Female reproductive system Flashcards by Lilian Murnan

Functions of female reproductive system

Produce haploid gametes
Facilitate fertilisation
Site for implantation of embryo
Physical and nutritional needs to nurture the neonate after birth

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What connects ovaries to the uterus?

The fallopian tubes

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What steroid hormones do follicular cells secrete?

Granulosa - 17beta- oestradiol
Theca- progesterone

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What is an oocyte?

Developing eggs enclosed in a follicle

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How does smooth muscle aid the movement of an egg in the fallopian tube?

Via peristalsis

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What in the fallopian cells captures the eggs?

Fimbrae

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What is the structure of a fallopian tube?

Longitudinal smooth muscle layer
Circular smooth muscle layer
Highly folded mucosa- ciliated and secretory cells

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What is the structure of a fallopian tube?

Longitudinal smooth muscle layer
Circular smooth muscle layer
Highly folded mucosa- ciliated and secretory cells

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What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall?

Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium

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What layer of the uterus changes throughout the month?

Endometrium

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Describe the structure of the endometrium

Simple columnar epithelial cells
Lamina propria
Compound tubular glands
Spiral arteries

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Where do the spiral cells in the uterus spiral through?

Spiral arteries spiral through the lamina propria

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What connects the uterus to the vagina?

The cervical canal

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What do cervical glands secrete to prevent microbes?

Mucus

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How long is the birth canal?

8-10cm

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Describe the structure of the vaginal wall

Adventia
Muscularis
Mucosa

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What epithelium is in the vagina?

Stratified squamous epithelium

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What specialisation does the stratified squamous epithelium in the vagina contain?

Walls are rich in glycogen which is fermented into lactic acid to inhibit pathogens

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What pH is the vagina?

3.5-4

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What are the 2 neuroendocrine cycles?

Ovarian
Endometrial

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What drives the menstrual cycle?

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

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What releases gonadotropin-releasing hormone?

Hypothalamic neurons

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What connects the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary?

Hypophyseal portal system

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What does G-protein coupled GnRH receptor signalling cause?

Results in exocytosis of gonadotropins (FSH and LH)

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What cells does LH activate?

Theca cells

What cells do FSH activate?

Granulosa cells

What do active theca cells release?

Progesterone

What do active granulosa cells release?

Oestrogen and some progesterone

What will the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis produce?

Mature gametes

What receptors does GnRH bind to? Where?

Receptors on gonadotrophs in the anterior pituitary

What are ovarian steroid hormones synthesised from?

Cholesterol by ovarian follicular theca cells and granulosa cells

Function of oestrogen and progesterone?

Develop the ovum Maintain the corpus luteum Maintain pregnancy

Are LH and FSH stimulatory or inhibitory in the pathway of cholesterol to 17beta oestradiol?

Stimulatory

What feedback mechanism is used for 17 beta oestradiol?

Negative throughout the cycle - except prior to ovulation when it is positive

Describe the follicular phase via feedback mechanisms

Oestrogen acts on the hypothalamus via negative feedback. Hypothalamus wont be stimulating pituitary so will downregulate FSH and LH.

Describe the luteal phase via feedback mechanisms

Progesterone has a negative feedback on the hypothalamus

Describe the midcycle.

Follicular cell proliferation - Oestradiol rises to critical level - -ve feedback on GnRH changes to +ve feedback - FSH and LH are upregulated - Maturation of oocyte

What is the egg called when it leaves the ovary?

Corpus luteum

What is the level of FSH and LH in the follicular phase?

High

Function of the follicular phase

Increase growth of follicles Increases oestradiol causes proliferation in endometrial layer

When does the follicular phase switch to the luteal phase?

When upregulation of LH causes ovulation

Describe the luteal phase

Progesterone is secreted which promotes endometrial gland formation. If no fertilisation by 22 days, corpus luteum degenerates and functional layer is lost

Describe oogenesis.

Formation of eggs

By what process are oogonia produced?

Mitosis by primordial germ cells

By what process are primary oocytes produced?

Prophase of meiosis

How are oocytes release?

Alternating release from left to right ovum every month

What is folliculogenesis?

The development of the follicle to a mature egg and finally a corpus luetum

What are the stages of folliculogenesis?

Primary oocyte -> Secondary oocyte -> Graafian oocyte -> Ovulation of oocyte -> Corpus luteum or Corpus albican

When would an oocyte progress to a corpus luteum?

If the ovulated oocyte is fertilised

When would an oocyte progress to a corpus albican?

If the ovulated egg isn't fertilised

What does the second meiotic division produce in folliculogenesis?

A haploid ovum

Where is the secondary oocyte?

In the fallopian tube

What do 17 beta oestradiol and progesterone control in the endometrial cycle?

Changes in the endometrium Feedback regulation of FSH and LH from pituitary Changes in the cervix and vagina

Describe the follicular phase in terms of cervical mucus

The cervix secretes mucus (regulated by 17 beta oestradiol) which creates channels to propel sperm

Describe the secretory phase in terms of cervical mucus

Progesterone decreases and the mucus becomes thick to actively block sperm

Describe the proliferative phase of the endometrial cycle

Oestrogen is dominant, LH has a rapid spike - The wall becomes thick and stable - The functional layer is built and then shed - Zona basalis isn't shed

Describe the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle

Following ovulation, Progesterone is dominant - Thickness of endometrium decreases - The glands increase mucus - The stroma becomes oedematous - Spiral arteries elongate and coil - Ends in menses

Describe the mechanism of hormonal contraceptives

Feedback on the hypothalamus downregulates GnRH secretion -> Inhibits feedback on anterior pituitary to inhibit FSH and LH -> No folliculogenesis or ovulation will occur

How is progastrin affected by hormonal contraception?

Affects cervical mucus and fallopian tube motility Cuts down on endometrial glycogen, inhibiting the support of embryonic growth

Describe the mechanism behind the morning after pill

1 - Alters the endometrium so the egg cant embed itself 2 - Thickens the mucus to prevent sperm reaching the uterus 3- Stops ovulation by release of hormones