Q 6: Female Physiology Flashcards
What hormones does the anterior pituitary gland release?
LH (leutinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
What are trophic factors/hormones?
FSH and LH
Estradiol is the predominant estrogen except????
in pregnancy and after menopause
What estrogen hormone is predominant after menopause?
estrone
What estrogen hormone is predominant during pregnancy?
Estriol
What estrogen hormone is predominant during reproductive years?
estradiol
What are the different types of estrogen hormones?
estriol, estradiol, estrone
What are the physiological functions of estrogen?
maturation/development of secondary sex characteristics
increases CNS excitability (proconvulsant)
endometrial proliferation and uterine growth
maintenance of healthy blood vessels & skin
reduce rate of bone readsorption
alter plasma lipids (increase HDL/TG and decrease LDL)
enhances blood coagulability
First 7 days of cycle
called menses
low estrogen lvls
–>GnRH stimulates anterior pituitar
–>anterior pituitary secrete FSH & LH
shedding endometrial lining
follicular phase
first 14 days
luteal phase
last 14 days (day 14-28)
begins at ovulations
What causes the LH to surge?
estradiol (E2) stimulates the hypothalamus to release MORE GnRH which stimulates the Ant. Pituitary to release a surge of already stored LH (and a little FSH)
What happens if the egg is not fertilized?
circulating lvls of hormones decline
degeneration of corpus luteum to corpus albicans
shedding of lining of uterus (endometrium)
bleeding results (menses) ~ 14-15 days after ovulation
When does most fertilization take place?
10-15 days after menses starts
What hormone in the cycle dominates after ovulation?
progesterone
What hormone in the cycle dominates before ovulation?
estrogen
Where are progestins synthesized?
ovary, testes, and adrenal cortex from cholesterol
What is the carbon chain size of a progestin?
always a 21-carbon backbone/skeleton
What is the carbon chain size of a estrogen?
always a 18-carbon backbone/skeleton
What is the carbon chain size of a androgen?
always a 19-carbon backbone/skeleton
What are all steroid hormones derived from?
cholesterol
however, progesterones serve as a precursor to synthesis of all estrogens, androgens, and adrenocortical steroids
What are the physiological fx/effects of progesterone?
increases fat deposition
decreases CNS excitability (anticonvulsant)
increases body temperature (thermogenic)
increases aldosterone secretion (cause body to hold onto water/Na –> this is why pregancy + swelling)
increases insulin lvls and insulin response to glucose
promotes ketogenesis
decreases PCO2 during pregnancy
When is the total supply of female gametes (eggs) determined?
at birth
What is the primary positive feedback mechanism that facilitates childbirth?
oxytocin
What is prolactin inhibitory factor (PIF aka dopamine) continuously produced and secreted by?
hypothalamus
what is the first fluid that is released after birth from the mammary glands?
colostrum
What hormone promotes milk ejection?
oxytocin
what hormone promotes/stimulates milk production?
prolactin
