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HUMAN DEVELOPMENT > Reproductive Molecules > Flashcards

Reproductive Molecules Flashcards

1
Q

Name the 3 most important groups of molecules for human development

A

Glycoproteins, steroids and prostaglandins

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2
Q

Describe the structure of steroids

A

Lipids, 27C compound skeleton with four fused rings (different functional groups attached). Cholesterol is the core molecule.

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3
Q

Give examples of steroids

A

Oestradiol, oestrone, oestriol, progesterone and testosterone

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4
Q

What causes differences between steroid compounds?

A

Different functional groups

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5
Q

Describe the structure of the oestrogens

A

18 carbon steroids

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6
Q

Describe the structure of the progestagens

A

21 carbon steroids

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7
Q

Describe the structure of the androgens

A

19 carbon steroids

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8
Q

Explain the differences between oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol

A

Oestrone has 1 -OH group, oestradiol has 2 and oestriol has 3.

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9
Q

Generally, what does steroid synthesis involve cellularly?

A

Oxidative enzymes in the mitochondria and ER

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10
Q

What is the first step in steroid synthesis?

A

Conversion of cholesterol to pregnelolone

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11
Q

Describe steroid synthesis in males

A

GnRH released from hypothalamus –> anterior pituitary releases FSH and LH –> LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone –> testosterone and FSH act on Sertoli cells –> in Sertoli testerone converted to DHT by 5a reductase –> Sertoli cells then secrete ABP –> ABP binds testosterone and carries to seminiferous tubes –> spermatogenesis

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12
Q

Describe steroid synthesis in females

A

GnRH released from hypothalamus –> anterior pituitary releases FSH and LH –> LH stimulates testosterone production by theca cells in ovarian follicle –> testosterone enters granulosa cells (around oocyte) and is converted to oestrogen (17B-oestradiol) by aromatase –> oestradiol stimulates LH receptors on granulosa cells –> enables response to LH surge –> ovulation

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13
Q

What group of molecules are androgens, oestrogens and progestogens?

A

Steroids

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14
Q

Describe the role of androgens

A

Maintain male somatic tissue diffentiation, secondary male traits, support spermatogenesis, influence sexual and aggressive behaviour (both genders), promote protein anabolism, somatic growth and ossification, regulate anterior pituitary release, induce body hair (females) - pubic and underarm.

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15
Q

Describe the role of oestrogens

A

Growth of mammary gland and endometrium, female secondary traits, prepare uterus for sperm movement, increase vascular permeability, regulate gonadotrophin secretion

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16
Q

Describe the role of progestagens

A

Luteal form prepares endometrium for implantation (secretory phase of menstrual cycle), placental form maintains endometrium in pregnancy after ~10-12 weeks

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17
Q

Name 4 common androgens, and list them in terms of their potency

A

DHT, testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA

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18
Q

Name 3 common oestrogens, and list them in terms of their potency

A

17b oestradiol, oestriol, oestrone

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19
Q

How do steroids act on cells?

A

Small and lipophilic so can pass through by simple diffusion to bind to nuclear or cytoplasmic receptor

20
Q

Describe the structure of glycoproteins

A

Oligosaccharide chain attached to protein side chains

21
Q

Describe the synthesis of glycoproteins

A

Oligosaccharide chain is added in post-translational modification known as glycosylation

22
Q

What group of molecules do gonadotrophins belong to?

A

Glycoproteins; they are hormones

23
Q

Name 6 gonadotrophins

A

FSH, LH, hCG, inhibin, activing, relaxin

24
Q

Where are what produces LH and FSH?

A

Anterior pituitary gland, by gonadotrophs

25
Q

Where are what produces hCG?

A

Placenta - by syncytiotrophoblasts

26
Q

Outline the role of FSH

A

Stimulates growth of immature follicles (female)

Enhances ABP production from Sertoli cells in men to help in spermatogenesis

27
Q

Outline the role of LH

A

Surge triggers ovulation, and converts residual follicle –> corpus luteum (produces progesterone in fertilisation). LH needed to retain luteal function, and it supports thecal cells (these supply precursors for oestradiol production) and LH acts on Leydig cells to produce testosterone.

28
Q

Outline the role of hCG

A

Maintains corpus luteum in pregnancy

29
Q

Outline the role of inhibin

A

Males: produced by Sertoli cells to inhibit FSH and GnRH release when sperm count is high
Females: produced by Granulosa cells to give negative control of FSH production during menstrual cycle

30
Q

Outline the role of activin

A

Part of transforming growth factor B family; increases FSH release and enhances response to LH in men and women

31
Q

Outline the role of relaxin

A

Females: produced in menstrual cycle for follicle development and oocyte maturation, and in pregnancy for ligament relaxation and labour.
Men: in seminal fluid to enhance sperm motility

32
Q

How do glycoproteins act on a cell?

A

Bind to a G-protein coupled receptor with large extracellular domains which bind to the hormone

33
Q

Describe the structure of prostaglandins

A

Lipid compound (derived from FAs) with 20C (including 5C ring)

34
Q

Where are prostaglandins present?

A

In almost all tissues and organs including the uterus and seminal fluid

35
Q

What are the effects of prostaglandins?

A

muscle contraction, vasodilation, inflammation, hormone regulation, cell growth control and temperature regulation

36
Q

Which prostaglandin is involved in labour?

A

PGF2a; activates contractions of myometrium and causes cervical ripening

37
Q

Which prostaglandins are present in seminal fluid?

A

PGE1, PGE2, PGF1a, PGF2a

38
Q

How do prostaglandins act on a cell?

A

Attach to a G-protein couple cell surface receptor

39
Q

Where is growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) released?

A

Hypothalamus

40
Q

Where is oxytocin released?

A

Hypothalamus

41
Q

Where is prolactin released?

A

Anterior pituitary

42
Q

How many subunits are there in a glycoprotein?

A

2; alpha and beta

43
Q

In what glycoproteins is the alpha subunit identical?

A

FSH, LH, hCG and TSH (92 amino acids)

44
Q

What is the significance of the beta subunit in glycoproteins?

A

Confers specific biological action

45
Q

Which glycoproteins share similar beta subunits, and what does this mean?

A

LH and hCG, therefore they can bind to the same receptors as they both have the same sequence of amino acids in their beta subunit, only hCG has an extra 24.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT (28 decks)

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