Reproductive Axis Flashcards
The number of oocytes in the ovaries of a female fetes has reached a maximum by the end of the __1____
At birth ovaries contain 3M oocytes of which only 400,000 will remain by the time ____2_____ occurs
1) second trimester
2) puberty
Normal length of menstrual cycle?
28-35 days
Describe overview of the menstrual cycle?
1) Pulses of GnRH at about 2hr intervals stimulates FSH and LH release from anterior pituitary
2) LH stimulates ovarian androgen production by the ovarian theca cells
3) FSH stimulates growth of ovarian follicles and there is an associated rise in oestrogen which initially exerts negative feedback on hypothalamus causing decrease in FSH
4) Once oestrogen reaches a certain concentration it exerts positive feedback regulation resulting in an increase in FSH and LH surge
5) LH surge leads to ovulation (release of egg from dominant follicle) and regulates the formation of the corpus luteum. This secretes progesterone and oestradiol which decreases LH secretion by influencing GnRH pulsatility
6) Oestrogen initially and then progesterone cause uterine endometrial proliferation in preparation of possible implantation, if this does not occur the corpus luteum regresses and progesterone secretion and inhibit levels falls so the endometrium is shed (menstruation) allowing increased GnRH and FSH secretion.
7) If pregnancy HCG production from the trophoblast maintains corpus luteum function until 10-12 weeks of gestation by which time the placenta will be making sufficient oestrogen and progesterone to support itself.
What are the two phases and time lengths of the menstrual cycle?
Follicular phase (proliferative) - variable length Luteal phase (secretory)- constant length 14 days
What is the corpus luteum?
opened follicle that has closed off and secretes progesterone
How can timing of ovulation be predicted?
LH surge 34-36hrs before ovulation
What secretes progesterone?
The corpus luteum
Functions of oestrogen?
Increase thickness of vaginal wall, regulate LH surge, reduce vaginal pH through increase lactic acid production, decrease viscosity of cervical mucus to facilitate sperm penetration
Function of progesterone?
Pro-gestation: maintains thickness of endometrium responsible for infertile thick mucus (prevents sperm transport and helps prevent infection). Relaxes the myometrium (smooth muscle), functional progesterone withdrawal is thought to regulate birth.
Overview of hormones in male reproduction?
1) Pulses of GnRH are released from hypothalamus and stimulates FSH and LH from anterior pituitary.
2) LH stimulates testosterone production from Leydig cells of the testes
3) testosterone acts via nuclear androgen receptors to produce male secondary sexual characteristics anabolism and maintenance of libido. Testosterone inhibits GnRH secretion.
4) FSH stimulates the sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules to produce mature sperm and inhibits which feedback to the pituitary to decrease FSH.
What cells produce testosterone in the testes? What stimulates this?
LH stimulates testosterone production from Leydig cells of the testes
What cells are stimulated by FSH to produce mature sperm?
Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules (within the testes)
What does LH and FSH do in males?
LH > stimulates testosterone production
FSH > stimulates formation of mature sperm
What are secondary sexual characteristics?
Features that appear during puberty in humans
What induces male secondary sexual characteristics? What are the characteristics?
Testosterone
Growth of pubic, axillary and facial hair, enlargement of external genitalia, deepening of the voice, sebum secretion, muscle growth and frontal balding
What induces female secondary sexual characteristics? What are the characteristics?
Oestrogens
Development of breasts, nipples, vaginal and vulval growth and pubic hair development. Also induce growth and maturation of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
What is puberty thought to result from?
Withdrawal of central inhibition of GnRH release
What is the definition of precocious puberty?
Development of secondary sexual characteristics earlier than normal, in girls before 8 and in boys before 9.
What effect does the corpus luteum have on hormones being secreted?
It secretes progesterone and there causes decrease in LH via negative feedback mechanisms
What is the follicle?
The follicle is a functional anatomical structure which forms part of the ovary and the egg is the cell that will mature in a microscopic part of inner wall of a follicle over spontaneous or stimulated ovarian cycle in normal conditions. Normally there is one egg in each fully grown follicle.
Definition of infertility?
Failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse in a couple who have never had a child
3 types of ovulatory disorders?
Type 1: Hypothalamic Pituitary Failure
Type 2: Hypothalamic Pituitary Dysfunction
Type 3: Ovarian Failure
(also hyperprolactinaemia)