Pregnancy and Lactation

Question 1

Suppresses follicle maturation and ovulation with negative feedback (less effective than
the combination pill)

Answer 1

female birth control : progestin only

Question 2

Thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from entering
uterus

Answer 2

female birth control: progestin only

Question 3

Levonorgestrel – a progestin (same as what is in progestin-only pills and IUDs) prevents
ovulation and fertilization

Answer 3

Plan B

Question 4

How to tell if you’re ovulating

Answer 4

LH levels - increases leading up to ovulation. peaks during ovulation

temperature - progesterone has a mild thermogenic effect

Question 5

occurs in the fallopian tube. There’s a 24hr window for fertilization to take place after ovulation

Answer 5

fertilization

Question 6

Sperm are propelled to the fallopian tube by
contractions of the female reproductive tract
due to estradiol
Estradiol is elevated leading up to ovulation

Answer 6

fertilization

Question 7

window of fertility

Answer 7

4 days prior to ovulation to the day of ovulation. Highest probability of conception is 1 day before ovulation

Question 8

directs the outer layer of the endometrium
to form the decidua (a modified mucosal lining), making it
favorable for implantation

Answer 8

progesterone

Question 9

Inner cell mass – becomes the embryo

Trophoblast – interacts with maternal tissue; gives rise to the placenta

Answer 9

blastocyst

Question 10

the folds of tissue and
blood vessels that
connect maternal and
fetal blood pools

Answer 10

Chorionic villi

Question 11

the primary endocrine
tissue during pregnancy

Answer 11

The placenta

Question 12

how many major components of the placenta

Answer 12

2 major components

Question 13

formed from the mother’s endometrium
(called the decidua)

Answer 13

maternal component

Question 14

formed from
the blastocyst

Answer 14

fetal component

Question 15

functions of the placenta

Answer 15

1. achors the fetus to the uterine wall
2. provides the maternal/fetal interface for the exchange of nutrients, respiratory gases, and
   fetal wastes
3. secretes hormones

Question 16

derived from trophoblasts and are the endocrine tissue of the placenta

Answer 16

Syncytiotrophoblast cells

Question 17

time period when the placenta overtakes production of hormones from the corpus luteum (around the end of the 1st trimester).

Answer 17

Luteal-placental shift

Question 18

rescue the corpus luteum (i.e., extend its life span) and stimulates it to continue secreting progesterone and estrogens, which in turn
maintain the endometrium in a state favorable for
implantation and continued placenta development

Answer 18

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Question 19

Placenta is not capable of de novo steroid synthesis and it requires the

Answer 19

Feto-Placental Unit

Question 20

a precursor for other sex steroids, like testosterone and estrogen, in tissues
capable of converting it.

Answer 20

DHEA

Question 21

Placenta needs to obtain
cholesterol from maternal
blood to synthesize

Answer 21

progesterone

Question 22

role of progesterone during pregnancy

Answer 22

Inhibits HPG axis via negative feedback

maintains uterine lining

prepares mammary glands for lactation

promotes formation of cervical mucus plug

Question 23

• Stimulates growth of uterine lining
• Promotes development of mammary
  ducts for lactation
• Increases uterine strength for labor

Answer 23

Estrogen (estradiol and estriol)

Question 24

Protein hormone synthesized by placenta
Member of the growth hormone-prolactin familymobilizes maternal fat and decreases maternal
glucose consumption (anti-insulin properties) to
facilitate energy supply of the fetus

Answer 24

Human chorionic
somatomammotropin (hCS)

Question 25

primary functions of Human chorionic
somatomammotropin (hCS)

Answer 25

mammary growth in preparation for lactation

mobilizes maternal fat and decreases maternal
glucose consumption (anti-insulin properties) to
facilitate energy supply of the fetus

Question 26

Protein hormone produced by corpus
luteum and later the placenta

Answer 26

Relaxin

Question 27

Functions of Relaxin

Answer 27

• Inhibits premature uterine contractions
• Relaxes ligaments in joints of pelvis
  (and the rest of your body leads to source of
  back and hip pain)
• Softens and lengthens cervix

Question 28

A non-genetic source of variation in offspring traits due to an
environmentally-elicited maternal response

Answer 28

Maternal Effects