Ovarian Function Flashcards
By which stage of developmet are all organs developed?
Embryonic stage
What is occurring during menses?
The endometrium is sloughing off
At what point does the fetal period begin?
9 weeks post fertilisation
What is occurring to the follicle during the follicular stage?
It is growing in the ovary with an egg inside it that is also maturing
What is occurring in the endometrium during the secretory phase?
It is converted into a secretory structure to promote implantation
In which stage of the menstrual cycle is body temperature increased?
The secretory/luteal stage
What is the response to the LH and FSH surge?
Ovulation and luteinisation
What happens to the follicle once the egg is released?
It becomes the corpus luteum
Which hormone stimulates follicle development?
FSH
What is the embryo susceptable to during early pregnancy?
Chromosome abnormalities
Environmental factors that can disturb implantation
(Not teratogens)
What does the corpus luteum produce?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
Inhibin
What is occurring to the endometrium during the proliferative stage?
It is proliferating in preparation for implantation
How does the OCP prevent conception?
Contant low dose oestrogen and progesterone negatively feedback on FSH production to prevent it getting to levels high enough for follicular development.
Plus oestrogen levels are never high enough to stimulate the LH and FSH surge required for ovulation
What does the uterus proliferate in response to?
Oestrogen
What is the name of the muscular layer of the uterus?
The myometrium
What is the average lifespan of secondary oocytes?
12-24hours
What level are GnRH, LH and FSH at during the luteal phase?
Back to basal levels
Which hormone controls the development of secondary sexual characteristics in females?
Oestrogen
What is the fertile window?
Two days before ovulation
24hours after ovulation
In which stage of the development is the conceptus most prone to teratogens?
Embryonic period
How many days after fertilisation does the blastocyte implant in the uterine wall?
5-9days
Which cells produce oestrogen during the follicular phase?
Granulosa cells
What is the predominant hormone in the proliferative/follicular stage of the menstrual cycle?
Oestrogen
What is the alternative name for the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle?
The luteal phase
Why do FSH and LH levels return to normal at the end of the luteal phase?
The corpus luteum dies > oestrogen and progesterone production drops > negative feedback eases > FSH and LH can increase
What happens to androgens produced by thecal cells?
It is converted to oestrogen by aromatase in granulosa cells
What are the names of the structures that protect the vaginal opening?
The labium majora and minora
What occurs at a hormonal level during pregnancy?
Oestrogen and progesterone levels drop
The ovaries stop responding to FSH and LH
Describe the appearance of cervical mucus around the time of ovulation
Abundant
Clear
Non-viscous
Why should women who are planning on future pregnancies avoid intrauterine devices?
Because they can cause uterine rupture
What inhibits the development of a new follicle during the luteal phase?
High inhibin negatively feeds back - it inhibits FSH
Describe the apparence of cervical mucus during the luteal phase?
Sticky
Viscous
Thick
Describe the oestrogen positive feedback loop?
During the late follicular phase, oestrogen positively feeds back back on granulosa cells and androgens stimulate granulosa cells to produce oestrogen. This results in a high level of oestrogen which feeds back on the hypothalamus to cause a surge of LH and FSH production
Where does the sperm and oocyte meet?
In the fallopian tube
What type of abnormalities can occur in the fetal period of development?
Physiological disturbances
Minor morphological disturbances only
