Female Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

What do FSH and LH regulate in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 1

• the ovarian cycle

Question 2

What do the ovaries release which controls the uterine cycle?

Answer 2

• estrogen and progesterone
• also influences the release of GnRH, LH, and FSH

Question 3

What is released by the Embryo that signals that pregnancy has occured?

Answer 3

hCG

Question 4

What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 4

• Follicular Phase (Days 1-14)
• Ovulation (Day 14)
• Luteal Phase (Days 14-28)

Question 5

What are the phases of the uterine cycle?

Answer 5

• Menstrual phase (Days 1-5)
• Proliferative phase (Days 6-14)
• Secretory phase (Days 14-28)

Question 6

What does FSH do?

Answer 6

• helps with follicle development which also results in the release of estrogen

Question 7

What occurs when estrogen levels are high?

Answer 7

• LH levels become very high due to positive feedback loop
• LH surge causes ovulation

Question 8

What hormones are released during the luteal phase?

Answer 8

• progesterone to cause secretory phase in uterus
• estrogen and inhibin to stop positive feedback loop to lower levels of FSH and LH

Question 9

At what levels does estrogen inhibit GnRH and at what levels does estrogen stimulate GnRH?

Answer 9

High levels =.stimulate GnRH (reason for LH and FSH spike right before ovulation)
Low levels = inhibit GnRH

Question 10

Graph understanding for Follicular phase

Answer 10

• increased FSH = growth of follicle = more granulosa cells = more estrogen
• at the same time, LH = androstenedione = more estrogen

Question 11

Why does menopause occur?

Answer 11

• loss of primary follicles = too little estrogen for negative feedback loop
• very high FSH and LH levels
• pituitary becomes exhausted, and LH and FSH levels drop