Female Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

oxytocin release during ____

A

parturition (childbirth)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

LH surge that triggers ___

A

ovulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

GnRH stands for

A

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) Axis releasing factor

A

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)
*from hypothalamus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) Axis trophic hormones

A

Gonadotropins (“stimulate” gonads)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

*released from the anterior pituitary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian (HPO) Axis target hormones

A

ovarian hormones - released by ovaries
- Estrogens (“generators of sexual activity”)
- Progesterone (“progestational” hormone)
- Inhibins (regulatory peptide hormones)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

key players in Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian
(HPO) Axis

A

GnRH
gonadotropins (FSH, LG)
ovarian hormones (estradiol E2, progesterone, inhibins)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is released from where?

A

hypothalamus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) is released from the hypothalamus in response to what?

A

low E and P levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) stimulates the release of what?

A

FSH and LH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is involved in follicular development and __ ___

A

steroid secretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is involved in steroid secretion and ___

A

ovulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Estradiol (E2) –
Progesterone –
Inhibins –

A

Estradiol (E2) – steroid hormone
Progesterone – steroid hormone
Inhibins – peptide hormones that
selectively inhibit FSH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what cells does the FSH hormone stimulate?

A

ovarian granulosa cells only

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what cells does the LH hormone stimulate?

A

ovarian granulosa cells
ovarian thecal cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

thecal cells release what?

A

androgens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

thecal cells release androgens, that get aromatized to what? where?

A

estrogens in granulosa cells?

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

____ feedback inhibits the HPO
axis

A

Estrogen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

inhibin B is released by what?

A

granulosa cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

inhibin B hormones do what?

A

inhibit FSH secretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q
A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

During pregnancy, _____is the
predominant circulating estrogen in
terms of serum levels.

A

Estriol (E3)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

After menopause, _____ is the
predominant circulating estrogen

A

Estrone (E1)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

_____ is the predominant
estrogen during majority of the
reproductive years

A

Estradiol (E2)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

functions of estrogens (7)

A
  1. Female sexual maturation & development of
    secondary sex characteristics
  2. Increases CNS excitability (Catamenial Epilepsy)
  3. Stimulate endometrial proliferation & uterine growth
  4. Maintenance of healthy blood vessels & skin
  5. Reduce rate of bone reabsorption.
  6. Alters plasma lipids
    • increases HDL & triglycerides, while decreasing LDL levels)
  7. Enhances blood coagulability/blood clotting risk
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

follicular phase:

A

encompasses follicular development in the ovary
leading up to ovulation
1st day of menstrual cycle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

(Days 1-5) During the follicular phase, low estrogen (E2) triggers

A

hypothalamic GnRH release, which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH & LH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

In the early follicular phase, _____ is released episodically at ~ 90 min intervals, resulting in pulses of ___ & ___ @ ~90 min intervals.

A

GnRH

FSH & LH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

during the follicular phase, FSH & LH stimulate the growth of ’_____’ ovarian follicles into secondary follicles.

A

‘primordial’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

As the follicular phase proceeds, LH
secretion slowly ______ and LH
pulses get faster (~60 min intervals) increasing E2 production.

A

increases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Around Day 5-7, a small ____ in E2 inhibits FSH & LH release, “starving” follicles of FSH

A

increase

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Days 7 -14: Dominant ovarian follicle
_____ E2 production as it matures

A

increases

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Uterine proliferative phase: E2
stimulates (2)

A

endometrial growth
vascularization

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Day 14: High [E2] levels trigger “LH
surge” which will cause a momentary switch to
_____ feedback

A

positive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

LH is building up in Ant Pit leading
up to Day ____

A

14

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

what is key for ovulation on day 14?

A

LH surge !

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What causes the LH surge?

A

E2 levels reach a “tipping point” threshold, BRIEFLY flipping the HPO axis from negative to positive- feedback.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

E2 stimulates the hypothalamus to release ____ GnRH to cause LH surge

A

more

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

____ stimulates Ant. Pituitary to release stored LH on day 14 (“LH surge”)

A

GnRH

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

A rapid drop in LH & FSH returns HPO axis to a ____ feedback after “surge”

A

negative

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

LH surge triggers changes allowing the follicle to
rupture from ovary which is called

A

ovulation

45
Q

Luteal phase begins at ____ and lasts how long?

A

Luteal phase begins at ovulation & lasts ~14 days

46
Q

During the luteal phase, the remaining ovarian cells become the ______ and produce high amounts of progesterone (P).

A

corpus luteum

47
Q

elevated progesterone from the corpus luteum can inhibit ____ release

A

gonadotropin (LH and FSH)

48
Q

during the luteal phase, GNRH pulses slow to one pulse every ___ hrs.

A

4

49
Q

when is the most fertile window?

A

1-2 days prior to ovulation and the day of ovulation

50
Q

sperm appear to survive for up to __ days in the female reproductive tract

A

5 days

51
Q

Progestational effects of Progesterone (changes of uterus)

A

Endometrial hyperplasia is inhibited,

Highly vascularized bed is created for the fertilized egg, &

Development of secretory glands is promoted (secretory phase).

52
Q

The ovulated oocyte must be fertilized within ___ hr or it will die

A

24

53
Q

If the egg is not fertilized and/or doesn’t successfully implant, the ___ ___ dies ~ 8 days after ovulation

A

corpus luteum
Corpus luteum becomes the Corpus albicans

54
Q

If the egg is not fertilized and/or doesn’t successfully implant, the corpus luteum dies how many days after ovulation?

A

8 days after ovulation

55
Q
A
56
Q

final follicular selection & ovulation are under ____ control and thus are inhibited by hormonal contraceptives

A

gonadotropins

57
Q

progestins are synthesized in the ovary, testes, & adrenal cortex from what (derivative)?

A

cholesterol

58
Q

what is the most important natural progestin in humans?

A

Progesterone

59
Q

While all steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol, progesterone serves as a precursor to the synthesis of all (3)

A

estrogens
androgens
adrenocortical steroids

60
Q

Progestational effects (2)

A

Prepares the uterus for implantation of the fertilized ovum during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Plays role in the development of the secretory mechanism of the breast.

61
Q

What increases fat deposition?

A

progesterone

62
Q

what decreases CNS excitablity (anticonvulsant)?

A

progesterone

63
Q

what increases body temperature (thermogenic)?

A

progesterone

64
Q

what decreases PCO2 during pregnancy and in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle?

A

progesterone

65
Q

Unlike men, who make sperm throughout their lives, a female’s total supply of gametes (eggs) is determined ___

A

at birth

66
Q

leptin

A

a satiety peptide hormone secreted by adipose cells

related to the start of puberty (body weight)

67
Q

menarche

A

first menses & start of endometrial cycle

68
Q

Ovulation does not usually begin with ___

A

menarche

69
Q

The number of primordial follicles (oocytes) peaks ___ birth & then diminishes

A

before

70
Q

During her reproductive years, only ~___ oocytes will be ovulated during a woman’s reproductive years (menarche to menopause).

A

~400 oocytes

71
Q

”Follicular atresia”

A

The diminishing pool of follicles with age

72
Q

Perimenopause varies from __-__ years preceding the onset of menopause.

A

1-10

73
Q

Perimenopause: Age related decline in ___ may also contribute to loss of inhibition for FSH

A

inhibin B

74
Q

Perimenopause: Menstrual cyclicity becomes irregular as __ & __ decline

A

estrogens (E2 & E1) and Progesterone levels

75
Q

Menopause

A

the permanent cessation of menstruation caused by loss of ovarian follicular activity

76
Q

At the onset of menopause, ___ levels are markedly elevated.

A

FSH

77
Q

___ becomes the predominant circulating estrogen during menopause

A

Estrone (E1)

78
Q

Most of the symptoms & disease conditions associated with menopause are primarily due to ___

A

estrogen deficiency

79
Q

Unopposed ____ action on endometrium increases risk of endometrial cancer

A

estrogenic

80
Q

Progesterone acts to inhibit endometrial _____

A

proliferation

81
Q

Upon implantation of the blastocyst, the trophoblast cells of the early placenta begin secreting ___

A

human chorionic gonadotropin
(hCG)

82
Q

during pregnancy, the corpus luteum continues to secrete _____, which in turn supports
the endometrial lining and maintains the pregnancy

A

Progesterone

83
Q

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) bypasses the HPO axis control which does what? (2)

A

prompts the corpus luteum to continue
expressing P and estrogens (mainly
estriol, or E3)

prevents menstruation during
pregnancy

84
Q

during pregnancy, uterine control is eventually taken over by the ___

A

developing embryo

85
Q
A
86
Q

hCG is critical because it

A

maintains the corpus luteum and provides protection

87
Q

The ____ eventually takes over the production of progesterone and estrogen (3rd trimester?)

A

placenta

88
Q

If other placental hormones are inadequate after hCG levels wane, then the ____ will ____ and the risk of spontaneous miscarriage increases.

A

endometrium will degenerate

89
Q

Progesterone: pro-gestational effects in
pregnancy (4)

A

Prevents uterine contractions

Moderates maternal immune response to preserve pregnancy

Stimulates lobular-alveolar development in mammary glands

Suppressing actual milk synthesis until near childbirth

90
Q

The principal estrogen during pregnancy
is

A

estriol (E3)

91
Q

estrogen function in parturition

A

Estrogen: near parturition, induces uterine
oxytocin receptor expression

92
Q

oxytocin function in parturition

A

causes contractions during parturition (Positive Feedback Mechanism)

induces release of placental prostaglandins which further stimulates contractions

93
Q

relaxin function in parturition

A

a peptide hormone secreted by the placenta to relax the cervix & pelvic ligaments to ease childbirth.

94
Q

Prolactin (Ant Pit) is under “___ ____ ____l” by PIF (Hypothalamus)

A

Predominant Inhibitory Contro

95
Q

prolactin inhibitory factor (PIF) aka

A

dopamine

96
Q

When prolactin is needed (during pregnancy & lactation), the hypothalamus stops production/secretion of ____, thus allowing the Anterior Pituitary to secrete prolactin

A

dopamine

97
Q

lactation

A

The secretion of milk from the mammary
the gland is called lactation

98
Q

After birth, prolactin stimulates milk
production by ____

A

mammary glands

99
Q

Milk ejection is promoted by ____ in
response to suckling of the breast

A

oxytocin

100
Q

negative or positive feedback: Milk ejection is promoted by oxytocin in response to suckling of the breast.

A

positive feedback

101
Q

The first fluid that is released after birth is
called ___

A

colostrum

102
Q
A
103
Q

key points of HPO axis/ovarian cycle

A
104
Q

key points of the uterine cycle

A
105
Q

key points of changes throughout lifecycle of a woman

A
106
Q

key points of hormonal changes that allow/promote pregnancy

A
107
Q

Oral infections, such as gum disease, have been linked to ___

A

preterm birth.

108
Q

dental visit tips for pregnancy:

A

Fetal organ development occurs during the first trimester so it is best to avoid all potential risks at this time if possible

Oral infections, such as gum disease, have been linked to preterm birth.