Lecture 19: Female Reproductive Organs Flashcards
What sort of activity is the ovary involved in?
Ovarian function is different from the testes with cyclical activity from Puberty –> to Menopause
What are some of the features of the ovary?
Few oocytes are released (= about 400)
Mature oocyte is released every (= about 28 days)
2.1 turn out to be babies
Female reproductive system has to sustain growth of embryo –> foetus
What is the Vagina?
an elastic muscular 7.5-9.0 cm tube extending from the cervix, to the exterior of the body
What two main things are the reproductive organs adapted to do?
produce gametes
produce reproductive hormones
What one feature is extremely important that a female must be able to do in comparison to a male?
female must be able sustain growth of embryo –> fetus
Additional role
How many follicles will a woman begin her life with?
7 million
What does saggital section mean?
dividing into left and right halve
What are the three main functions of the Vagina?
- Passageway for the elimination of menstrual fluid
- Receives the penis during intercourse and holds spermatozoa before they pass –> into the uterus
- Lower portion of birth canal passes through - needs to be flexible and adaptable in order to expel fetus
What is the cervix?
At the Top of the vagina
is part of the uterus
projects out into the vagina
What is another name for the fallopian tube?
uterine tube
attaches to the ovary
What are some features of the uterus?
Muscular body
Small
Pear shaped organ
Weighing about 30-40grams
What is the Fundus?
Part of the uterus
is Dame shaped
at the Top of the uterus
Can Predict fetal growth
What is fundal height?
top of uterus –> pubic bone
how well the puberty is going
No centimetres = weeks of gestation
Different to predicted height/increased with –> twins, breach birth, gestational diabetes
Where does the vagina point?
Superior
Postetior
Where does the uterine/fallopian tube end?
At the Infundibulum
with finger like projections called fimbrea, loosely associated with uterus
Why is there a narrowing at the bottom of the uterus?
contains a Plug full of Mucous
this prevents Sperm and other material from bacteria
only a few days per month exception
What are the functions of the uterus?
- Pathway to Sperm transport from cervix –> uterus
- Provides Mechanical protection, nutritional support, waste removal: for the developing embryo and fetus
- Contractions in the muscular wall (myometrium)(during labour) of the uterus are important in ejecting the foetus at the time of birth (oxytoxin)(in response to oxytocin)
What sort of the muscle is the vagina?
elastic
Do all animals ejaculate into the vagina?
No, some species go through the cervix and ejaculate there
different mechanicansim of fertilisation
What does the lower portion of the vagina form?
the lower portion of the birth canal
What two specific things have to expand during labour?
Cervix
Vagina
What is the myometrium?
muscular layer
Why is the uterus an important organ?
IT maintains pregnancy
What is the endometrium?
special tissue
Endometrium is thick epithelial region and is source of menstrual flow and implantation area
What contains dense mucous for most of the reproductive cycle?
cervix
What is thinner functional zone called?
Striatum functionalism
What is the function of the striatum functionalism?
contains most of the uterine glands
to provide best environment for baby
layer takeaway in menstruation and built up
What is the outer Basilar Zone?
stratum basalis
What is the function of the stratum basalis?
attaches endometrium to myometrium
adjacent to it (b/w functional some and myometrium)
How many layers can the endometrium be divided into?
2 layers
What is the Antiflexion?
80% of women- normal
90 angle b/w vagina uterus
What is the Retroflexion?
20% of women
causes pain during menstruation and intercourse
Can be fixed after childbirth
Can you feel the top of your fundus?
Yes
useful during pregnancy
What is a breach birth?
baby is upset down
What is the uterus?
pathway of sperm
mechainical protection
nutirition
removal of waste
Where is the source of menstrual fund?
endometrium
What are some features of the Uterine (fallopian) tube?
Site of fertilisaiton
Fertilisation typicaly occurs in the Ampulla
10-15cm lone, diameter of a star
connected to the uterus via the isthmus
therine tube produce RISH, NUTRITIVE environment, containing LIPIDS and GLYCOGEN for the sperm, oocyte and developing embryo
Epithletlial lining of the uterine tube:
-ciliated columnar epithelium
-secretory non-ciliated columnar epithelium (-microvilli -nutrition to ovum)
The mucosa surrounded by layers of smooth muscle
Transport along tube involves a combination of bother -ciliary movement and -peristaltic contractions - + sperm swimming
What are the Fimbriae?
fingerlike projections which partially cover the ovary
-following ovulation the oocyte is drawn into the uterine tubes by the fimbriae and down into the uterus
meet in the right place in the ampulla
After ovulation, what brings up the oocyte slowly into the uterine tube?
Fimbriae
- finger like projections
- partially cover the ovary
What is the main function of the Uterine Tube?
KEEP SURVIVAL of oocyte, sperm and developing ovary
allows fertilisation to occur
allow developing embryo to survive as it goes down the uterus
must be rich in vitamins (a nutritive environment)
contains lipids and glycogen- to allow things to survival
What is an Ectopic Pregnancy?
fertilised embryo is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall
Where do most ectopic pregnancy occur?
Most occur in the uterine tube (Tubal pregnancy)
What are the 3 risk factors for an ectopic pregnancy?
- smoking -cigarette smoke impairs cilia from beating
- advanced maternal age - cilia are less compliant
- prior tubal damage -e.g. STD infections
What projections are covered constantly beating cilia?
Fimbriae
acts like vacuum cleaner, sucking up oocyte into the uterine tube
What is the uterine tube covered in and why?
Cilia
provide ability to move oocytes in one direction and sperm in the other direction
secretory cells
proved nutrition for survival of sperm and eggs and embryo
surrounded by smooth muscle
movement of sperm and egg need peristaltic contractions
What are some features of ovaries?
human ovaries are OVAL Weigh approximately 5-10 grams White hello Sometimes lumpy small - doesn't normally give problems sometimes large -tumour in response to hormones - don't tend to be malignant - just need to be removed
what is the Blood vessels in Hilum of ovary?
acts as an entry point for NERVES and Blood Vessels
How many regions is the ovary made up of?
3
What are the three regions of an ovary?
Outer cortex - follicles
Ovarian medulla - soft tissue - ovarian stroma + steroid producing cells - to produce estradiol
Hilum- entry point for nerves and blood vessels
What does the outer most layer of the ovary (Outer cortex) contain?
follicles
What does the middle layer of the ovary (Ovarian medulla) contain?
Ovarian Medulla = “soft tissue”
Ovarian stroma + steroid producing cells
steroid producing cells produce estradiol
What does the inner most layer of the ovary (Hilum) contain?
entry point of nerves and blood vessels
What is follicular development?
Follicle –> oocyte + surrounding cells
What is the First stage out of 5 in follicular development?
Primordial Follicle
What is the Primordial Follicle?
7 million
the oocyte, once surrounded by a single squamous layer of flat follicular/support cells
sit in nests
(which develop into granolas cells), form the primordial follicle (quiet , dormant)
most of ovary is filled with these primordial follicles
2n oogonium -Meiosis I begins during fetal development -millions prior to birth
1 Primary oocyte –> 2 secondary primordal follicles
What is the second stage out of five of follicular development?
Primary follicle
/ Pre-autral follicle
What is the Primary Follicle?
Daily initiation
Granlosa cell
as the follicle grows, they are called primary or Pre-Autral follicles
Pathway of growth has begun
After puberty
primary oocyte
2 oocyte, 1st polar body
Immature primary follicles have one layer of granolas cells
Oocyte increases in size and becomes mitotically active
What is another name for a primary follicle?
Pre-autral follicle
What is the third stage out of five of follicular development?
Oocyte increases in size and becomes more mitotically active
-in response to FSH, some follicles get larger, producing many layers of cuboidal GRANULOSA CELL surrounding the oocyte - 1-2 layers
Oocyte secretes glycoproteins forming a translucentacellular layer called the Zona Pellucida (separates oocyte form granulosa cells)
Condensation of ovarian stream cells, known as Thecal cells, begin to form around the follicle - organised theca follicle layer
Which is larger: oocyte or primordial follicles?
Oocyte is much larger than primordial follicles
- as the Granulosa cells have developed, and are cuboidal, around the oocyte
What does a primary follicle look like?
Primary follicle
granulosa cells on the outside
What is the Zona pellucida?
stained blue
- Clear glycoprotein layer
- between oocyte and granolas cells
- allows entry of only ONE sperm of SAME species - bind to zone pellucida proteins
- plays an important role in fertilisation
Which cells outside of the primary follicle become highly specialised?
Fecal cells
What is the fourth stage out of five of follicular development called?
Secondary follicle
What is a secondary follicle?
antral follicles
As GRANULOSA CELLS proliferate (more and more) they produce viscous, follicular fluid called antrum ->
Characterises 2 follicle: this fluid condenses to form a Single follicular fluid filled cavity (lake)- forms antral follicle
-the innermost layer of granulosa cells becomes firmly attached to the zone pellucida and is called the corona radiata
-mass of loosely associated granulosa cells is known as the cumulus oophores
The these becomes – Theca interna: glandular, highly vascular, here androgens –FSH–> oestrogen’s in granulosa cells
–Theca externa: surrounding fibrous capsule, structural and supportive role
What is another name for a secondary follicle?
antral follicle
How many layers does the theca become/specialise into?
2
What is the Theca interna?
glandular highly vascular here Androgens --FSH--> estrogens (follicle stimulating hormone) in granulosa cells (or 2 follicles)
What is the Theca externa?
surrounding fibrous capsule- protection around growing oocyte
structural and supportive role
What is a follicle called prior to the appearance of an antrum?
pre-antral follicle
What can occur to granulosa cells in secondary follicles?
in 2secondary follicles, granolas cells can become more specialised
What immediately surrounds the zone pellucida?
2-3 layers of granulosa cells
-stay tightly bound to the oocyte right through to fertilisation
What is the corona radiate?
radiating crown
highly specialised granulosa cells
the innermost layer of granulosa cells becomes firmly attached to the zone pellucida
What is the cumulus oophoras?
cloudy mass of loosely associated granulosa cells
partially specialised granolas cells
Can theca cells specialise?
yes
into Theca internal
and
theca externa
What is the fifth stage out of five of follicular development?
Mature (Graafian or pre-ovulatory) follicle
teritary follicle
What is a Mature (Graafian or pre-ovulatory) follicle?
as the follicular antrum grows, the oocyte becomes suspended in fluid - helps oocyte to survive
Bigger- dividing faster in 3 dimensions
number of granolas, amount of follicular fluid, size, constantly increasing - follicle begins to budge out on the size of the ovary
it is connected to outside of the follicle the rim of peripheral granulosa cells (follicle) by a thin stalk of cells
Larger secondary oocyte (n) is ready to be expelled after rupture of large, fluid filled follicle –> finishes Meiosis 1
What is ovulation?
the increasing some of follicle and its position in the cortex of the ovarian stroma causes it to budge out from the ovarian surface
the follicle ruptures, carrying with it - the oocyte and surrounding mass/clouds of cumulus cells around oocyte
the oocyte is collected by the cilia on the fimbria (suction vacuum)
which sweep the cumulus mass into the uterine tube
-slow movement out of ovary with aid of enzymes
What is the six stage overall, during ovulation?
Corpus luteum
What are cumulus cells like?
clouds
What is the corpus luteu?
empty follicle after ovulation
What are some features of the corpus luteum?
produces PROGESTERONE, ESTROGENS, RELAXIN and INHIBIN (LH) - which are vital for pregnancy –> reproductive endocrine gland
the Antrom breaks down
the basement membrane between the granulose cells and theca layer breaks down
blood vessels invade
granulosa cells from large lutein –> yellow pigment (corpus luteum = yellow body)
the transformation is called lutenisation and is associated with an increasing secretion of prostagens
What is Lutenisation? and what is it associated with?
development of the corpus luteum
increasing production and secretion of progesterone
corpus luteum = yellow body
Granulosa cells form large lutein - yellow pigment
lutenisation is associated with an increased secretion of progestogens
How fast does the oocyte remove from the surface of the ovary?
thought it was fast like a gun shot
is actually as slow removal process (gradual)
What has to become one of the most important endocrine organs of the body?
empty follicle
corpus luteum
What is one of the most remarkable changes in the human body?
the development of the massive blood supply in the corpus lutem/empty yellow follicle
What is the hormone of pregnancy?
progestoetone
-SUPPORTS pregnancy
Wht is the overall main function of the corpus luteum?
produce massive amounts of Progesterone, in just a few weeks
-therefore it becomes a significant endocrine organ
What is the seventh stage overall, in menstruation?
Corpus Albicans
What is the Corpus albicnas?
after about 14 days, the whitish scar tissue remains, the corpus alhbicans (white body) is absorbed BACK INTO THE STROMAL TISSUE of the ovary over weeks to months
occurs if NO FERTILISATION occurs –> therefore FUTILE CYCLE,
Cyclically, what happens if pregnancy does occur?
cycle starts over again
What stage of development has occurs for fertilisation to occur?
Meiosis 2 completes
What is fertilisation?
the oocyte is fertilised and IMMEDIATELY begins to DIVIDE (Fertile Cycle) and the corpus lute persists PAST its 2 week life span
It is rescued from death/degeneration by bCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) –> the hormone produced by the chorion of the embryo beginning about 8 days after fertilisation(embryo formation)
–> presence of hCG in eternal blood of urine is an indicator of pregnancy and is the hormone detected by home pregnancy tests
What order is the fertile cycle?
Produce oocyte –> incubate embryo —> baby formation
-production of hCG FROM EMBRYO
and survival of corpus luteum - thick wall
What order is the futile cycle?
incubate embryo —-no sperm –> restart cycle and reproduce oocyte
occurs most months of a woman’s lifetime
How does the embryo protect its own life?
by expanding the life of the corpus luteum - due to hCG presence at 8 days
Where can pregnancy tests be used using?
blood
urine
How long is the average menstrual cycle?
28 dyas
How long does menstruation last for?
about 1-5 days
When does ovulation occur in the menstrual cycle?
2 weeks after –> 14 days from oval –> mensturaiton
What sort of vacation is there between cycles?
great variation
25-35 days
Which phase is fixed in menstruation?
Luteal phase
14days
Which phase is variable in menstruation?
Follicular/pre-ovulatory phase
-reduces with age
What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle?
- Follicular phase (day 1 –> ovulation)
2. Luteal phase (ovulation –> menstruation)
What is the Follicular phases time span?
Day 1 (time of follicle)–> ovulation
What does the Follicular phase of the ovarian cycle contain?
FSH makes follicles grow
growing follicles produces high amounts of oestrogen’s (mitgen)
-primarily OESTRODIOL by GRANULOSA CELLS - to grow functional layer of endometrium (proliferation)
What is the Luteal phases time span?
Fixed secretory/luteal phase for 14 das
Ovulation (timye of corpus luteum)–> Menstruation
What does the Luteal phase of the ovarian cycle contain?
Corpus luteum produces large amounts of progesterone
and conversely corpus luteum produces Small amounts of Estorgens
What are the three phases within the Uterine (menstrual) cycle?
- Mensturation
- Proliferation phase(until ovulation)
- Secretory phase (ovulation –>)
What is involved in the Proliferation phase?
oestrogen makes all divisions occur as the FUNCTIONAL ENDOmetrium layer GROWS and PROLIFERATES
What is involved in the secretory phase?
formation of
-large secretory endometrial glands (glycogen) –> coiling
Good blood system –> vascularisation
What is the first stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
No fertilisaiton occurs, resulting in:; = corpus luteum regressing/degenerating =reduction in progesterone =estrogen levels decrease =FSH levels (little rise) INCREASE
What is the second stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
(little rise) FSH stimulations leads to INCREASED FOLLICULAR GROWTH
=small increase in FSH is sufficient, and stimulates growth from 2secondary –> mature follicle
What is the third stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
About day 6-7, see section of dominant follicle
=out of many follicles, one mergers and is released b ovulation (ONE BECOMES MATURE AT DAY 6-7)
=will have vast amounts/ as many granulosa cells, start to produce estradiol and oestrogen levels rise dramatically
What is the role of progesterone?
reduce poliferation
make Endometrium specialised and become secretory
-provides best environment for embryo to implant and undergo development
-produced by corpus luteum
Why is the Luteal phase time span fixed?
as it is the life span of the corpus luteum
2 weeks without being rescued by pregnancies/embryos secretion of hCG
Why do we have a menstrual cycle?
the female reproductive tracts two main functions
- produce an egg
- also has to INCUBATe the EMBRYO and FETUS (otherwise redo cycle)
- therefore has to be cyclical, because if there is no embryo, the cycle need to re-prepare)
How often does the Fertile cycle occur in a woman life time?
2.1 times (NZ av)
How often does the futile cycle occur in a woman’s life time?
oncer every month (av 28 days) since puberty (–> menopause)
Why do we retain the endometrium unlike other animals?
quicker
adapted to be this way
more efficient to remove the layer
What is the fourth stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
oestradiol produced by numerous granulosa cells of dominant cells SUPRESSES FSH and LH PRODUCTION in the pituitary –> negative feedback
-ve feedback on hypothalamus of anterior pituitary (increased LH)
What is the fifth stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
Oestragen levels increase
by day 12 threshold concentration of estradiol is exceeded
-if this is maintained (for 36 hours) a temporary switch from a Negative –> Positive feedback system
What is the sixth stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
Oestrogen mediated postive feedback triggers
=rise if GnRH
= LH SURGE
What is the seventh stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
LH SURGE induces OVULATION
what induces ovulation?
the LH SURGE
What is the eighth stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
Epipty follicle
(LH STIMULATES) the Corpus luteum develops after ovulation
Progesterone levels INCREASE (produced by corpus luteum)
What is the ninth stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
Most productive time of corpus luteum
Elevated levels of progesterone
-INHIBITS GnRH
DECREASED levels of FSH and LH
What is the last/final/TENTH stage (out of ten) of the menstrual cycle?
Demise of corpus luteum
What does oestradiol suppress?
FSH and LH levels
What occurs day 10?
Step 5
High maintained conc of oestrogen (this time estradiol) there is a SWITCH to a NEG –> POS FEEDBACK
Which hormones provide a negative feedback?
oestragens
progesterones
What influence does a switch to positive feedback lead to?
massive SURGE OF LH - - - AND THIS CAUSES OVULATION!!!!!
Is progesterone produced at a specific time?
Progesterone is only produced AFTER ovulation
Is progesterone produced by a specific object?
Yes, it is produced by the Corpus luteum
When is the corpus lutes most productive time?
Step 9 of the menstrual cycle
What is the order of peaks in the menstrual cycle?
small FSH –> Oestrogen’s –> LH + small FSH –> small Oestrogen’s –> Progesterones
What is the order of the large peaks of the menstrual cycle?
Estrogen –> FSH –> LH –> Progesterone
What type of ovulation are humans, unlike some other animals?
Humans are Hidden ovulates
-we don’t know when woman ovulate
What are woman most likely to do during the 3-5 days before ovulation?
Most intercourse
Most likely to have an extra marital-parital affair
Wear different clothes -less and brighter and bolder - bling
Dangerous, masculine attractive male
Eat less
Travel more
Smell better
