Physiology of Men and Women Flashcards
What does LH stand for?
Luteinising hormone
Functions of the ovary
Production of the egg
Production of oestrogen and progesterone
What does negative feedback allow?
Only one egg production per month
Which hormone causes positive feedback?
Oestrogen
What hormones initiate the growth of new follicles?
FSH and LH
What part of the cycle is an egg released?
Mid cycle
What happens in the follicular phase?
When an egg is released, LH surges and a positive feedback occurs which releases the egg
After the egg is released, the follicles dont have to grow anymore as negative feedback is in place
What happens in the luteal phase?
The follicle which has already released an egg forms a structure called the corpeus luteum which releases progesterone
The progesterone causes pregnancy changes in the womb
The corpeus luteum matures
What happens to the Corpeus luteum when there is no pregnancy?
Corpeus luteum disintegrates and turns from yellow to white - this is called corpus albicans
In the menstrual cycle, the uterus runs synchronously with the….
Ovaries
What happens in the proliferative stage of the womb?
Oestrogen is secreted which thickens and proliferates the lining of the womb
Function of oestrogen in the womb
Thickens and proliferates the lining of the womb
Function of progesterone in the womb
Dilates blood vessels
After what day, if there is no pregnancy, do the hormones drop?
Day 26
What happens when the hormones drop?
Menstrual bleed
The number of eggs you are born with is prefixed at how long gestation?
5 months in mother’s tummy
Number of eggs born with
2 million
How many eggs are of use to us?
400
Stem cells in the ovaries are called….
Oogonium
Extragenetic material released in oogenesis is called…..
Polar bodies
Menarchy definition
Period starting
Biggest factor affecting fertility
Age
Fertility has a dramatic drop after what age?
35
What can occur in your period before menopause?
Irregular cycles
Function of FSH in males
Stimulates sperm production
Function of LH in males
Targets androgen production
What does Sertoli cells produce?
Inhibin
Interstitial (Leydig) Cells produce
Testosterone
Function of Sertoli cells
Support sperm producing cells
Targets for androgens
Secondary male sex chromosomes
Sustentacular cells in SF tubules
Process of ejaculation
- Sperm created in the testis
- Sperm travels through the vas deferens to the urethra
- Seminal vesicles and prostate create semen, which is carried along with sperm to the urethra
- Sperm and semen travel through the urethra and are ejaculated out of the penis
What would happen if the spermiogenesis didn’t occur?
Ejaculation would still happen and there would still be sperm. However the sperm would not be of much use
How many spermatozoa are produced per day?
30 million
How long does it take for the sperm to transport to the epididymis?
10-14 days
How many sperm are released into ejaculate?
20-100 million per ml of ejaculate
How much semen is needed for analysis?
4ml
Factors affecting oogenesis/spermatogenesis
Hormonal control problems
Problems at the site of production
Hormonal problems affecting oogenesis/spermatogenesis
Genetic
Tumours
Medications
Functional
Problems at the site of production affecting oogenesis/spermatogenesis
Genetic Cancer treatment induced (radiochemotherapy) Surgery Trauma Infections e.g. mumps
Fertilisation of the sperm and the egg occurs where?
In the fallopian tube
