Lecture 6: Female Reproduction Flashcards
What makes up the female reproductive system?
- Ovary=> follicular development+oocyte (egg) production
- Uterine (fallopian) tube=> transportation of oocytes (eggs) from the ovary to the uterus
- Uterus=> site of an oocyte (egg) implantation
- Cervix
- Vagina
- Mammary gland=> milk production (only when nursing)
How does the oocyte travel throught the reproductive system?
Ovary-> abdominal cavity-> uterine (fallopian) tube= fimbria, ampulla, isthmus-> uterus
Is a mammary gland a reproductive organ?
No, it is a supporting organ-> modifed sweat gland
What is the ovary covered by?
Germinal epithelium (peritoneum) which is simple cuboidal
Different than normal peritoneum= simple squamous
What is the organization of the ovary?
- Epithelium= simple cuboidal (geminal epithelium)
- Tunica albuginea= dense CT
- Cortex (stroma)= outer CT layer containing ovarian follicles and stromal cells
- Medulla= innermost layer with mostly vacular tissue (BVs)
While the germinal epithelium covers the ovary, what covers the testes?
Tunica vaginalis: part of the peritoneum then deep to that is the tunica albuginea
Where are the oocytes and germinal cells in testes come from?
Migrate in from yolk sac
How many follicles each month start the process of development?
30 but then one become hormone independent and ovulates
How does it the development of the ovary differ from the development of the testis ?
- Ovary: absence of TDF, testosterone, mullerian inhibiting factor, ant i-mullerian hormone
- Testis: Presence of both TDF, testosterone (from leydig cells which is only in males) and mullerian inhibiting factor, anti-mullerian homrone ( from sertoli cells which is only in males)
What is the same in the female and males?
tunica albuginea
What is the ovarian follicle
sac of fluid with developing oocyte that is surrounded by CT in the cortex
What is the function of the follicles?
What is it marked by?
- Function: Maturation and release of an oocyte (egg)
- Marked by follicular phase of menstrual cycle
What oocyte gets released into the abdominal cavity?
Mature (2°) oocytes
The ovarian follicle goes through a series of developmental stages leading to ovulation. During this development the oocyte is _
arrested
What is the organization of follicles?
- Outer layer= stromal (CT) cells-> turn into theca cells
- Inner layer= follicular cells-> turn into grandulosa cells
- 1° oocyte= immature gamete
How does the menstrual cycle correlate with follicles?
- During follicular phase-> follicles secrete estrogen
- During luteal phase-> remnant follicles secrete progesterone
What are the different stages of the follicle?
- Primordial follicle
- 1° follicle
- 2° follicle
- Mature (graafian) follicle
Primordial follicle characteristics?
- Follicular cells (not granulsoum cells) = simple squamous cells surrounding the oocyte
- 1° oocyte arrested in prophase I [of meiosis]
List 1° follicle characteristics (4)
- Stromal cells (cortex) form theca external (CT) and theca internal (secrete androstenedione)
- Follicular cells -> Now granulosa cells are simply cuboidal and secrete estrogen
- Zona Pellucida= amorphous substance secreted by 1° oocyte (in b/w granulosa cells and the oocyte)
- 1° is slightly bigger
The theca interna cells produce androstenedione which is secreted to the granulosa cell (follicular cells) where it is converted to estradiol (estrogen)
In the 1° follicle, how are the granulosa cells and oocyte still connected
Zona pellucida is penetrated by cellular processes from the granulosa cells and oocytes that form gap junctions
List 2° follicle characteristics (7)
- theca externa+interna
- Granulosa cells= stratified cuboidal cells-> secrete liquor folliculi (secretes progesterone, estradiol. inhibin, etc)
- Antrum= formed from the droplets of liquor folliculi
- Cumulus oorphus= “bridge” of granulosa cells
- Corona Radiata= granulosa cells surrounding the zona pedullcida
- Zona pellucida= directly surrounding the 1° oocyte
- 1* oocyte slightly bigger
- Stromal cells develop into _
- Follicular cells develop into _
- theca externa and theca interna cells
- granulosa cells
Theca externa cells are what?
Theca internal cells do what?
- Theca externa cells are connective tissue in nature
- Theca interna cells produce androstenedione which is secreted to the granulosa cells where it is converted to estradiol (estrogen)
List the cells and epithelium type present in the stages listed below:
- Primordial follicle=
- 1°=
- 2°=
- mature=
- Primordial follicle=follicular cells + simple squamous
- 1° =granulosa cells + simple cuboidal
- 2 °= granulosa cells+ stratified cuboidal
- Mature= granulosa cells+ stratified cuboidal-> proliferation increase follicle size
_ is amorphous substance secreted between the granulosa cells and the oocyte.
Zona Pellucida
- During development the granulosa cells secrete _ _ into intercellular spaces.
- When these spaces become evident the follicle is classified as a _ _.
- This fluid contains several secretory products (_, _, _ etc.)
- Over time the spaces coalesce into a larger space called the _.
- During development the granulosa cells secrete liquor folliculi into intercellular spaces.
- When these spaces become evident the follicle is classified as a secondary follicle.
- This fluid contains several secretory products (progesterone, estradiol, inhibin etc.)
- Over time the spaces coalesce into a larger space called the antrum.
The granulosa cells in the secondary follicles that surround the oocyte are called what? What are they attached by?
corona radiata and attached to the other side by the cumulus oophorus
List Mature follicle characteristics (7)
- theca externa+interna
- Granulosa cells= stratified cuboidal-> proliferation increases follicle size
- Antrum= contains free-floating 1° oocyte (bc no bridge)
- Cumulus oorphus-> breaks down just before ovulation
- Corona radiata
- Zona Pellucida
- 1° oocyte remains the same size-> detaches from follicle wall
What does the mature follicle contain? What will it undergo?
- Contain a well defined ampulla
- Will undergo oogenesis before ovulation
What breaks down to allow the oocyte to float free in antrum
cumulus oophorus
What happens during ovulation?
The (mature) follicle swells through the tunica albuginea and germinal epithelium and bursts to release the egg into the pelvic cavity
then picked up by Fimbrae
When does oogensis occur?
just before ovulation
Explain the maturation process of oogenesis.
1° oocyte-> 2° oocyte
- Step 1= 1° oocyte (arrested in prophase I) undergoes 1st meiotic division
- Step 2= 1° oocyte finishes meiosis I à results in 2° oocyte + polar body
- Step 3 = 2° oocyte is arrested in metaphase II
- Step 4 = 2° oocyte gets released from its follicle upon ovulation
- the first meiotic divison is competed just prior to _
- the second meiotic division occurs only if _ occurs
- Ovulation
- Fertilization-> this typically occurs in the fallopian tube
Oogenesis is regulated by what?
Hormones:
- Oocyte maturation inhibitor (OMI) from follicular cells -> arrests in 1° oocyte in prophase I
- Maturation promoting factor (MPF)-> completion of 1st meiotic division to produce 2° oocytes
What is the process of releasing a 2° oocyte from a mature ovarian follicle?
- The 2° oocyte is released into the abdominal cavity-> finds its way to the oviduct (uterine tube) through fimbriae
- The process occurs each month after the onset of puberty
What initiates ovulation ?
an increase in estrogen from the granulosa cells as the follicle develops which causing an LH surge
What happens to the follicle during ovulation?
follicle swells through the ovary
- Moves from the cortex through the tunica aluginea and eplithelium of the ovary
- Then, the follicle bursts open-> releases 2° oocyte into abdominal cavity
Explain what occurs before ovulation:
- Phase?
- What is happening?
- Characterized by?
- Before ovulation = follicular phase of the menstrual cycle:
- Stromal cells-> now Theca interna cells secrete androstenedione
- Follicular cells-> now Granulosa cells convert androstenedione to estrogen
- Characterized by the development of ovarian follicles + oocytes
What is increase during the follicular phase?
estrogen because granulosa cells convert androsterndione to estrogen
What is the name of the stage after ovulation?
luteal phase
What are the cells during in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle?
- Stromal cells->Theca interna cells-> now Theca lutean cells secrete androstenedione + progesterone
- Follicular cells -> Granulosa cells -> now Granulosa lutean cells produce estrogen + progesterone
Post-ovulation is characterized by what?
Characterized by the degradation of ovarian follicles after the release of 2° oocyte
What is the Corpora (Corpus) Lutean
The remnant follicle that remains after releasing its 2° oocyte
- Consists of the Theca lutean + Granulosa lutean cells
During pregnancy, the corpora lutean is maintained for how long?
3 months
If the egg is not fertilized, then the corpora (corpus) lutean turns into what?
the corpora albucans and involutes
corpus luteum
What is the oviduct?
uterine (fallopain) tube
What does the mucosa of the oviduct contain?
epithelium+lamina propria+muscularis mucosa
- Folding lessens toward the uterus-> more cuboidal cells (from columnar cells)
What is the epithelium of the oviduct and what cells are present ?
- Epithelium = simple columnar cells w/ cilia (move fluid down)
- Presence of secretory peg cells throughout to produce fluid for oocyte to be pushed down
What are the components of the oviduct?
- Fimbria = finger-like projections sweep 2° oocyte in
- Ampulla = site of oocyte fertilization
- Isthmus = delivers oocyte to the uterus for implantation
Oviduct does not connect to what? How does it work?
Does NOT connect to the ovary
- Ovary releases 2° oocyte into abdominal cavity
- Then, Oviduct receives 2° oocyte from the cavity
As you travel from the _ to the _ the folding of the mucosa becomes less complex and the height of the epithelium is reduced.
Fimbria to the uterus
The lamina propria of the oviduct is made up of what?
made up of loose connective tissue and the muscularis has an inner circular and outer longitudinal layer
What is the epithelium of the uterus? What is presence?
Epithelium = simple columnar w/ cilia
- Presence of secretory cells
same as oviduct
What is the mucosa called in the uterus?
What is it divided into?
Mucosa = Endometrium
- Divided into functional + basal layers
- Functional gets sloughed off during menstruation
What is the lamina propria in the uterus?
Lamina propria = loose CT containing glands + helical arteries
- Glands secrete glycogen (stains light/pale)
- Presence of decidual cells (from stromal cells) in pregnancy
What is present in pregnancy?
Presence of decidual cells (from stromal cells) in pregnancy
What is the muscularis externa called in the uterus? What does it consist of?
Myometrium
- Consists of 3 layers of smooth muscle
- Outer longitudinal->middle circular->inner longitudinal
What are the changes during the menstrual cycle
- Early Proliferative Phase = lack complete epithelium
- Late Proliferative Phase = fully intact epithelium + glands
- Secretory Phase = intact epithelium + large lumens of glands
What are the changes during the menstrual cycle
- Early Proliferative Phase = lack complete epithelium
- Late Proliferative Phase = fully intact epithelium + glands
- Secretory Phase = intact epithelium + large lumens of glands and increase secretion of glycogen
What is the thickest point during the cycle?
the functional layer is about 6mm
What happens during the menstrual cycle
- The functional endometrium of the uterus is sloughed off
- Follicular (proliferative) phase = follicle develops + endometrium thickens
- Initiated by granulosa (follicular) cells producing estrogen
What causes the release of mature oocyte
LH surge
What happens in the lutean (secretory) phase? and what initiates it?
- Oocyte travels to uterus + glands secrete glycogen
- Initiated by granulosa lutean cells producing progesterone
How is the menstrual cycle regulated?
Hormonal
- Estrogen-> increases LH+ thickens endometrium
- Progesterone-> decreases LH+maintains thickened endometrium
How is the cervix divided into?
- Endocervix: simple columnar epithelium with mucous glands
- Ectocervix: stratifed squamous epithelium
Vagina is also stratified squamous epithelium
Glands can become blocked in the cervix can form what?
Nabothian cysts
- What is the epithelium of the vagina?
- What is not there?
- What are the characteristics?
- Epithelium = stratified squamous
- Does NOT contain glands (unlike cervix)
- Thin lamina propria, Thick muscularis externa
NOTE: ectocervix has same epithelium as vagina
What is present in the placenta?
- Villi = membrane folding of the placenta in the uterus
Contains cells =
- Outer layer of syncytiotrophoblasts= Contacts maternal blood space
- Inner layer of cytotrophoblasts
What hormones does the placenta release? What is the function?
Low Yield
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-Assist in the maintenance of the corpus lumen; progesterone
- Human placental lactogen-Promotes mammary gland development during pregnancy; promotes lactogenesis
- Relaxtin-Facilitates parturiton by softening the fibrocartilage of the pubic symphysis; softens the cervix and facilitates its dilation in preparation for parturiton
What are the 3 stages of villi?
- 1° villi = just cells-> a layer of syncytiotrophoblast and cytotrophoblast
- 2° villi = cells + mesenchyme
- 3° (chorionic) villi = cells + mesenchyme + blood vessels
Stromal cells of the uterus become modified and form the _ which provides nourishment for the early implant
dicidua
- Where is the location of the mammary gland?
- Innactive vs. active?
- Breast tissue
- Active (lactating) breast= increase # of glands +few CT
- Inactive breast= decreased # of glands + lots of CT
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Ovary
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mature oocyte
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Corpus Luteum
Black (theca)
Blue (Granulosa lutean)
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Fibria
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Early proliferative
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Early proliferative
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- Late Proliferative
- Not rough→complete layer
- Worm-like
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Late Proliferative
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Late proliferative
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Secretory
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Dicudual cells in pregnancy (were stromal cells)
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Fluid filled cells in pregnancy
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Vagina
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Placenta
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Inactive Mammary Gland
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Active Mammary Gland
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Active mammary gland
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Inactive breast
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Resting
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Mammary
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Early proliferative of uterus
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Corpus luteum
- The endometrium contains glandular tissue important for secreting nutrients that support the early embryo implanted in the uterus. What product is secreted by the glands in the endometrium?
a. Fructose
b. Estrogen
c. Progesterone
d. Glycogen
d. Glycogen
- The tunica albuginea is a layer of dense connective tissue that encapsulates the testis in the male reproductive system. The tunica albuginea can also be found in which female reproductive structure?
a. Uterus
b. Vagina
c. Ovary
d. Oviduct
c. Ovary
Which of the following statements concerning the corpus lutean is true?
a. It produces luteinizing hormone (LH)
b. It produces progesterone hormone
c. It is maintained for 6 weeks after ovulation
d. It is derived from the involution of the corpus albucans
b. It produces progesterone hormone
- Identify the organ:
a. Mammary gland
b. Prostate gland
c. Placenta
d. Seminal vesicle
a. Mammary gland
- The granulosa cells found in the ovarian follicle generate several important structures. Which of the following structures, made up of granulosa cells, can be found immediately surrounding the oocyte present in the secondary follicle?
a. Zona pellucida
b. Cumulus oorphus
c. Antrum
d. Corona radiata
d. Corona radiata
- During the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, the endometrium undergoes which of the following changes?
a. Thickens under the influence of luteinizing hormone (LH)
b. The uterine glands swell with fluid
c. The functional layer gets sloughed off
d. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates repair
d. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates repair
- Identify the organ:
a. Mammary gland
b. Secretory uterus
c. Placenta
d. Oviduct
c. Placenta
- Chorionic (tertiary) villi are characterized best by the appearance of which structure?
a. Mesenchyme
b. Syncytiotrophoblasts
c. Blood vessels
d. Cytotrophoblasts
c. Blood vessels
- The formation of a well-defined antrum is characteristic of which follicular stage of development in the ovary?
a. Primary follicle
b. Secondary follicle
c. Primordial follicle
d. Mature (graafian) follicle
b. Secondary follicle
- During oogenesis, the gamete is differentiated just before ovulation occurs. Which stage of oogenesis is taking place and which meiotic phase is the gamete arrested in?
a. Secondary oocyte; metaphase II
b. Primary oocyte; prophase II
c. Mature ovum; anaphase I
d. Oogonium; prophase I
a. Secondary oocyte; metaphase II
- Identify the stage:
a. Menstrual
b. Secretory
c. Early proliferative
d. Late proliferative
d. Late proliferative
- What cell type is indicated by the arrow?
a. Theca lutean cells
b. Granulosa lutean cells
c. Dicidual cells
d. Granulosa cells
c. Dicidual cells