Folliculogenesis

Question 1

What is folliculogenesis?

Answer 1

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Question 2

What are the 4 major events of the follicular phase?

Answer 2

1. Rising levels of gonadotropin release from anterior pituitary
2. Follicular growth/ prep for ovulation
3. Sexual receptivity
4. Ovulation

Question 3

What is the dominant hormone in the follicular phase and what changes does it cause?

Answer 3

• Estrogen (E2)

- Causes changes in repro tract, behavioral changes, controls onset of preovulatory LH surge

Question 4

What is the function of the tonic center of the hypothalamus in regards to the follicular phase?

Answer 4

• Small amounts of GnRH are released, which stimulate FSH/ LH release from anterior pituitary resulting in ovarian follicle growth/ development and E2

Question 5

What is the function of the surge center of the hypothalamus in regards to the follicular phase?

Answer 5

Increasing levels of estrogen from follicles causes a positive feedback causes release of high amount of GnRH

E2 turns on surge center once threshold levels are reached