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Physiology > Female Reproductive Physiology > Flashcards

Female Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the mechanism of estrogen receptors towards estrogen dependent gene expression

A

In the nucleus:

  1. Estradiol binds to receptors
  2. Receptors change shape and dimerize
  3. Dimerized complex binds to Estrogen Response Element (DNA section)
  4. Multiple coactivators recruited including SRC-1 and CBP, histones rearranged etc
  5. Transcription of estrogen dependent proteins

Receptors can also bind other (non-estrogen) ligands in the nucleus, and thus stop them from binding to their targets, reducing the expression of these protein. SECOND SOURCE of Estrogen-dependent effects

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2
Q

Approximately halfway through the menstrual cycle, what occurs at the ovary?

A

Dominant follicle ruptures [corpus hemorrhagicum] and egg is released, aka ovulation

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2
Q

Pregnancy is counted from _______ and lasts approximately ________

A

The date of the last menstrual period, lasts approximately 40 weeks

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3
Q

What are the two major forms of estrogen receptors, and where are they located, respectively?

A

ER alpha: mostly in female reproductive tract, but also in lung, brain, vasculature

ER beta: prostate or ovaries

All are in the NUCLEUS of these particular cells

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4
Q

First stage of oogenesis converts ____ to _____ and occurs ________.

A

Primordial oocytes (and follicles) to primary oocytes (and follicles), and occurs during gestation and up to 6 months postpartum.

Oogenesis arrests until puberty at this point

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4
Q

GnRH release from the hypothalamus becomes ______, which distinguishes puberty in both men and women from childhood.

A

Pulsatile (pulse release approx every 90 minutes)

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4
Q

Mechanism of Fertilization [other than sexy times]

A
  1. Sperm binds to zona pellucida on egg, releases contents from the sperm “head” aka acrosome.
  2. Sperm fuses with ovum plasma membrane -> ZYGOTE
  3. Zygote floats down to uterus from fallopian tube over 3 day period, all the while replicating its cells
  4. By now, zygote has become blastocyst and floats for a day choosing spot for implantation
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6
Q

Seconds stage of oogenesis occurs _______ and entails the primary oocytes growing and maturing.

In the follicle…?

A

70-85 days during the entire female reproductive period (~35-40 years)

Follicles become antral “aka Graafian” follicles (have a fluid-filled cavity adjacent to oocyte called the antrum.)

50% of antral follicles will be retained

{See image}

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6
Q

From where are LH and FSH released?

A

Anterior Pituitary

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7
Q

The three organs/ parts of the body which form the axis of hormonal control of female reproduction are?

A

(HPO)

Hypothalamus

Pituitary

Ovary

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7
Q

8 days after ovulatuion, and after implantation, the trophoblast secretes ______ which does ________.

A

HCG, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

Binds to LH receptors, enciting the Corpus Luteum to KEEP MAKING PROGESTERONE

HCG is detectable by home pregancy tests

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8
Q

From where is GnRH released?

A

Hypothalamus

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9
Q

Why do obese women have fewer symptoms of menopause?

A

Adipose tissue can create some estrogen, lessening the effects of estrogen loss

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10
Q

Two main jobs for the Ovary

A

Oogenesis

Synthesize and secrete estrogen, progesterone, androgens

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10
Q

In the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, what is the mainly secreted hormone, and what does it do?

A

Progesterone

Has an inhibitory effect on FSH and LH

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10
Q

Fertilization must take place within how long of ovulation for pregnancy?

A

24 hours

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10
Q

Where is oxytocin produced, and what is it responsible for during pregnancy, and then during lactation?

A

Oxytocin: pOsterior pituitary

Pregnancy: stimulating uterine contractions during labor (can be given exogenously to start labor and to help ensure whole placenta is delivered after baby)

Lactation: Milk ejection in response to suckling

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11
Q
A
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12
Q

In Menopause, what happens to the three main hormones?

A

Estrogen declines,

LH and FSH increase

12
Q

Hormonal and Developmental Milestones of 2nd and 3rd Trimesters

A

Placenta takes over producing the steroid hormones

Progesterone made from mother

Estrogen made from both mother, placenta, and fetus

13
Q

LH effect on granulosa cells

A

induces expression of FSH receptors

14
Q

Key Milestones of the First Trimester

A

HCG levels peak at week 9 and then decline as placenta takes over hormone maintenance

Most organs develop

High risk time for chemical (alcohol, drugs, mercury) birth defects

16
Q

Breast Cancer drugs typically inhibit which enzyme?

A

Aromatase

18
Q

The Granulosa Cells convert _____ to ______ via which enzyme

A

Testosterone to estradiol (estrogen) via aromatase

GE

19
Q

Residual Elements of the ruptured ovum follicle form the _______________, which is important because it…

A

Corpus Luteum

Secretes hormones necessary for egg implantation and zygote maintenance- continues to do so until placenta takes over, if there is fertilization. If no fertilization, luteum shrinks to a scar called a corpus albicans

21
Q

The third stage of ovum development, unlike the other previous stages, is _______ dependent.

A

gonadotropin

(hormone)

22
Q

Where is prolactin produced, and what is it responsible for?

A

Prolactin: ANTERIOR PITUITARY, release inhibited by dopamine from synapses directly (no intermediate hormone mech like others). Less dopamine -> increased prolactin.

Prolactin responsible for milk production in breasts.

23
Q

First milk that an infant gets (not true milk) is _________, which has a high concentration of ________.

A

Colostrum

Antibodies

24
Q

Developmental milestones of puberty (no question, just chart)

A
26
Q

Which class of enzymes convert cholesterol into the steroid hormones?

A

CYPs

27
Q

Oogenesis is completed by what age in females?

A

6 months old (approx 2 million oocytes)

Attrition downhill from there

29
Q

The first day of a menstrual cycle is conventionally marked by

A

The onset (1st day) of menses

30
Q

Mechanism of Implantation

A
  1. After floating for a day, blastocyst chooses a spot in the uterus (approx 5 days post-fertilization by now)
    1a. Must have low estrogen/progesterone ratio to implant at all. LOTS of progesterone
  2. Trophoblast (outer rim of blastocyst) embeds in endometrium, becomes fetal portion of placenta
31
Q

Hormonal involvement in labor

A

* Estrogen/Progesterone ratio increases

* E & F prostaglandins increase uterine contractions, softening and dilation of cervix

* Oxytocin receptors upregulated

33
Q

THECA cells synthesize and secrete 2 hormones- what are they

A

*Progesterone

*Androstenedione converted to Testosterone

T T

35
Q

How many oocytes does a woman have at menopause?

A

Zero

36
Q

Cause of LH surge which leads to ovulation

A

Rapid increase in estrogen just prior (unknown mechanism)

37
Q

FSH general effects on ovum (3)

A
  1. Stimulates follicle growth (Follicle Stimulaing Hormone)
  2. Induces expression of LH receptors on theca cells
  3. Stimulates expression and activity of aromatase enzyme
39
Q

Hormonal cue for ovulation

A

Surge in LH

40
Q

Except just prior to ovulation, estrogen normally has what effect on LH and FSH?

A

Mediating, aka negative feedback

41
Q

Time from breast budding to menarche is about

A

2 years

42
Q

Increased prolactin levels from breastfeeding has what effect on fertility?

A

Lowers fertility by lowering GnRH release

(still possible to get pregnant, but less likely. Common birth control misconception)

43
Q

Three Phases of the Ovular Menstrual Cycle

Two Phases of the Uterine Menstrual Cycle

A

*Follicular Phase [Proliferative Phase for uterus]

*Ovulation

*Luteal Phase [Secretory Phase for uterus]

44
Q

After delivery of the placenta, maternal hormone levels ________, which allows for the production of ______

A

drop

(placenta was the source of most horomones during pregnancy)

Breastmilk, which, during pregancy, was blocked by estrogen/progesterone blocking oxytocin and prolactin

45
Q

What pathology can be responsible for prolactin release and how?

A

Hypothyroidism.

Release of more TRH/TSH (compensatory response to lowered circulating T3/T4 levels) will inhibit dopamine release. Thus, increasing prolactin release.

46
Q

Basic Anatomy Overview

(no question, just a picture)

A
47
Q

Two kinds of progesterone receptors, what are they and how do they differ from the estrogen receptors?

A

PR-alpha (shorter), PR-beta (longer)

Both kinds are made from the same gene, unlike ERs

Physiology (10 decks)

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