Reproduction, Menstrual cycle and Spermatogenesis Flashcards
What three stages make up the menstrual cycle?
Follicular
Ovulation
Luteal
Which of the three phases have a constant duration and what is it?
Luteal phase
Lasts for 14 days
Which is the variable stage and by how much does it deviate?
Follicular
14 +/- 7 days
Which cells does LH bind to?
Theca cells
What does LH stand for?
Luteinizing hormone
What does the binding of LH trigger?
The release of androgens
Activation of progesterone
What does FSH stand for?
Follicle stimulating hormone
What does FSH bind to?
The granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte
What does the binding of FSH do?
Causes the conversion of androgens to oestrogen
Switches on the expression of LH receptors
What is a follicle?
An oocyte surrounded by follicular (granulosa) cells
What does FSH do to the follicle?
Causes growth in the granulosa cells, NOT the oocyte
When does the FSH and LH surge occur?
Usually day 14
Which hormone FSH or LH precedes the other?
FSH is first as it triggers LH receptor expression
When is the peak of LH usually recorded?
24-36 hours pre ovulation
Folliculogenesis
Creation of the follicles
How many follicles does a female foetus have?
7 million
By birth how many follicles does a female have?
2 million
BY puberty how many follicles does a female have?
0.5 million
During the early stages of follicular growth it is driven by gonadotrophin. True/False
False
Early stages is independent of gonadotrophins
When do follicles become dependant on gonadotrophins
When they reach a certain size
For a follicle to continue to grow what must occur?
It must become dependent on gonadotrophins during the FSH LH surge otherwise the follicles are lost.
If the follicle becoming dependent on gonadotrophins coincides with the FSH LH surge what happens next?
A number of follicles continue to develop, however only one (dominant) is used for ovulation.