Female Reproductive System Flashcards
1
Q
estrogens (name them)
A
Estradiol (E2)
Estrone (E1)
Estriol (E3)
2
Q
what estrogen is produced by placenta during pregnancy
A
estriol (E3)
3
Q
what estrogen is derived primarily from peripheral conversion
A
estrone (E1)
4
Q
principel post-menopausal estrogen is
A
estrone (E1)
5
Q
principle steroid hormones secreted by ovaries are
A
estradiol
progestrone
androstenedione
6
Q
what female steroid hormones have negative feedback effects and where
A
estradiol and progesterone
7
Q
estrogen synthesis requires what two cells
A
thecal cells
granulosa cells
8
Q
what cells synthesize androgens in females
A
thecal cells
interstitial cells of the ovarian storma
9
Q
what cells synthesize estrogens
A
granulosa cells from the androgens synthesized in thecal cells
10
Q
thecal cells (location and what they helps with)
A
close to blood vessels gives them ample supply of LDL
11
Q
thecal cells (what do they have and what do they make)
A
enzymes to syntheszie androgens from cholesterol
primary androgen is androstenedione
12
Q
why can’t thecal cells produce estrogens
A
no aromatase
13
Q
granulosa cells have limited access to what and why
A
LDL due to basal lamina that separate it from vascular supply
14
Q
what enzyme do granulosa cells not have required for estrogen synthesis
A
do not have 17-alpha-hydroxylase activity (can’t convert progesterone or pregnenolone to androgens)
15
Q
what enzymes do granolas cells have required for estrogen synthesis
A
aromatase (high levels)
convert androgens from thecal cells to estrogens
16
Q
why do granulosa cells produce more estradiol than estrone
A
express isoform of 17-beta-HSD that converts estrone to estradiol
17
Q
LH binds what cells and induces what via what pathway
A
binds thecal cells
induce androgen biosynthesis via cAMP pathway
18
Q
FSH binds what cells and induces what how
A
Granulosa cells and induces aromatase enzyme expression via cAMP pathway
19
Q
Progestins (what are they)
A
steroids that promote gestation
20
Q
what is most potent progestin
A
progestrone
21
Q
principle source of progesterone in the non-preganant adult is where
A
corpus luteum
22
Q
what is principle circulating androgen in women
A
testosterone
23
Q
follicular phase of reproductive cycle in non-pregnant women begins when
A
onset of menstrual bleeding
24
Q
what phase of reproductive cycle in non-pregnant women is variable in length
A
follicular phase
25
the follicular phase corresponds to what phases of the endometrial cycle
menstrual and proliferative phases
26
what happens during follicular phase
preovulatory follicle develops within the ovary
27
during follicular phase what is primary hormone
estradiol
28
the ovulatory phase of the reproductive cycle in non-pregant women (how long does it last how long and how does it end)
about 46 hours
| culminates in ovulation
29
Luteal Phase of the reproductive cycle in non-pregant women (how long it last)
constant length of 13 to 14 days
30
Luteal Phase of the reproductive cycle in non-pregant women (whats happening)
corpus luteum of the ovary secretes both progesterone and estradiol
31
Luteal Phase of the reproductive cycle in non-pregant women (corresponds to what phase of the endometrial cycle)
secreptroy phase
32
luteal phase ends with what
onset of menses
33
what is the functional unit of the ovary
follicle
34
what does the follicle do
sustains the oocyte
produces hormones that regulate reproductive function
responds to endocrine signals that regulate hormone production and promote ovulation
differentiated into an endocrine structure called the corpus lute after ovulation is complete
35
Primordial Follicles consist of what
oocyte surrounded by a single layer of poorly differentiated pregranulosa cells
basal lamina around follicle
36
pregranulosa cells of primordial follicles are connected to what and how
each other and primary oocyte via gap junctions
37
oocytes arrest when
```
meiosis I
prophase I (diplotene stage)
```
38
arrest of meiosis is thought to be due to
the action of the constitutively active G protein GPR3
39
what do progestins bind what
corticosteroid-binding globulin and albumin in plasma
40
when does primordial follicle formation begin and when is it complete
fetus and done by 6 months old
41
when does recruitment of small primordial follicles begin
late in fetal life and continues until supply is depleted in menopause
42
the initiation of growth of primordial follicles happens in the absence of what and probably involves what
absence of gonadotropin stimulation
| probably involves intraovarian signals
43
what happens when primordial follicles leave the pool of inactive follicels
membrane called zona pellucida is formed around oocyte
44
primary follicle (what is it)
formed when zona pellucida forms around oocyte and granulosa cells begin to assume cuboidal shape and undergo mitosis
oocyte and granulosa cells increase in size
45
primary follicles mature into what
preantral follicles
46
mature pre-antral follicle has basal lamina surrounded by what
thecal layer formed from stromal cells
47
the thecal layer of mature preantral follicles is made in response to what
paracrine factors produced by the granulosa cells
48
as the oocyte grows what does it secrete and to where
extra cellular proteins (ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) into the zona pellucida
49
what to the extracellular proteins(ZP1, ZP2, ZP3) secreted by the oocyte while it grows do
provide species-specific binding sites for sperm cells
50
granolas cells and the oocyte project what through the zona pellucid and what do they maintain
cellular extensions that maintain gap junctions
51
what do granulosa cells begin to secrete as they grow
FSH and estrogen receptors (but not estrogen and still require paracrine factors to grow)
52
the granulosa layer remains avascular until when
after ovulation
53
what is atresia
form of programmed cell death that occurs at all stages of follicular development
54
atresia mainly affects what cells
oocytes and granulosa cells
55
what factors appose apoptosis of the follicle
certain endogenous factors
| FSH
56
factors that promote atresia are?
tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)
androgens
IL-6
57
the growing antral follicle phase is characterized by what
stratification of the granulosa cells and the formation of a fluid-filled antrum which increases in size as the follicle matures
58
early antral follicles become response to what
growth-promoting effects of FSH
59
larger angular follicles becomes highly dependent on what for growth and survival
FSH
60
thecal cells have what receptors and mainly secrete what
LH receptors
| major secretion is androstenedione
61
FSH stimulates the expression of what in granulosa cells
aromatase
62
mural granulosa cells in large astral follicles secrete what
inhibin B
63
granulosa cells divide into what two populations as the smaller antral follicle grows
mural cells
| cumulus cells
64
mural granulosa cells are where
in close contact with the thecal layer are actively engaged in steroidgenesis
65
early antral follicular growth is independent of what
gonadotropins
66
what happens to mural cells after ovulation
retained and differentiate into corpus luteum
67
what do cumulus granulosa cells do
surround oocyte and maintain gap junctions with oocyte
68
what happens to cumulus granulosa cells after ovulation
released with oocyte and facilitate capture of oocyte by the ciliated fallopian tubes
69
cyclic recruitment is what and happens when
recruitment of a cohort of growing antral follicles about 20 days prior to ovulation for the final stage of rapid growth
70
what happens to the follicles recruited by cyclic recruitment
usually only one follicle survives to become a mature graafian (preovulary follicle)
71
dominant follicle (what is it)
follicle that survives cyclic recruitment to become a mature gaafian (preovulary) follicle
72
survival of follicles that enter stage of rapid growth to become dominant follicles is dependent on what
FSH
73
when does cyclic recruitment start
during late luteal phase of preceding cycle
74
what happens during early follicular phase of current cycle
dominant follicle is sealed
75
what happens to dominant follicle during mid to late follicular phase of current cycle
attainment of dominance and maturation
76
what is indicative of the presence of a dominant follicle
dramatic increase in circulating estradiol
77
ovulation occurs when
about 10-14 days after dominant follicle is selected
78
FSH stimulates granulosa cells to do what?
proliferate and synthesize estradiol (E2)
79
FSH and E2 together induce synthesis of what and what does that do
FSH receptor
| increase sensitivity of follicle to FSH
80
estradiol has what kind of effect on FSH release
negative feedback
81
how does the dominant follicle have FSH to survive the negative feedback caused by rise in E2
stored FSH in follicular fluid
82
FSH in the presence of estradiol induces the synthesis of what what and in what type of cells
LH receptor in granulosa cells
83
why do granulosa cells need LH receptors
to respond to LH surge
84
what produces IGF-1 and what does it do
dominant follicle produces it and it enhances granulosa cells responsiveness to FSH
85
LH receptro expression in granulosa cells is induced by what
FSH and E2
86
what happens to dominant follicle as its approaches ovulatory phase
marked increase in production of antral fluid
| gap junctions are lost b/w granulosa cells themselves as well as w/ oocyte
87
Stigma (what is it)
poorly vascularized bulge caused by the pressure of the follicle against the surface of the ovary
88
what do cumulus cells do as the attachment of them to mural cells break down right before ovulary phase
secrete extracellular matrix components like hyaluronic acid which increase size of the cumulus oocyte complex
89
cumulus expansion
the cumulus cells secrete extracellular matrix components like hyaluronic acid which increase size of the cumulus oocyte complex
this happens when the cumulus cells attachment to mural cells break down towards end of follicular phase beginning of ovulatory phase
90
what are released in response to LH stimulation
proteolytic enzymes
91
proteolytic enzymes released in response to LH stimulation do what
break down extracellular matrix of the thecal layer and the membrane covering the surface of the ovary at the stigma
92
what facilitates the movement of the cumulus-oocyte complex into the fallopian tubes
currents produced by the activity of cilia lining the mucosa of fallopian tubes
93
the signal required to induce ovulation is what
an abrupt, massive increase in plasma LH (LH surge)
94
LH surge is result of
positive feedback effect of estradiol on the pituitary and hypothalamus
95
LH does what to the preovulatory follicle
induces release of inflammatory cytokines
| induces expression of metalloproteinases
96
LH does what to the preovulatory follicle specifically to granulosa cells
induce expression of COX-2 and progesterone receptors
97
LH promotes what from the mural granulosa cells
growth factors
98
the growth factors form the mural granulosa cells act on what to do what
cumulus granaulosa cells
| causes cumulus cells to send signal to oocyte leading to decline in intracellular cAMP levels
99
a decline in intracellular cAMP levels in the oocyte does what
allows for completion of first meiotic division and for it to extrude a polar body
100
meiosis in secondary oocyte is arrested where and by what
metaphase II by a cytostatic factor until fertilization
101
LH promotes what in cumulus granulosa cells
cumulus expansion via growth factors
102
LH alters the endocrine profile of the ovary how
temporarily suppresses expression of aromatase genes
| promotes reorganization of the postovulatory follicle into the corpus luteum
103
corpus luteum is formed from what
remnants of ruptured follicle:
mural granulosa cells
thecal cells
104
LH promotes angiogenesis how
inducing the granolas-lutein cells to secrete angiogenesis factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
105
granulosa-lutein cells are able to obtain cholesterol from circulating LDL and HDL how
LH induces breakdown of basal lamina
| LH induces expression of LDL and HDL
106
granulosa-lutein cells are missing what enzymes so what do they release
androgen synthesizing enzymes
| release progesterone
107
progesterone peaks when
about day 8 of luteal phase
| mid-luteal phase which corresponds to time blastula enters the uterine cavity
108
estrogen production in corpus luteum requires what
both granulosa-lutein and theca-lutein cells
109
granulosa-lutein cells secrete what inhibin
inhibin A
110
if pregnancy does not occur by day 9 of luteal phase what happens
corpus luteum begins to undergo luteolysis
111
luteolysis is marked by what
rapid decline in progesterone synthesis
112
what brings about luteolysis
decline in LH production due to the negative feedback of estrogen and progesterone
113
end of luteal phase of previous cycle what are FSH and LH levels like
FSH levels rising
| LH levels constant
114
low levels of estradiol in first half of follicular phase have what kind of effect
negative feedback on FSH
115
later part of follicular phase has dramatic increase in circulating levels of what
estradiol
116
as concentration of estradiol rises what does it do to hypothalamus and pituitary
acts on hypothalamus to increase GnRH pulse generator frequency
acts on pituitary to increase sensitivity of the gonadotropes to GnRH stimulation
117
sure in LH triggered events that promote what
ovulation
118
in luteal phase LH promotes what
development and secretory activity of corpus luteum
119
secretory products of corpus luteum are
progesterone
estradiol
inhibin A
120
progesterone has what effect on gonadotropin release and where
negative feedback on gonadotropin release both at the level of the hypothalamus and at the level of the pituitary
121
estradiol and inhibin A have what effect and where
negative feedback on anterior pituitary
122
luteolysis does what to corpus luteum production of hormone
hormone production declines
123
when corpus luteum fails what happens to levels of steroid hormone and FSH
steroid hormone levels decline
| FSH levels increase
124
circulating inhibin B levels can be used as a clinical marker for what
assess FSH mediated granulosa cell function
125
circulating inhibin A levels can be used as a clinical marker for what
LH-medated corpus luteum function
126
estradiol induces growth of what during proliferative phase of endometrial cycle
uterine glands
127
principle action of estradiol on uterus is what
restore endometrial lining
128
estradiol prepares the uterus for progesterone-induced endometrial differentiation
increasing the expression of progesterone receptors
129
estradiol on epithelial cell growth is due in large to what
estradiol-mediated production of growth factors by stomal cells
130
estradiol promotes the development and elongation of what during proliferative phase of endometrial cycle
spiral arteries
131
secretory phase of uterine cycle coincides with what phase of endometrial cycle
luteal phase
132
during secretory phase of endometrial cycle what is happening with progesterone and estradiol
both being secreted by corpus luteum
133
progesterone does what to epithelial cell proliferation
inhibits it
134
during luteal phase (secretory phase of endometrial) progesterone has what affect on estradiol
attenuates its actions by down regulating estrogen receptor
135
major function of progesterone during secretory phase
promote differentiation of the endometrium and enhances secretory capacity
136
net effect of progesterone-induced changes is
to prove nutrients for the unfair the unattached embryo and to prepare the endometrium for implantation an pregnancy
137
if implantation does not occur the uterus enters what
menstrual phase
138
menstual phase is characterized by what
endometrium ischemia, tissue necrosis and the shedding of the endometrium
139
what leads to the onset of menses
drop in estrogen and progesterone
140
what induces uterine contractions
PGF2alpha
141
stage 1 of puberty in girls is
preadolescent development: breasts are flat without any puffiness in the nipple or areola
142
stage 2 of puberty in girls is
development of breast buds
143
stage 3 of puberty in girls is
characterized by growth of tissue around the aerials which give breasts a round shape
144
stage 4 of puberty in girls is
further growth of the breast tissue coupled with increase in size of nipples and areolas
145
stage 5 of puberty in girls is
fully mature breasts
146
estrogens stimulate the synthesis of what receptor
progesterone
