Female Reproductive Behavior Flashcards
Fallopian tubes
Transport of eggs
Fertilization occurs
Uterus
Site for fetal development
Corpus luteum
Develops from ovarian follicle during luteal phase of menstrual cycle or estrous cycle following release of secondary oocyte from follicle during ovulation
Female HPG axis
Hypothalamus releases GnRH
Anterior pituitary releases LH and FSH
Ovaries release estrogens and progesterone and inhibin
Estradiol
Synthesized by granulosa cells in ovaries
Stimulated by FSH and LH
Acts in CNS to maintain libido and sexual behavior
Function of female reproductive organs
Oocyte maturation
Parturition and lactation
Metabolic functions. Anabolic: weight gain, bone mineral deposition
Progesterone
Synthesized by corpus luteum
Stimulated by LH (primed by FSH)
Acts in CNS to increase sexual receptivity
Feedback regulation of GnRH, LH, and FSH
Effects on reproductive tract
Pregnancy
Metabolic function: increases basal metabolic rate and thermogenic action
Inhibin
Regulates FSH secretion and ovarian function
Prostaglandins
PGF2@ and PGE2 required for ovulation
Insulin like growth factor
Stimulated granulosa cell proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, induced steroidogenesis, induced maturation
Seasonal reproductive cycle
Related to environmental changes
Estrous cycle
Visible sign of ovulation
A behavior strategy to ensure that the female is mated at time of ovulation
Human menstrual cycle
One month intervals
Periodic shedding of endometrium
Follicular phase
Increasing estradiol
Follicle with highest sensitivity to FSH chose
Ovulation
Estradiol drops dramatically, LH and FSH spike
Rupture of follicular wall and release of oocyte
Other hormones: prostaglandin: histamine
Luteal phase
Progesterone increases
Corpus luteum formed
Implanted or not
Menstrual phase
First day of bleeding
Endometrium degenerates
Decrease in progesterone
Proliferator phase
Between cessation of menstruation and ovulation
Endometrium regenerates and thickens
Estradiol induces endometrium and myometeium growth, as well as progesterone receptors
Secretory phase
Ovary at luteal phase
Endometrium thickens and nourishes
Menopause
Cessation of ovarian activity
Weak estrogen
What happens if fertilization occurs?
Corpus luteum keeps producing progesterone to maintain pregnancy. After 5 weeks embryo does it on its own inhibits FSH and LH
Maternal recognition of early pregnancy
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) rescues corpus luteum
Once embryo implants, hCG is rapidly produced and doubles every 2-3 days in early pregnancy
Attractivity
Attractive value of female for male
Proceptivity
Extent to which female initiates copulation
Receptivity
State of responsiveness to sexual initiation
Wellesley effect
Women menstrual cycles sync
MPOA excitation
Receptive behavior
Ovary
Produces hormones
Produces eggs
Functional units: ovarian follicles
