Reproduction and the Sex Steroid Axis Flashcards

1
Q

What is the range in days for a normal menstual cycle?

A

21-35

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2
Q

Usually ovulation occurs at around day __

A

Usually ovulation occurs at around day 14

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3
Q

Which hormones stimulate follicle development?

A

FSH and LH

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4
Q

In the menstrual cycle, why does oestrogen levels increase throughout the follicular phase?

A

FSH and LH stimulate granulosa cells surrounding the egg

The granulosa cells increase in size and secrete insulin

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5
Q

The follicular phase begins when levels of which hormone are low?

A

Oestrogen

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6
Q

What is the impact of rising oestrogen levels in the menstrual cycle?

A

Uterine lining thickens

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7
Q

After ovulation, what does the empty follicle become and which hormone does it secrete?

A

Corpus luteum

Progesterone

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8
Q

What causes ovulation?

A

LH surge

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9
Q

What causes rupture of the follicle wall allowing for the release of the egg?

A

Proteolytic enzymes and prostaglandins

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10
Q

Which two hormones remain fairly low in concentration throughout the follicular phase?

A
  1. Oestrogen
  2. Progesterone
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11
Q

What triggers menstruation?

A

Lack of hCG

Corpus luteum breakdown and subsequent progesterone decrease

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12
Q

Describe the HPO axis

A
  1. Hypothalamus secretes GnRH
  2. Pituitary secretes FSH/LH
  3. Ovaries produce oestrodiol, activins and inhibins
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13
Q

Which part of the hypothalamus produces GnRH?

A

Arcuate nucleus

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14
Q

Which cells does LH act on in order to produce oestrogen?

A

Theca cells

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15
Q

Which cells does FSH act on in order to produce oestrogen?

A

Granulosa cells

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16
Q

Which variant of GnRH is responsible for reproductive function?

A

GnRH1

17
Q

What are the key functions of FSH?

A
  1. Recruits dominant follicle
  2. Granulosa cell growth
  3. Activates aromatase activity
18
Q

What is inhibin and what does it do?

A

Local peptide in follicular fluid

Negative feedback on pituitary FSH secretion

Enhances local LH-induced androstenedione production

19
Q

What is activin and what does it do?

A

Local peptide found in follicular fluid

Stimulates FSH induced oestrogen production

20
Q

Into which two components are the testes organised cellularly?

A
  1. Tubular components
  2. Interstitial components
21
Q

What are the two tubular components of the testes?

A
  1. Sertoli cells
  2. Germ cells
22
Q

What are the two interstitial components of the testes?

A
  1. Leydig cells
  2. Capillaries
23
Q

Which cells support germ cells within the testes in their development?

A

Sertoli cells

24
Q

Which hormone acts on

a) Sertoli cells
b) Germ cells

A

a) FSH
b) LH

25
Q

How long does spermatogenesis take?

A

Roughly 90 days

26
Q

Which two hormones stimulate spermatogenesis?

A

FSH and testosterone

(LH stimulates testosterone production)

27
Q

For which reasons is an oocyte much larger than a sperm cells?

A
  1. Yolk proteins
  2. Ribosomes
  3. t-RNA
  4. m-RNA
  5. Protective chemicals
28
Q

Where does fertilisation occur?

A

Ampullary region of the Fallopian tubes

29
Q

What is capacitation?

A

The functional maturation of a spermatozoon (mature sperm)

30
Q

Where does capacitation occur?

A

Female reproductive tract

31
Q

What is the zona pelludica?

A

A glycoprotein layer surrounding the plasma membrane of the oocyte

32
Q

The acrosomal reaction of the sperm is triggered by what?

A

Binding to ZP3 (zona pelludica 3)

33
Q

How is polyspermy prevented?

A
  1. Na+ influx in response to sperm binding (fast block)
  2. Ca2+ release in an indirect response to sperm binding (slow block)
34
Q

As well as egg activation, which 3 other effects does the sperm have during fertilisation?

A
  1. Triggers the egg to complete meiosis
  2. Triggers a cytoplasmic rearrangement
  3. Causes a sharp increase in protein synthesis and metabolic activity in general
35
Q

What does the final stage of fertilisation involve?

A

Fusion of nuclei to form a zygote