Reproduction, Menstrual cycle and Spermatogenesis Flashcards

1
Q

What three stages make up the menstrual cycle?

A

Follicular
Ovulation
Luteal

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2
Q

Which of the three phases have a constant duration and what is it?

A

Luteal phase

Lasts for 14 days

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3
Q

Which is the variable stage and by how much does it deviate?

A

Follicular

14 +/- 7 days

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4
Q

Which cells does LH bind to?

A

Theca cells

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5
Q

What does LH stand for?

A

Luteinizing hormone

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6
Q

What does the binding of LH trigger?

A

The release of androgens

Activation of progesterone

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7
Q

What does FSH stand for?

A

Follicle stimulating hormone

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8
Q

What does FSH bind to?

A

The granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte

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9
Q

What does the binding of FSH do?

A

Causes the conversion of androgens to oestrogen

Switches on the expression of LH receptors

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10
Q

What is a follicle?

A

An oocyte surrounded by follicular (granulosa) cells

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11
Q

What does FSH do to the follicle?

A

Causes growth in the granulosa cells, NOT the oocyte

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12
Q

When does the FSH and LH surge occur?

A

Usually day 14

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13
Q

Which hormone FSH or LH precedes the other?

A

FSH is first as it triggers LH receptor expression

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14
Q

When is the peak of LH usually recorded?

A

24-36 hours pre ovulation

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15
Q

Folliculogenesis

A

Creation of the follicles

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16
Q

How many follicles does a female foetus have?

A

7 million

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17
Q

By birth how many follicles does a female have?

A

2 million

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18
Q

BY puberty how many follicles does a female have?

A

0.5 million

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19
Q

During the early stages of follicular growth it is driven by gonadotrophin. True/False

A

False

Early stages is independent of gonadotrophins

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20
Q

When do follicles become dependant on gonadotrophins

A

When they reach a certain size

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21
Q

For a follicle to continue to grow what must occur?

A

It must become dependent on gonadotrophins during the FSH LH surge otherwise the follicles are lost.

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22
Q

If the follicle becoming dependent on gonadotrophins coincides with the FSH LH surge what happens next?

A

A number of follicles continue to develop, however only one (dominant) is used for ovulation.

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23
Q

What is the trigger behind the formation of the corpus luteum?

A

LH switching on progesterone production

24
Q

How does progesterone cause the creation corpus luteus?

A

Triggers a proteolytic enzyme to break down follicular cells exposing the oocyte

25
Q

What happens to the follicle cells surrounding the oocyte?

A

They are converted into luteal cells

26
Q

What do luteal cells do?

A

They increase the amount of progesterone released

27
Q

How else does LH cause an increase in progesterone levels?

A

It triggers angiogenesis, increases the blood flow to the area and in turn the amount of cholesterol.

28
Q

Why is cholesterol important?

A

It is the building block of progesterone

29
Q

If there is successful implantation of a fertilised egg what hormonal changes occur?

A

LH is reduced in favour of hCG

30
Q

Why is hCG produced?

A

Acts in the same way as LH but has a longer half life

31
Q

List some functions of oestrogen

A
Increases the thickness of the vaginal wall
Regulates LH surge
Reduces vaginal pH
Increases Vaginal Lactic acid
Decreased cervical mucous viscosity
32
Q

By reducing vaginal pH and cervical mucous viscosity what does oestrogen do?

A

Creates an environment to better facilitate sperm penetration

33
Q

List some function of progesterone

A

Maintains vaginal wall thickness

Relaxes myometrium

34
Q

Taking into account the function of progesterone what may a reduction in progesterone towards the end of pregnancy result in?

A

Contraction of the myometrium, pushing the baby out.

35
Q

What hormone is released by both genders from the the hypothalamus?

A

GnRH

36
Q

In what pattern is GnRH released from the hypothalamus?

A

Released in a pulsatile manner

37
Q

Why is the pattern of GnRH release important and more so in which gender?

A

Especially important in women

The frequency of pulses determines which hormone LH or FSH will be released predominantly.

38
Q

Which hormone favours an increased frequency of GnRH release?

A

LH

39
Q

Which hormone favours a decreased frequency of GnRH release?

A

FSH

40
Q

What hormone causes an increased frequency in GnRH release?

A

Oestrogen

41
Q

Which hormone causes a decreased frequency in GnRH release?

A

Progesterone

42
Q

Which hormone exhibits both positive and negative feedback on the gonadal axis?

A

Estrogen

When levels surpass a set point oestrogen exhibits a positive feedback affect.

43
Q

When oestrogen exerts a positive feedback affect, what happens?

A

LH and FSH surge
Formation of the corpus luteum
Progesterone release

44
Q

What is the effect of progesterone on LH and FSH?

A

Exerts only negative feedback reducing levels

45
Q

What does oestrogen do to LH and FSH levels?

A

Reduced FSH

Increased LH

46
Q

In a male what does FSH do?

A

Causes testes to produce sperm

47
Q

In a male what does LH do?

A

Causes testes to secrete testosterone

48
Q

In regards to the gonadal axis what does testosterone exert?

A

Only negative feedback

49
Q

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

A

Within the testes

50
Q

How many sperm are produced each heart beat

A

1,000

51
Q

What cells does FSH bind to?

A

Binds to Sertoli cells

52
Q

Upon Sertoli cells being bound to by FSH what occurs?

A

Triggers the stem cells to differentiate into spermatoza

53
Q

What cells are stimulated by LH

A

Leydig cells

54
Q

What is the function of leydig cells?

A

Secrete testosterone into the blood and the testes

55
Q

What happens to most the testosterone released by leading cells?

A

90% is taken up by sertoli cells

56
Q

What two functions does testosterone have within the testes?

A

Maintains blood testes barrier

Stimulates the release of mature sperm cells