Reproduction Flashcards
When does ovulation occur?
Day 14 in a 28 day cycle
What is the corpus luteum and what does it produce?
The structure left in the ovary after the egg has been released. It produces oestrogen and progesterone.
Which hormone peaks 36 hours before ovulation?
Luteinising hormone
Which functional group do oestrogens have that other steroid hormones do not?
An aromatic ring
What are the common properties for all major classes of steroid hormone?
- 2 binding sites, one for DNA and the other for steroid
- binding of steroid ligand produces a complex that acts on DNA
- binding of DNA complex to DNA sites alters the combination of genes being expressed by target cells
- defines steroid receptors as transcription factors
Why do gonadotrophins need receptors at the cell surface?
To eventually produce effects that are seen
Describe the function of GnRH
- acts at GnRH receptor (it is a GPC receptor)
- release of hormones is pulsatile
- stimulates the release of FSH and LH
What kind of frequencies is FSH stimulated by?
Slow GnRH pulse frequencies
What of frequencies if LH stimulated by?
Fast GnRH pulse frequencies
Give a use of GnRH agonists and antagonists
Used in ART to shut down the ovary in advance of a controlled cycle of ovulatory stimulation
What is Buserelin and what is it used for?
Buserelin is an antagonist at GnRH receptor, it reduces production of FSH and LH.
Gives a contraceptive effect and is used in HRT
What are the consequences of long term Buserelin use?
- GnRHR down regulation
- insensitivity to GnRH
- loss of production of FSH and LH
Which hormone is released as levels of fat increase in girls?
Leptin
What does Leptin do?
Stimulates kisspeptin neurone to stimulate GnRH neurons to produce GnRH
What is early puberty associated with?
Higher risks for osteoporosis but lower risks for breast cancer
Describe the early follicular phase
There is low oestrogen, the follicle hasn’t really grown.
No negative feedback to the hypothalamus.
There are slow GnRH pulses giving rise to high levels of FSH and lower levels of LH
Describe the mid follicular phase
Oestrogen rises, there is negative feedback to the hypothalamus.
FSH is suppressed due to negative feedback.
Positive feedback as oestrogen increases at another areas in the hypothalamus
GnRH pulses increase
Describe the late follicular phase
Oestrogen and progesterone feedback negatively
High oestrogen and progesterone suppress the production of gonadatrophins
Positive feedback by steroid to the hypothalamus is followed by negative feedback
Describe steroid hormone action
Binding of steroid complex to the steroid response element (SRE) on DNA alters the rate of transcription so mRNA abundance is also altered
What happens when oestrogen binds to its receptor?
The receptor undergoes a conformational change, this can affect binding to DNA or its ability to recruit co-factors.
MoA of Faslodex
Binds to oestrogen receptor and blocks its ability to activate target genes. It binds in preference to estradiol
MoA of Tamoxifen
partial agonist/antagonist used for breast cancer, it is effective on oestrogen in the breast but not in the endometrium
Define menstruation
Shedding of superficial layer of endometrium
What does withdrawal of sex steroid lead to?
Vasoconstriction
Tissue hypoxia
Connective tissue breakdown
Fragmentation
Define endometriosis
The establishment and growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus
What causes endometriosis?
Reflex menstruation - endometrial tissue fragments shed at menses passing through the fallopian tube then becoming established in ectopic sites
What are the symptoms for endometriosis?
Pelvic pain and infertility
What are the treatment options for endometriosis?
Surgical removal
Pain medication
Pharmacological blocking of hormone cycle with an aromatase inhibitor, COC or GnRH modulators
Define interstitial implantation
Implantation of developed blastocyst (the implantation window is ~4 days)
What produces hCG?
The placenta produces hCG from the hatched blastocyst stage
Where is hCG measurable?
Maternal blood and urine - only after implantation
What happens if implantation is too late?
The corpus luteum regresses and pregnancy fails
What is the role of progesterone in pregnancy?
Regulates the transport of egg/embryo though the fallopian tubes.
Prepares the uterus to receive implanting blastocyst
Sustains uterine lining throughout pregnancy
Inhibits myometrial contractility
What happens at 7-9 weeks of pregnancy?
The placenta takes over production of oestrogen and progesterone from the CL - luteoplacental endocrine switch
What what point are miscarriages most likely?
At the luteoplacental endocrine switch, if abnormal placentas are produced they can’t produce the hormones required
At what point is a pregnancy viable?
From when the heart pulsations can be visualised within gestation sac
When can a transvaginal ultrasound be done?
5 weeks after last menstrual period
When can a transabdominal ultrasound be done?
6 weeks after last menstrual period
Why does ectopic pregnancy occur?
Occurs due to tubal infection / upper reproductive tract infection. Humans have a short cervix and so it doesn’t work as effectively as other animal species.
Which drug is used in ectopic pregnancy?
Methotrexate - used to prevent cell proliferation (blocks DNA synthesis)
What is mifepristone used for?
Termination of pregnancy
Structurally similar to progesterone and binds to its receptor but exerts different effects
How does mifepristone work?
Blocks preparation of endometrium for pregnancy
Counteracts effect of progesterone on myocetrial contractility
What does human placental lactogen (hPL) do?
Modulates intermediary metabolism by changing the level of insulin-like growth factor (IGF). Increases glucose and amino acid availability to foetus
What occurs in the embryonic stage?
Formation of major organs - lasts up to 10 weeks
What occurs in the foetal stage?
Maturation, development and growth - lasts 10 - 38 weeks
How is progesterone involved in labour?
Progesterone suppresses myometrial contractility till late pregnancy - the receptor is switched and the inhibitory receptor is lost.
How does the foetus stimulate labour?
Surfactants in the lung
What it oxytocin and how does it work?
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone released from the posterior pituitary gland.
Levels rise in the last trimester
How is oxytocin used?
Used with prostaglandin analogues to induce labour
What is used to mature foetal lungs in labour induction?
Glucocortioid treatment