Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
What is the Age range of the Menstrual Cycle?
Begins around age 12 and ends around age 50
How many days can a Cycle be? what is the Avg?
21-40 days, AVG = 28
Which phase is most likely to vary?
Follicular Phase
What is the Follicular phase?
single Primary follicle matures, Follicle also ruptures to release oocyte at ovulation.
What is the Luteal Phase?
Remaining follicle becomes Corpus Luteum, Uterine endometrium breaks down –> menstruation.
Which two gonadotropins regulate the menstrual cycle?
FSH and LH.
What is the make up of FSH and LH and where are they secreted from?
Glycoprotein hormones both have a common alpha unit with a unique beta unit. They are secreted by the anterior pituitary.
Which has a longer half life FSH or LH?
FSH (3-4hrs) (LH = 20min)
What does FSH do?
Stimulates granulosa cells
Facilitates estrogen production
stimulates spermatogenesis
How does FSH facilitate estrogen production?
It upregulates aromatase (CYP19)
What does LH do?
Stimulates ovulation.
“LH surge” right before oocyte release.
Testosterone production
Where are the places LH acts to stimulate Testosterone production?
Follicle thecal cells.
Leydig cells in Testes.
What hormone controls the release of FSH and LH? Where is it also released from?
Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone.
Hypothalamus
What are two things the maturing follicle secretes?
Estradiol and Inhibin.
What is the most potent of the natural estrogens?
Estradiol.
What kind of hormone is Inhibin?
Peptide dimer hormone.
What is the result of increased Estradiol and Inhibin? what is the mechanism to obtain the result?
Decreased FSH levels.
Estradiol Suppresses GnRH release.
Inhibin Suppresses FSH release.
What are other actions of Estradiol?
Stimulate endometrial regeneration.
Promotes cervical mucus good for sperm.
What causes LH surge and how?
Estradiol levels >200 pg/ml for >48hr.
High estradiol levels reverse suppression LH release.
Estradiol can act DIRECTLY on pituitary gland.
What produces Progesterone?
Corpus Luteum
What are the main functions of Progesterone?
Prepeare endometrium for implantation of embryo.
Suppresses GnRH release.
What happens when LH Levels drop?
Corpus Luteum degenerates.
Progesterone released from CL –> Menstruation
When are Progesterone levels generally the highest?
During Pregnancy (100-200 ng/ml)
Where is the embryo implanted post fertilization?
Endometrium.
What happens immediately after fertilazation.
The blastocyst (embryo) secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
How soon can hCG be detected?
6-8 days post fertilization.
What similarities do hCG and LH have?
They both maintain the corpus luteum.