Female Reproduction Control Flashcards
What is puberty?
Process which results in first ovulation and ability to support pregnancy
What is the Oestrous Cycle?
the series of recurring reproductive events controlled by reproductive hormones
What is Oestrus?
the period of sexulal receptivity
What are the types of cyclicity?
Polyoestrous - regular oestrous cycles throughout the year
Seasonally Polyoestrous - regular oestrus cycles in certain seasons of the year
Monoestrus - one oestrus cycle in certain seasons of the year
What are the two main phases of the oestrus cycle?
- oestrus ( sexually receptive)
- dioestrus ( not sexually receptive)
What is the main gland for the hormonal control of the oestrus cycle?
- Hypothalamus (releases gonadotrophin releasing hormone GnRH)
How can season effect some cycles?
- melatonin levels
- feeds to hypothalamus for short or long day breeders
What does GnRH act on?
- anterior pituitary gland (FSH and LH release)
- CNS ( BEHAVIOURAL EFFECT)
- increased GnRH increases FSH
What causes FSH to be downregulated?
Progesterone increase
When is FSH high?
Oestrus when ovulation approaches
What does LH do ?
- drives follicular development
- causes ovulation and subsequent corpus luteum formation
- GnRH increase = LH increase
- Progesterone increase = LH decrease
- Oestrogen increase = LH increase
What does Oestrogen do (oestradiol)?
- controls increase of FSH and LH
- Drives oestrus
- acts on CNS for behaviour changes
- drives increase in follicle size
What does Progesterone do?
- acts to prepare for pregnancy
- Reduces LH and FSH
What is prostaglandins purpose?
- causes luteolysis at the corpus luteum
- end luteal phase
- reduces progesterone
- allows ovulation and oestrus to recommence
During dioestrus what anatomical features change?
- cervix = tight/dry
-uterus = wall thickens
