Repro Session 2 Flashcards
What does the HPG axis regulate?
Development, reproduction, ageing and other body processes such as somatic growth, water metabolism and lactation
What does the output of the HPG axis regulate the function of?
Thyroid, adrenal and reproductive glands
What is the contents of the neural stalk?
Hypothalamic neurons, superior hypophyseal artery and hypophyseal-portal circulation
Which peptide hormones does the anterior pituitary secrete?
Prolactin, ACTH, LH, GH, FSH, TSH and MSH
Where does the anterior pituitary arise from?
Rathke’s pouch
What regulates the anterior pituitary gland?
Hypothalamic hypophysiotropic releasing hormones via the hypophyseal circulation
Which it pituitary gland stains darker on histology?
Anterior
What connects the anterior pituitary to the hypothalamus?
Superior hypophyseal artery
Describe the action of hypothalamic releasing hormones.
Secreted in pulses tied to circadian rhythm and environmental factors to act in specific membrane receptors and activate second messengers
What is the result of activation of second messenger hormones by hypothalamic releasing hormones?
Stimulate synthesis and release of stored pituitary hormones, stimulate hypertrophy and hyperplasia of target cells and regulate own receptors
Which hypothalamic releasing hormones are associated with each anterior pituitary peptide hormone?
Prolactin: stimulated by PRH and TRH, inhibited by dopamine
GH: stimulated by GHRH and inhibited by somatostatin
ACTH: CRH
FSH: GnRH
LH: GnRH
TSH: TRH
Which cells release each of the anterior pituitary peptide hormones?
Prolactin: mammotropic GH: somatotropic ACTH: corticotropic FSH: gonadotropic LH: gonadotropic TSH: thyrotropic MSH: pars intermedia
What is the posterior pituitary gland?
Neurosecretory gland that is an outgrowth of the hypothalamus that secretes ADH and oxytocin
Describe the hypothalamic control of FSH and LH.
GnRH released ~1x per hour into portal circulation –> GPCR on gonadotrophs activated to produce LH and FSH –> GsPCR of gonads stimulates adneylate cyclase –> granulosa and theca interna activated or Sertoli and leydig cells activated providing negative feedback via oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin
How does negative feedback on the anterior pituitary arise?
Gonadal hormones affect the stimulating ability of GnRH
What are the results of cell stimulation by the HPG axis at the gonads?
Ovulation, folliculogenesis, steroidgenesis and spermatogenesis
What percentage of total anterior pituitary cells do gonadotrophs account for?
5-10%
Do gonadotrophs produce LH and FSH simultaneously?
Most yes but a small subpopulation only release exclusively either
Which hormones descrease GnRH secretion?
Testosterone, moderate titres of oestrogen, progesterone
What do high titres of oestrogen alone cause?
Promotion of GnRH secretion and subsequent LH surge
How does the inhibitory action of oestrogen at low titres and progesterone on GnRH release differ?
Oestrogen decreases amplitude of pulse, progesterone decreases frequency
What is secreted by the gonad in both sexes in relation to developing gametes to selectively reduce FSH secretion?
Inhibin
What is the action of testosterone?
Promotes spermatogenesis
What is the action of androgen binding globulin?
Bind to testosterone and keep it in the seminiferous tubules
What is the role of inhibin?
Support spermatogenesis and control HPG axis