Female Repro Phys Flashcards
where is the germinal epithelium located? what develops from this layer
the outer surface of the ovary where the primordial ova develope
What is the function of the granulosa cells
1-keep the ova nourished
2-secrete oocyte maturation inhib factor to prevent egg from further development
how do granulosa cells form
they form when a ovum colleccts a layer of spindle cells from the ovarian stroma
what is a primordial follicle
ovum surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells
what is adrenarche
activation of the adrenal cortex
what is gonadarche
activation of the gonads by FSH and LH
what is pubarche
appearance of pubic hair
what is thelarche
appearance of breast tissue
what is menarche
onset of first menstrual period
what are the 5 tanner stages
Stage 1: prepuberty, no palpable breast tissue, no pubic hair
Stage 2: development of a breast bud, enlargement of areolar diameter, sparse, straight hair along lateral vulva
Stage 3: enlargement of the breast without separation of areolar contour from the breast, hair darker, coarser and curlier
Stage 4: areola and papilla project above the breast, pubic hair is adult like
Stage 5: recession of the areola to match contour of the breast, pubic hair is adult like
when does menarche begin
Menarche begins approx 2.6 years after onset of puberty
what causes the initiation of puberty
inc leptin production from adipocytes= pulsatile GnRH release from hypothalamus= FSH/LH release from ant pit= estrogen/progesterone from ovaries
What is theorized to have a effect on pulsatile GnRH
dec GABA
how does nutrition affect age of puberty
anemia will delay start
what is the typical age of 1st menstrual cycle
11-15yo
what occurs bt spikes of GnRH release?
slight GNRH levels= slightly elevated estrogen and inhibin levels= inhibition of ant pit release of FSH/LH
what occurs at the spikes of GnRH release?
High GnRH levels= high estrogen levels(bc ovum releases it)= stimulates ant pit to cause LH/FSH surge=ovulation
what is the corpus luteum
the remainder of the follicle after ovulation. It has granulosa cells that produce estrogen and progesterone to inhibit GnRH release
how long does the corpus luteum last
several days
what is the typical duration of the menstrual cycle
28 days (20 to 45 days)
what occurs during the follicular phase and when does it occur
The follicle is developing (ie proliferative phase). It begins with onset of menses, ends on day of LH surge(ovulation). ave= day1-15
what occurs during the luteal phase and when does the luteal phase occur
Luteal phase= formation of corpus luteum. It begins on the day of LH surge and ends at onset of next menses. (the secretory phase). ave=13 days
when does menstration occur
during the follicular phase
what is the typical length/volume of flow during menstration
2-6days, <60ml
what phase is typically affected if abnormality in length of menstrual cycle
the luteal phase length has less variation so the follicular phase is affected more.
short cycle= dec growth
long cycle= overgrowth
what hormones drive the follicular phase? what is their effect?
mainly FSH, small LH effect
FSH accelerates follicle growth(6-12 primary follicles) by
1) increasing layers of granulosa cells= inc estrogen in the antrum
2) formation of the theca cells
what is the role of the theca interna
important in hormone production. produces androgens which are converted to estrogens
what is the role of the theca externa
it is the capsule of the follicle to give structure/strength
why is it important that estrogen is fat soluable
it allows it to leave the ovum’s antrum to inc estrogen levels= stimulate ant pit LH surge
what causes the accelerated growth of the follicular phase
Estrogen: secreted into follicle causes granulosa cells to increase number of FSH receptors on granulosa cells
Causes positive feedback effect making granulosa cells more sensitive
FSH + Estrogen: Increases LH receptors on granulosa cells allowing LH stimulation to occur in addition to FSH
Estrogen and LH: Proliferation of Theca cells
why do only 1-2 eggs develope and release each cycle out of the 6-12 primary follicles
high levels of estrogen(from theca and granulosa working together)=suppression of FSH=atresia
when does the LH surge occur
2 days prior to ovulation
how does the LH surge cause ovulation
1)prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase causes a pseudoinflammatory response causing rapid swelling of the follicle
2)Prostaglandins E and F release proteolytic enzymes cause weakening of the follicle wall
=formation of stigma(nipple like protrusion of follicle)= bursts
how do low dose progesterone BCP work
thickening of the cervical mucous to prevent sperm motility
how do high dose progesterone BCP work
suppress ovulation in addition to cervical mucous thickening
what is Mittelschmerz
pain w/ ovulation
what do the granulosa and theca interna cells produce in the luteal phase
Granulosa cells produce -Progesterone and Estrogen Theca interna cells produce -Androgens -Androstenedione -Testosterone Androgens converted to estrogens by granulosa cells by aromatase
what enzyme is in granulosa cells that convert androgens to estrogens? What activates it?
aromatase
activated by FSH binding to granulosa cell
why is there a spike of progesterone in the luteal phase
the LH surge causes the theca and granulosa cells to both produce so much progesterone that the aromatase cant convert it all (some does get converted so estrogen also spikes post ovulation)
(Almost all progesterone is converted to estrogen during the follicular phase)
what is the effect of lutein cells(corpus luteum) also secreting inhibin inaddition to estrogen and progesterone
Estrogen/ progesterone/ inhibin secreted by corpus luteum all have feedback on AP to maintain low secretory levels of FSH and LH. Low FSH and LH cause corpus luteum to degenerate.
what causes the corpus luteum to keep producing estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy instead of dying off
Hcg (acts like FSH)
how is estrogen removed from the body?
Liver conjugates estrogens and 1/5th is excreted in bile and remainder in urine. Decreased liver function —–increases estrogen levels.
how is estrogen transported in the body
transported in the blood either freely or bound to plasma proteins
what occurs if females lack granulosa cells
androgens cannot be converted to estrogens
what occurs if females lack granulosa cells
progesterone cannot be converted to androgens (so granulosa cells cannot convert androgens to estrogen)
what are the 3 types of estrogen? what is the most potent?
Beta estradiol
estrone (1/12 potency)
estriol (1/80 potency)
how is progesterone degraded
liver
what happens to hormone levels during luteal phase
Progesterone & Estrogen (neg. FB)
Decrease FSH & LH from anterior pituitary
Inhibin also inhibits FSH
Decrease FSH & LH
Cause corpus luteum to degenerate
Decreases production of Estrogen and Progesterone
Decrease Estrogen and Progesterone
Increase FSH & LH
what is inhibins effect on FSH
inhibin inhibits FSH
why does the corpus luteum degenerate during the luteal phase?
dec FSH and LH from ant pit causes corpus luteum to degenerate
what is the generalized organ response to estrogen? what organs?
estrogen is a proliferative hormone= organs inc in size(Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina)
what is estrogens effect on the uterus
Within 2 years: uterus increases 2-3 fold
Proliferation of stromal tissue and glands.
what is estrogens effect on fallopian tubes
Proliferation of glandular tissues
Proliferation of ciliated epithelial cells (with increased activity
what is estrogens effect on the external genitalia
deposition of fat in mons pubis and labia majora with enlargement of labia minora
what is estrogens effect on vaginal epithelium
Vaginal epithelium changes from a cuboidal into a stratified epithelium (more resistant to trauma and infections)
how can you cure vaginal infections in children
give estrogen therapy bc Vaginal epithelium changes from a cuboidal into a stratified epithelium (more resistant to trauma and infections)
what is estrogens effect on breasts
Development of stromal tissues of breast
Growth of extensive ductile system
Deposition of fat in breast tissue
Lobules and alveoli of breast develop a little under estrogens but progesterone and prolactin ultimately determines growth and function of these structures
what is estrogens effect on the skeleton
Inhibits osteoclastic(=inhibit bone break down) activity
Unites the epiphyses with the shafts of long bones= stops growth
how does estrogen affect osteoprotegerin(osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor)
it stimulates it to inhibit bone resorption
what is the generalized organ response to progesterone
promotes secretory changes
how does progesterone effect the uterus
Increase secretory changes preparing uterus for implantation.
Decreases the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions (prevents expulsion of the implanted ovum.
how does progesterone effect the fallopian tube
Promotes secretion (thick mucous)
how does progesterone effect the breast tissue
Promotes development of the lobules and alveoli
what is the uterine response in the follicular phase
(estrogen Phase) Endometrium proliferates Growth of endometrial glands New blood vessels Cervical mucus is thin/stringy to help sperm motility
what is the uterine response in the luteal phase
(Progesterone and estrogen phase) Estrogen increases proliferation Progesterone stimulates glands in the uterus. -Nutrients -“uterine milk”
what occurs during the luteal phase if implantation occurs
Trophoblastic cells digest endometrium and absorb nutrients.
what prevents blood from clotting during menses
fibrinolysin(plasmin) is released from necrotic endometrium
what is the definition of menopause
1-obsolescence of ovaries
2- no estradiol production,
3-ova only occasional secondary follicle
4-few primary follicles
what is the average age of menopause
51
what blood test can confirm menopause
high LH and FSH levels
how does menopause affect estrogen, inhibin, LH, FSH
reduction in estrogen, low levels of inhibin,
no negative feedback of LH and FSH; therefore, high levels
LH and FSH
can estrogen be given for bone health
yes but it should not be use if cardio/Ca risk
