Pregnancy I Flashcards
Function of Ovaries
Gametogenic Function:
Oogenesis and cyclical release of ovum
Endocrine Function:
Production of oestrogen, progesterone, relaxin, inhibin
Function of Fallopian tubes
Collect and transport of zygote into the uterine cavity by means of fimbriae, ciliary activity and peristalsis
Function of uterine body
The endometrium accommodates and nourishes the zygote
The myometrium expels foetus at parturition
State the change in level of Oestrogen throughout the Menstrual Cycle
- Oestrogen level is high during Follicular Phase (Day 1 to Day 14)
- Sudden increase of Oestrogen level right before Ovulation (Day 14)
- Level of Oestrogen drops after ovulation
- Oestrogen level rise slightly during mid Luteal Phase (Around day 20)
State the changes of Progesterone level throughout Menstrual Cycle
- Progesterone level is low during Follicular Phase
- With the formation of Corpus Luteum, progesterone level increases after ovulation.
- Progesterone level reaches its peak at mid Luteal Phase
- With the degeneration of Corpus Luteum, progesterone level decreases toward the end of Luteal Phase.
- Progesterone level decreases to its baseline level at Day 1 of Menstrual Cycle
What are the hormones secreted in the pituitary glands that control the activities of the ovaries?
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Luteinising hormone (LH)
What is the changes in FSH and LH throughout the Menstrual cycle?
- In the beginning (day 1) , FSH level is slightly higher than LH level
- During mid Follicular phase (around day 7), LH level surpass FSH level
- LH and FSH level spike right before the release of ovum (Ovulation)
- After ovulation, LH and FSH level decrease to the normal level
- Towards the end of the Luteal Phase, FSH level rises slightly higher than LH level
Function of FSH
Control the development of Ovarian Follicle
Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Function of Corpus Luteum
Secrete Progesterone
What is the negative feedback mechanism for the hormones involved in the Menstrual cycle?
- Hypothalamus secrete Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
- GnRH directs the pituitary glands to release FSH and LH, which controls the ovaries to produce progesterone and oestrogen
- High level of Progesterone and Oestrogen subsequently inhibit Hypothalamus and pituitary glands, reduces the secretion of GnRH, LH and FSH
What is the first menstrual cycle called?
Menarche /mi nar ki/
What is the function of Basilar zone of endometrium?
- Attached the endometrium to the layer beneath it
- Place where resources come for building of endometrium
The basal layer, adjacent to the myometrium and below the functional layer, is not shed at any time during the menstrual cycle. The functional layer develops on top of it.
In the absence of progesterone, the arteries supplying blood to the functional layer constrict, so that cells in that layer become ischaemic and die, leading to menstruation.
What are the functions of Functional zone of endometrium?
It is adapted to provide an optimum environment for the implantation (by developing glands which stores food for embryo) and growth of the embryo.
The functional layer is adjacent to the uterine cavity. This layer is built up after the end of menstruation during the first part of the previous menstrual cycle. Proliferation is induced by estrogen (follicular phase of menstrual cycle), and later changes in this layer are engendered by progesterone from the corpus luteum (luteal phase). This layer is completely shed during menstruation.
What is conception?
Successful fertilisation and implantation following unprotected mating or artificial insemination
What are the layers of the ovum starting from the outermost layer?
Corona radiata, zona pellucida, perivitelline space, cell membrane
How long can an ovum (after fertilisation) and sperm (after in female genital tract or Fallopian tube) survive?
And what is the most fertile period?
Ovum: 72 hours after ovulation
* Fertilisation period much shorter
Sperm/Spermatozoa: Able to fertilise for a period of 120 hours
Most fertile period: 48 hours before ovulation
What is the development timeline of a fertilised ovum (zygote) ?
Secondary oocyte
Day 0 (Fertilisation)
egg cell nucleus + sperm cell nucleus
zygote
Day 1 (Cleavage) 2-cell stage
Day 2 (Cleavage) 4-cell stage
Day 3 (Cleavage) 8-cell uncompacted morula
Day 4
8-cell compacted morula
Day 5
Early blastocyst
Day 6-7 (Hatching, removal of zona pellucida)
Late-stage blastocyst
Day 8-9
Implantation of the blastocyst
What are the 3 stages of implantation?
- Apposition - the blastocyst contacts the implantation site of the endometrium
- Adhesion - trophoblast cells of the blastocyst attach to the receptive endometrial epithelium
- Invasion - Invasive trophoblast cells cross the endometrial epithelial basement membrane and invade the endometrial storms