Lecture 18 - Female reproduction Flashcards
Primary sex organ and function
gonads (ovaries). production/storage of gametes (oocytes - exocrine) and hormone production (endocrine)
Secondary sex organs
internal genitalia (oviducts, uterus, and vagina) and external genitalia (vestibule, labia minora, labia majora, and clitoris)
Oviduct
carry the oocyte to the uterus.
Epithelium of the ovary and structure of ovary
germinal epithelium (simple cuboidal). Cortex (which contains the ovarian follicles) and the medulla (CT and vasculature)
Primordial follicle
most primitive. flatten layer of follicular cells on inside and stromal cells surrounding. arrested in prophase I.
Stages of follicle
primordial follicle, unilaminar primary follicle, multilaminar primary follicle, secondary/antral follicle, mature/graafian follicle
FSH’s effect on follicles
FSH (from anterior pituitary) causes flattened follicular cells to become granulosa cells (cuboidal).
Unilaminar primary follicle
one layer of granulosa cells. Zona pellucida forming.
Multilaminar primary follicle
multiple granulosa cells. zona pellucida on the inside. Theca interna on the outside.
Theca interna
layer of cells outside the follicle. produce androstenedione (cell has SER, mitochondria with tubular cristae, lipid droplets), which diffuses into the follicle where it is metabolized to estrogen.
Secondary/antral follicle
antral space develops. oocyte will proceed in meiosis to prophase II and be arrested by OMI. Theca externa now develops
Oocyte meiosis inhibitory (OMI) substance
arrests a secondary follicle in prophase II.
Theca externa
outside the theca interna. CT (collagen), fibroblasts, smooth muscle.
Graafian/mature follicle
will ovulate mid cycle. cumulus oophorus develops and corona radiata. upon ovluation, OMI is dispersed and oocyte will progress to metaphase II.
Tunica albuginea
(also seen in male reproduction) CT with fibroblasts.
zona pellucida
CT layer that surrounds the oocyte. Will stay until fertilization.
Corona radiata
layer of tightly packed granulosa cells immediately adjacent to the zona pellucida.
Atretic follicle
oocyte is no longer circular but rather oval shape. oocyte has died off.
where is estrogen produced?
during graafian cell - granulosa cells
corpus luteum - theca interna/theca lutein cells
where is androstenedione produced?
graafian cell - theca interna
corpus luteum - granulosa cells/granulose lutein
What do granulosa cells become in the corpus luteum?
granulose lutein cells and produce progesterone
What does the theca interna become in the corpus leteum?
theca lutein cells and produces estrogen.