Lecture 34: Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation (Part 1) Flashcards

1
Q

Before puberty, at what stage of development are the females’ follicles at?

A

Arrested in Prophase I

-due to elevated levels of cAMP

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2
Q

A follicle selected for ovulation will arrest at what stage of development?

A

Metaphase II

  • polar body 1 is extruded
  • elevated levels of MAPK proteins
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3
Q

When does an follicle finish meiosis completely?

A

After fertilization

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4
Q

Briefy, what happens during the follicular phase?

A

Follicles in ovary mature

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5
Q

What surrounds a primordial follicle?

A

Pre-granulosa cells

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6
Q

What surrounds a primary follicle?

A

Granulosa cells (cuboidal shape)

  • follicle is bigger
  • zona pellucida forms
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7
Q

A primary follicle in secretes what type of glycoprotein?

A

ZP1-4

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8
Q

What surrounds a secondary follicle?

A
  • Several layer of cuboidal granulosa cells

- thecal cells: important role of vascularization

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9
Q

What is the function of the zona pellucida?

A
  • Provide binding sites for sperm

- protecting for oocyte

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10
Q

What receptors are found on granulosa cells?

A

FSH receptors

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11
Q

What receptors are found on thecal cells?

A

LH receptors

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12
Q

What marks the beginning of the antral phase?

A

Appearance of antrum

  • portion of an ovarian follicle filled with follicular fluid
  • marks change from a primary follicle to a secondary follicle
  • oocyte suspended in fluid
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13
Q

What happens during antral phase?

A

100x increase in granulosa cells

  • Mural granulosa: outer wall
  • Cumulus cells (corona radiata): maintain gap junctions
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14
Q

During the antral follicular stage, how does the theca interna respond to LH?

A

Synthesize androgens from cholesterol

  • major product is androstenedione
  • limited estrogen produced
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15
Q

During the antral follicular stage, how does the granulosa cells respond to FSH?

A

Convert androgens from theca cells to estrogen

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16
Q

What makes an oocyte competent to finish meiosis I?

A

-Sufficient amount of cell cycle components (CDK-1 and cyclin B)

17
Q

What prevents an oocyte to finish meiosis I?

A

1) Needs LH surge

2) Oocyte has elevated cAMP levels that arrests it in Prophase I

18
Q

How is the dominant follicle selected?

A

Largest follicle with most FSH receptors

-known as Graffian follicle

19
Q

When is the periovulatory phase?

A

Onset of LH surge to ovulation (32-36 hours)

20
Q

During the periovulatory phase, what do the theca and mural granulosa cells prepare for?

A

1) Prepares cells for luteinization
2) Formation of corpus luteum
3) Increased production of progesterone

21
Q

Briefly, what happens in the luteal phase?

A

Formation of corpus luteum and ends in either pregnancy or luteolysis
-marked by high levels of progesterone

22
Q

During the luteal phase, what do the theca cells start making?

A

1) Inhibition of aromatase expression and estrogen production
2) Low levels of LH promotes progesterone production

23
Q

What structural changes are seen with an LH surge?

A

1) Breakdown of follicle wall, tunica albuginea, and surface epithelium
2) Cumulus-oocyte detaches and floats in antrum
3) Basal lamina degraded
4) Oocyte continues into meiosis (arrests in metaphase II)

24
Q

What is the corpus luteum?

A

temporary structure in ovaries

  • produces progesterone and moderate levels of estradiol and inhibin
  • remains of ovarian follicle that released a mature ovum during during ovulation
  • often yellow due to carotenoid pigments
25
Q

What is corpus albicans?

A

Regressed form of the corpus luteum.

  • No fertilization occurs: corpus luteum is broken down by macrophages
  • Fibroblasts lay down type collagen
  • Remains may persist as a scar on the surface of the ovary
26
Q

How does the corpus luteum stay viable?

A

If fertilization occurs, hCG rescues corpus luteum and will be viable for duration of pregnancy

27
Q

What is the function of the corpus luteum in pregnancy?

A

Produces increasing amount of progesterone

  • transforms uterine lining into supportive structure important for implantation
  • low levels of LH
  • secrete inhibin A to suppress FSH
28
Q

What is follicular atresia?

A

Demise of ovarian follicle

-undergoes apoptosis at any time during development

29
Q

What repopulates cellular stroma of ovaries?

A

Thecal cells