Lecture 7 - Follicular Phase

Question 1

6 primary events of follicular phase

Answer 1

1. elevated gonadotropin release (FSH and LH)
2. follicle growth and preparation for ovulation
3. increase and peak in E2
4. sexual receptivity (estrus)
5. LH surge (caused by GnRH surge)
6. ovulation

Question 2

What role does the surge center play in the follicular phase?

Answer 2

is activated to cause a GnRH surge = LH surge

Question 3

what hormone causes follicular growth?

Answer 3

FSH

Question 4

As follicles grow what do they produce in addition to E2?

Answer 4

Inhibin which inhibits FSH production (for inhibin to have its inhibitory effects, E2 MUST be present)

Question 5

4 processes of ovarian follicular dynamic

Answer 5

1. recruitment
2. selection
3. dominance
4. atresia

Question 6

Atresia

Answer 6

degeneration and resorption of follicles prior to ovulation

Question 7

Recruitment

Answer 7

small follicles begin to grow and produce E2
- increase in FSH (most important) + decease LH and E2 and inhibin

Question 8

Selection

Answer 8

selected follicle(s) proceeds towards dominance (rest become atretic)
- decrease FSH + moderate LH & E2 + decrease inhibin

Question 9

Dominance

Answer 9

dominant follicle(s) proceed to the point of ovulation and inhibit other follicles
- decrease FSH + increase LH, E2, and inhibin

Question 10

Estrogen

Answer 10

substance (natural or synthetic) that exerts biological activity having an estrogenic effect (ex. estradiol, estriol, estrone)