Repro III: Female Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

What two cycles does the female reproductive cycle consist of?

Answer 1

ovarian cycle and uterine cycle

Question 2

What is the ovarian cycle?

Answer 2

changes in ovary during and after maturation of the oocyte

Question 3

What is the uterine cycle?

Answer 3

preparation of uterus to receive fertilized ovum and shedding of stratum functionalis if fertilization doesn’t occur

Question 4

What is the female reproductive cycle controlled by?

Answer 4

monthly cycle of hormones from hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and ovary

Question 5

What are the phases of the reproductive cycle?

Answer 5

1. menstrual phase
2. preovulatory phase
3. ovulation
4. postovulatory phase

Question 6

What happens in the ovary during the menstrual phase?

Answer 6

the follicles that began to develop in the last 6 days begin to secrete estrogen
fluid from the granulosa cells fills the antrum

Question 7

What happens in the uterus during the menstrual phase?

Answer 7

progesterone levels decline, spiral arteries constrict, glandular tissue degenerates
stratum functionalis is sloughed off with 50-150mL of blood

Question 8

What happens during the preovulatory phase in the ovary?

Answer 8

follicles secreting estrogen and inhibin slows secretion of LH
dominant follicle emerges by day 6
by day 14, graafian follicle bulges at surface
increase in estrogen levels triggers LH secretion

Question 9

What happens in the uterus during the preovulatory phase?

Answer 9

increased estrogen levels repair and thicken stratum functionalis

Question 10

The preovulatory phase aligns with what ovarian cycle phase?

Answer 10

follicular phase

Question 11

The preovulatory phase aligns with what uterine cycle phase?

Answer 11

proliferative phase

Question 12

What effect does moderate concentrations of estrogen have on GnRH release?

Answer 12

inhibition

Question 13

What effect does high concentrations of estrogen have on GnRH release?

Answer 13

stimulation

Question 14

What are the 3 steps for ovulation?

Answer 14

1. high levels of estrogen from mature follicle stimulate GnRH and LH release
2. GnRH promotes release of FSH and LH
3. LH surge causes ovulation

Question 15

What happens in the ovary during the postovulatory phase?

Answer 15

no fertilization: corpus albicans is formed, secretion of GnRH, FSH, LH rise
fertilization: embryo secretes hCG maintaining corpus luteum and hormone secretion

Question 16

What happens in the uterus during the postovulatory phase?

Answer 16

hormones from corpus luteum cause thickening of endometrium
no fertilization causes menstrual phase to begin

Question 17

Where is GnRH secreted from and what does it do?

Answer 17

secreted by hypothalamus
controls female reproductive cycle
stimulates anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH

Question 18

What role does FSH play in the reproductive cycle?

Answer 18

initiates growth of ovarian follicles that secrete estrogen

Question 19

What role does estrogen play in hormonal regulation of the reproductive cycle?

Answer 19

maintains reproductive organs

Question 20

What role does LH play in hormonal regulation of reproductive cycle?

Answer 20

stimulates ovulation
promotes formation of corpus luteum, which secretes estrogen, progesterone, relaxin, and inhibin

Question 21

What role does progesterone play in hormonal regulation of the reproductive cycle?

Answer 21

prepares uterus for implantation
prepares mammary glands for milk secretion

Question 22

What role does relaxin play in hormonal regulation of reproductive cycle?

Answer 22

inhibits contractions of uterus
facilitates implantation in relaxed uterus

Question 23

What role does inhibin play in hormonal regulation of the reproductive cycle?

Answer 23

inhibits secretion of FSH

Question 24

What phase of the ovarian cycle corresponds with the postovulatory phase?

Answer 24

luteal phase

Question 25

What phase of the uterine cycle corresponds with the postovulatory phase?

Answer 25

secretory phase

Question 26

What effect does low levels of estrogen have on release of GnRH?

Answer 26

stimulation