Female Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

the female reproductive cycle consists of

Answer 1

two hormone controlled cycles that occur simultaneously during a one-month period

Question 2

ovarian cycle

Answer 2

events associated with maturation and release of an oocyte

Question 3

uterine cycle

Answer 3

describes regular, recurring changes in uterus

Question 4

a “typical” reproductive cycle ranges from

Answer 4

24 to 35 days but individual variations in length are normal and are usuallly related to physiological and/or psychological stressors

Question 5

in hypothetical cycle of 28 days, on day 1:

Answer 5

menstrual bleeding begins

Question 6

on day 2 or 3

Answer 6

the hypothalamus produces and releases GnRH to stimulate the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland to release FSH

Question 7

pre-ovulatory period

Answer 7

time between the end of menstrual bleeding and ovulation, typically occuring from Day 6 to Day 13 of a 28 day cycle

Question 8

follicular phase

Answer 8

events associated with ovarian cycle

Question 9

proliferative phase

Answer 9

events associated with uterine cycle

Question 10

rising levels of FSH trigger

Answer 10

the development of several primary follicles in the ovaries

Question 11

most of these follicles undrego

Answer 11

artesia, but one eventually becomes a Graafian follicle

Question 12

secretion of

Answer 12

estradiol from granulosa cells in developing follicles cause changes to occur in the female reproductive tract

Question 13

stratum basalis produces

Answer 13

a new stratum functionalis

Question 14

cervical mucus becomes

Answer 14

thinner to facilitate passage of sperm through cervix

Question 15

lining of vagina

Answer 15

thickens and becomes more secretory

Question 16

rising levels of estradiol

Answer 16

exert positive feedback on the hypothalamus, which cause it to continue releasing GnRH

Question 17

GnRH stimulates

Answer 17

anterior lobe of pituiatry gland to release a surge of LH

Question 18

ovulation typically occurs on

Answer 18

Day 14 of a 28 day cycle

Question 19

the LH surge causes

Answer 19

a Graafian follicle to rupture and release its secondary oocyte and polar body toward a Fallopian tube

Question 20

remnants of the Graafian follicle become

Answer 20

a corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone

Question 21

the post-ovulatory period

Answer 21

time between ovulation and the onset of menstrual bleeding, typically lasting from Day 15 to Day 28 of a 28 day cycle

Question 22

luteral phase

Answer 22

events associated with ovarian cycle

Question 23

secretory phase

Answer 23

events associated with uterine cycle

Question 24

rising levels of progesterone secreted by

Answer 24

corpus luteum exert negative feedback on the hypothalamus, which inhibits the secretion of GnRH

Question 25

absence of GnRH prevents

Answer 25

anterior lobe of pituitary gland from releasing FSH, so no additional ovarian follicles will develop

Question 26

rising levels of progesterone stimulate

Answer 26

development of the endometrium

Question 27

during post-ovulatory period endometrium becomes

Answer 27

even thicker, spongier, more vascular

Question 28

during post-ovulatory period uterine glands

Answer 28

fill with glycogen in anticipation of fertilized egg

Question 29

if a fertilized egg implants in the endometrium, the corpus luteum

Answer 29

has to be maintained in order to produce and secrete the hormones needed for pregnancy to continue

Question 30

if fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum

Answer 30

degenerates by day 25 of a 28 day cycle

Question 31

if fertilization does not occur levels of estradiol and progesterone

Answer 31

decline sharply, which triggers menstruation

Question 32

menstruation occurs from

Answer 32

day 1 to 5

Question 33

during menstruation a sharp decline in progesterone levels

Answer 33

constricts the spiral arteries that supply the endometrium causing ischemia that leads to the death of the endometrial tissue

Question 34

during menstruation the stratum functionalis

Answer 34

starts to slough off, produces menstrual fluid that contains blood clots, uterine fluid, vaginal cells, endometrial tissue

Question 35

total menstrual discharge ranges from

Answer 35

50 to 150 mL a day

Question 36

during menstruation a sharp decline in progesterone

Answer 36

removes negative feedback inhibition on hypothalamus

Question 37

during menstruation GnRH is again produced and released stimulate

Answer 37

anterior lobe of pituitary gland to release FSH and LH to initiate a new reproductive cycle

Question 38

during menstruation a sharp decline in levels of progesterone removes

Answer 38

the block on prostaglandins

Question 39

prostaglandins trigger

Answer 39

contractions of uterine smooth muscle that may be responsible from cramps associated with menstruation

Question 40

premenstrual syndrome

Answer 40

a collection of physical, physiological, and emotional symptoms that appear between three and ten days prior to the start of the menses

Question 41

physical symptoms of PMS

Answer 41

fatigue, abdominal distention, fluid retention, breast enlargement and soreness, headaches, increased appetite, and muscle aches

Question 42

emotional symptoms of PMS

Answer 42

irritability, anxiety, depression and sudden mood swings

Question 43

PMS is probably causes by

Answer 43

tissue sensitivity to changing levels of estradiol and or progesterone

Question 44

treatment of PMS

Answer 44

vitamins, diuretics, and prostaglandin inhibitors may reduce symptoms

Question 45

****************notes on complications

Answer 45

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Question 46

menopause

Answer 46

a female's monthly reproductive cycle comes to a halt between ages of 45 and 60

Question 47

as a female grows older,

Answer 47

her ovaries become less responsive to FSH and LH

Question 48

number of primary follicles that develop during each cycle in a woman in menopause

Answer 48

becomes smaller

Question 49

in menopause reduced levels of estradiol fail to

Answer 49

trigger ovulation, so a corpus luteum does not form

Question 50

during menopause estradiol and progesterone are

Answer 50

secreted less and periods become irregular

Question 51

during menopause low levels of progesterone cannot

Answer 51

exert negative feedback on the hypothalamus, so GnRH is secreted, FSH and LH are released and the adrenal glands produce more androgens

Question 52

rising levels of androgens

Answer 52

further reduce ovarian function and can cause voice to deepen, facial hair to become coarser and darker, breasts to shrink

Question 53

changing hormone levels can cause

Answer 53

dizziness, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression

Question 54

declining levels of estradiol cause

Answer 54

breasts, labia and vagina to atrophy; intercourse becomes uncomfortable and/or painful because of reduced vaginal lubrication

Question 55

Periodic surges of estradiol may trigger

Answer 55

sudden intense "hot flashes" that spread through head, neck, and body

Question 56

hot flashes are caused by

Answer 56

vasodilation of dermal blood vessels that allow blood to rush to skin

Question 57

hot flashes are accompanied by

Answer 57

profuse sweating; leads to rapid cooling and a "cold flash"