Female Reproductive Physiology

Question 1

What are the main female reproductive hormones?

Answer 1

GnRH (hypothalamus)
FSH (ant. pituitary)
LH (ant. pituitary)
Oestradiol
Progesterone

Question 2

Function of GnRH

Answer 2

Stimulates LH and FSH secretion from ant. pituitary

Question 3

Function of FSH

Answer 3

Stimulates follicular recruitment and development

Question 4

Function of LH

Answer 4

Maintains dominant follicle, induces follicular maturation and ovulation, stimulates CL function

Question 5

Functions of oestradiol

Answer 5

• supports female secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive organs
• negative feedback control of LH and GnRH EXCEPT for late follicular phase - positive control of LH surge
• stimulates proliferative endometrium
• negative control of FSH

Question 6

Functions of progesterone

Answer 6

• Maintenance of secretory endometrium

- Negative feedback control of HPO

Question 7

GnRH

Answer 7

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Question 8

FSH

Answer 8

Follicle stimulating hormone

Question 9

LH

Answer 9

Luteinising hormone

Question 10

When do oogenia divide?

Answer 10

2nd-7th month of gestation

Question 11

What happens after 7 months gestation? (oogonia)

Answer 11

Most oogonia die and undergo the first part of meiosis to produce primary oocytes

Question 12

What is the lifecycle of an ovum?

Answer 12

Oocyte
Primordial follicle
Primary follicle
Theca cells
Mature follicle
OVULATION
Corpus luteum
Corpus albicans

Question 13

FSH independent aspect of ovum lifecycle

Answer 13

Oocyte
Primordial follicle
Primary follicle

Question 14

FSH dependent aspect of ovum lifecycle

Answer 14

Primary follicle
Theca cells
Mature follicle
Ovulation

Question 15

What is the HPO?

Answer 15

Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis

Question 16

When is endometrium at its thickest?

Answer 16

When ovulation occurs

Question 17

What is the aim of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 17

• Release a mature ovum each month
• Prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy, which occurs if the egg is fertilised
• Menstruation occurs if no pregnancy is established, thus refreshing the cycle

Question 18

What are the four basic steps of pregnancy?

Answer 18

Ovulation
Fertilisation
Cell division
Implantation

Question 19

Conditions of abnormal menstruation

Answer 19

Amenorrhoea
Oligomenorrhoea
Menorrhagia

Question 20

What is amenorrhoea?

Answer 20

Absence of periods due to:

• Issues with hormone regulations
• Issues with ovarian function
• Issues with uterus or outflow tract

Question 21

What is oligomenorrhoea?

Answer 21

Infrequent periods due to:

• Fluctuating hormone levels
• Women who engage in sports and heavy exercise
• Eating disorders
• Thyroid issues and diabetes
• Prolactinaemia

Question 22

What is menorrhagia?

Answer 22

Abnormally heavy periods due to:

• Hormone imbalance
• Ovarian Dysfunction
• Uterine fibroids
• Polyps
• Inherited bleeding disorders
• Adenomyosis

Question 23

When is oestrogen released?

Answer 23

First stage of hormonal cycle