Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the functions of the ovaries?
Storage and release of the ovum and production and estrogen and progesterone
From what structure are the uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina derived?
Mullerian ducts
To what cells does LH bind in females?
Theca cells of the ovary;
To what cells does FSH bind in females?
Granulosa cells of the ovary;
What is the function of specifically FSH in females? Specifically LH? Both LH and FSH?
FSH- follicular recruitment and development; LH-Ovulation; FSH and LH- estrogen and progesterone release
What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle? What occurs during each and which hormones stimulate them?
Follicular phase- follicular recruitment and growth and estrogen synthesis- mostly FSH stimulation; and luteal phase- progesterone and estrogen synthesis from the corpus luteum- mostly LH stimulation
What phase if the endometrium in when estrogen is the predominant hormone in the blood?
Proliferative phase
What are the endometrial phases?
Proliferative phase–> secretory phase–> menstruation–>
In what stage are oogonia at birth?
Primary oocytes
What is ovulation?
Rupture of the follicular surface and release of oocyte and corona radiata
At what point in the female reproductive cycle is LH present in highest concentrations? What stimulates this high release?
12-24 hours pre-ovulation; Feed forward stimulation by estrogen
What structure develops from the ruptured follicle following ovulation? What is its function?
Corpus luteum; Produces progeterone and estradiol to maintain early gestation
What is necessary for survival of the corpus luteum?
Fertilization and the initial steps in placental formation resulting in hCG release
What occurs during the proliferative phase of the uterus? What is the primary hormone that regulates it?
Proliferation, increase expression of estradiol and progesterone receptor; Estrogen
What occurs during the secretory phase of the uterus? What is the primary hormone that regulates it?
Differentiation of epithelial cells to secretory cells; Progesterone
How is estrogen produced within the ovary?
Theca cells convert cholesterol to androdstenedione and Granulosa cells convert the androgens to estradiol
True or False: The synthesis of androgen parallels estrogen throughout the menstrual cycle
True
What circulating hormone gives an indication of corpus luteum function?
Inhibin A
What circulating hormone is an index of granulosa cell function
Inhibin B
What is the effect of activin?
Increased granulosa cell proliferation, increased FSHr expression, increased steroidogenesis, and stimulates FSH and LH release
True or False: the conversion of androgens to estrogens is freely reversible
False- irreversible
What causes the difference in sex hormone levels in males vs females?
How much androgen is made and what percentage of it is converted to estrogen (females have more aromatase expression)
How can estrogen and progesterone be metabolized?
Estrogen can undergo conversion to estrone, estriol, and 2-methoxyestrone; Progesterone can be converted to pregnenolone and then pregnandiol
To what receptors does estrogen bind? Progesterone? In what tissues are they expressed? What etrogen type is predominant in reproductive tissues?
Estrogen alpha and beta receptors and progesterone A and B expressed in uterus, ovary, breast, bone, brain, cardiovascular– mostly alpha in reproductive tissues