Lecture 6 - HPG, Puberty And Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
What organs make up the HPG axis?
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-gonadal axis
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Gonads
How do hormones that are produced by the hypothalamus reach the pituitary ?
Travel down the infundibulum and goes through the hypophyseal hypothalamic portal system
What hormone is important in the HPG axis that’s produced by the hypothalamus?
GnRH (Gonadotropin releasing Hormone)
What part of the pituitary gland is involved in the HPG axis?
Anterior pituitary
What hormones does the anterior pituitary gland produce in response to GnRH?
FSH
LH
How is GnRH released from the anterior pituitary?
In a pulsatile way (isn’t released continuously
What is the function of FSH in males?
fSh = Sertoli cells (s for sertoli)
Stimulates Sertoli cells:
- carry out spermatogenesis and produce inhibin
-Inhibin inhibits the production of FSH (-ve feedback on anterior pituitary)
What is the function of LH in males?
Lh = L for Leydig
Stimulates Leydig cells
-produce testosterone (has a negative feeback effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
Generally what happens in males when GnRH is made?
Stimulates Ant pituitary to make FSH and LH
FSH and LH are gonadal hormones which go onto to the gonads
FSH stimulates Sertoli cells = Spermatogenesis + inhibin production
LH stimulates Leydig cells = testosterone release
What part of the testes are Sertoli cells located in?
What part of the testes are leydig cells found in?
Seminferous tubules = Sertoli cells
Interstitial tissue = leydig cells
Where are granulosa cells and theca interna cells located?
Surrounding the oocyte
What is the role of FSH in women’s HPG axis?
Stimulates granulosa cells stimulating follicular development
What is the role of LH in women’s HPG axis?
Stimulates theca interna cells to release androgens
What cells in the woman convert androgens to oestrogen?
What cells produce the androgens?
Granulosa cells convert
Theca interna cells produce
What level does oestrogen have to be in for it to start causing positive feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary?
When oestrogen is very high
In women what do very high levels of oestrogen lead to?
+ve feedback leading to a surge of LH being produced leading to Ovulation
Go to the last slide and label the image
1 = oocyte
2 = antrum
3 = zona pellucida
4 = zona granulosa
5 = theca interna
Go to the last slide and label the image
1 = oocyte
2 = antrum
3 = zona pellucida
4 = zona granulosa
5 = theca interna
What is puberty?
The point in which the HPG axis gets turned on where the individual can reproduce
How do levels of GnRH change as individuals go through puberty?
Increased frequency and amplitude of pulsation GnRH which first occurs at night and then progressively happens throughout the day
How do levels of FSH and LH change through puberty?
FSH and LH steadily rise
What is gonadarche?
Activation of gonads
What is adrenarche?
The awakening of the adrenal glands causing pubic/axillary hair and oily skin
What is Thelarche?
Onset of breast development occurring the beginning of puberty in girls
What is menarche?
Onset of menstruation at puberty
What is pubarche?
The onset of the growth of pubic hair
What factors can affect the timing of puberty?
Pineal gland
Body weight (critical weight for menses is 47kg)
Leptin levels (deficient in leptin = puberty doesn’t begin)
Environment (economic factors may lead to stress)
Genetics
What is the normal age of puberty in boys?
9-14yrs
What are the stages of puberty in boys from first to last?
Genital development (scrotum + testes enlarge)
Pubic hair growth
Spermatogenesis
Growth spurt
What are some male secondary sexual characteristics?
Inc and thickend hair on pubis, trunk, Axillae and face
Increased laryngeal size (Adams apple)
Deeping of voice
Increased bone mass
Increased muscle mass and strength
What hormone leads to the fusion of the epiphyseal plates ending the growth spurt in puberty?
Oestrogen
Why can going through puberty early lead to being short in adult life?
Less time for bone growth
Once the growth spurt occurs and the oestrogen is made to end it, the epiphyseal growth plates fuse preventing further growth
Essentially hey get less time growing
What is the scale used to measure puberty progression?
Tanner scale
What does the Tanner scale assess in boys?
Scrotum + testes development
Pubic hair development
Penis growth