Female Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
What are the main female reproductive hormones?
GnRH (hypothalamus) FSH (ant. pituitary) LH (ant. pituitary) Oestradiol Progesterone
Function of GnRH
Stimulates LH and FSH secretion from ant. pituitary
Function of FSH
Stimulates follicular recruitment and development
Function of LH
Maintains dominant follicle, induces follicular maturation and ovulation, stimulates CL function
Functions of oestradiol
- 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
Functions of progesterone
- Maintenance of secretory endometrium
- Negative feedback control of HPO
GnRH
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
FSH
Follicle stimulating hormone
LH
Luteinising hormone
When do oogenia divide?
2nd-7th month of gestation
What happens after 7 months gestation? (oogonia)
Most oogonia die and undergo the first part of meiosis to produce primary oocytes
What is the lifecycle of an ovum?
Oocyte Primordial follicle Primary follicle Theca cells Mature follicle OVULATION Corpus luteum Corpus albicans
FSH independent aspect of ovum lifecycle
Oocyte
Primordial follicle
Primary follicle
FSH dependent aspect of ovum lifecycle
Primary follicle
Theca cells
Mature follicle
Ovulation
What is the HPO?
Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis
When is endometrium at its thickest?
When ovulation occurs
What is the aim of the menstrual cycle?
- 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
What are the four basic steps of pregnancy?
Ovulation
Fertilisation
Cell division
Implantation
Conditions of abnormal menstruation
Amenorrhoea
Oligomenorrhoea
Menorrhagia
What is amenorrhoea?
Absence of periods due to:
- Issues with hormone regulations
- Issues with ovarian function
- Issues with uterus or outflow tract
What is oligomenorrhoea?
Infrequent periods due to:
- Fluctuating hormone levels
- Women who engage in sports and heavy exercise
- Eating disorders
- Thyroid issues and diabetes
- Prolactinaemia
What is menorrhagia?
Abnormally heavy periods due to:
- Hormone imbalance
- Ovarian Dysfunction
- Uterine fibroids
- Polyps
- Inherited bleeding disorders
- Adenomyosis
When is oestrogen released?
First stage of hormonal cycle
