Female Reproduction Flashcards
INTRODUCTION
The adult ovary is a compound organ with the dual function of producing ova and the female sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone. Both hormones play important regulatory roles in the development, growth and maintenance of the various organs that are essential for the continuation of the species. Each ovarian cycle is characterized by the development of a group of follicles, the release of a single ovum, and the development of a corpus luteum that is maintained for a limited period of time. During each cycle the endometrium of the uterus proliferates under the influence of estradiol and progesterone. With the decline of the corpus luteum and the resulting fall in hormone production a new set of follicles develops beginning a new ovarian cycle. The menstrual cycle reflects the cyclic hormonal secretory activity of the ovary preparatory to the implantation of the blastocyst in the uterus. Cyclic ovarian activity, in turn, depends upon the integration of activity between the hypothalamus, hypophysis, and ovary. Thus, ovarian and uterine function is ultimately regulated by the central nervous system via gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone controls the secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn stimulate the ovarian production of estradiol and progesterone.
INTRODUCTION
The adult ovary is a compound organ with the dual function of producing ova and the female sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone. Both hormones play important regulatory roles in the development, growth and maintenance of the various organs that are essential for the continuation of the species. Each ovarian cycle is characterized by the development of a group of follicles, the release of a single ovum, and the development of a corpus luteum that is maintained for a limited period of time. During each cycle the endometrium of the uterus proliferates under the influence of estradiol and progesterone. With the decline of the corpus luteum and the resulting fall in hormone production a new set of follicles develops beginning a new ovarian cycle. The menstrual cycle reflects the cyclic hormonal secretory activity of the ovary preparatory to the implantation of the blastocyst in the uterus. Cyclic ovarian activity, in turn, depends upon the integration of activity between the hypothalamus, hypophysis, and ovary. Thus, ovarian and uterine function is ultimately regulated by the central nervous system via gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This hormone controls the secretion of pituitary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which in turn stimulate the ovarian production of estradiol and progesterone.
Is secretion from female gonads necessary to develop female sex organs?
- No secretion from the fetal ovary is necessary for a female phenotype to develop.
- The male phenotype is determined by hormones from the fetal testis.
Embryology review:
- Undifferentiated bipotential gonad is the mesonephric kidney system that consists of a mesonephros proper and a Wolffian duct that terminates in the sexually indifferent urogenital sinus.
- Just prior to differentiation, the Mullerian duct separates from the Wolffian duct and also terminates in the urogenital sinus.
Embryology review:
- Undifferentiated bipotential gonad is the mesonephric kidney system that consists of a mesonephros proper and a Wolffian duct that terminates in the sexually indifferent urogenital sinus.
- Just prior to differentiation, the Mullerian duct separates from the Wolffian duct and also terminates in the urogenital sinus.
If the undifferentiated gonad develops into an ovary, then:
- The Wolffian duct atrophies and the Mullerian system develops.
- The Mullerian duct becomes the Fallopian tube uterus and part of the vagina.
If the undifferentiated gonad develops into a testis, then:
- hormones are produced (See male notes) and the Mullerian duct involutes.
- The external genitalia develop from the genital tubercle.
What is the genital tubercle? In females what do the genital tubercle become? What do the urethral fold and groove become? What do the genital swellings become?
- The tubercle is a genital fold into which the urogenital sinus empties to the outside.
- The genital tubercle becomes the lower part of the vagina and clitoris, the urethral fold and groove become the labia minora, and the genital swellings become the labia majora.
Analogy: Sertoli cells are like Granulosa cells. Thecal cells are like Leydig cells. In what hormones activate them, what the cells do, and what the cells produce.
Analogy: Sertoli cells are like Granulosa cells. Thecal cells are like Leydig cells. In what hormones activate them, what the cells do, and what the cells produce.
The biological effects of FSH in women are:
- Stimulates follicle growth and maturation by its action on granulosa cells, but ovulation does not take place.
- For follicular growth to occur, FSH must act in synergism with estradiol and LH.
The biological effects of LH in women are?
- Acts on the preovulatory follicle to cause its rupture and the release of the ovum.
- The midcycle surge of LH is essential for ovum maturation and ovulation
- LH stimulates the formation and maintenance of the corpus luteum until fertilization of the egg
How is human chorionic gonadotropin similar to LH?
• Human chorionic gonadotropin with its intrinsic LH activity rescues the corpus luteum when fertilization occurs and thereby maintains steroid hormone production.
Where are FSH receptors found?
Where are LH receptors found?
- FSH receptors present on granulosa cells
- LH receptors are located on thecal, interstitial and luteal cells and to varying degrees in granulosa cells.
- In the granulosa cells, FSH stimulates LH receptor formation.
When does ovulation occur (how many hours after peak E and peak LH levels?)
- Ovulation occurs 24-36 hr after the peak estradiol levels
* 10-12 hr after the LH peak.
What are estradiol levels before and after puberty?
- During childhood, estrogen levels are too low to cause maturation of reproductive tissues.
- At puberty, the increases in estradiol secretion by the ovary transform female sex organs from immature to adult.
What are the effects of estradiol on the Oviduct?
Increases oviduct motility
What are the effects of estradiol on the Uterus?
- Cell proliferation with transformation of epithelium from cuboidal to columnar
- growth of the endometrial glands
- increased vascularity
- increased protein and RNA synthesis
- Growth of smooth muscle in the uterus.
What are the effects of estradiol on the Cervix?
- Mucus becomes more alkaline and less viscid.
- Dried cervical mucus assumes a “fern” pattern that disappears once progesterone is produced. (this is a Dx technique to test for ovulation. See Ovutec online)
What are the effects of estradiol on the boobs?
- hypertrophy of the breast with areolar development and pigmentation
- promote ductal growth.
Estrogens are responsible for the development of the female secondary sex characteristics, Including what?
- Changes include a rounding of the body contour by the deposition of a layer of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs.
- Pubic hair assumes a characteristic triangular pattern that differs from the male (male hair rises to the level of the umbilicus and is in a diamond shape).
- The female larynx is small with shorter vocal cords and a resultant higher voice.
- Shape of the pelvis. In the female, the inlet assumes a more oval or roundish shape, whereas, in the male, it tends to be spade shaped.
Compare and contrast the effects of E and T on bone growth.
- Both stimulate the closure of the epiphyses of long bones at puberty and terminate linear bone growth.
- When given to children, androgens stimulate linear bone growth indirectly by their actions on growth hormone.
- In contrast, estrogens have inhibitory effects on bone growth.
- Bone growth during puberty in females is mainly due to the actions of adrenal androgens.
What are the effects of progesterone on the endometrium? How is E involved?
- Preparation of the endometrium for implantation of the blastocyst.
- Stimulates the development, growth and secretory activity of the glands of the endometrium.
- Most if not all progesterone effects are expressed only after the endometrium has been primed by estrogen.
What are the effects of progesterone on the Oviduct?
- Decreases muscle contractions therefore decreases oviduct motility
- Tubular block (squeezing of the fallopian tube to hold onto the egg for a day or so while getting the endometrium ready for implantation
What is the effect of P on uterine cells?
- Increases glycogen in uterus to provide nutrients for the blastocyst.
- Inhibits spontaneous uterine contractions by altering ionic gradients across the myometrial cell membrane and increasing the resting membrane potential.
What is the effect of P on oxytocin receptors?
- P inhibits the estrogen-induced sensitization to oxytocin.
* Removal of “progesterone block” may be a contributing factor to the initiation of parturition.
What is the effect of P on cervical mucus?
- In contrast to estrogen-stimulated mucus, mucus becomes scant, more viscid and infiltrated with lymphocytes.
- The ferning pattern of dried mucus disappears and mucus becomes resistant to penetration by spermatozoa.
Recap:
What are the effects of E on the Cervix?
What are the effects of P on the cervix?
- E: Mucus becomes more alkaline, less viscid, and more pentrable by sperm
- P: Mucus becomes scant, more viscid, infiltrated with lymphocytes, and becomes resistant to penetration by sperm.
- E: produces fern pattern in dried mucus (ovulating)
- P: produces dot pattern in dried mucus (not ovulating)