Female Reproductive System

Question 1

what is the ovary

Answer 1

ovum producing reproductive organ
analogous to male testes
gonads and endocrine glands

Question 2

role of the uterus

Answer 2

maintenance of foetus during development
expelling (💀 ) foetus at the end of pregnancy
major female hormone responsive reproductive organ

Question 3

menstrual cycle and period length

Answer 3

28 days
2-7 days

Question 4

what are the two phases of the ovarian cycle and what dictates them

Answer 4

follicular phase - follicles
luteal phase - corpus luteum

Question 5

what is a follicle

Answer 5

oocyte and the surrounding granulose cells (and others)
functional unit of the ovary

Question 6

describe hypothalamic control of estrogen synthesis by ovarian cycle

Answer 6

gonadotrophin releasing hormone from hypothalamus
release of LH and FSH from ant pit
theca cells in reponse to LH make cholesterol derived androstenedione
Granulosa cells in response FSH makes estrogen from androstenedione
negative feedback by estrogen to hypothalamus and ant pit
regulation by inhibin

Question 7

role of FSH

Answer 7

aids in follicle growth and maturation
induces antrum formation

Question 8

what is the antrum

Answer 8

liquid filled space inside the follicle
acts as estrogen storage site

Question 9

what do rising moderate levels of estrogen lead to (i.e. mid follicular phase)

Answer 9

hypothalamus GnRH secretion inhibited
secretion of inhibin by follicular cells which then inhibits FSH secretion

Question 10

role of LH

Answer 10

differentiation of follicular cells into luteal cells
ovulation

Question 11

what happens as the follicle matures (i.e. late follicular phase)
what type of feedback is exhibited

Answer 11

rising high levels of estrogen act on hypothalamus to increase GnRH and selectively stimulate LH secretion
+ve feedback

Question 12

why don’t FSH levels surge along with LH levels at the end of the follicular phase despite both being stimulated by GnRH

Answer 12

follicular cells secrete inhibin
selectively inhibits FSH secretion

Question 13

why is it important to control FSH levels

Answer 13

prevent multiple eggs developing in one cycle

Question 14

what is the corpus luteum
what is its role

Answer 14

remanent from the cells of the follicle left by ovulation
secretes progesterone and estrogen

Question 15

what is the effect of progesterone on LH and FSH

Answer 15

inhibits the secretion of both FSH and LH preventing further maturation and ovulation of other eggs

Question 16

what is the role of progesterone

Answer 16

prepare for pregnancy
support ovum should fertilization occur

Question 17

what happens if fertilisation does not occur

Answer 17

CL degenerates so no estrogen or progesterone is produced
negative feedback diminishes allowing levels of GnRH to increase
starts a new follicular phase

Question 18

what happens to the CL should fertilization occur

Answer 18

the corpus luteum persists and continues to produce progesterone

Question 19

what is the normal interruption of the menstrual cycle
what is the final termination of the menstrual cycle

Answer 19

pregnancy
menopause

Question 20

what triggers puberty

Answer 20

GnRH release from ant pit

Question 21

what is menopause
when does it occur
explain the cause of the hormonal changes

Answer 21

cessation of menstruation
between 45 and 55
ovaries have fewer follicles so are less responsive to FSH and LH meaning less estrogen and progesterone are secreted

Question 22

what is amenorrhea

Answer 22

lack of menstrual bleeding