Reproductive Hormones Flashcards
Anatomical unit of male gonads containing germ cells and Sertoli cells
Seminiferous tubules
Anatomical unit of male gonads containing Leydig cells that synthesize testosterone
Interstitium
Principal androgen synthesized in the testes; <5% derived from adrenal precursors
Testosterone
Percentage of testosterone bound to albumin, SHBG, and free circulating
50% albumin, 45% SHBG, 2-3% free
Metabolites of testosterone in males
Estradiol, DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)
Primary hypergonadism with increased testosterone and decreased FSH, LH levels
Testicular tumor
Primary hypogonadism with increased FSH, LH, and decreased testosterone levels
Klinefelter syndrome (47 XXY) (extra X chromosome = low testosterone)
Secondary hypergonadism with increased FSH, LH, and testosterone levels
Precocious puberty
Secondary hypogonadism with decreased FSH, LH, and testosterone levels
Pan hypopituitarism
Anatomical unit of ovaries containing approx. 400,000 immature ova in neonates
Primordial follicles
Structure selected from a cohort of follicles that releases an ovum during the luteal phase, forming a yellow cholesterol-rich corpus luteum
Dominant Graafian follicle
Placental vascular projections of fetal tissue surrounded by the chorion
Chorionic villi
Outer layer of the chorion in direct contact with maternal blood, responsible for HCG production
Syncytiotrophoblast
Inner layer of the chorion beneath the syncytiotrophoblast
Cytotrophoblast
Principal and most potent estrogen in premenopausal women
E2 - Estradiol
Estrogen that is a metabolite of estradiol or produced from androstenedione
E1 - Estrone
Estrogen produced by the ovaries and placenta, especially during pregnancy
E3 - Estriol
Produced by the corpus luteum and placenta, prepares the endometrium for implantation and maintains pregnancy
Progesterone
Hormone structurally similar to prolactin and growth hormone, stimulates mammary gland development and increases maternal plasma glucose
hPL (human placental lactogen)
Produced by syncytiotrophoblast cells of the placenta, stimulates progesterone production to prevent menstruation
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
hCG peak levels during the >100,000 mIU/mL by
first trimester of pregnancy; 16 weeks’ gestation
Ovarian tumor with ↑ Estradiol, ↓ FSH, LH
Primary hypergonadism
Menopause or Turner syndrome (45,X) with ↓ Estradiol, ↑ FSH, LH
Primary hypogonadism
Gonadotropin-secreting tumors with ↑ FSH, LH, Estradiol
Secondary hypergonadism
Sheehan’s syndrome with ↓ FSH, LH, Estradiol
Secondary hypogonadism
Hormone from the pineal gland that targets the hypothalamus for induction of sleep; ↓ levels disrupt circadian rhythm
Melatonin
Neurotransmitter from the pineal gland and GIT affecting smooth muscles, nerves, and multiple systems
Serotonin
↑ in argentaffinoma/carcinoid syndrome; detected by ↑ urine 5HIAA
Serotonin
Hormone from the stomach promoting gastric acid secretion and mucosal growth; ↑ in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma)
Gastrin
Hormone from adipose tissue targeting muscle and liver; increases fatty acid oxidation and suppresses glucose formation
Adiponectin
Hormone from adipose tissue targeting the hypothalamus; inhibits appetite and stimulates metabolism
Leptin
Relationship between adiponectin/leptin levels and BMI
Inversely related; ↑/↓ risk for metabolic syndrome
