Female Reproductive Function Flashcards
1
Q
Follicular phase of the ovarian cycle
A
- FSH stimulates development of follicles
- Estradiol rises
2
Q
Ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle
A
- LH surge causes rupture of graafian follicle
- Oocyte discharge
- Mid cycle
3
Q
Luteal phase of the ovarian cycle
A
- LH converts the ruptured follicle to a corpus luteum
- High progesterone
- Some estradiol
4
Q
Corpus albicans
A
- Degenerated corpus luteum if fertilization does not occur
- Low estrogen and progesterone
5
Q
Proliferative phase
A
- Thickness of endometrium increases from 1-2 mm to 8-10mm
- Dominated by estrogens
- Variable in length (usually around 14 days)
6
Q
Secretory phase
A
- Dominated by progesterone
- Fixed length of 14 days after ovulation
- Promotes accumulation of glycogen, increased glandular secretions, and increased vascularity
7
Q
Menstrual phase
A
- Prostaglandin mediated vasoconstriction of spiral arteries and local ischemic injury/inflammation
- Regression of corpus luteum
- 5 days
8
Q
Hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle
A
- GnRH stimulates release of LH and FSH by pituitary
- Estrogen synthesized by follicles has negative feedback effects
- In late follicular phase estradiol reaches a high level that initiates positive feedback and a surge in LH and FSH, provoking ovulation.
- Luteal phase characterized by negative feedback. Estrogen, progesterone, and inhibin produced by corpus luteum have negative effect on gonadotropin release
9
Q
FSH effect on granulosa cells
A
- Gene transcription and synthesis of aromatase, activins, and inhibins
- Granulosa cells also have LH receptors
10
Q
LH effect on ovarian theca cells
A
- Synthesis of progestins and androgens
- Androgens enter granulosa cells and converted to estrogens
11
Q
Activins and inhibins
A
-Act only on the anterior pituitary
12
Q
Gonadotropin secretion
A
- GnRH binds a G protein coupled receptor on gonadotroph membrane
- IP3/DAG signaling pathway
- FSH and LH production and secretion stimulated
13
Q
Estrogens
A
- Inhibit osteoclasts
- Promote fat deposition, and stromal and ductile breast growth
14
Q
Progesterone
A
-Development of lobules and alveoli in breasts
15
Q
Stimulation of puberty
A
-Pulsatile secretion of GnRH first at night and then during the day
16
Q
Menopause
A
- Reduced estrogen production leads to increased gonadotropin production
- Loss of negative feedback from estrogens and progesterones
- FSH changes most drastically, LH also increased
17
Q
Postmenopausal source of estrogen
A
- Estrone produced by muscle and adipose tissue
- Not as potent as estradiol
