Menstrual Cycle

Question 1

How many ligaments support the ovaries?

Answer 1

3. Ovarian, broad, and suspensory ligaments.

Question 2

What are the three layers of uterine wall?

Answer 2

Perimetrium, myometrium (smooth muscle), endometrium (highly vascular mucosal layer).

Question 3

How many eggs are there at birth?

Answer 3

2 million.

Question 4

Define the menstrual cycle.

Answer 4

The shedding of uterine functional endometrium.

Question 5

How long is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 5

2 days.

Question 6

What are the 2 phases of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 6

Follicular phase (1-14 days). Luteal phase (15-28 days).

Question 7

On day 1, what hormone does the hypothalamus produce.

Answer 7

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH).

Question 8

What is the role of GnRH?

Answer 8

It stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH

Question 9

On day 1, the primary follicle is surrounded by a single layer of cells, called…

Answer 9

Granulosa cells.

Question 10

Granulosa cells proliferate, and produce an outer cell layer known as a…

Answer 10

Theca cell layer.

Question 11

What hormone activates granulosa cells?

Answer 11

FSH.

Question 12

What hormone activates theca cells?

Answer 12

LH.

Question 13

Why do not all the follicles maintain growth?

Answer 13

Oestrogen initiates a negative feedback loop, causing a fall in FSH.

Question 14

Give 2 functions of oestrogen between 1-14 days.

Answer 14

They mature follicles. Act on uterine endometrium, causing proliferation. Feeds back to hypothalamus, so pituitary stops producing FSH and LH.

Question 15

What is the function of theca cells?

Answer 15

They produce an androgen precursor (androstenedione).

Question 16

What is the function of granulosa cells?

Answer 16

They produce the enzyme aromatase, which converts androstenedione into estradiol

Question 17

A large surge in LH on day 14 results in what?

Answer 17

Ovulation. Follicle ruptures, oocyte released from follicle.

Question 18

When the follicle collapses it becomes the corpus luteum. What is its function?

Answer 18

It produces progesterone at 14 days. Endometrium becomes highly vascularized, glycogen-filled tissue (secretory phase)

Question 19

Between which dates is the egg travelling down the fallopian tubes/

Answer 19

15-24.

Question 20

If fertilisation doesn’t occur, what happens to the corpus luteum?

Answer 20

Corpus luteum undergoes apoptosis → progesterone levels fall.

Question 21

If fertilisation does occur, what hormone is produced?

Answer 21

hCG. Embryonic tissue secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) → signals corpus luteum to continue production of estrogen and progesterone to support pregnancy.

Question 22

What hormone is responsible for the surge in FSH and LH before ovulation?

Answer 22

Oestrogen.

Question 23

What mechanism is responsible for the surge in FSH and LH before ovulation?

Answer 23

Positive feedback system.

Question 24

Which 2 hormones involve the anterior pituitary producing less FSH and LH during the luteal phase?

Answer 24

Inhibin and progesterone in a negative feedback system.

Question 25

Give 3 functions of estrogen.

Answer 25

Stimulates oogenesis and follicular development. Promote development of secondary sexual characteristics. Promote growth of breasts. Stimulate growth hormone. Stimulates reduced uterine output by kidneys, to promote fluid retention.

Question 26

Give a function of progesterone.

Answer 26

Suppresses uterine contractile activity during pregnancy. Promotes growth of glandular tissue in breasts.

Question 27

Between which dates does oestrogen reach maximum level?

Answer 27

10 to 13th.

Question 28

What happens to the endometrium between days 1-5?

Answer 28

Menses. This is the discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of the uterus through the vagina. The functional layer of the endometrium becomes detached from the uterine wall resulting in bleeding.

Question 29

Name one thing that happens to the endometrium between days 6-14?

Answer 29

Endometrium thickens and begins to proliferate. It develops tubular glands and spinal arteries.

Question 30

What are the 3 components of the uterine tube?

Answer 30

Fimbriae. Ampulla. Isthmus.

Question 31

Give 2 mechanisms of female infertility.

Answer 31

Issue with eggs. Issue with transport. Issue with transplantation.

Question 32

Give 2 common causes of ovulatory dysfunction.

Answer 32

Polycystic ovary syndrome (ovaries become enlarged and don't release eggs). Hypothalamic amenorrhoea (menstruation stops due to hypothalamus). Hyperprolactinaemia. Premature ovarian failure (loss of normal function of ovaries before the age of 40).

Question 33

Clomiphene citrate and letrozole can be used to treat which condition?

Answer 33

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Question 34

How does Clomiphene citrate work?

Answer 34

It stimulates FSH to stimulate ovulation .

Question 35

How does Letrozole work?

Answer 35

It reduces oestrogen levels, to stimulate a negative feedback loop, to increase FSH levels. This stimulates follicle development.

Question 36

What is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

Answer 36

Loss of gonad function (small testes and ovaries), due to problem with pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Question 37

What is used to treat hyperprolactinaemia?

Answer 37

Dopamine agonists.

Question 38

What is an ovarian reserve?

Answer 38

The number and quality of follicles left in ovary at any given time.

Question 39

The transvaginal ultrasound study that measures a women's remaining egg supply is known as an...

Answer 39

Antral follicle count (AFC).

Question 40

What hormone secreted by cells in developing follicles is used to indicate an ovarian reserve?

Answer 40

Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH).

Question 41

Female infertility caused by diseases, damage and obstructions leading to fallopian tube inflammation is known as...

Answer 41

Tubal factor infertility.

Question 42

The ability to produce new growth is known as...

Answer 42

Fecundity.

Question 43

Give 2 reasons why female fertility decreases with age.

Answer 43

Germ cells in a female are not replenished. Attrition of follicles results in fewer oocytes from birth to menopause (quality decreases with age). Intercourse frequency decreases with age.

Question 44

What is the reason for the corpus luteum being yellow?

Answer 44

The structure develops the yellow pigment lutein.