Reproductive Flashcards
Hypothalamic/Anterior Pituitary Hormones
- Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) – stimulates
release of growth hormone (GH) - Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) – stimulates Follicle-Stimulating (FSH) and Luteinizing (LH) Hormones that affect release of reproductive hormones in male and females
Female Reproductive Steroid Hormones
Estrogens and Progestins
- Produced in Ovaries
Male Reproductive Steroid Hormones
Androgens
- Produced in Testes
Patient use of reproductive steroids hormones
- Legal – Contraceptives, Hormone Replacement
- Illegal – Performance Enhancement
Males - Testosterone stimulates:
- Spermatogenesis
- muscle anabolism
- production of RBC
- stimulates secondary sexual characteristics & maturation
Females - Estrogen
Responsible for sexual differentiation: promotes primary & secondary sexual characteristics in females
Females - Estrogen and Progesterone
Primarily Responsible for Female Reproductive Cycle
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
- Men: stimulates testosterone production
- Women: FSH stimulates maturation of follicles in ovary and consequently increased estrogen
Luteinizing Hormone
- men: LH stimulates Leydig cell differentiation & fx
- women: LH surge triggers ovulation & development of corpus luteum
Estrogen and Progesterone in Reproductive Cycle
- FSH stimulates the maturation of the follicle
- As the follicle develops, increasing amounts of estrogen are released
- The LH surge stimulates ovulation
- Ovum is Released from Follicle
- Corpus Luteum formed from ruptured follicle
- Combined effect of estrogen & progesterone from corpus luteum cause uterine lining to thicken 7. Corpus Luteum regresses –> menstruation
Female Sec hormones and contraceptive drugs
Estrogen
Progesterone
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Use of Estrogen
- used for replacement of endogenous hormone after menopause or after ovariectomy:
- Treat atrophy of secondary sexual organs
- vasomotor effects & improve blood lipids (increase HDL, decrease LDL)
- increase bone mineralization
- decrease risk of coronary heart disease
- ER modulators (SERMS) used to Treat endometriosis, metastatic breast and prostate CA
Use of progesterone
negative feedback on pituitary prevents FSH/LH release
Estrogen Preparations
- Premarin: conjugated estrogen
- used as estrogen replacement, antineoplastic, prevention of osteoporosis
Adverse Effects of Estrogen Preparations
- Na+ and H2O retention (edema of feet and ankles) * GI - N&V
- very high levels may cause cardiomyopathy/MI, clotting disorders, embolism, thrombosis
- CA - may increase risk of endometrial & breast CA (especially if given w/o progesterone)
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
- Produce estrogen agonist effect in some tissues, antagonist effect in other
- Tamoxifen: decreases risk of breast cancer
- Raloxifene: decreases risk of breast and uterine cancer
2 Types of Contraceptive Pills
- Progestin Pill
- Combination Pills
Progestin Pill (minipill)
- Through negative feedback blocks LH surge preventing egg release
- prevents buildup of uterine lining & decreases sperm’s ability to fertilize an egg
- Must be taken every day (21-24 days out of 27 day cycle)
- Can cause irregular and unpredictable Cycles