Female Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
Is female ovarian reserve finite or infinite?
Finite
How does ovarian reserve change with age?
Declines with age
During what months of gestation do oogonia divide through mitosis?
Second to seventh month
At what phase of meiosis are primary oocytes maintained until puberty?
Prophase
How many primary oocytes are present at birth?
2 million
How many primary oocytes will mature and ovulate?
400
Where are steroid hormones produced in the female?
From the ovary
Where is GnRH released from?
The hypothalamus
At what point in life is GnRH released?
When puberty starts - not before this
What is the function of GnRH?
Acts on pituitary gland to release FSH and LH
What happens once GnRH is released?
There is negative feedback from oestrogen and progesterone to ensure that only one egg is released per cycle
What does positive feedback from oestrogen and progesterone mid-cycle stimulate?
LH surge which causes ovulation
Where is the egg released from mid-cycle?
The antrum
What is the corpus luteum?
The ovulated follicle
What happens to the uterus as the primary follicle is developing into the antrum follicle?
Lining of the uterus thickens to prepare it for pregnancy
What is increased once ovulation happens and progesterone is released?
Blood supply and tortuous glands to ovary are increased
What are the aims of the menstrual cycle?
Release a mature ovum every month
Prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy
Allows pregnancy to result if egg is fertilised, or menstruation to occur if not
What are the causes of amenorrhoea?
Problem with regulating hormones
Problem with ovarian function
Problem with uterus or outflow tract
