Hormonal Control of the Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
What hormone does the hypothalamus secrete for the menstrual cycle? In what manner?
GnRH
In pulses
Which hormones does GnRH trigger secretion of?
LH, FSH in pituitary
Which other hormones regulate LH, FSH release?
oestrogen
progesterone
How does oestrogen regulate LH, FSH
High oestrogen causes INCREASE in LH
Low oestrogen causes DECREASE in LH
How does progesterone regulate LH, FSH
High progesterone causes DECREASE in LH, FSH
Low progesterone causes INCREASE in LH, FSH
How does the COCP work on the menstrual cycle?
It maintains a constant serum oestrogen level that is in the negative feedback range
So there never is a surge in LH
What are the three stages in the uterine cycle?
Maria Prefers SAM
Menstruation
Proliferation
Secretory
What are the stages in the ovarian cycle?
Maria Forgets Of Laura
Menstruation
Follicular
Ovulation
Luteal
What stage of meiosis are oocytes stuck at from birth to puberty?
Prophase I
Describe the follicular stage
FSH rises
This stimulates some follicles to grow
The follicles produce androgens (from theca cells) which are then converted to oestrogen (from granulosa cells)
Oestrogen starts increasing, but it has a negative feedback effect on FSH, so FSH decreases
This causes follicular atresia except for the DOMINANT Follicle
What cells produce inhibin?
Granulosa cells
What does inhibit do?
further reduces FSH
What occurs in the ovulatory phase?
The dominant follicle keeps producing oestrogen until it switches to POSITIVE FEEDBACK on the pituitary
Oestrogen positive feedback on the pituitary causes LH surge (and smaller FSH surge)
Surge of LH and FSH stimulates resumption of meiosis and rupture of the ovarian follicle, so the oocyte is released
What occurs in the luteal phase?
The remaining theca cells and granulosa cells form the corpus luteum
The corpus luteum secretes lots of progesterone (and some oestrogen)
Progesterone inhibits FSH, LH
Ion the absence of beta hCG, corpus luteum regresses by luteolysis
Corpus luteum regresses to a corpus albicans, that does not make hormones
As there is a progesterone withdrawal, this results in menstruation
What occurs in the menstruations phase in the uterine cycle?
The endometrium is shedded (the stratum compactum and spongiosum)
The stratum basalts (deepest) remains through out the cycle
What occurs to the endometrium in the proliferative stage=
High oestrogen levels stimulate:
- thickening of the endometrium
- growth of endometrial glands
- formation of spiral arteries
- Thickening of cervixal mucous
How does the endometrial epithelium change during the proliferative phase?
From single columnar to pseudo stratified
Who does thickness of the endometrium change during the proliferative phase?
From 0.5mm to 3.5mm
What occurs to the endometrium in the secretly phase=
Progesterone forms the decidua Pinopodes appear (apical membrane projections of epithelial cells) making the endometrium receptive for implantations)
Endometrial glands become tortuous, spiral arteries grow, uterine glands secrete mucous
What is the role of leptin in puberty?
PERMISSIVE
So it is required for puberty to occur
Lack of leptin e.g. if very underweight means no puberty
What is the mean age of menarche?
12.8 years
What are physical changes in secondary sex characteristics?
Breast development
Pubic and axillary hair growth
Growth spurt
Menarche