Lecture 36: Female Reproductive Microanatomy

Question 1

what is the ovary cortex composed of

Answer 1

oocytes + somatic cells (granulosa and theca cells)

Question 2

what is the ovary medullary composed of

Answer 2

Connective tissue, vessels and nerves

Question 3

main function of ovaries

Answer 3

oogenesis + steroidogenesis (estrogens and progesterone)

Question 4

surface epithelium of ovary is made up of what cells

Answer 4

mesothelium

Question 5

what is folliculogenesis

Answer 5

the maturation process of ovarian follicles
- results in ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum

Question 6

5 stages of follicles in folliculogenesis

Answer 6

1. primordial follicle
2. primary follicle
3. secondary follicle
4. tertiary (dominant) follicle
5. atretic (subordinate) follicle

Question 7

follicle formed during prenatal development, is in the resting state and granulosa and theca cells are undifferentiated

Answer 7

primordial follicle

Question 8

recruited follicles result from activation of Activin-A secreted from granulosa cells

differentiating granulosa cells and theca cells

presence of zona pellucida

Answer 8

primary follicle

Question 9

follicle stage that has zona pellucida, granulosa cells and differentiated theca cells

granulose cells secrete follicular fluid

Answer 9

secondary follicle

Question 10

follicle stage that results from selection, dependent on LH
same as secondary follicle but now has corona radiata and cumulus oophorus

Answer 10

tertiary follicle

Question 11

the process of follicle rupture to expel the oocyte as a result of preovulatory surge of LH

Answer 11

ovulation

follicular wall breaks, oocyte expelled, oocyte completes meiosis I

Question 12

steps in corpus luteum formation and degeneration (lysis)

Answer 12

1. corpus hemorrhagicum
   ruptured follicle fills w/ blood, clot forms
2. corpus luteum
   clot removed, walls collapse, theca and granulosa cells transform into luteal cells that secrete progesterone
3. Corpus albicans
   if pregnancy does not occur, cells degenerate by influence of PGF2alpha and are replaced by collagen rich scar

Question 13

what hormone do luteal cells secrete

Answer 13

progesterone

Question 14

what happens to corpus luteum if no implantation occurs

Answer 14

CL undergoes luteolysis by influence of PGF2 alpha secreted by endometrium

Question 15

what happens to corpus luteum if implantation does occur

Answer 15

hormones signal endometrium not to release PGF2a so that CL does not undergo luteolysis

Question 16

in most mammals, the corpus luteum maintains pregnancy by secreting _____?

Answer 16

progesterone

Question 17

how does PGF2a induce hyaline necrosis (corpus luteum dies from ischemia)

Answer 17

it induces a loss of blood vessels

Question 18

what 2 cells types are found in the mucosa of uterine tubes

Answer 18

ciliated cells
peg cells - secrete fluid for survival of sperm, oocyte and embryo

Question 19

what type of cells make up the vaginal mucosa

Answer 19

stratified squamous epithelium (non-keratinized)

Question 20

as an innate defense mechanism, the vagina contains a population of ______ that keep pathogenic bacteria under control

Answer 20

nonpathogenic bacteria

Question 21

under the stimulation of estrogens, the vaginal epithelium produces and releases ______ that gets metabolized by bacteria into lactic acid

Answer 21

glycogen

the produced lactic acid results in an acidic pH that protects from pathogens