Parturition and lactation - Reproduction 4 Flashcards
Key learning objectives:
* Understand the key roles and source of
oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy
* Describe the events responsible for both the
initiation and progression of labour
* Describe the process of lactation and its
control
See slide 3
Hypothalamus and Pituitary
What do they stand for?
PRH, PIH, CRH, ACTH
PRH= prolactin releasing;
PIH= prolactin Inhibiting;
CRH= corticotropin releasing (aka urocortin); ACTH= adrenocorticotropic
Oestrogen secreted into uterus causes?
Increased contractility of smooth muscle and increased responsiveness to oxytocin
Oestrogen secreted into anterior pituitary causes?
Prolactin secretion and growth and development of breast tissues
Oestrogen secretion in breasts causes?
Growth of duct tissue
Fat deposition
Suppression of lactation
Progesterone secretion into uterus?
Suppression of contractile activity (counteracts effects of oestrogens and oxytocin)
Maintenance of secretory-phase conditions
Progesterone secretion on breasts causes?
Growth of glandular tissue and suppression of lactation
hCG in male foetus causes?
production testosterone from Leydig cells= masculinization of the reprod. tract
MFP stands for?
Maternal-Placenta-Foetal-Unit
Problem with MPF?
Foetus cannot synthesise Progesterone (precursor for aldosterone and cortisol)
Placenta cannot synthesise Androgen (precursor for Oestrogens)
Solution to MFP?
– Placenta synthesises Progesterone for foetus (used by foetal adrenal glands → aldosterone, cortisol synthesis
– Mother and foetus synthesise Androgens for placenta
Placenta is an incomplete endocrine organ that needs help
SEE SLIDE 6 DIAGRAM
Can the foetus make oestrogen/progesterone?
No
Parturition requires?
– Dilation of cervical canal to accommodate passage of fetus from uterus
– Sufficiently strong contractions of uterine myometrium to expel fetus
Parturition means?
Childbirth
Mean pregnancy is how long and from when?
Mean pregnancy duration=38 weeks from ovulation/40 weeks from last menstruation
What is labor/delivery/birth?
Process whereby the foetus and its supporting placenta and membranes pass from the uterus to the outside world
Cervical dilation takes how long? up to?
24 hours
Delivery of the baby time period?
30-90 mins
Delivery of placenta - how long?
How much blood lost?
Uses what in the body?
15-30mins
350mL of blood lost
Smooth muscle cells and prostaglandins
Exact factors triggering increase in uterine contractility and initiating parturition not fully established
Factors that trigger increase in uterine contractility and initiating parturition could be?
From 2nd-3rd trimester - weak, spontaneous contractions (Braxton-Hicks) – uterine muscle fibres tighten and relax – not true labour. Toning uterine muscle? Blood flow to placenta?
Cervical softening?
What is prodromal labor?
– Days to weeks before true labour
– Consistent, uncomfortable contractions without/very little cervical dilation
– Cervix softening/ripening under influence of relaxin (placenta)
– Mucous plug expelled
Trigger for parturition what does the current theory suggest the signal is?
CRH: Corticotrophin-releasing hormone
Placenta: CRH released, acts on fetal pituitary
adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
– DHEA synthesis
– DHEA → Oestrogens
– Oestrogens enter maternal blood stream