Female repro phys

Question 1

what hormone is highest in follicular phase

Answer 1

FSH is elevated, allows for stimulation of granulosa cells –> increases E2 which recruits a cohort of follicles

Question 2

dominant follicle

Answer 2

the follicle that is most sensitive to FSH, secretes more E2 than the others

Question 3

Estrogen from granulosa cells during follicular phase

Answer 3

is secreted in response to FSH mediated aromatase upregulation
Some goes to pit and inhibits GnRH
Some remains locally to act on granulosa cells to increase proliferation and sensitivity to FSH

*increase in E2, while decreasing FSH

Question 4

E2 effects on cervix

Answer 4

increase thin watery, alkaline mucus to promote sperm transport

Question 5

Progesterone effects on cervix

Answer 5

increases scant viscous, acidic mucus

Question 6

what do steadily rising E2 levels indicate?

Answer 6

that ovulation has not occurred yet

Question 7

metabolic changes to the follicle at the end of follicular phase

Answer 7

1) increased LH-R
2) Metabolic pathway shifts to favor P production
3) Decrease aromatase and decreased E2..

Question 8

Corpus luteum

Answer 8

forms from granulosa cells+ thecal cells+ supportive cells
Sensitive to LH to produce P>E2
–> endometrium becomes secretory, mucus becomes thick, raises body temp

Question 9

Stimulus for menstruation

Answer 9

LOW E2 and P

Question 10

Low P and slowly rising E2 in urine

Answer 10

early follicular

Question 11

Low P and rapidly rising E2 in urine

Answer 11

late follicular

Question 12

Rising and elevated P in urine

Answer 12

early luteal

Question 13

Dropping but elevated P in urine

Answer 13

late luteal

Question 14

why is there no HTN during pregnancy?

Answer 14

CO increases, but TPR decreases (placenta is in parallel circuit)

Question 15

Human placental lactogen (hPL) - general info

Answer 15

aka hCS
similar to GH and PRL
starts to rise at 3wks (increases in size inproportion to placenta)

Question 16

hPL function

Answer 16

antagonizes insulin = diabetogenic
increases serum glucose availabile for fetus
increases lipolysis and proteolysis = increases AAs for fetus
mammary growth and development
*fasting in mother causes ketosis

Question 17

where is progesterone made?

Answer 17

placenta

NEEDS maternal cholesterol

Question 18

where is estriol made

Answer 18

in the placental, but it needs DHEA, which is made in the fetal adrenal/liver

Question 19

why is oxytocin important during delivery?

Answer 19

it increases uterus to contract right after delivery which limits blood flow and therefore blood loss
also increases PGs (which increase contractions)

Question 20

role of PGs during partuition

Answer 20

induce uterine contractions

levels are increased after a fetus dies in order to cause miscarriage

Question 21

what happens to the adrenals during pregnancy

Answer 21

increased cort and ald
increased RAAS
increases maternal blood volume

Question 22

what happens to pituitary during prenancy

Answer 22

lactotroph hyperplasia and hypertrophy (increases overall size)
LOWERS set-point for ADH release (i.e. released at a lower Osm to maintain high maternal blood volume)

Question 23

changes to Thyroid during pregnancy

Answer 23

TSH decreases during first tri d/t hCG mediated stimulation of T3/T4

total T4 and T3 increase but TSH is normal