Female Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
What is included in the female reproductive organs?
Uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, cervix and vagina
Describe the surface of the ovaries
Connective tissue capsule covered with layer of simple cuboidal epithelium
Describe the cortex of the ovaries
Peripheral part
Connective tissue containing ovarian follicles
Describe the medulla of the ovaries
Central part
Connective tissue with blood vessels
What is a ovarian follicle?
One oocyte surrounded by single layer of cells
What are the functions of the ovaries?
Oocyte production
Steroid hormone production
Describe oocyte production
One mature egg per menstrual cycle, 400 ovulated over entire reproductive lifespan
Majority of eggs perish during cycle
Finite number which declines with age
Describe steroid production by the ovaries
Oestrogen develops female secondary sexual characters
Progesterone prepares endometrium for pregnancy
50% of testosterone produced by ovaries before menopause
Describe oogenesis at birth
Primordial germ cell mitosis in foetal life
The primordial follicles are arrested in stage of first meiotic division at birth so no further development until sexual maturity
Describe oogenesis at puberty
First meiotic division is complete and second division starts after puberty which leads to release of one secondary oocyte in menstrual cycle
When is second meiotic division completed?
After fertilisation of oocyte with sperm
What are primordial follicles?
Primary oocyte arrested in first meiotic division surrounded by one layer of squamous pre granulosa cells
What is a primary follicle?
Oocyte surrounded by zona and cuboidal granulosa cells
Activated by puberty
What is a secondary follicle?
Increased oocyte diameter and multiple layer of granulosa cells
Resumption of first meiotic division
Wat is a tertiary/ Graffian follicle?
Follicular fluid between cells which coalesce to form antrum, completion of first meiotic division to form secondary oocyte and start second meiotic division
What are the 2 phases of follicular development stages?
Preantral phase - oogonia to secondary follicle
Antral phase - tertiary to preovulatory follicle