Female Reproduction Flashcards
What are the areas of the Fallopian tubes
interstitium, Isthmus, ampullary region, infundibulum, fimbrae
What are the functions of the Fallopian tubes
Sperm transport (maintenance and capacitation)
Oocyte transport
Fertilisation
Embryo/metabolism transport
Describe the process of oogenesis
Gametes are derived from PGCs that are formed in the Epiblast during the 2nd week post-conception. PGCs first appear in the endoderm of the dorsal all or the yolk sac
Can a defect in the embryo cause a defect in the child
Yes
Meiotic nondisjunction is associated with
Oocyte ageing
What are the basic components of the uterus
Find us, lumen, endo/myo/perimetrium and cervix
What is the function of the uterus
Hollow, muscular organ that receives, retains and nourishes the embryo
Describe endometriosis
When mestruation goes backward
What are the two sections of the endometrium
Stratum functionalis and stratum basalis
What happens to the stratum functionalis during menstruation
Stratum functionalis undergoes cyclic changes in response to ovarian hormones. It’s also responsible for forming a new functionalis after menses
Why hormones are heavily involved in the endocrine control of female reproduction
Oestrogen
FSH
LH
Progesterone
Is true that GnRH and gonadotrophin are secreted once per cycle
No, secreted hourly. Hypothalamic pulsatile secretion of GnRH atom release of gonadotrophin. The pulsatilla secretion is regulated by oestrogen, progesterone and Leptin
What are the two phases of the menstrual cycle?
Follicular phase and luteal phase
What histological changes can be seen in the uterus in the run up to ovulation
Progressive follicular increase in diameter and increase in endometrial thickness until a sharp decline at ovulation
What are the 4 stages of oocyte (follicle) development
Primordial follicles, primary follicles, secondary (Antral) follicles and vesicular (graafan) follicles
Describe the primordial follicle
Primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened granulosa cells.
Describe the primary follicle
Oocyte surrounded by early zona pellucida and several layers of cuboidal cells
Describe the secondary (antral) follicle
Oocyte surrounded by a fully formed zona pellucida and many layers of granulosa cells
Describe the vesicular (graafan) follicles
Oocyte surrounded by fully formed zona pellucida and several layers of cumulus cells
What is the first stage of the process of ovulation (first 7 days of cycle)
Each follicle has an immature egg at centre that matures during the first 7 days of the cycle. On day 7 all eggs stop growing except for one
What happens during day 7 to around day 12 of ovulation
The chosen egg proceeds to mature and be nourished
What happens on day 12 of ovulation
Follicles secrete a lot of oestrogen to hypothalamus which release LH from anterior pituitary
Describe what happens at the moment of ovulation
Right before, the egg detached and he follicle releases chemickes forcing tune to move closer and surround follicle.
The egg gets ejected out of the burst follicle into the Fallopian tube where fimbrae sweep across follicle to catch the egg.
Muscular contractions then push the egg down the tube
How long does the egg live after ovulation
12-24 hours so it must be fertilised in that time or it will die and will have to wait for the next cycle
What is the zona pellucida
Fibrous protein coat surrounding the egg acting as one Barrier
What are some symptoms of menopause
Headaches, hot flashes, teeth loosen and gums receding, breast drop and flatten, weight gain and abdomen loses muscle tone, vaginal dryness/itching, bones loss mass
True or false: the number of follicles stays the same throughout life
No, they decrease intensively until menopause where the number is 0
