Reproductive Hormones and Menopause

Question 1

What axis regulates sex hormones?

Answer 1

the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis (HPG)

Question 2

Describe the hormones released throughout the HPG in Males

Answer 2

hypothalamus releases GnRh, ant pit releases FSH and LH

Question 3

What effects does FSH have on males

Answer 3

FSH indirectly stimulates spermatogenesis, stops sperm dying, stimulates mitotic activity in sertoli cells at puberty

Question 4

describe the effects of the negative feedback from testosterone on FSH, LH and GnRH

Answer 4

negative feedback by testosterone inhibits FSH and LH release from ant pit and GnRH from hypothalamus

Question 5

What effects does LH have on males

Answer 5

stimulates leydig cells to make testosterone

Question 6

describe the role of testosterone in males

Answer 6

increases muscle mass, reduces fat mass, increases bone density, causes hair growth and a deep voice

Question 7

discuss age related reproductive decline in men and its effect on testosterone, LH, FSH

Answer 7

testosterone decreases with age, LH and FSH increase but become less effective

Question 8

Describe the role of FSH in females.

Answer 8

FSH binds to receptors on granulosa cells in ovary to stimulate follicle growth, stimulates estrogen secretion from growing follicle, increases LH receptors in follicle, once estrogen levels high enough it induces +ve feedback for LH

Question 9

Describe role of LH in females

Answer 9

binds to LH/HCG receptors on theca cells to stimulate androgen production (progesterone -> androgens -> estrogen), stimulates ovulation and converts primary oocyte into fertilisable egg, maintenance of corpus luteum and progesterone production

Question 10

What cell is the primary producer or progesterone and estrogen?

Answer 10

granulosa cell

Question 11

describe the intertwining relationship between granulosa and theca cells and female hormones

Answer 11

theca cells use progesterone from granulosa cells to produce androgen, granulosa cells require androgens to make estrogen

Question 12

describe the relationship between granulosa cells and follicle growth

Answer 12

the number of layers of granulosa cells increases as the follicle growth, increasing estrogen

Question 13

High levels of ______ mid cycle cause ____ feedback to prompt surge in ____ causing ovulation

Answer 13

estrogen, positive, LH

Question 14

corpus luteum regresses to corpus albicans and estrogen and progesterone secretion decreases causing _______

Answer 14

menstruation

Question 15

compare mucous stimulated by estrogen to that stimulated by progesterone

Answer 15

estrogen stimulates watery cervical mucous allowing sperm through cervix
progesterone stimulates viscous mucous of cervix if implantation occurs where sperm can’t pass and neither can baby

Question 16

describe the main functions of oral contraceptives

Answer 16

stop ovulation by preventing surge of LH, thickens cervical mucous to stop sperm penetration, stops endometrial thickening so fertilized embryo can’t implant

Question 17

What other systems does estrogen impact?

Answer 17

libido, memory, mood, bone growth, cardio protection, bone physiology

Question 18

What other systems does progesterone impact?

Answer 18

breast development, skin health, regulation of GH, TSH, melatonin, insulin

Question 19

with age primordial follicles are _____ _______ to FSH

Answer 19

less sensitive

Question 20

Describe some changes that occur in menstrual cycle as women age

Answer 20

anovulatory cycles become more common, number of cycles with >1 oocytes increases, menstruation becomes lighter

Question 21

list some consequences of follicle depletion in women

Answer 21

less estrogen available as ovarian follicles produce 95% of all estrogen, reduced negative feedback which increases FSH and LH

Question 22

What are most symptoms of menopausal transition caused by?

Answer 22

erratic hormones especially estrogen

Question 23

What is early menopause characterised by?

Answer 23

persistent differences in cycle length by >/=7days

Question 24

describe the difference in FSH and LH levels in reproductive and post menopause years

Answer 24

reproductive- FSH 10mlU/mL, LH 10mlU/mL
post menopausal- FSH >100mlU/mL, LH >100mlU/mL

Question 25

What factors can cause early menopause

Answer 25

chemo, smoking, chronic malnutrition

Question 26

describe how hormone replacement therapy can increase risk of cancer

Answer 26

HRT can cause breast development and endometrial proliferation where this unexpected development has higher risk of cancer cells

Question 27

What is the term for gradual decline in testosterone in men as they age?

Answer 27

andropause