Repro Physiology Flashcards
What occurs in the ovaries?
Contain ovarian follicles-oogenesis-release of mature egg
What happens in the fallopian tubes?
Egg pick up happens & fertilisation occurs
What is the structure of the ovaries and what are these 3 layers made up of?
Surface- connective tissue capsule covered with layer of simple cuboidal epithelium
Cortex- peripheral part, connective tissue containing ovarian follicles (one oocyte surrounded by single layer of cells)-Primordial follicle pool=makes up egg reserve
Medulla- central part, connective tissue with blood vessels
What are the functions of the ovaries?
- Oocyte production
- Steroid hormone production (oestrogen & Progesterone & Testosterone)
How many eggs are released per menstrual cycle & how many are ovulates during life?
One mature egg per menstrual cycle, around 400 ovulated during entire reproductive lifespan (Ovarian reserve is fixed & thought to be determined at birth)
Majority of eggs perish during the cycle
Is there an infinite number of eggs?
NO, finite number of eggs, declines with increasing age (starts ~30 years old)
What are the roles of:
1. Oestrogen
2. Progesterone
3. Testosterone?
- Develops female secondary sexual characters
- Prepares endometrium for implantation
- Has important functions of maintaining the female sexual function (50% of testosterone produced by ovaries before menopause)
When does primordial germ cell mitosis occur?
In foetal life only
Until when are primordial follicles arrested in the stage of first meiotic division?
Until puberty
First meiotic division complete & second division starts after puberty: This leads to what?
Release of one secondary oocyte in a menstrual cycle which is capable of fertilisation
When does second meiotic division completes?
After fertilisation of oocyte with sperm
Germ cells (oogonia) mitotically divide into what?
Primordial germ cells
What is the normal complement of chromosomes in any human cells?
46 chromosomes
How many follicles are selected?
Only dominant follicle selected & will ovulate- rest will perish
What is the difference between primordial follicles & primary follicle?
Primordial follicles- primary oocyte arrested in first meiotic division surrounded by one layer of squamous pre granulosa cells.
Primary follicle- oocyte surrounded by zona and cuboidal granulosa cells
What is the secondary follicle?
Secondary follicle- increased oocyte diameter and multiple layer of granulosa cells, resumption of first meiotic division
What is the tertiary/Graffian folliclE?
Follicular fluid between the cells which coalesce to form antrum, completion of first meiotic division to form secondary oocyte and start of second meiotic division.
What is antrum & what is secondary oocyte & follicle?
Antrum=fluid filled space surrounding the egg
Follicle=Layer of cells containing the egg
Secondary oocyte=mature egg