Menstraul Cycle ans its jormonal control Flashcards
How long is the menstraul cycle?
Mean 28 days (+/- 3.95) for about 40 years
When does menopause occur?
45 - 55 (average 51 years) and marks the end of natural fertility
What is Premature ovarian failure?
Menopause can occur in women under the age of 40 (idiopathic, autoimmune disorders, genetic disorders such as fragile X, chemotherapy, radiation)
- Symptoms can be treated with oestrogen replacement (hormone replacement therapy - HRT)
When does ovulation occur in the menstraul cycle?
14 days
What is the phase called before ovulation?
Follicular phase
What is the phase called after ovulation?
Luteal phase
At what point in the menstraul cycle does 1 follicle become dominant?
Day 7 - the dominant follicle then matures from day 7 to 14/ovulation
When in the menstraul cycle does the corpus luteum degenerate?
Day 25 - 28
What are the uterine phases and when do they occur?
- Menstraul: day 1 - 5
- Proliferative: day 5 - 13
- Secretory: day 13 - 28
What are the anterior pituitary gonadotropins?
- LH
- FSH
What are the gonadal sex hormones?
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
What is in higher concentration in the plasma LH or FSH?
LH
Describe how FSH concentrations vary throughout the menstraul cycle?
Increases in early part of follicular phase, then steadily decreases throughout remainder of cycle EXCEPT small midcycle peak
Describe how LH concentrations vary throughout the menstraul cycle?
Constant during most of follicular phase, then large midcycle increase (LH surge) peaking ~18h before ovulation. Then rapid decrease with further slow decline during the luteal phase
Describe how oestrogen concentrations vary throughout the menstraul cycle?
Low and stable for 1st week, increases rapidly in 2nd weeks, starts to decline before LH peak. Then second increase due to corpus luteum in last few days of cycle.
Describe how progesterone concentrations vary throughout the menstraul cycle?
Low level due to ovary release during follicular phase with small increase just before ovulation. Soon after ovulation, large increase due to CL release, then similar pattern to oestrogen
Describe how inhibin concentrations vary throughout the menstraul cycle?
Similar pattern to oestrogen ie increases in late follicular phase, remains high during luteal phase, decreases as corpus luteum degenerates
How does oestrogen affect the concentrations of FSH and LH?
- In low plasma concentrations, causes the anterior pituitary to secrete less FSH and LH in response to GnRH and also may inhibit the hypothalamic neurons that secrete GnRH
- When oestrogen increases dramatically it causes anterior pituitary cells to secrete more LH and FSH in response to GnRH. Oestrogen can also stimulate the hypothalamic neurons that secrete GnRH
How does inhibin affect FSH?
Inhibin acts on the pituitary to inhibit the secretion of FSH
(-ve feeback inhibition of FSH secretion throughout the cycle)
What inhibits the hypothalamic neurons that secrete GnRH?
- High plasma concentrations of progestone, in the presence of oestrogen
- Results in -ve feedback inhibition of FSH and LH secretion and prevention of LH surges during the luteal phase and pregnancy
What does FSH stimuate?
- In the first week of the follicular phase it stimulates the growth of medium sized follicles
What cells express FSH receptors?
- Granulosa cells of the ovary during the follicular phase of the menstraul cycle
What are granulosa cells homologous to in men?
Sertoli cells of the testis
When does LH rise dramatically and what is it stimulated by?
12 hours before ovulation
- Stimulated by an increasing rate of secretion of oestrodiol-17B