L3: Ovulation, Fertilization & Implantation Flashcards
What controlled human Sexual cycles?
Hypothalamus which produce GnRH
How does the hypothalamus controls the Sexual cycles?
Because it acts on cells of the anterior pitiutary gland > which secrete gonadotropins (LH&FSH) > puberty
The ovarian cycle: (the phases are)
- Follicular phase
- ovulation
- luteal phase
What is the role LH & FSH in female ovarian cycles?
• stimulate and control cyclic changes in the ovary
What stimulates the primary-stage (preantral ) follicles? (Follicular phase)
the influence of FSH
How many primary-stage (preantral ) follicles are stimulated?
15 to 20
What is the result at the end of the follicular phase?
Only one of these follicles will reach full maturity the others degenerate and become atretic and replaced by connective tissue forming corpus atreticum.
How is the proliferation of the granulosa mediated?
by growth differentiation factor 9 > GDF9
define growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9)
- a member of the transforming growth factor beta
* important to change the secondary follicle to a pre-antral follicle
GDF9 require what for the conversion
This requires FSH, activins, inhibin, androgens, estrogen, GDF9, BMP15
What is the function of Cumulus cells
continuously supplying the cell with hormones + secreting chemoattractant for the sperm
What is the importance of the granulosa cells?
Nourish the oocyte with hormones mainly estrogen.
What is the role of AMH? (anti-Mullerian hormone)
Inhibition follicles allowing only one to mature > regulation of ovarian follicle growth.
How does Theca interna and granulosa cells produce estrogens?
theca interna cells produce > androstenedione and testosterone > and granular cells convert these hormones to > estrone and 17-beta estradiol.
what happens after estrone & 17-beta estradiol production?
Uterine endometrium enters the proliferative phase
what happens to the uterus in the proliferative phase?
There is significant thickening of the wall of the uterus as a preparation for implantation
Why does the cervical mucus get thinner?
To allow passage of sperm
The ovarian cycle:
- Follicular phase > Follicular growth > GDF9
- ovulation > LH surge lead to ovulation > release the oocyte by rupture of follicle
- luteal phase > corpus luteum
Primary oocyte to begin to mature within the……
growing follicles
Corpus luteum develop from….
the remaining of the follicle
The corpus luteum degenerates if
a secondary oocyte is not fertilized
what happens to the remaining follicle after fertilization?
become corpus luteum
what is the role of corpus luteum?
it produces progesterone which is important for the endometrium
what prevents corpus luteum from degenerating?
HCG does not allow it to
degenerate coming from the embryo till the 3 or 4th month till the formation of the placenta
what happens to the corpus luteum if not fertilized?
the corpus luteum die
Why does FSH and LH surge during ovulation?
because we need the supply to change the secondary oocyte into a to a mature follicle. (complete meiosis 1)
who block additional oocyte for differentiation?
AMH
Why do we get the surge of estrogen around the same time of ovulation?
We get the estrogen from the theca interna and granulosa cells
what is LH surge role in the production of progesterone?
It stimulates production of progesterone by follicular stromal cells (leutinization) and
causes follicular rupture and ovulation
Why do we get a surge of progesterone after estrogen (after ovulation)?
Because it’s increases within the luteal phase in which the corpus luteum is the one
responsible for the surge
What is the importance of progesterone?
Important for thickening of the wall of the uterus
How does the oocytes to complete meiosis I and initiate meisosis II?
By the LH surge that elevates concentrations of maturation-promoting factor
What happens when LH has high concentrations? (surge)
- increase collagenase activity
- increase Prostaglandins
- squeeze the oocyte along with its granulosa cells from the region of cumulus oophuru
what happens when we increase collagenase activity?
that will lead to the breakdown of collagen fibers surrounding the follicle.
what happens when we increase prostaglandins?
will cause muscular contractions in the ovarian wall