PCOS

Question 1

PCOS

Answer 1

polycystic ovarian syndrome

Question 2

endocrine organs involved

Answer 2

hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary, adrenal glands

Question 3

endocrine system

Answer 3

They release various hormones to
regulate various processes
throughout the body

• Small changes in hormone levels
  can have drastic effects on the
  body/function

Question 4

Gonadotropin
Releasing Hormone
(GnRH) released from…

Answer 4

hypothalamus
The hypothalamus releases GnRH in “pulses” and the
frequency of these pulses control the hormone that is released

Question 5

GnRH

Answer 5

regulates the release of LH and FSH from the anterior
pituitary.

Low frequency pulses release FSH, and high frequency pulses release LH

Question 6

Follicle Stimulating
Hormone
(FSH) released from…

Answer 6

anterior pituitary

Question 7

FSH function

Answer 7

FSH signals oocytes to grow and mature into secondary follicles
during ovulation. FSH receptors are located around follicular cells.
These receptors control the release of estrogen at appropriate times
during the ovulation cycle.

Question 8

estrogen released from

Answer 8

granulosa cells of developing follicle

Question 9

estrogen function

Answer 9

Estrogen initially inhibits release of LH until the oocytes have
matured into secondary follicles. Once this occurs, Estrogen uses a
positive feedback loop to stimulate the anterior pituitary to release
LH.

Question 10

Luteinizing Hormone
(LH) released from…

Answer 10

anterior pituitary

Question 11

LH function

Answer 11

Induces ovulation and helps prepare body for fertilized egg to
implant in uterine lining. Stimulates Theca cells to produce
androgens. Increases activity of proteolytic enzymes that degrade
ovarian wall, stimulating oocyte release into fallopian tubes.

Question 12

Progesterone released from

Answer 12

theca and luteinized granulosa cells

Question 13

progesterone function

Answer 13

Prepares uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg and pregnancy

Question 14

Androgens released from

Answer 14

theca cells

Question 15

Androgen function

Answer 15

Androgens are converted to estrogen.
*Important androgen for this presentation: testosterone

Question 16

ovulation 1

Answer 16

Hypothalamus releases Gonadotropin
releasing hormone (GnRH), in slow
“pulses”, which travels to the anterior
pituitary

Question 17

ovulation 2

Answer 17

The GnRH stimulates the anterior
pituitary to release follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH).
Small amounts of LH are released

Question 18

ovulation 3

Answer 18

FSH travels to the ovary
and stimulates a few primordial
(immature) follicles to develop.

Question 19

ovulation 4

Answer 19

Granulosa cells of developing follicle release estrogen.

Question 20

extra androgens conversion

Answer 20

Small amounts of LH circulating in the blood stimulates theca cells to release androgens into granulosa cells. The androgens are converted into estrogen and released.

Question 21

ovulation 5

Answer 21

Estrogen provides feedback to the
hypothalamus. It initially inhibits LH
release, however once it reaches the
critical estrogen level, it stimulates the release of LH via rapid pulsing of
GnRH.

Question 22

ovulation 6

Answer 22

LH travels to the ovary and increases
activity of proteolytic enzymes that
weaken the ovarian wall, releasing the oocyte.

Question 23

T/F granulosa cells remain in ovary after oocyte released

Answer 23

true

Question 24

ovulation 7

Answer 24

Remaining theca and
granulosa cells form corpus
luteum and release
progesterone and small
amounts of estrogen.

Question 25

ovulation 8

Answer 25

If a fertilized egg does not implant, estrogen and progesterone levels drop cause the corpus luteum to degrade. Also causes the superficial and middle layers of the endometrium lining of the uterus to be broken down and
released.

Question 26

3 hallmarks of PCOS

Answer 26

irregular periods
hyperandrogenism
polycystic ovaries

Question 27

Genetic causes

Answer 27

5-alpha-reductase gene
estrogen receptors

Question 28

5-alpha-reductase gene

Answer 28

responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone
(DHT), a more potent androgen
elevated activity in PCOS patients

Question 29

estrogen receptors

Answer 29

altered alpha and beta subunits impact follicular
development

Question 30

environmental

Answer 30

endocrine disruptors
advanced glycation end products

Question 31

endocrine disruptors

Answer 31

Substances that mimic steroid hormones and interact with endocrine
system impairing normal binding, metabolism, and cellular function,
and by causing oxidative stress

Question 32

endocrine disruptor ex

Answer 32

Plastics can contain a variety of toxic chemicals
such as Bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and
Perfluoroalkyl substances, such as PFOS and
PFOAs. These chemicals, along with microplastics
can enter food and function as endocrine
disruptors in the body

Question 33

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)

Answer 33

-protein or lipid that reacts with a sugar
-Women with PCOS have high levels of AGE
>can trigger insulin resistance and deposition of AGEs in ovarian tissue
»causes anovulation and
»hyperandrogenism

Question 34

polycystic ovary

Answer 34

1. follicle doesn’t mature and no ovulation occurs
2. non-ovulated follicles turn into cysts in the ovary
3. corpus luteum isn’t created; no surge in progesterone

Question 35

low progesterone feedbacks to

Answer 35

hypothalamus to increase rapid pulsing to increase GnRH

Question 36

release of LH and ↓release of FSH leads to

Answer 36

production of androgens in theca cells

Question 37

insulin resistance can occur, which causes increase production in pancreas…. leads to

Answer 37

increased production of androgens in theca cells

Question 38

insulin sensitivity/ resistance can lead to increased…

Answer 38

hypothalamus hormone production that acts as positive feedback loop