Lecture 1 Reproductive Physiology – Basics, Male & Female Flashcards
What type of epithelium covers the surface of the ovary
Cuboidal Epithelium
Name the 2 parts of the ovary
Cortex and Medulla
What does the cortex of the ovary contain?
Ovarian follicles (one oocyte surrounded by single layer of cells)
What does the medulla of the ovary contain?
Connective tissue with blood vessels
What are the function of the ovaries
Oocyte production
Steroid hormone production- oestrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone
Why do cells arrested in the first meiotic division before birth
Mature egg should only contain 23 chromosomes so that it is capable of fertilising with sperm that have other 23 = diploid (46 chromosome)
What cells go on to become Graafian follicle
Dominant follicles
When is the primary follicle activated
Puberty
What are primordial follicles
Primary oocyte arrested in first meiotic division surrounded by one later of squamous pre granulose cells
What are primary follicles
Oocyte surrounded by zona and cuboidal granulosa
What are secondary follicles
Increased oocyte diameter and multiple layer of granulose cells, resumption of first meiotic division
What are tertiary/Graffian follicle
Follicular fluid between the cells with coalesce to form antrum, completion
Complete of first meiotic division to form secondary oocyte and start of second
Why is the polar body removed from the follicle
So that the resulting egg only has 1 set of chromosome
What hormone does the hypothalamus release
GnRH
What structure does GnRH act on
Anterior Pituitary Gland
What 2 hormones does the anterior pituitary gland release
FSH
LH
What is the role of FSH
Enters ovaries and stimulates ovas into follicles
What doe follicles produce and what is the effect
Low levels of oestrogen which inhibit GnRH
Causes endometrial arteries to constrict leading to menstruation
What occurs during the follicular phase
Egg maturation
During ovulation what hormone is elevated by the effect of LH and FSH on the follicles
Oestogen
Increase in GnRH
Increase in LH and FSH
Name another consequence of increased oestrogen besides ovulation
Thickening of endometrium
What is the Luteal Phase
Where LH stimulates the growth of corpus lute of follicular tissue left behind after ovulation
What hormones does the Corpus luteum release and what are the effects
Oestrogen and Progesterone that blocks the release of GnRH and LH and FSH. Endometrium further develops
What does a corpus lute develop into if there is no pregnancy
Corpus albicans
Name 2 causes of Amenorrhoea
Problems with regulating hormones
Problems with ovarian function
Problem with uterus or outflow tract
What organ produces sperm
Testicles
Where do the testicles lie
In the scrotum
Posterior to the testes sits the ____
Epididymis
Sperm and semen travel through the____
Urethra
What 2 organs create semen
Seminal vesicle and Prostate and travels through vas deferent to testis
What are the Seminiferous tubules
Site of sperm production
In the context of male reproductive hormones FSH stimulates what cells in the testes and what is the result
Sertoli cells- sperm production
Release inhibit which inhibit LH and FSH when sperm count is high enough
In the context of male reproductive hormones LSH stimulates what cells in the testes and what is the results
Leydig Cells
Produce testosterone
Inhibit GnRG=H and FSH and LH
What is the average cycle of spermatogenesis
64 days
What are the 2 distinct phases of spermatogenesis
Spermatocytogenesis
Spermiogenesis
What is spermatocytogenesis
Clinical expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic process
What is spermatogenesis
Diiferentiation into mature sperm cells
What are spermatids
Functional sperm cells not capable of fertilisation
Describe the development of spermatogonium to a Sperm cell
Mitosis
Meiosis I
Meiosis II
Spermatogenesis
What prestesticular factors affect spermatogenesis
Hormonal control Excessive weight loss/gain Intracranial tumours, cysts, bleed Prolactinoma Medications- opiates, steroids Genetic- Kallmanns syndrome
Name Testicular problems affecting spermatogenesis
Surgery STI Mumps orchitis Testicular trauma Radiotherapy/Chemotherapy Klinefelter's
Name lifestyle factors that affect spermatogenesis from the mother’s side
Smoking
Traffic/diesel exhaust
Obesity
Name lifestyle factors that affect spermatogenesis from the Father’s side
Traffic/diesel exhaust
Occupational and environmental chemical exposures
Sedentary positions (heat exposure)
Reduced testosterone, increased estradiol
Obesity
Smoking
