Reproduction Flashcards
How is sex determined in humans?
Presence of SRY gene on y chromosome
Produces testes determining factor which results in testes
What are some sex chromosome abnormalities?
Turners syndrome- female phenotype by XO/no second sex chromosome
Klinefelters syndrome- male phenotype but some female characteristics, XXY chromosomes
Androgen insensitivity syndrome- inability to respond to androgens, male genotype but female phenotype
List the stuructures in the female reproductive system
Uterine tube Uterus Ovaries Cervix Vagina
What are the functions of the ovary?
Gamete production
Hormone production
What is the importance of oestrus?
Occurs before ovulation so increases chance of successful fertilisation
Define oogenesis
Formation of ovum
What are the reproductive hormones secreted from the anterior pituitary?
FSH
LH
Prolactin
During follicle development what causes the switch from negative to positive feedback of oestrogen on hypothalamus hormones?
Prolonged oestrogen
Oestrogen acts on alpha and beta receptors
GnRH neurones have beta receptors which mediate negative feedback on tonic GnRH release
GnRH have no alpha receptors but intermediate neurones with alpha neurones synapse to GnRH increasing GnRH pulses
Where are oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin secreted from?
Ovaries
What hormone does the hypothalamus secrete?
GnRH
How are FSH and LH released and what triggers it?
Tonic or surge release
GnRH induces it
Describe the pulsatile release of GnRH in the follicular and luteal phases
Follicular phase- increased frequency of GnRH pulses increases FSH and LH. FSH promotes follicle development so increased oestrogen by follicle
Luteal phase- reduces frequency of GnRH pulses so fall in FSH and LH. Increased progesterone from corpus luteum
What are the effects of oestrogens in the female reproductive system?
Oviduct- increased secretions, cilia and muscle activity
Cervix- cervical muscle relaxes, thinner alkaline secretions
Mammary glands- primes glandular tissue
Uterus- increases myometrium activity, number and size of glands and watery secretion and induced synthesis of progesterone receptors
What are the effects of progesteragens in the female reproductive system?
Oviduct- reduced secretions, muscle activity and cilia
Cervix- firmer cervix, thick acidic secretions
Mammary glands- glandular tissue growth
Uterus- reduced myometrium activity, glandular growth, thick secretions
What is the main hormonal control of the female reproductive system and how does it change?
FSH and LH
Prolactin switches it to progesterone
Explain how ovulation takes place
LH surge induces protease and collagenous activity in follicles
Increase in follicular activity
Granulosa cell layer thins
Stigma forms then ruptures releasing oocyte
How does the oocyte move down the uterine tube?
Ampulla- cilia
Isthmus- muscular contractions
What lines the uterine tube?
Ciliated and secretory epithelium
Where is the oocyte held until fertilisation and how does this happen?
At the ampulla isthmus junction by a physiological sphincter which only opens at high progesterone
How does the corpus luteum form?
Follicle collapses after ovulation
Granulosa and theca interna cells form the corpus luteum
Blood vessels invade theca
Cells switch to progesterone synthesising by two cell hypothesis
Cells stop dividing and undergo luteinisation to transform to lutein cells
Why is luteolysis needed?
When no pregnancy to allow another follicular phase to occur by reducing levels of progesterone
List the components of the male reproductive system
Testes Epididymis Ductus deferens Urethra Seminal vesicles Prostate gland Bulbourethral glands Penis
What are the functions of the testes?
Hormone production
Sperm production
Define spermatogenesis
Development of sperm cells
Where does spermatogenesis take place?
Seminiferous tubules with steroli cells providing nourishment
What is the purpose of the blood testes barrier in spermatogeneses?
Mitosis occurs below and meiosis occurs above junction so the sperm are protected from the immune system
Allows different seminiferous tubular fluid environments for late stages of spermatogenesis
How does sperm move through the epididymis?
Cilia and contraction of smooth muscle, sensitive to oxytocin
What are the functions of the epididymis?
Mature sperm to make motile and fertile
Concentrate sperm
Store in tail for release
Phagocytose in times of abstinence