Lecture 3: Female Reproductive Physiology: Terminology and basic concepts Flashcards
What is the most external surface of the ovary
Germinal epithelium
What is internal to the germinal epithelium of the ovary
Tunica albuginea
What region of the ovary contains follicles
Cortex
What region of the of the ovary with blood supply and lymphatics
Medulla
What are the two functions of the ovary
- Secrete hormones- estrogen and progesterone
- Produce oocytes
What is the order of events from primordial follicle to ovulating follicle or corpus albicans
- Primordial follicle
- Primary follicle (oocytes)
- Secondary follicle
- Tertiary follicle (developing antrum)
- Antral follicle
- Ovulating follicle exits ovary
OR - Corpus luteum forms
- Corpus albicans
When does the first mitotic division of the oogonium occur
Prior to birth
When are the stages of oogenesis
- Mitotic proliferation prior to birth to primary oocytes
- Arrested in first meiotic division
- After puberty, one primary oocytes reaches maturity and is ovulated for about once a month until menopause ensues-> enlarged primary oocytes
- First meiotic division completed just prior to ovulation—> creates first polar body and secondary oocytes
- Develop into second polar bodies
- Second meiotic division is completed after fertilization into mature ovum
Between birth and puberty follicles do not develop, what keeps follicles in arrest during this time
Oocytes inhibiting factor and luteinizing inhibiting factor
What factor keeps the oocyte in prophase I
Oocyte inhibiting factor
What factor prevents granulosa cells from becoming luteal tissue
Luteinizing inhibiting factor
What cells multiply by mitosis during gestation
Primordial germ cells
What cells develop 8-9 weeks gestation to after birth
Oogonia
What cells enter prophase I of meiosis and become primary oocytes
Oogonia
What cells arrest in prophase I of meiosis and then meiosis occurs before ovulation
Primary oocytes
Each oocyte is surrounded by a layer of ___ cells to make a follicle
Granulosa cells
What is the ovarian reserve
Stock of healthy follicles and oocytes. Number is established prior to birth and constantly decline from birth
How many follicles do female cows have at birth
100,000
How many follicles do female cows have at 12 months
75,000
How many follicles do female cows have at 4-6 years
21,000
How many follicles does an aged cow have
2,500
Follicles consist of what 3 types of cells
Oocyte, granulosa cells, theca cells
What is the zona pellucida
Layer of glycoproteins that occur between the oocyte and granulosa cells
The ___ membrane surrounds the outer layer of granulosa cells and the spindle-shaped theca cells
Basement
As follicles mature a fluid fluid ___ develops within the granulosa cells
Antrum
What is the interval between successive ovulations
Ovarian cycle
What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle
- Follicular phase
- Luteal phase
What dominates the follicular phase
Maturing follicles
The luteal phase is characterized by ___
Corpus luteum
What are the 3 cell types of the maturing follicle
- Primary oocyte
- Inner layer of granulosa cells
- Outer layer of thecal cells
What phase does the antrum form in
Follicular phase
What does the antrum secrete
Estrogen
When the antrum forms and starts secreting estrogen it becomes sensitive to what hormone
FSH
When does the dominant follicle (Graafian follicle) form
When first meiotic division completes
Rapid growth of the dominant follicle is driving by what hormone
FSH
What is the dominant follicle largely composed of
Largely antrum, oocyte encased in zona pellucida
In order for the dominant follicle to development what must it have
Receptors for FSH
What occurs when follicular cells release enzymes that weaken the follicular wall
Ovulation
What hormone drives differentiation into corpus luteum
LH
Ovulation is enhanced by increased ___ receptors
LH
What 3 things facilitate ovulation
- Hyperemia
- Collagenease synthesis by thecal cells
- Prostaglandin release by ovary stimulate smooth muscle contraction
Rupture if the follicular wall signals the end of the ___ phase and beginning of the ___ phase
End of follicular phase and beginning of the luteal phase
What does the corpus luteum produce large amounts of
Steroids due to cholesterol storage
If no fertilization occurs at the corpus luteum phase what happens
Corpus albicans develops due to formation of fibrous tissue
If fertilization occurs what happens to corpus luteum
Uterus releases hormones to notify body that you are pregnant and corpus luteum lifespan increases and maintains pregnancy
What regulates spontaneous ovulations
Internal hormonal cycles
___signals the release of gonadotropins
Estrogen
Which species have complete separation of luteal and follicular phase and what does that result in
Primates, results in rapid decline in hormones resulting in menstruation
How many days is ovarian cycle in primates
28 days
What animals have follicular growth at the end of luteal phase and what does it result in
Cows and horses- why they don’t get menstrual cycles