Ovarian Path Flashcards
What is the functional unit of the ovary and what are the components of it?
Follicle is the functional unit, it contains an oocyte (the egg) the granulosa cells around the oocyte and the theca cells around the granulosa cells.
What hormone hits the theca cells and what does it produce in response?
LH hits the theca cells which turns it into androgens.
What hormone hits the granulosa cells so that it can uptake the androgens produced by the theca cells? What happens once this is done?
Needs to be hit by the FSH which allows the uptake of androgens and turn it into estradiol, which is then sent to the oocyte to develop the egg.
What is “hemorrhagic leuteal cyst?”
Bleeding into the corpus leuteum.
What is a “Follicular cyst?”
A result of a follicle degenerating causing the cell to grow and form a cyst.
What is Polycystic ovarian disease?
Multiple follicular cysts, caused by a hormone imbalance.
What exactly happens in PCOD?
Increased LH results in a decreased FSH, such that LH/FSH is 2:1 ratio.
What is one theory of how PCOD happens?
Increased LH is secreted, theca cells respond by making androgens, which goes into the blood and into the adipose tissues, and esp if the patient is obese the adipose tissues turn androgens into estrone, which goes to the pituitary and shuts down FSH production via neg feedback. No FSH means no granulosa cell stimulation to uptake androgen (further exacerbating the androgen problem, hirtuism can result), so no turning androgens into estrogen, so follicles die and become cystic.
What are classical features of PCOD?
Young, obese woman with infertility, oligomenorrhea and hirsutism. Some might also have insulin resistance (type II DM), and high circulating level of androgens increases the opportunity for endometrial cancer.
