Female repro LGR Flashcards
During the follicular phase, what are the estradiol (estrogen) levels?
Estradiol levels increase and cause proliferation of the uterus.
What are FSH and LH levels sitting at during the follicular phase?
FSH and LH levels are supressed by the negative feedback of the elevated estradiol.
What are progesterone levels sitting at during the follicular phase?
Progesterone levels are low.
What hormonal mechanism kicks off ovulation?
A burst of estradiole synthesis causes a positive feedback effect on the secretion of the FSH and LH
This is known as the LH surge!
What does the LH surge signalled by estradiole release signify?
What does cervical mucous appear as during this phase?
The beginning of ovulation!
At this point in time cervical mucous becomes less viscous
What hormones are synthesized during the luteal phase and what structure makes them?
The corpus luteum begins to develop and synthesize estrogen and progesterone.
What happens to the endometrium during the luteal phase?
Vascularity and secretory activity of the endometrium increases to prepare for the egg!
During which stage does body temperature increase and what causes it?
Progesterone released during the luteal phase causes an incease in body temperature.
If fertilization doesnt occur, what hormonal changes take place and what structures change?
The corpus luteum regresses at the end of luteal phase causing estrogen and progesterone levels to decrease greatly causing the endometrium to slough off.
What causes the menses?
Progesterone and estradiole decrease causes the endometrium to slough off.
If pregnancy occurs, how is the endometrium maintained?
If pregnancy occurs, HcG is released which maintains the corpus luteum and maintains high levels of estradiole and progesterone maintaining the endometrium.
During the first trimester of pregnancy what maintains the production of estradiole and progesterone?
The corpus luteum stimulated by HCG.
What maintains the endometrium during the second and third trimesters?
Progesterone is made by the placenta
Estrogens are produced by the placenta and fetal adrenal gland.
What hormone stimulates the breasts to begin producing milk?
Estrogen stimulates prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary.
How is ovulation supressed during lactation?
Prolactin inhibits GnRH secretion and inhibits GnRH action on the anterior pit causing a decrease in FSH and LH production
