Fertility Flashcards
Where does the pituitary sit
Pituitary fossa in the sella turica
What is the pituitary gland derived from
Outward pouching of oral ectderm
What is the anterior pituitary derived from
Roof of mouth
What is posterior pituitary derived from
Notochord
What nerves passes through the Cavernous sinus
III, IV, VI, V1, V2
What is beneath the pitutiary fossa
Sphenoid air sinus
What is a microadenoma pituitary tumour
Less than 10mm
What a is macroadenoma pituitary tumour
Over 10mm, more likely to cause compression
What are macroadenomas caused by
NFPA, acromegaly (GH), Cushing’s (overproduction of ACTH), prolactinoma (prolactin producing tumours), TSHoma (thyrotoxicosis)
What does a lesion at the optic chiasm cause
Bitemporal hemanopia
How is pituitary hypofunction tested
PRL - lactation
TSH - T4, T3
LH - testosterone/estradiol
FSH - spermatogenesis/folliculogenesis
GH - IGF1-1 through insulin tolerance test (causes hypoglycaemia, which body should automatically correct by producing GH, cortisol, adrenaline and glucagon)
ACTH - cortisol through synacthen (synthetic ACTH) or ITT
What if too much ACTH is suspected
give dexamethasone as test to see if pituitary gland reacts
What is the treatment for pituitary tumours
Conservative, surgery, medical (dopamine agonist therapy in prolactin producing tumours or acromegaly with somatostatin analogues), radiotherapy
When does cortisol peak
7am, falls throughout the day. Cortisol to be given in 3 courses in a day.
What is the antrafollicle
First follicles seen on US. One antrafollicle is selected to progress to Graafian follicle
What are the 3 stages of the Ovarian cycle
Follicular
Ovulatory
Luteal
What is the follicular phase
- At the start of the cycle levels of FSH rise causing stimulation of a few ovarian follicles.
- As follicles mature they compete with each other for dominance.
- The 1st follicle to become fully mature will produce large amounts of oestrogen.
- This inhibits the growth of the other competing follicles.
- The 1 follicle reaching full maturity is called the Graafian follicle (oocyte develops within this).
- The Graafian follicle continues to secrete increasing amounts of oestrogen.
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- Oestrogen causes:
Endometrial thickening
Thinning of cervical mucous to allow easier passage of sperm
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- Oestrogen also initially inhibits LH production from the pituitary gland.
What is the ovulatory phase
When the ovum is mature, oestrogen reaches a threshold level which conversely causes a sudden spike in LH around day 12.
The high amounts of LH cause the membrane of the Graafian follicle to become thinner.
Within 24-48 hours of the LH surge, the follicle ruptures releasing a secondary oocyte.
The secondary oocyte quickly matures into an ootid and then into a mature ovum.
The ovum is then released into the peritoneal space and is taken into the fallopian tube via fimbriae
What is the luteal phase
- Once ovulation has occurred the hormones LH and FSH cause the remaining graafian follicle to develop into the corpus luteum.
- The corpus luteum then begins to produce the hormone progesterone.
- Increased levels of progesterone result in:
Endometrium becoming receptive to implantation of the blastocyst
Increased production of oestrogen by the adrenal glands
Negative feedback causing decreased LH and FSH (both needed to maintain the corpus luteum)
Increase in the woman’s basal body temperature
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17. As the levels of FSH and LH fall, the corpus luteum degenerates.
- This results in progesterone no longer being produced.
- The falling level of progesterone triggers menstruation and the entire cycle starts again.
- However if an ovum is fertilised it produces hCG which is similar in function to LH.
- This prevents degeneration of the corpus luteum (continued production of progesterone).
- Continued production of progesterone prevents menstruation.
- The placenta eventually takes over the role of the corpus luteum (from 8 weeks).
When does implantation occur
begins by day 6-7 after ovulation (day 21 of menstrual cycle) - occurs in the uterus
What happens when oocyte is in fallopian tube
It’s propelled by cilia and fallopian tube contractions
What are the 3 stages of the uterine cycle
Menstrual phase (days 1-5) Proliferative phase (D6-14) Secretory phase (D15-22):
What happens in the menstrual phase
At the end of the luteal phase, the corpus luteum degenerates (if no implantation occurs).
The loss of the corpus luteum results in decreased progesterone production.
The decreasing levels of progesterone cause the spiral arteries in the functional endometrium to contract.
The loss of blood supply causes the functional endometrium to become ischaemic and necrotic.
As a result, the functional endometrium is shed and exits out through the vagina.
This is seen as the 3-5 day period of menstruation a woman experiences each month.
What happens in the proliferative phase
During the proliferative phase, the endometrium is exposed to an increase in oestrogen levels caused by FSH and LH stimulating the ovaries. This oestrogen causes repair and growth of the functional endometrial layer allowing recovery from the recent menstruation and further proliferation of the endometrium.
What happens in the secretory phase
The secretory phase begins once ovulation has occurred.
This phase is driven by progesterone produced by the corpus luteum.
It results in the endometrial glands beginning to secrete various substances.
These secretions make the uterus a more welcoming environment for an embryo to implant.
What happens when GnRH analogues are given in a pulsatile manner
Increase production of FSH and LH (and vice versa for continuous)
What does clomid do
oestrogen receptive blockers. Disruption of negative feedback of GnRH
What does combined oral contraceptive pill do
negative feedback to ant pituitary and GnRH
What causes insensitivity of follicles
PCOS
What are the causes of anovulation
Hypothalamic dysfunction (10%) - GnRH production is low or not in pulsatile manner. Pituitary dysfunction (10% with hyperprolactinemia) Thyroid dysfunction PCOS - 70% Ovarian failure
What effect does obesity have on fertility
less fertile, have higher rates of miscarriage, require higher doses of ovulation-inducing agents. Causes insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperandrogenaemia
Weight loss restores ovulation, achieves spontaneous pregnancy
What is clomiphene citrate
stimulate endogenous FSH production. Frist line of treatment for those with absent or irregular ovulation but who have normal basal endogenous estradiol
How is PCOS diagnosed
12 or more peripheral follicles or increase ovarian volume (greater than 10cm^3)
Oligo-ovulation or anovulation
Clinical and or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism. Testosterone normal or slightly raised. LH:FSH ratio increased with FSH normal. Free androgen index is usually normal or elevated.
What happens in premature ovarian insufficiency
depleted eggs and increased FSH levels below age of 40.
Inhibin B production by small follicles decreases with age, the inhibin suppression of FSH secretion decreases and pituitary glands secretion of FSH increases
An elevated day-3 FHS level in women with menses is highly sensitive and specific for identifying women with a depleted ovarian pool
How is ovarian reserve measured
Antral follicle count, measuring AMH
What are the main causes of hyperprolactinemia
prolactin secreting pituitary gland tumour and use of psychiatric mediations. Test for hypothyroidism and pregnancy
How is hyperprolactinemia treated
Bromocriptine and cabergoline are also used to treat hyperprolactinemia with no known cause
What are the causes of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
low BMI under 20, high intensity exercise, certain dietary patterns including high-fibre, low fat, excessive stress.