Male and female reproductive endocrinology

Question 1

Male sex hormones

Answer 1

Androgens

Question 2

FSH on testes

Answer 2

Causes sperm production

Question 3

Testosterone secretion stimulated by

Answer 3

LH

Question 4

Effects of oestrogens on the foetus

Answer 4

No effects

Question 5

Secretion of testosterone in the embryo effects

Answer 5

Development of male foetal anatomy

Question 6

Default situation in embryology

Answer 6

Female anatomy

No hormones will result in female anatomy

Androgens causes male anatomy

Question 7

If XY embryo cannot produce testosterone

Answer 7

He will be born with female internal and external anatomy

Question 8

Effects of testosterone in puberty

Answer 8

Secretion increases

Increased aggression and libido

Enlargement of the larynx

Male pattern pubic hair

Maturation of genitalia

Muscle development

Sperm production

Bone growth

Acne

Question 9

Hormones that cause the ovaries to secrete oestrogen and progesgterone

Answer 9

FSH

LH

Question 10

Progesterone

Answer 10

Steroid

Only important in pregnancy

Question 11

Progestogens

Answer 11

Synthetic hormones used in contraceptives

Progesterone like hormones

Question 12

Negative feedback of oestrogen and progesterone

Answer 12

Progesterone suppresses LH secretion

Oestrogen suppresses FSH secretion

Question 13

What hormone is every foetus exposed to?

Answer 13

Oestrogens

Question 14

Oestrogen increase in puberty in females causes

Answer 14

Bone growth

Female psyche

Fair complexion

Breast development

Widening of the pelvis

Maturation of genitalia

Female pattern pubic hair

Subcutaneous fat deposition

Question 15

Average length of menstrual cycle

Answer 15

28 days

Question 16

Female foetus exposed to androgens

Answer 16

Loses pulsitility of GnRH

Becomes like a male

Question 17

Menopause causes

Answer 17

Due to the stopped secretion of oestrogen

Question 18

First day of the menstrual cycle

Answer 18

First day of bleeding

Question 19

During menstruation

Answer 19

FSH starts to rise

Oestrogens start to rise

Oestrogens have negative feedback over FSH so start to dip

Question 20

About day 12

Answer 20

Surge in LH secretion

Also a small surge in FSH (accidental)

Signal for LH surge requires 36 hours of elevated oestrodiol

Question 21

About day 15

Answer 21

LH surge caused progesterone and oestrodiol secretion

Question 22

Progesterone and oestrodiol rise

Answer 22

For about 7 days

Start to drop again by day 28

Question 23

Units of oestrodiol and progesterone

Answer 23

Oestrodiol up to 2 nmol/l

Progesterone up to 50 nmol/l

First half of cycle oestrodiol dominated

Second half of cycle progesterone dominated

Question 24

Actions of testosterone mid cycle in women

Answer 24

Acne

Question 25

FSH causes follicle to

Answer 25

Mature Ovum moves to edge of follicle

Question 26

LH surge causes

Answer 26

Ovum to be expelled follicle

Question 27

Day of ovulation

Answer 27

14 days before the first day of menstruation

Question 28

Oestrodiol on the endometrium of the uterus

Answer 28

Causes it to thicken More oestrodiol for longer, the endometrium would carry on thickening

Question 29

Progesterone on the endometrium of the uterus

Answer 29

Growth of the endometrium stops Starts to secrete nutrients Purpose of secretory phase to allow the ovum to grow

Question 30

Ovulation does not result in conception

Answer 30

After 7 days the secretion of oestrodiol and progesterone declines Endometrium without stimulatory hormones Collapses

Question 31

Any drop in progesterone

Answer 31

Triggers collapse of the endometrium Even with small drop

Question 32

Drop in progesterone and blood vessels

Answer 32

Causes the blood vessels in the endometrium to constrict Tissue deprived on blood supply so lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to atrophy Causes bleeding as tissues are dying

Question 33

After constriction of blood vessels

Answer 33

After a few hours they suddenly dilate Surrounding tissue is dead Increased blood supply washing off dead cells (around day 26/27) Blood clots on the top of the endometrium

Question 34

Fibrinolysis

Answer 34

Blood clot breaks down after a few days Results in liquified clot

Question 35

Menstruation

Answer 35

Loss of liquified blood clot

Question 36

Anoxic cells and pain

Answer 36

Produce inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins Cause uterine contraction- menstrual cramps

Question 37

Drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis

Answer 37

NSAIDs e.g. aspirin Good at preventing period pain

Question 38

Effects of aspirin

Answer 38

Prevents period pain Anticoagulant so could cause increase menstrual flow- NO EVIDENCE (theoretical risk)

Question 39

Function of cervix

Answer 39

Prevents bacteria from going from the vagina into the uterus

Question 40

Cervix under the influence of oestrogens

Answer 40

Massively dilates At the time of ovulation

Question 41

Cervix under the influence of progesterones

Answer 41

Constricts

Question 42

Cervix under the influence of prostaglandins

Answer 42

Dilates Allows menstrual flow

Question 43

Influence of oestrodiol on cervix

Answer 43

Makes mucus very running Bacteria can't get through but sperm can swim so they can

Question 44

Progesterone and mucus

Answer 44

Makes it thick and gooey Sperm and bacteria cannot get through

Question 45

Progesterone and body temperature

Answer 45

Increase by about 0.5'C The day it goes up is the day after ovulation

Question 46

Life expectancy of the ovum

Answer 46

36-48 hours

Question 47

Sperm life expectancy

Answer 47

Active life span of about 2 days

Question 48

Inhibin in females

Answer 48

Increases at the time of the LH surge Used to measure reproductive health Women with low day 3 inhibin concentration less likely to respond to IVF