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Reproductive Flashcards

1
Q

What 2 processes do sexual reproduction involve

A

Meiosis & fertilisation

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2
Q

What does reproductive meiosis produce

A

Haploid gametes, male sperm & female ova

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3
Q

What is a zygote

A

Cell produced after fertilisation containing 46 chromosomes, full genetic code

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4
Q

How many lobes are found in the mammary glands

A

Consists of 15-20 lobes, containing small grape like clusters of glands called alveoli which are separated by adipose tissue

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5
Q

How is milk ejected from the breasts

A

Contraction of myoepithelial cells that surround the alveoli which help propel milk into lactiferous ducts

The milk itself can be stored in lactiferous sinuses

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6
Q

What are the 3 tissue layers of the uterine wall

A
  1. Perimetrium - visceral peritoneum outer
  2. Myometrium - 3 smooth muscle layers
  3. Endometrium - highly vascular inner layer divided into the ‘stratum basalis’ which is permanent deep layer that regenarates the ‘stratum functionalis’ (sloughs off during menses)
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7
Q

What is the main ligament that keeps the uterus suspended

A

The ‘broad ligament’

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8
Q

What hormone helps to build up the endometrium vs maintain

A

Oestrogen helps build
Progesterone helps maintain

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9
Q

What are the functions of the placenta

A

The site of exchange of nutrients, oxygen & wastes between the mother & foetus, attached to the endometrium through diffusion of blood
It produces hormones that are needed to maintain pregnancy
Nutrient transfer is mediated by proteins called nutrient transporters

Provides a form of protective barrier to separate blood from the two placental systems

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10
Q

What are the two placental systems

A

Formed in 12th week of gestation, maternal placenta & foetal side
Preventing blood from transferring whilst still allowing mother breathing & eating for the foetus

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11
Q

What 2 main hormones does the placenta produce

A

Progesterone - maintains endometrial lining

Oestrogen - promotes growth of breast tissue & myometrium

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12
Q

What is the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

A

only produced during pregnancy by placenta (tests!) which ensures adequate nutrient transfer to foetus & is related to morning sickness

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13
Q

What is the hormone human placental lactogen (hPL)

A

Increases the amount of glucose & lipids in maternal blood

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14
Q

What is the hormone relaxins role in pregnancy

A

Targets ligaments & relaxes them in preparation for birth as well as growth in uterus
Produced by corpus luteum & placenta

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15
Q

What is the role of CRH in pregnancy

A

Produced by placenta
Triggers release of cortisol from adrenals which prevents rejection of foetus / placenta (immunosuppressant)

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16
Q

What are monozygotic twins

A

(30%)
Identical twins that originate from one fertilised ovum
Zygote splits into 2 embryos but share 1 placenta

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17
Q

What are dizygotic twins

A

(70%)
Non-identical twins, release of two ova & fertilisation of each. Implanted independently with 2 placentas

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18
Q

What are the main functions of the fallopian tubes

A

Provide a route for the ova to travel to the uterus & for sperm to travel to the ova

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19
Q

What are fimbriae

A

Finger-like projections that surround the ovary & sweep the ova into the fallopian tube
They are lined with ciliated columnar epithelium which function to help move the ova towards the uterus
A smooth muscle layer also performs peristalsis to assist ova movement

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20
Q

What hormones do ovaries secrete

A

Oestrogen & progesterone

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21
Q

What is the function of the ovarian ligament

A

Anchors the ovaries to the uterus, whilst the broad ligament also assists in maintaining the position of the ovaries

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22
Q

What does oogenesis refer to

A

The formation of female gametes (ova) in the ovaries
It begins in the foetus

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23
Q

What is a primary oocyte & how is it formed

A

An immature egg cell
Formed from germ cells during foetal development which stops at birth (approx 20thousand - 2million)

During female lifetime around 400 will mature & ovulate with rest degenerating

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24
Q

What is a germ cell

A

An embryonic cell capable of becoming a gamete

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25
Why do primary oocytes have follicular cells
The primordial follicles are needed to help primary oocytes to grow & mature
26
What hormone does the anterior pituitary release to help maturation of primary oocytes
FSH stimulates maturation of the primordial follicles into a mature follicle This follicular structure remains & becomes the corpus luteum
27
What hormone triggers ovulation
LH triggers the release of the mature ovum - secondary oocyte
28
How does the placenta connect from the mother to the baby
Maternal part extends from the endometrium whereas the foetus connects to the embryo through the umbilical cord
29
How is the corpus luteum formed
When LH causes the release of the secondary oocyte from the mature follicle, it leaves behind the follicular cells in the ovary which release progesterone & sustain the endometrium
30
How long is an average menses cycle
24-35 days with 28 being average
31
What are the four main phases of menses
1. Menstrual (day 1-5) - FSH 2. Pre-ovulatory (day 6-13) - Oestrogen 3. Ovulation day 14 - LH 4. Post-ovulatory phase (day 15-28) - progesterone
32
What hormones control the ovaries
Pituitary hormones following the release of GnRH - FSH & LH
33
What hormones control the uterus
Ovarian hormones - oestrogen & progesterone
34
What prevents the corpus luteum to degenerate into corpus albicans during pregnancy
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone maintains & stimulates the corpus luteum to carry on producing hormones & after a few a weeks the placenta takes over rold of producing hCG & progesterone to maintain the pregnancy
35
What hormones occur during onset of female puberty
Occurs between 10-14 yrs Onset of puberty is marked by pulses of LH & FSH, each triggered by a burst of GnRH As puberty advances, the hormone pulses start to occur during the day as well as night, increasing over 3-4 yrs Internal reproductive organcd reach maturity at the menarche
36
What does menarche mean
A females first menses indicating puberty
37
What is the menopause
The permanent cessation of menstruation for 12 consecutive months Naturally occurs at 45-55yrs due to ovarian aging whereby number of follicles become exhausted Can be surgically induced following hysterectomy Drop in oestrogen & progesterone affects negative feedback leading to high FSH & LH levels
38
What are common signs & symptoms of menopause
- hot flushes & increased sweating - vaginal dryness & atrophy of mucosal lining leads to painful intercourse - increase risk of UTIs due to urogenital atrophy - mood changes, irritability, anxiety - decreased libido & sleep disturbances - breast shrinkage, sparse pubic & axillary hair - osteoporosis (loss of oestrogen)
39
What is the epididymis
Two structures which cover the testicles and is the area where sperm is stored & matured
40
What duct does the sperm travel through from the epididymis Which is cut during a vasectomy
The vas deferens ducts
41
What are the spermatic cords
The vas deferens which supply the testicles with oxygenated blood as well as vein that drain the testes
42
What are the seminal vesicles in males
Input key secretions into male ejaculate before entering the ejaculatory duct
43
What key gas erects the penis
Parasympathetic nervous system produces nitric oxide which stimulates vasodilation
44
Where do the testes develop during foetal growth
In the pelvic cavity near to the kidneys and then descend into the scrotum via the inguinal canals
45
Where does spermatogenesis occur
Testes divide into 200-300 lobules and im each Contains the seminiferous tubules Which is regulated by FSH
46
Where is testosterone produced & secreted
Produced by GnRH in the hypothalamus triggers release of LH by pituitary which binds to ‘Leydig cells’ on the semniferous tubules of the testes This produces a cascade effect converting LDL cholesterol to testosterone
47
What is the acrosome of spermatozoa
A vesicle that contains lysozomal enzymes that help to penetrate into the egg
48
What two glands produce seminal fluid
The seminal vesicles — (60% alkaline seminal fluid & some nutrients such as fructose to nourish sperm) Prostate gland — milky fuild makes 30% semen which is nutrient rich for sperm, proteolytic enzymes, anticoagulants (to increase fluidity), what is PSA
49
What is prostate specific antigen
Is an enzyme that determines the functionality of the prostate Can be identified in blood tests
50
Why is seminal fluid alkaline
To prevent sperm from urethral & vaginal acidity
51
What are the cowper’s glands
Secrete high alkaline mucosal fluid that neutralises urinary acids in the urethra & lubricates penis prior to ejaculation
52
What is hirsutism
Male pattern hair growth in females
53
What is metorrhagia
Mid-cycle bleeding
54
Menorrhagia
Very heavy menstrual bleeding
55
Polymenorrhea
Short cycle, frequent periods
56
Oligomenorrhea
Infrequent cycles
57
Galactorrhea
Lactation without pregnancy
58
Dyspareunia
Pain on intercourse
59
What are the common causes of primary amenorrhea
Failure of menses to occur by expected onset Mostly caused by congenital defects: failure of ovarian follicles to develop
60
What are the common causes of secondary amenorrhea
Lack of menstruation for 3 months in previously menstrual women Pituitary tumour, PCOS, hypothyroidism, stress, anorexia, excessive exercise (endorphins inhibit GnRH), uterine obstruction, medications
61
PCOS vs polycystic ovaries
PCOS = endocrine metabolic condition with multifaceted symptoms Polycstic ovaries = 12 or more follicles / increased ovarian volume
62
What is the process of IVF
Artificial fertilisation of the ovum by sperm outside the body ‘in vitro’ Success rate around 30% Drug ‘clomiphene’ causes oocytes to develop Eggs retrieved from ovaries, examined & incubated with sperm on a petri dish to allow fertilisation to occur (or injected directly into egg) Embryo is then transferred to the uterus with intent to establish a successful pregnancy
63
What is the oestrogen boosting allopathic treatment for menopause
HRT Used to relieve menopausal symptoms & reduce risk of osteoporosis but only delays menopause whilst increasing risk of breast & endometrial cancer, heart disease, stroke & DVT
64
What is metformin
A form of allopathic med offered for PCOS A harmful amino acid = homocysteine which increases risk of athersclerosis
65
What is the pathophysiology of endocrine mediated PCOS
Dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis = imbalance of LH & FSH ratios Higher LH promotes increased ovarian androgen formation (testosterone) which suppresses ovulation
66
Why does insulin resistance increase risk of PCOS
Insulin suppresses Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) which raises free circulating androgens (testosterone) thus suppressing ovulation
67
What is acanthosis nigricans
A sign of insulin resistance Tough, dry, thickened dark skin often around skin folds eg neck, elbows, knuckles etc
68
What is clomiphene
An allopathic med that induces ovulation
69
Mammography v thermography
Mammo = radiation & has to be a considerably large & usually calcified tumour to spot V Thermo = more blood vessels show change in physiological/temperate so easier to spot lump in breast
70
What can be injected to help undescended testi drop
hCG acts like LH, increasing testosterone This surgery usually occurs between 6-18 months of birth
71
Pathophysiology of BPH
Enlargemnt of prostate can occur from an increase in 5-alpha-reductase This enzyme converts testosterone to DHT which has twice the effect on the prostate
72
What are 5-a-reductase inhibitors
Allopathic = finasteride Alternative = zinc & saw palmetto herb

Biomed2 (9 decks)

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