Puberty (Repro 1) Flashcards
The hypothalamus consists of…
clusters of neuronal bodies called hypothalamic nuclei.
What do the surge center and tonic center of the hypothalamus produce?
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
GnRH
Gonadotropin releasing hormone.
A neurohormone with 10 amino acids.
What is the adenohypophysis?
Anterior lobe of the pituitary.
What is the neurohypophysis?
Posterior lobe of the pituitary.
What do the surge center and tonic centers communicate with?
The adenohypophysis.
What is the system of communication between the serge and tonic centers with the anterior lobe of the pituitary?
Hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system
What is the primary portal plexus (PPP)?
A capillary network at the pituitary stalk formed by the superior hypophyseal artery.
What is the secondary portal plexus (SPP)?
A continuation of the capillary network from PPP into the anterior lobe of the pituitary.
How does the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system work?
- Axons from the surge and tonic centers extend to the primary portal plexus and release GnRH.
- The GnRH (now in the portal system) reaches the anterior lobe of the pituitary.
- The pituitary releases gonadotropins under the influence of GnRH.
What is the functional significance of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system?
It allows small quantities of GnRH to act directly on the anterior lobe of the pituitary without being diluted through the general circulation.
It is also involved in the transport of other hormones from the hypothalamus to the AL of pituitary.
What do neurons in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nuclei synthesize?
Oxytocin
Where do PVN axons extend to?
Capillary network in the posterior pituitary.
Describe the communication between the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary.
- Neurons in the PVN and supraoptic nuclei synthesize oxytocin.
- The axons from these neurons extend to the capillary network in the posterior pituitary.
- Oxytocin is transported through these axons and deposited directly into the capillary network in the posterior pituitary.
What is the main function of oxytocin?
Initiation of contractions for parturition and milk secretion.
What does the adenohypophysis produce?
Gonadotropins
- FSH
- LH
- Prolactin
What is the function of follicle stimulating hormone?
Stimulates follicular development in the ovary.
What is the function of luteinizing hormone?
Induces the ovulation of mature follicles from the ovary and luteinizes the follicular cells of an ovulated follicle, leading to the formation of a CL.
What is the function of a corpus luteum?
Secretes progesterone to maintain pregnancy.
What are the functions of ovaries?
- Oogenesis and folliculogenesis
- Hormone synthesis (estrogen/estradiol 17-B, progesterone)
What are the functions of testes?
- Spermatogenesis
- Testosterone synthesis
What are the different areas of the ovary?
Cortex and medulla
Where do follicles develop?
In the ovarian cortex.
What are primordial follicles?
A primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous epithelial cells.
Where do primordial follicles come from?
During embryogenesis, primordial germ cells migrate to the ovary and are surrounded by squamous epithelium. The primordial germ cells become primary oocytes after undergoing mitotic division but remain in mitotic prophase.