PHYSIOLOGY - females

Question 1

which hormone produced by the hypothalamus is responsible for reproduction

Answer 1

GnRH

mainly GnRH1

Question 2

half life of GnRH

Answer 2

2 mins

Question 3

GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulates the … to produce … and …

Answer 3

anterior pituitary

produces LH and FSH

Question 4

which cells does LH act on

Answer 4

theca cells

Question 5

what does LH do (2 things)

Answer 5

ovulation (egg release)

androgens (causing oestrogen release)

Question 6

which cells does FSH act on

Answer 6

granulosa cells

Question 7

what does FSH do (2)

Answer 7

oestrogen release (from ovaries)
follicle maturation

Question 8

LH surge

Answer 8

ovulation

Question 9

which gland make LH

Answer 9

anterior pituitary

Question 10

which gland makes FSH

Answer 10

anterior pituitary

Question 11

what does FSH stand for

Answer 11

follicle stimulating hormone

Question 12

what does LH stand for

Answer 12

lutenising hormone

Question 13

what type of hormone is oestrogen

Answer 13

steroid hormone

Question 14

which hormone is important for controlling female characteristics

Answer 14

oestrogen

Question 15

what does oestrogen production do to FSH

why

Answer 15

decreases FSH

bc FSH causes oestrogen production, so if lots of oestrogen = don’t need FSH

Question 16

what 3 things stimulate oestrogen release

what 1 thing inhibits oestrogen release

Answer 16

LH, FSH and activin - stimulate oestrogen release

inhibin - inhibits oestrogen release

Question 17

which 2 places is oestrogen normally made in

where else can it be made

Answer 17

theca cells
granulosa cells

fat and bone (eg in men can still make oestrogen)

Question 18

precursors of oestrogen

Answer 18

cholesterol and aromatase enzyme

Question 19

what is the clinical significance of extraglandular oestrogen synthesis (in bone and fat, rather than theca and granulosa cells)

Answer 19

men (especially if fat) can make oestrogen = erectile dysfunction

Question 20

what does oestrogen do to the endometrium

Answer 20

thickens it

Question 21

where is progesterone made

Answer 21

corpus luteum

hence peak of progesterone 1 week after ovulation when released for corpus luteum

Question 22

what hormone needs to be present to make progesterone

Answer 22

oestrogen

Question 23

what does progesterone inhibit the secretion of

Answer 23

LH

Question 24

which nuclei in the hypothalamus makes GnRH

Answer 24

arcuate nucleus

Question 25

mean duration of menstrual cycle

Answer 25

28 days

Question 26

ovulation day in cycle

Answer 26

day 14 (mid cycle)

Question 27

normal age of menarche

Answer 27

8-16 (avg 12)

Question 28

how long does the proliferative/follicular phase last

Answer 28

days 1-14

Question 29

what happens during the proliferative/follicular phase | what hormone causes this

Answer 29

stimulation follicle development | caused by LH and FSH

Question 30

follicles secrete oestrogen, what does this mean about the oestrogen levels at end of follicular phase why is this important

Answer 30

oestrogen Is high bc follicle has matured oestrogen thickens endometrium ready for pregnancy

Question 31

in a period that doesn't last 28 days, how do you calculate ovulation date

Answer 31

14 days before menstruation (not 14 days after)

Question 32

what happens to a follicle at ovulation

Answer 32

it ruptures = ovary releases ova into fallopian tube

Question 33

when does the secretory/luteal phase happen

Answer 33

days 15-28 (after ovulation)

Question 34

what happens to follicles after ovulation what are they now called

Answer 34

empty follicle absorbs keratin = looks yellow releases progesterone called a corpus luteum

Question 35

when is there a progesterone peak

Answer 35

1 week after ovulation (during luteal phase) when the corpus luteum releases progesterone

Question 36

as the endometrium sheds (during luteal phase) what happens to progesterone what does this cause

Answer 36

after progesterone peak (when released from follicles) progesterone DROPS bc youre not pregnant = no need for it any more decreased progesterone = increased FSH and LH from anterior pituitary = new menstrual cycle starts

Question 37

where are the 2 peaks in oestrogen in the menstrual cycle

Answer 37

just before ovulation | luteal phase

Question 38

why is progesterone peak in luteal phase

Answer 38

progesterone is released form corpus luteum

Question 39

why is oestrogen peak in follicular phase

Answer 39

to thicken the endometrium for potential pregnancy