LEC28: Female Sexual Differentiation and Puberty

Question 1

Genetic Sex

Answer 1

XY or XX

Question 2

Gonadal Sex

Answer 2

Testes or Ovaries

Question 3

Phenotypic Sex

Answer 3

Secondary sex characteristics and external genitalia, what is being produced by the gonads

Question 4

Male Internal Ducts

Answer 4

Wolffian: epididymis, cas deferens, seminal vesicles

Question 5

Female Internal Ducts

Answer 5

Mullerian: uterus, Fallopian tubes

Question 6

Sequential process of sexual differentiation

Answer 6

1) Establishment of genetic sex
2) Translation of genetic sex into gonadal sex
3) Translation of gonadal sex into phenotypic sex

Question 7

Testes develop

Answer 7

Weeks 6-7

Question 8

Ovaries develop

Answer 8

~week 9

Question 9

Gonad development

Answer 9

Are bipotential until 5 weeks

Question 10

Sexual determination (male/female) is determined by:

Answer 10

the presence of the Y chromosome

Question 11

SRY gene

Answer 11

On the Y chromosome, tell your body to make testosterone and determines what gonads you have

Question 12

Swyer’s Syndrome

Answer 12

XY individual with a uterus, fallopian tubes and a cervix. Sex assignment is female, but don’t produce any hormones so the Wolffian system does not develop. Need gonadectomy

Question 13

Sertoli cells

Answer 13

Where gonatogensis happens in the testes. Releases AMH (antimullerian hormone)

Question 14

Leydig cells

Answer 14

Releases testosterone

Question 15

Granulosa cells

Answer 15

Makes estrodiol in the ovaries

Question 16

Theca cells

Answer 16

Makes progesterone in the ovaries

Question 17

AMH

Answer 17

Causes atrophy of the Mullerian ducts, secreted in the Sertoli cells

Question 18

Testosterone

Answer 18

Stimulates Wolffian ducts growth and differentiation into the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and the ejaculatory ducts

Question 19

Penis and scrotum

Answer 19

Differentiate at weeks 9-10 in the presence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

Question 20

In the absence of AMH

Answer 20

Mullerian ducts develop: uterus, Fallopian tubes, upper third of the vagina.

Question 21

Estrogen

Answer 21

Differentiates the external female genitalia: clitoris, labia majora/minora, lower 2/3 of the vagina

Question 22

Testicular feminization (androgen insensitivity syndrome)

Answer 22

XY. Phenotypic female, not menstruating, blind ending vagina. Will have secondary female characteristics (breasts). Making tons of testosterone but the receptors aren’t functioning so male parts don’t develop and no DHT production so you appear female. “Middlesex”

Question 23

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Answer 23

Masculinization of female external genitalia at birth, normal uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries. Menstruates at puberty. Problem with 21-hydroxylase

Question 24

Puberty

Answer 24

Gradual maturation of the hypothalamus. The final endpoint of puberty is the production of viable gametes.

Question 25

GnRH

Answer 25

GnRH pulses determine puberty. Increase in FSH and LH pulses, increase in estrogen/testosterone. Folliculogenesis and sptermatogenesis occur

Question 26

Puberty in Girls: Gonadarche

Answer 26

Hypothalamic-Pituitary axis drives ovarian estradiol synthesis from granulosa cells. Best buds, linear growth spurt, menarche

Question 27

Puberty in Girls: Adrenarche

Answer 27

Public and axillary hair, increased production and secretion of adrenal androgens, may occur as early as 2-3 years before the onset of puberty

Question 28

Tanner stages

Answer 28

Used to determine if a patient is entering puberty