Pregnancy And Parturition Flashcards

1
Q

What directly determines when mesntruation occurs?

A

Drop in progesterone.

If fertilization happens, hormones don’t drop and mesntruation doesnt happen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 4 stages of pregnancy?

A

Initiation (fertilization, implantation, secretion of HCG to rescue c.l.)

Gestation

Parturition

Lactation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where does fertilization occurs?

A

Fallopian tube (usually upper third)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When must fertilization occur?

A

Within 24 hrs of ovulation

Sperm can survive longer 2-5 days so u can get pregnant if u have sex before ovulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does the female body do to aid in sperm migration?

A

Contractions of myometrium

Upward contractions of Fallopian tube muscle

Allurin relased by mature eggs- chemoattractant for sperms to reach egg in ampulla of Fallopian tube **

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is Allurin

A

The chemoattractant released by mature eggs to help allure the sperm to the egg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the optimal site of fertilization?

A

Ampulla of oviduct

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How long after ejaculation will the sperm get into the fertilization site?

A

30-60 min

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What percentage of the ejaculated sperm will make it to the fertilization site?

A

0.001%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What percentage of ejaculated sperm will even make it into the uterus?

A

0.1%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is sperm capacitation?

A

As soon as the sperm gets into the female, the sperm gets “activated” via altering the surface characteristics of the sperm **

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is required for the sperm to be able to swim through the cervix?

A

Alkaline pH

Prostate gland secretions help with this, and estrogen helps make the mucus watery to allow them to swim

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What causes the myometrial contractions that assist the sperm in their journey though the uterus?

A

Prostaglandins in the semen

Estrogen-primed tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the process of sperm capacitation?

A

While migrating through the female reproductive tract, cholesterol on the outer surface of the sperm is removed, surface proteins are removed, and calcium influx into the spermy worm increases the motility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do sperm penetrate the corona radiata?

A

Its easy they just swim right through no special tricks needed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What happens after sperm penetrate the corona radiata?

A

They will bind to the ZP3 protein on the zone pellucida

Acrosomal reaction occurs- hydrolysis enzymes are released onto the zone pellucida

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is acrosin?

A

The hydrolytic enzyme released from sperm that allow it to penetrate the zone pellucida

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How many sperm will undergo the acrosomal reaction?

A

Hundreds of them-it requires a ton of them to degrade the zone pellucida, even though only one sperm will win

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the zona reaction?

A

Its a structural change in the zona pellucida that prevents polyspermy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does the zona reaction occur?

A

The second that fertilin* on the sperm’s head binds to an integrin* receptor on the ovum’s membrane, there is a release of cortical granules that degrade ZP3 proteins and harden glycoproteins on the zona pellucida

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What signals the ovum to complete its 2nd meiotic division and extrude the 2nd polar body?

A

Zona Reaction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

In the zona reaction _____on the sperm’s head binds to _____ receptor on the ovums membrane

A

Fertilin

Integrin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Fertilized ovum divides (meiotically/mitotically_

A

Mitotically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

At what stage is a fertilized ovum capable of implantation?

A

Blastocyst phase (1 week after fertilization)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What days of the mesntrual cycle are the optimal period for implantation? Why?

A

Days 24-28 due to the action of progesterone
(You want the progesterone to have been working for a few days making the uterus ready to make a baby)

*******WAS IN RED

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

When will hCG be detectable in the serum?

A

After implantation is completed (8-11 days after conception)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What rescues the corpus luteum and keeps it from degrading into a corpus albicans when the egg was fertilized?

A

Placental hCG**WAS IN RED

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

How many days after ovulation will the blastocyst enter the uterine cavity

A

4 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

How many days after ovulation will hCG rescale the corpus luteum?

A

10 days

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

How long after implantation does it take for the placenta to be well-established and operational

A

5 weeks after implantation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What prevents immunologic rejection of the fetus?

A

The placenta

*reason why pregnant woman may be slightly immunocompromised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What are the 3 hormones secreted by the placenta?

A

hCG- maintains corpus luteum until placenta takes over function in last 2 trimesters

Estrogen- essential for maintaining normal pregancy

Progesterone- essential for normal preganncy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What do we thing is the causative agent of morning sickness?

A

hCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are the actions of hCG?

A

Same as LH: stimulate the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone and estrogen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

When do hCG levels decline?

A

When the placenta takes over the secretion of estrogen and progesterone (~3 months gestation)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What hormone is detected by most pregnancy tests?

A

hCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

When do hCG levels peak?

A

9-12 weeks gestation, then they decline to a stable plateau

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

How would hCG levels rise if there was an ectopic pregnancy?

A

They would rise more slowly (no placenta?)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

How would hCG levels rise if there was a hydatidiform mole? (A noncancerous tumor that results from an unviable pregnancy)

A

They would rise slowly continuously (never decline)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

What would the rise of hCG levels look like if the fetus died?

A

Levels would rise normally but then fall with a half life of 24 hrs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

How does the placenta make progesterone?

A

ALL BY ITSELF 😀

has all the enzymes it needs to convert choleserol into progesterone

42
Q

How does the placenta make estrogen?

A

In the PLACENTA: cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone

In the FETAL ADRENAL GLAND**: pregnenolone converted to DHEA-Sulfate

In the FETAL LIVER**: DHEA-sulfate is converted into 16-OH-DHEA-sulfate

In the PLACENTA: the 16-OH-DHEA sulfate is converted to Estrogen by sulfatase and aromatase

43
Q

What stimulates the fetal adrenal gland to convert pregnenolone into DHEA-sulfate?

A

CRH**

44
Q

What is the most important estrogen of pregnancy?

A

Estriol

45
Q

What hormone levels can we check in the moms urine to see if the fetus is healthy?

A

Estrogen

Estrogen synthesis is a team effort by the placenta and the fetus

46
Q

Will the hCG message ever drop before the placenta is ready to take over making estrogen and progesterone?

A

No

47
Q

What are the functions of estrogen for pregnancy?

A

Increased growth of myometrium-muscles for labor💪🏻

development of ductile system of breasts

Stimulates prolactin release

Relax and soften the pelvic ligaments (+relaxin)

Inhibits lactation!!!!**!!*

48
Q

How does estrogen inhibit lactation’?

A

Antagonizes prolactin effect on the breast

Inhibits lactalbumin which is required for lactose synthesis

~Everything is READY to lactate, but until the placenta is OUT of the body, she can not lactate!!~

49
Q

Does progesterone synthesis require cholesterol from the mom’s diet

A

Yes

50
Q

What is the source of progesterone during the preganncy?

A

First 6-12 weeks: corpus luteum

After 12 weeks: placenta

51
Q

What are the functions of progesterone during preganncy?

A

Conversion of uterus to secretory gland, readying it for implantation

Formation of cervical plug

Inhibits myometrial contraction

Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis from uterus

Development of alveolus and lobule in breast

Inhibit lactose synthesis

basically helps MAINTAIN pregnancy while estrogen is helping to prepare for delivery

52
Q

How many weeks after conception will a woman be pregnant for?

A

38 weeks ***

Not 40, thats when counting from the last mentstual period

53
Q

What keeps the uterus quiet for the first 2 trimesters?

A

Inhibitory effects of high levels of progesterone

54
Q

What happens to the excitability of the uterus as it moves into the 3rd trimester?

A

Becomes more excitable (Braxton-Hicks contractions)

55
Q

Where does relaxin come from?

A

Corpus luteum of pregnancy

Placenta

56
Q

What does relaxin do?

A

Relaxes pelvic ligaments

Softens uterine cervix

57
Q

What are the roles of high estrogen during parturition?

A

Increases gap junctions between myometrial cells=uterus can contract as a coordinated unit

Increased Oxytocin receptors in myometrium- uterine responds to low levels of oxytocin

Increased prostaglandin production-cervical softening

58
Q

What causes the increased oxytocin receptors in the myometrium?

A

Estrogen

Prostaglandins

59
Q

What could a doctor put on the cervix to soften it more

A

Prostaglandin gel

60
Q

What triggers uterine contractions?

A

Oxytocin receptor concentration reaching a CRITICAL THRESHOLD!!!!!!!!!!*!

Allows the myometrium to respond to normal/low circulating levels of OT.

Then the 1st contraction happens and the levels of OT snowball (positive feedback)

61
Q

What cases the profound effect of oxytocin on the uterus?

A

Increased concentration of myometrial oxytocin receptors

62
Q

Do blood levels of oxytocin rise before labor and delivery?

A

NO!!! NO!!! NO!!! NO!!! NO!!!!!

63
Q

The pregnant uterus at term is ____x more sensitive to oxytocin than nonpregnant women

A

100

64
Q

What role does cortisol (from the fetus’s adrenal gland) have on the fetus?

A

Increases pulmonary surfactant**!!*

65
Q

What is a serum level you could check to see how close to delivery you were?

A

CRH levels in mom’s blood

CRH levels act as a placental clock for parturition

66
Q

High levels of CRH are associated with (premature/late) deliveries

A

Premature

67
Q

Low levels of CRH are associated with (premature/late) deliveries

A

Late

68
Q

What are the 3 theories of why delivery starts?

A

High estrogen levels cause OT receptors to reach critical threshold

CRH levels in maternal plasma act as a “Placental clock” for timing

Inflammation

69
Q

What kinds of things can increase inflammation and therefore prostaglandins and Oxytocin receptors, thus causing a premature delivery?

A

Multiple fetus pregnancies(increased uterine stretching)

Bacterial infections

Allergic reactions

70
Q

How does inflammation induce labor?

A

Activation of nuclear factor in the uterus by stretching or by increased macrophages from increased pulmonary surfactant

nuclear factor stimulates production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8) and prostaglandins which promotes cervical softening

71
Q

What is a synthetic oxytocin

A

Pitocin

72
Q

What are the 3 stages of labor?

A

Cervical dilation- 24 hours

Delivery of baby- 30-90 min

Delviery of placenta- 15-30 min

73
Q

What is the longest stage of labor?

A

Cervical dilation

74
Q

What is the shortest stage of delivery?

A

Placenta delivery

75
Q

What is involution of the uterus?

A

The uterus shrinking to its progestational size after delivery

76
Q

Are there contractions during the delivery of the placenta’/

A

Yes

77
Q

Why doesnt lactation occur during preganncy?

A

Inhibition from estrogen and progesterone

78
Q

What initiates lactation?

A

Withdrawal of placental steroids at parturition

79
Q

What sustains lactation?

A

Suckling - causes release of OT and PL so milk can be let down

80
Q

What does oxytocin do in lactation

A

Milk ejection

81
Q

What does prolactin do in lactation?

A

Stimulates secretion of more milk

82
Q

What does prolactin do during gestation?

A

Stimulates the synthesis of milk enzymes

83
Q

What do estrogen and progesterone do for lactation during pregancy?

A

Promote development of mammary glands

Inhibit lactation

84
Q

What specifically does estrogen do the the breast during pregancy

A

Stimulates ductal growth

85
Q

What hormones stimulate the development of lobules and alveoli?

A

Progesterone

Prolactin

hCS (human chorionic somatomammotropin)

86
Q

What hormones stimulate milk enzymes?

A

Prolactin

hCS

87
Q

What 2 weird hormones also promote lactation?

A

Insulin and cortisol

88
Q

How do estrogen and progesterone inhibit lactation during preganncy?

A

Block the action of prolactin on the breast

89
Q

Suckling stimulates____

A

Mechanoreceptors in the nipple

90
Q

Suckling sustains the production of which 2 hormones?

A

Oxytocin (posterior pituitary)

Prolactin (anterior pituitary)

91
Q

What is the pathway that causes suckling to increase oxytocin production?

A

The Nervous pathway

92
Q

What can stimulate the nervous pathway to release oxytocin?

A

Suckling

Infant’s cry or smell **

93
Q

What can inhibit the nervous pathway and decrease oxytocin production?

A

Psychological stress

94
Q

What could happen to a breastfeeding mom if she is way too stressed out?

A

She could inhibit the nervous pathway and not be able to make oxytocin= can’t eject milk

(Making milk but cant eject it)

95
Q

What is the major hormone responsible for lactogensis

A

Prolactin

96
Q

Where does prolactin come from?

A

Lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary

97
Q

What two hormones control the release of prolactin?

A

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (stimulatory)

Dopamine (inhibitory)

98
Q

What hormone prevents ovulation during lactation?

A

Prolactin***

99
Q

How does prolactin inhibit ovulation during lactation?

A

Inhibits GnRH release (no FSH or LH)

**

100
Q

Do lactating women have periods?

A

No

101
Q

How long is ovulation suppressed?

A

As long as lactation continues because prolactin:
Inhibits GnRH secretion

Inhibits the action of GnRH on the pituitary

Antagonizes the action of LH and FSH on ovaries

(Its like triple redundancy)

102
Q

Can you keep breastfeeding to prevent preganncy

A

Not recommended