Pregnancy Flashcards
day 14 of ovarian cycle =
ovulation (after LH surge)
after which… the uterine endometrium differentiates into functional tissue (secretory phase)
where does fertilization
ampulla of the fallopian tube
usually about one day after ovulation
when does implantation of blastocyst (60 cells) occur during uterine cycle
secretory phase of uterine cycle (day 21-24), about 6-7 after ovulation
blastocyst –> trophoblast
as the blastocyst differentiates, the trophoblast is formed by the outer cell layers that attach to the endometrium
tissue eventually becomes part of the placenta
2 layers of trophoblast and their function
differentiates into 2 layers…
- inner cytotrophoblast = produces cells that can become part of the syncytiotrophoblast
- retains its ability to undergo mitosis, so it can continue to produce new cells - outer syncytiotrophoblast
- cannot undergo mitosis
- consists of multinucleated cells produced by fusion of cells produced in the cytotrophoblast
Which layer of trophoblast sends finger like projections into epithelial layer of the uterus
the syncytiotrophoblast
invades the stromal layer of the endometrium
hCG
released by syncytiotrophoblast
functions similar to LH in that it rescues the corpus luteum
Decidual reaction
estrogen and progesterone produced by the corpus luteum induces the decidual reaction, in which….
the stromal cells of the uterine endometirum hypertrophy
stromal cells are not cigar shaped like they usually are, but are instead much larger
importance of the decidua
nutrient source for the embryo until the placental blood vessels develop to allow nutrient exchange between mother and fetus
in addition…
once implantation has occured, it provides a barrier to prevent the embryo from invading the uterine wall too much
endocrine function of decidua
Relaxin = functions to inhibit uterine contraction early in pregnancy and to soften the cervix before birth
(+) by hCG and occurs in the decidua, corpus luteum, and placenta
Prolactin = functions to decrease the mother’s immune response to the fetus
- –> effect on mammary gland is inhibited by high esterogen and progesterone during pregenancy…then when these levels drop after birth, prolactin is effective in stimulating lactation
- **produces small amounts of prolactin compared to maternal pituitary
Prostaglandins = produced late in pregnancy to cause contraction of the uterus and softening of the cervix
myometrium during pregnancy (general)
undergoes both hyperplasia and hypertrophy
placenta function (general)
a temporary endocrine organ
develops during pregnancy
produces and releases steroid and protein hormones designed to support pregnancy
regulations of placental hormones
are NOT regulated by maternal or fetal mechanisms
truly an independently functional endocrine organ
placenta develops by what?
develops by the invasion of the syncytiotrophoblast into the endometrium
where it comes into contact with maternal blood vessels
how are secondary villi formed
the extraembryonic mesoderm and cytotrophoblast grow into the syncytiotrophoblast
forming the secondary villi
**note: secondary villi do not contain blood vessels
after the secondary villi forms…
the cytotrophoblast grows past what…
grows past the syncytiotrophoblast
creating a cytotrophoblast shell around the entire embyro
tertiary villi develop that contain vessels of fetal circulation from the umbilical cord
difference between secondary and tertiary villi
tertiary have blood vessels
maternal portion of the placenta
decidua basalis, made from decidual cells…
contributes to the basal plate and the placental septa
fetal portion of the placenta
chorion
contributes the following components
- cytotrophoblast
- syncytiotrophoblast
- extraembryonic mesoderm
- fetal endothelial cells
- chorionic plate
- chorionic vili (both free and anchoring villi - anchored to maternal side)
placental barrier from maternal to fetal side
consists of…
syncytiotrophoblasts
cytotrophoblasts
connective tissue (extraembryonic mesoderm)
fetal endothelial cells