Female Reproductive System ☺️

Question 1

Folliculogenesis

• Before birth
• Puberty
• Fertilization

Arrest points
Length of cycle

Answer 1

Before birth - primordial follicle pool
-Primary oocyte arrests at P1

Puberty

• primary oocyte atreses/matures into antral cells
• antral cells complete meiosis I => secondary oocyte + 1st polar body
• secondary oocyte arrests at MII

Ovulation

• fertilise secondary oocyte
• meiosis II complete + 2nd polar body

1 cycle takes 6-9 months

Question 2

Follicular phase

• days
• what happens

Ovarian cycle

• what happens to trigger ovulation
• other effects of hormones

Answer 2

Follicular phase 1-10

• several follicles develop but only 1 makes it
• FSH stimulates granulosa cells to convert A to E
• LH stimulates theca cells to produce A for granulosa cells

Ovulation 11-14

• O increase => LH surge => OVULATION
• basal body temp falls
• O, P, LH receptors increases

Menstrual phase 1-5
Proliferative phase 6-14
-endometrium builds up
-thick mucus plugs cervix
-before ovulation, becomes more liquid

Question 3

Luteal phase

• ovarian changes
• endometrial
• hormones
• cervical mucus
• basal body temp

Answer 3

Luteal 15-28

• corpus haemorrhagicum => CL releases P
• no implantation => corpus albicans => decreased P

Secretory 15-28

• increased P => endometrial glands, spiral arteries build up
• secrete mucus, glycogen
• cervical mucus thickens
• basal body temp increases

Question 4

Oestrogen function

Answer 4

Endometrial proliferation
Follicle growth
LH surge
Upregulates O, PO, LH receptors
Increases TBG levels

Genitalia development
Female fat distribution
Increases hepatic synthesis of transport proteins

Question 5

Progesterone function

Answer 5

Maintain endometrium, pregnancy
Thicken cervical mucous
Decrease myometrial excitiability
Increases body temp
Spiral artery dev

Question 6

Describe how the HPO axis functions differently in the ovulatory phase

Answer 6

Normally -ve feedback system

In ovulation => positive feedback

Question 7

What is the function of the uterus

What 6 ligaments are associated with it and what are their roles

Answer 7

Normally anteflexed, can be retroflexed

• embryo implants, nourished here
• mechanical protection
• expels fetus

Broad ligament (part of peritoneum)
-contains FT, ovaries, uterus

Round ligament
-contains nothing but found in the broad

Uterosacral ligament
-attaches between the ant sacrum and post uterus

Lateral/cardinal ligament
-contains uterine vessels

Suspensory ovarian ligaments
-contains ovarian vessels

Ovarian ligament
-attaches between ovary and uterus

Question 8

What are the 3 main structures associated with the FT
What are their properties
What is the function of the FT

Answer 8

Infundibulum
-fimbriae and cilia

Ampulla
-middle of tube, large lumen

Isthmus
-junction with uterus, small lumen

Fertilization occurs here