Reproductive - femes

Question 1

What is the Mean duration of the menstrual cycle

Answer 1

28 days

Range 21-35

Question 2

What is the average duration of menses?

Answer 2

3-8 days

Question 3

When does ovulation occur?

Answer 3

day 14

Question 4

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle? (4)

Answer 4

Proliferative(follicular) phase, ovulation and secretory(luteal) phase and menstruation

Question 5

Which part of the hypothalamus produces GnRH

Answer 5

Arcuate nucleus

Question 6

What is the Hypothalmic/Pituitary/Gonadal axis?

Answer 6

Hypothalamus responds to low oestrogen levels by releasing GnRH
GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete FSH and LH

FSH and LH cause cells to release steroids.

High inhibin (from FSH) and oestrogen levels cause the hypo. to stop producing GnRH

Question 7

The ovary is attached to the pelvic wall

Answer 7

T

Question 8

What two structures form the ovary?

Answer 8

Outer cortex and inner medulla

Question 9

Which part of the ovary contains the follicles?

Answer 9

Cortex

Question 10

Describe the structure of the uterus

Answer 10

Fibro muscular organ
Contains the body of the uterus and the cervix
Endometrium - basal layer and superficial layer

Question 11

Which hormone results in thickening of the endometrium in the uterus?

Answer 11

Endometrium thickens in response to estrogen

Question 12

What causes the endometrium in the uterus to slough off?

Answer 12

Lack of hCG and progesterone

Question 13

Which type of cell does FSH affect? What does it stimulate this cell to release?

Answer 13

Granulosa cell, estrogen from androgen precursor, Inhibin

Question 14

Which type of cell does LH affect? What does it stimulate this cell to release?

Answer 14

Theca cell, androgen

Question 15

There are three types of GnRH hormone, which one is responsible for the reproductive function?

Answer 15

GnRH 1

Question 16

What is the half life of GnRH?

Answer 16

Half life is 2- 4 minutes

Question 17

What is the half life of FSH?

Answer 17

Half life of several hours

Question 18

Which enzyme do androgens react with in granulosa cells to form estrogen?

Answer 18

Aromatase

Question 19

What does FH do?

Answer 19

granulosa cell growth and activates aromatase activity

Question 20

Which hormone induces the uptake of cholesterol in the theca cells?

Answer 20

LH

Question 21

In the ovaries, what is cholesterol ultimately converted to? What are the steps in this conversion? (4 inc cholesterol)

Answer 21

Cholesterol
Pregnenolone
Androstendione
Estradiol

Question 22

What are the main actions of inhibin?

2

Answer 22

1. -ve feed back on pituitary FSH secreation

2. Locally enhances LH-induced androstenedione production

Question 23

What is the main action of activin?

Answer 23

Stimulates FSH induced estrogen production

Question 24

Where are inhibin and activin BOTH found?

Answer 24

follicular fluid

Question 25

Where do the theca and granulosa cells originate from?

Answer 25

Ovaries/ grow from follicles

Question 26

What happens in the follicular stage of the menstrual cycle?(5)

Answer 26

1. Begins when estrogen levels are low 2. Anterior pituitary secretes FSH and LH stimulation follicle to develop 3. A leading follicle develops 4. Granulosa cells around egg enlarge, releasing estrogen 5. This causes this uterine lining to thicken

Question 27

What happens in the ovulation stage of the menstrual cycle?(5)

Answer 27

1. Happens at the peak of follicular growth in response to LH surge 2. Follicle continues to grow 3. After the LH peak, the oocyte is released 4. Several proteolytic enzymes and prostaglandins are activated- digestion of the follicle wall collagen (leaving granulosa cells in ovary) 5. Follicle ruptures, releasing ova into the Fallopian tubes

Question 28

What happens in the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle?(2)

Answer 28

1. Remaining granulosa cells in ovary develop in corpus luteum 2. Corpus luteum produces progesterone

Question 29

What happens in the menstruation stage of the menstrual cycle?(3)

Answer 29

1. If no embryo, the corpus luteum begins to disintegrate (If pregnant, embryo will release hormones to preserve corpus luteum) 2. Progesterone levels drop, uterine lining detaches, menstruation can begin 3. Tissue, blood, unfertilized egg all discharged

Question 30

Which hormones cause negative feedback (down regulation of FSH and GnRH synthesis)? (3)

Answer 30

Inhibin Estradiol Progesterone

Question 31

Oligomenorrhea:

Answer 31

reduction in frequency of periods to less than 9/year

Question 32

Primary amenorrhea:

Answer 32

failure of menarche by the age of 16 years

Question 33

Secondary amenorrhea:

Answer 33

cessation of periods for >6 months in an individual who has previously menstruated