Menstrual Cycle Flashcards
what is the purpose of the menstrual cycle
generate oocyte
facilitate fertilisation
optimise endometrium for implantation
protect developing embryo
what is the beginning of the menstrual cycle called for the first time
menarche
what is it called when you don’t have a menstrual cycle anymore
menopause
what is the follicular phase
easy 1 to 14 and on the list day the oocyte is released
menstruation occurs for first couple days then endometrial thickness starts to increase
what is the luteal phase
day 14 - 28 where the cops luteum breaks down and the endometrial thickness increases with glands and blood vessels forming
what are the days of the menstrual phase
proliferative phase
secretory phase
men - 1 - 5
pro - 5 - 14
sec - 14 - 28
describe the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovarian axis
the hypothalamus send GnRH to the anterior pituitary. AP then released FSH and LH to the ovary
the ovary then releases oestrogen which acts on the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus
describe the structure and role of GnRH from the hypothalamus
decapeptide
secreted by mid basal hypothalamic neurones
hourly pulses
transported to pituitary via hypophyseal portal blood system
what factors can effect secretion of GnRH from the hypothalamus
bereavement anxiety time zone day/night duty exercise weight loss/gain
what cells secrete FSH and LH in the anterior pituitary
basophils
what is the structural difference between FSH and LH
FSH has A and B with 4 N’s
LH has A and B but with 3 N’s
what is the role of FSH after release from the anterior pituitary
stimulates follicular activity
thus promoting estradiol production from granulose cells
What is the role of LH after release from the anterior pituitary
triggers release of egg from dominant follicle
promotes development of the corpus luteum and the production of progesterone
what is the negative feedback effect of rising oestrogen
inhibits GnRH, LH and FSH
during the start of the cycle
what is the positive feedback effect of rising oestrogen
nearing mid cycle high oestrogen (E2) leads to surge in LH which triggers ovulation
what is the difference in the number of primordial follicles in a 6 month foetus, at birth and puberty
2,000,000
750,000
400,000
how many primordial follicles actually develop and produce an egg
450
no new follicles develop
describe the terminology of development from primordial follicle to ovulation
primordial follicle primary/prenatal follicle secondary/antral follicle preovulatory follicle ovulation
what does proliferation of granulose cells lead to
development of antrum (fluid)
what allows communication between oocyte and granulose cells eg passage of low mw materials
gap junctions and cytoplasmic processes
what is the difference between theca internal and theca externa of follicular development
granular and highly vascularised - interna
fibrous capsule - externa
what is secreted by theca interna cells
androgens
what are androgens converted to in granulosa cells
androgens convert to estradiol 17- B
what is the role of an empty graafian follicle
granulose cells undergo lutenisation producing the corpus luteum - this then produces progesterone and estradiol 17 b