Repro Flashcards
GnRH
Gonadotropin releasing hormone
GnIH
Gonadotropin inhibiting hormone
PIH
Prolactin-inhibiting hormone
Pulsatile release
hormones are released every few hours, not constantly
The attainment of puberty is controlled by ________ and ______
gene expression and repression
The castration of a male will result in ______ levels of LH/FSH
increased
Why does castration lead to increased LH/FSH levels in the male?
No negative feedback
- no testosterone = no neg. feedback to hypothalamus
- no inhibin = no neg. feedback to anterior pituitary
Castrated bull
steer
castrated horse
gelding
castrated sheep
wether
castrated pig
barrow
castrated goat
wether
When is the hypthalamo-hypophyseal-gondal axis established?
at puberty
There are two specialized centers of the hypothalamus that are related to sexual differentiation and imprinting of the brain.
tonic center
surge center
The female hypothalamus has both the ___ and _____ centers; while the male hypothalamus only has ______
tonic and surge; tonic
GnRH is synthesized as a _______ protein
precursor
92 aa
GnRH is cleaved to ______ and ______
- GnRH
- GAP - 56 aa-assoc protein
GAP function?
inhibits prolactin secretion
Why can GnRH not be measured in the blood?
degraded by proteolysis a few minutes after its release
How do we know GnRH is released in a pulsatile manner?
B/c we can measure LH release, which is stimulated by GnRH release
If the pulses of GnRH are too frequent, how does this affect LH release?
decreases LH release d/t desensitization of GnRH receptors
Where is the GnRH pulse generator located?
arcuate nucleus of the mediobasal hypothalamus
What controls the frequency and amplitude of the GnRH pulse?
spontaneous activity of pulse generator
Stimulation of GnRH Secretion (3)
- low levels of sex steroids (androgens and estrogens)
- high levels of estrogens at certain threshold
- catecholamines
High levels of estrogens at certain threshold stimulate GnRH secretion by acting on _____ centers
surge
Inhibition of GnRH Secretion (4)
- Progesterone and Androgens (high levels)
- Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and opioids
- autocrine regulation of GnRH production
- GnIH
In mammals, synthesis and secretion of GnIH is stimulated by _________
estradiol
Where is GnIH secreted?
neurons in hypothalamus and septal area
How does GnIH work in mammals? (2)
Release into:
- hypthalamic region containing GnRH neurons to inhibit GnRH release directly
- median eminence = from here it reaches pars distalis to inhibit gonadotropin release
Physiological Effects of GnRH (4)
- stimulates synthesis and release of LH
- stimulates synthesis and release of FSH
- regulates turnover of its own receptors on gonadotrophs
- GnRH present in the pre-optic region is involved in mating behavior
Clinical Stimulation of Reproductive Function using GnRH
- synchronization of cattle
- initiation of ovulation
Clinical Inhibition of Reproductive Function using GnRH
- fertility control in pets and wildlife
- polycystic ovarian disease
Hourly injection of GnRH stimulates production of gonadotropins which _______ reproductive process
stimulates
Frequent administration of GnRH (long term use) results in ________ of gonadotropin production
inhibition
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Lutenizing Hormone (LH) are __________
gonadotropins
T/F: The alpha subunit is identical in LH, FSH, Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and human chorionic gonadotroping (hCG)
True
The _____ subunit of gonadotropins has specificity.
beta
Half-life of LH?
10 minutes
Physiological Effects of LH - Females (Direct Effects)
- ovulation
- theca cells = testosterone production
- corpus lutem = develpment and progesterone production
Physiological Effects of LH - Females (Indirect Effects)
- estrogen production
- maintenance of pregnancy -progesterone
Physiological Effects of LH - Males (Direct Effects)
- Leydig cells
- Steroid hormone production
Physiological Effects of LH - Males (Indirect Effects)
- spermatogenesis
- male reproductive tract
- accessory sex glands
________ is a protein of 46-50 aa in length that is synthesized in osteoblasts
Osteocalcin
Osteocalcin stimulates the production of _______, independent of LH pathway
testosterone
FSH production is under the control of _____
GnRH
What is the half-life of FSH?
40 hours
FSH is ______ glycosylated as compared to LH
heavily
In mares, FSH goes by this name
PMSG = pregnant mare serum gonadotropin
Physiological Effects of FSH - Females
- follicle development, growth, and maturation
- estradiol synthesis during follicular phase
- superovulation
What is superovulation?
development of more than the usual number of mature follicles
Physiological Effects of FSH - Males
- Sertoli cells = synthesis of 3 things
- initiation/re-initiation of spermatogenesis
- spermiation
What is synthesized by Sertoli cells that have been stimulated by FSH?
- ABP = antigen binding protein
- inhibin
- estradiol
T/F: The feedback regulation of LH is less complex than FSH.
True
Half-life of prolactin
10 minutes
Effect of Prolactin is on an _______ organ - hence why it does not have a feedback response like other things.
EXOCRINE
Physiological Effects of Prolactin in Females
- mammary gland development and milk production
- non-lactational aspects = maintenance of CL in rodents, dogs, and skunks
- social behavior
How does prolactin affect mammary gland development and milk production?
- induces lobuloalveolar growth
- stimulates lactogenesis after parturition
Two other things prolactin works in relation with for mammary gland development and milk production?
insulin and cortisol
What is a non-lactational aspect of prolactin?
maintenance of CL in rodents, dogs, and skunks
What social behaviors are related to prolactin?
- nest building
- retrieval of scattered offspring
Negative Regulation of Prolactin Secretion
- dopamine
- GnRH Associated Protein (GAP)
Positive Regulation of Prolactin Secretion
- PRH
- TRH
- GnRH
- VIP
- Estrogen
- Spinal Reflex (stimulation of teats)
Physiological Effects of Oxytocin - Females (4)
- stimulation of milk ejection (myoepithelial cells)
- stimulation of uterine smooth muscle contraction
- establishment of meternal behavior
- induction of PGF2-alpha synthesis in uterus (species dependent effect)
Physiological Effects of Oxytocin - Male (2)
- facilitation of sperm transport
- acts on myoid peritubular cells = for sperm transport in teh seminiferous tubules
Positive regulation of Oxytocin
- tactile stimulation
- sex steroid hormones
How does Tactile Stimulation have a positive regulation on oxytocin?
stimulation of teat sends neurosignal to the hypothalamus to release oxytocin from post. pituitary
How do sex steroid hormones have a positive regulation on oxytocin?
At parturition - burst of oxytocin is triggered by decline in plasma progesterone levels, and cervical and vaginal stimulation by the fetus
What is the affect of acute stress on oxytocin?
stress triggers the release of catecholamines by adrenal glands. Catecholamines inhibit oxytocin release
Steroid hormones are ________ derivatives
cholesterol
How does cholesterol get in the body? (2)
- synthesized by liver
- absorbed from the diet
Where are steroid hormones produced?
mainly in gonads and adrenal glands