Answer 1

1) Hypothalamus starts the whole process by releasing GnRH
2) GnRH sends a signal to the anterior pituitary gland causing it to release FSH and LH
- FSH stimulates and matures the growing follicle
- LH causes the egg to be released once it is fully mature
3) As the egg is growing it starts producing estrogen
- Estrogen is needed to increase the blood supply to the lining of the uterus
4) Once the egg is fully mature producing a high estrogen level which sends a signal back to the anterior pituitary gland causing it to release LH (and inhibit FSH production) which then will release the egg from the ovaries
- The area that the egg was release from is called the corpus luteum which produces progesterone and HCG
5) Corpus luteum then releases progesterone which inhibits LH production from the anterior pituitary gland, inhibits contractions and decreases prostaglandin production
- (NSAIDs help ease muscle contractions)

Question 2

egg not fertilized

Answer 2

then the corpus luteum and the egg deteriorate causing a decrease in estrogen production and progesterone levels with an increase in prostaglandins which allow the uterine lining to shed

Question 3

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Answer 3

Released from: Hypothalamus
Function: stimulates the production of FSH and LH in the anterior pituitary gland
Feedback loop: increase in estrogen and progesterone
- Estrogen inhibits FSH production
- Progesterone inhibits LH production

Question 4

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Answer 4

Released from: Anterior Pituitary gland
Function: stimulates ovarian follicle to mature
Feedback loop: increase in estrogen and progesterone levels

Question 5

Inhibin

Answer 5

Released from: Ovaries
- Released once the matured egg has been released
Function: decreases FSH and (w/ progesterone) LH production
Feedback loop: decrease in production from the ovaries due to fertilization of menstruation

Question 6

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Answer 6

Released from: Anterior Pituitary gland
Function: stimulates ovulation (releases the egg from the ovaries)
- Corpus luteum releases the egg around day 14
Feedback loop: increased in progesterone
- Inhibits the release of another egg

Question 7

Estrogen

Answer 7

Released from: Ovaries, Corpus Luteum, Placenta
Function:
- Increased blood supply all over (increases vascularity)
- Relaxation of pelvic ligaments/joints
- Hyperpigmentation
- Pytalism
- Breast development for lactation (enlargement)
Feedback loop: end of pregnancy or follicle (unfertilized)

Question 8

Progesterone

Answer 8

Released from: Corpus Luteum and Placenta
Functions:
- Inhibits contractions
- Vasodilation
- Breast development
Feedback loop: end of pregnancy or end of fetus

Question 9

Progesterone maintains pregnancy by?

Answer 9

Relaxation of smooth muscles –> ↓ uterine activity, ↓ spontaneous abortions, ↓ GI motility and Fluid & electrolyte balance

Question 10

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

Answer 10

Released from: Corpus Luteum
Functions: maintains pregnancy until the placenta if fully functional
Feedback loop: Functional placenta

Question 11

Relaxin

Answer 11

Released from: Placenta and Corpus Luteum
Function: Pelvic relaxation to accomodate growing uterus
Feedback loop: increase in progesterone

Question 12

Human Placental Lactogen (HPL)/ Human Chorionic Somatomammotropin (HCS)

Answer 12

Released from: Placenta – beginning of 20 weeks
Function: 
*Insulin antagonist
*provides glucose to the fetus
*Increases circulating fatty acids
Feedback loop: end of pregnancy