Lecture 32: The Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Flashcards
Be able to draw the process of oogenesis (up to fertilization of ovum)
Be able to draw the LH, FSH, Inhibin, Estradiol and Progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle on the slides
Ok
What is active in oocytes at these stages?
Arrest at Prophase I
Arrest at Metaphase II
Resumption of Meiosis II after fertilization
- elevated cAMP
- elevated MAPK
- degeneration of MAPK
What are the characteristics of the primordial follicle?
- arrested at prophase I
- single layer of pregranulosa cells
- most will degenerate, only dominant ones reach ovulation
What are the characteristics of the primary follicle?
What proteins are produced?
- primary oocyte
- cuboidal layer of granulosa cells
-produces Z proteins (1 - 4)
What are the characteristics of the secondary follicle?
- 3-6 layers of cuboidal granulosa cells
- preantral, minimal endocrine function
Describe the changes that occur in the oocyte as it develops from pirmary to secondary follicle
- secrete paracrine factors that induce stromal cells to differentiate into thecal cells
- increased vascularization
- zona pellucida develops binding sites for sperm
How does the primary follicle increase vascularization?
- migrate from outer cortex to inner cortex to be closer to ovarian vasculature
- release angiogenic factors to induce the development of arterioles
What is the difference between thecal and granulosa cells at the secondary follicle level?
Thecal: analogous to Leydig > has LH receptors
Granulosa: analogous to Sertoli > has FSH receptors, produces minimal androstenedione
How does the antrum develop in secondary follicles?
-follicular fluid (antrum) grows around egg along with granulosa proliferation > forms the cumulus oophorus/corona radiata
What are the two types of granulosa cells found in the antral phase and how are they different?
Mural granulosa/stratum granulosum: outer wall, steroidogenic
Cumulus granulosa: form gap and adhesion junctions with the oocyte and released with it
What happens to the thecal and granulosa cells during the antral phase?
Thecal: responds to LH - forms androstenedione (from acetate and cholesterol) which diffuses to granulosa
Granulosa: responds to FSH (and LH later) creates aromatase to convert androstenedione to estradiol
Describe the growth of the follicles during the antral phase
- grows rapidly, slows as it gets larger
- have the ability to complete meiosis, but are all arrested at prophase I (elevated cAMP)
How is the dominant follicle selected?
Candidates: large antral follicles
Mural granulosa secretes low estrogen and inhibin B > FSH levels decline > the large antral follicle with the most FSH receptors becomes the dominant follicle > becomes the Graffian follicle
What is the periovulatory period and what happens to the oocyte during this time?
- time from LH surge onset to ovulation (about 32-36 hours)
- structure changes to prepare for ovulation. thecal and mural granulosa will prepare for luteinization (increase production of progesterone and form the corpus luteum)
What are the effects of the LH surge on the thecal cells?
LH receptors increase, makes more androstenedione