Lecture 15- Reproduction II Flashcards
Female Reproductive System Functions
Produce ova (eggs)
Receive sperm, facilitate fertilization
House and nourish developing embryo, give birth
Lactate, feed young
Ovaries and what they produce
Female gonad (reproductive organ)
Located in abdominal cavity (Held in place by several ligaments)
Produce:
- Gametes via oogenesis
- Sex hormones- estradiol, progesterone
Oviducts (Fallopian tubes)
Extend from uterus to ovaries
Collects secondary oocyte from ovary
Moves to uterus via beating cilia, contractions
Site of fertilization
Uterus
What are the layers?
Pear-shaped, size of fist
Site of embryonic development (expands during pregnancy)
2 layers
Myometrium: Thick wall of smooth muscle (involuntary movement)
Endometrium- Lines lumen
Endometrium
Fertilization vs. no fertilization
Lines lumen- connective tissue, glands, blood vessels
Thickens each month- prepare for pregnancy
Fertilization-> embryo implants
No fertilization-> sloughed off-> menstruation
Cervix
What does it separate?
Lower part of uterus
Closes uterus, separates from vagina
Common site of cancer
99% of cases due to HPV
Vagina
Elastic muscular tube
Extends to outside of body
Receives penis and sperm
Birth canal
Vulva
External genitalia
Covers external openings
Oogenesis-> how is the primary oocyte formed?
Development of mature eggs
In Embryo
Primordial germ cells (2n)
Mitosis-> Oogonia (2n)
Form during development, no new oogonia after birth
Mitosis-> Primary oocyte (2n)
Primary Oocyte
Begin meiosis
Arrest (pause) in prophase I
At birth, 1-2 million primary oocytes
200k by sexual maturity
Dormant until acted on by hormones after puberty
After Puberty
What happens in the ovary?
Occurs in follicle (structure within ovary)
Contains:
Primary oocyte
Follicle cells- protective barrier
Zona pellucida: Thick glycoprotein layer between follicle cells and oocyte
What is the zona pellucida?
Thick glycoprotein layer between follicle cells & oocyte
What happens each month when 6-12 follicles mature?
6-12 follicles mature
Primary oocyte grows, follicle cells proliferate
After 1 week, the largest continues, the others stop
What happens during primary oocyte division?
Primary oocyte completes meiosis I 8-10 hours before release. Completion of meiosis I and onset of meiosis II. Unequal cytokinesis->
1 polar body (n)
1 secondary oocyte (n)
Secondary oocyte starts meiosis II and arrests (pauses) at metaphase II
What happens during ovulation?
As secondary oocyte matures, it moves to surface of ovary.
Follicle cells secrete fluid, estrogens, proteolytic enzymes-> break down ovary wall
The secondary oocyte is ejected into the oviduct as a result.
What happens to the portion of follicle left in ovary after ovulation?
This is this corpus luteum, or yellow body. It develops into a temporary endocrine gland. It secretes estrogens and progesterone (1000x more than estrogens)
Secondary Oocyte (if sperm enters vs. if no sperm enters)
If sperm enters-> completes meiosis II
-> Mature egg containing sperm head- oogenesis complete
If no sperm enters-> disintegrates
Corpus lute dies (luteolysis)
-> Menstruation
New follicle next cycle
Oogenesis Summary
Primordial germ cell
-> Oogonium
-> Primary oocyte
-> Secondary oocyte
-> Ovum
Begins during embryonic development
Finishes at fertilization
Menstrual Cycle Overview
Complex sequence of events
Involves hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, ovaries, uterus
Repeats every 28 days unless fertilization + implantation occur
Prepares female body for pregnancy
Components of Menstrual Cycle- What are the two overlapping parts?
Ovarian cycle and Uterine cycle
List the components of the Ovarian cycle
List the components of the Uterine cycle
OVARIAN CYCLE
Follicular phase- days 1-13- before ovulation
Ovulation- day 14
Luteal phase- days 15-28- after ovulation
UTERINE CYCLE
Menstrual flow phase- days 1-5
Proliferative phase- days 6-13- before ovulation
Secretory phase- days 15-28- after ovulation
Female Sex Hormones- Estrogen
Estrogen is the principle female sex hormone. Main form is estradiol.
Secreted by follicle cells, corpus lute
At puberty, stimulates growth of:
- Sex organs
- Secondary sex characteristics- breast development, broadening of pelvis, fat and muscle distribution
Stimulates monthly prep for pregnancy- endometrium
Female Sex Hormones- Progesterone
Secreted mainly by corpus luteum
Completes preparation of endometrium for pregnancy
Stimulates endometrial glands to secrete nutrient-rich fluid
What stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone?
Hypothalamus secretes GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone). Stimulates anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH (Follicle stimulating hormone and Luteinizing hormone). FSH and LH are secreted and enter ovaries, signal ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone
New Ovarian Cycle
Hypothalamus releases GnRH (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone). Stimulates Anterior Pituitary to release FSH + LH (Follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone). This leads to follicle growth. Follicle cells produce estradiol, so there is a slow rise in estradiol during follicular phase as follicle grows.
Now we have high estradiol. The hypothalamus is still secreting GnRH to the AP. FSH and LH are still being released, LH surge. LH surge triggers ovulation.
Maturing follicle enlarges and moves to the ovary surface. Ovulation occurs ~1 day after LH surge. Secondary oocyte is released into oviduct. (Ovulation is due to positive feedback regulation).
Luteal Phase
LH stimulates remaining follicle tissue-> corpus lute
-> Secretes progesterone and estradiol
Hypothalamus releases less GnRH
AP releases less LH, FSH
Why?
Negative feedback to prevent another egg from maturing after pregnancy may have started
If No Pregnancy
Low FSH, LH cause corpus luteum to disintegrate
Estradiol and progesterone decrease
No negative feedback on hypothalamus-> secretes GnRH
-> AP produces FSH
-> Stimulates next ovarian cycle
Uterine Cycle 3 Phases
- Menstrual Flow phase- days 1-5
- Proliferative phase- days 6-13- before ovulation
- Secretory phase- days 15-28- after ovulation
Proliferative Phase
Days 6-13- before ovulation
Coordinated with follicular phase of ovarian cycle
Ovarian hormones stimulate uterus to prepare, support embryo
Growing follicle produces estradiol, causing the endometrium to thicken.
Ovulation- day 14
Secretory Phase
Days 15-28- After ovulation
Coordinated with luteal phase of ovarian cycle
Promoted by estradiol, progesterone from corpus luteum
Endometrium development
Arteries enlarge
Endometrial glands grow
(Preparing for embryo)
If no pregnancy
Corpus luteum disintegrates
Estradiol and progesterone go down
Arteries in endometrial lining constrict
-> Loss of circulation
-> Lining disintegrates
Menstrual Flow Phase
Endometrial tissue, fluid, blood is shed
New follicles begin to grow
Day 1 of menstrual flow= beginning of new ovarian/uterine cycles