Physiology of Female Reproduction Flashcards
What is reproduction?
How many chromosomes are involved?
The process involving the fusion of two gametes (23 chromosomes each) to form an fetus(46 chromosomes). In humans After 40 weeks gestation it has fully developed into a baby
What is:
- Meiosis
- Mitosis
Meiosis- Splitting of somatic cells to form gametes
Mitosis- Somatic cells dividing into further somatic cells by doubling their chromosomes and then splitting
What is the female reproductive system comprised of
What is the function of the female reproductive system
Ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina
to provide suitable fertilisation, growth and development of a fetus
What is the purpose of the ovaries
to store and mature eggs (oocytes) that are released into the Fallopian tubes
How long does maturation of an egg take?
What primarily occurs during this time?
6-9 months
The majority of the time taken is to allow the primary follicle to mature into a vesicular follicle, one meiotic division occurs during this stage and it is independent of any follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
What happens during the FSH dependent stage of egg maturation?
This occurs during a menstrual cycle, a vasicular follicle develops into theca cells forming a mature grafian follicle. This stage lasts 14 days and finishes with ovulation.
Explain all of this^ (slide at end)
6-9 months
The majority of the time taken is to allow the primary follicle to mature into a vesicular follicle, one meiotic division occurs during this stage and it is independent of any follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
This occurs during a menstrual cycle, a vasicular follicle develops into theca cells forming a mature grafian follicle. This stage lasts 14 days and finishes with ovulation.
What else do the ovaries produce?
What is its function?
The corpus luteum, derived from theca cells that are left over after ovulation.
if fertilisation is successful it generates progesterone for the first 3 months of pregnancy
What is a gonadotrophic hormone
What are the two involved in the menstrual cycle
A hormone released by the anterior pituitary is response to gonadotrophin being released by the hypothalamus
FSH and LH
What is the role of:
FSH
LH
FSH- works to stimulate follicular recruitment
LH-maintains follicular maturation and initates ovuation. Stimulates the function of the corpus luteum.
Both peak before ovulation although LH peaks in much higher numbers
What is oestrogen
The “feel good hormone” it is mainly produced by the ovaries and supports secondary female sexual characteristics and reproductive organs
What are oestrogens targets
Negative feedback of LH +FSH and GnRH
Systemic targets include- CNS, bone maturation and turnover, fat distribution, the mammary glands
What is progesterone
The hormone designed to ready a woman for pregnancy. It is produced from the corpus luteum and is involved in the sustainment of secretory endometrium.
What are progesterone effects
Causes low mood and bloating
sustains endometrium
provides negative feedback control of the HPO axis
Explain the pathway that is the HPO axis?
The hypothalamus produces GnRH
This stimulates the anterior pituitary to make FSH + LH
This produces oestrogen and progesterone from ovaries
These hormones act upon the uterus and provide negative feedback based on their levels
