Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the structure of the cortex of an ovary.

A

Connective tissue containing ovarian follicles

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2
Q

What does the medulla of the ovary contain?

A

Connective tissue with blood vessels

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3
Q

What is a primordial follicle?

A

Primary oocytes arrested in first meiotic division

Surrounded in one layer of granulosa cells

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4
Q

What is a primary follicle?

A

An oocytes surrounded by zona and cuboidal granulosa cells.

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5
Q

What is a secondary follicle?

A

Increased oocyte diameter and multiple layre of granulosa cells
Resumption of first meiotic division

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6
Q

What is a graffian follicle?

A

Tertiary follicle
Follicular fluid between the cells which coalesce to form antrum
Completion of first meiotic division to form secondary oocyte and start of second meiotic division

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7
Q

What is the corpus albicans?

A

Degenerated corpus luteum

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8
Q

What is the function of the cervix?

A

Connects vagina to uterus
Produces mucus that changes in consistency during the menstral cycle.
Dilates during child brith

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9
Q

When are the primordial follicles arrested?

A

First meiotic division

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10
Q

From where are FSH and LH released from?

A

Anterior pituitary

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11
Q

What hormones does the ovary release?

A

Oestrogen
Progesterone
Inhibin
AMH

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12
Q

What secondary sex characteristics do estrogens control?

A

Breast development

Pattern of fat distribution

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13
Q

What secondary sex characteristics are governed by androgens?

A

Pubic and axillary hair

Sex drive

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14
Q

What are androgens?

A

Hormones that contribute to growth and reproduction

Prevent bone loss and bone disease

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15
Q

Where are androgens released from?

A

Primarily from the adrenal glands and ovaries

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16
Q

What hormone causes the endometrium to grow and proliferate after menstration?

A

Oestrogen from developing follicles

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17
Q

What causes several follicles in the ovary to mature?

A

FSH

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18
Q

What decreases follicle sensitivity to FSH?

A

AMH

This prevents the additional recruitment of additional primary follicles

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19
Q

What is the role of oestrogen in the early follicular phase?

A

Exerts a negative feedback effect on the pituitary FSH and LH secretion which prevents the develop of additional follicles.
Oestrogen is produced from the follicles.

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20
Q

When does ovarian oestrogen peak?

A

At the end of the follicular phase

21
Q

When does ovulation occur in relation to the LH surge?

A

Around 16-24hrs after LH peaks

22
Q

What hormones does the corpus luteum produce in the luteal phase?

A

Progesterone and oestrogen

23
Q

Describe the levels of LH and FSH during the luteal phase.

A

The combination of oestrogen and progesterone exerts a negative feedback on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.
LH and FSH production remains shut down throughout most of the luteal phase.

24
Q

What are the actions of progesterone in the luteal phase in preparation for possible pregnancy?

A

Endometrium grows and proliferates

Also causes cervical mucus to thicken

25
Q

What happens if pregnancy does not occur?

A

The corpus luteum undergoes apoptosis to become the corpus albicans which is inactive.
As the luteal cells degenerate, oestrogen and progesterone production decreases.
This removes the negative feedback signal to the pituitary and LH and FSH increase in production.
Around 2 days after the corpus luteum ceases to function, the endometrium begins to shed its surface layre and menstration begins

26
Q

What three types of cells exist in the seminiferous tubules?

A

Spermatogonia. Sertoli. Interstitial (leydig)

27
Q

what are the functions of Sertoli cells?

A

Support sperm

Produce inhibin

28
Q

What does the basal lamina of the seminiferous tubule allow to enter?

A

Testosterone

29
Q

What are the 3 compartments of the seminiferous tubule?

A
  1. Tubule lumen
  2. Basal compartment
  3. Interstitial fluid
30
Q

Was is the average time from production of sperm to ejaculation?

A

64 days

31
Q

From what cell is testosterone produced?

A

Leydig cell

32
Q

When are leydig cells active?

A

In the fetus when testosterone is needed to direct development of male characteristics.
After birth the cells become inactive until puberty when they resume testosterone production.

33
Q

From what cell is inhibin released?

A

Sertoli

34
Q

What is the blood-testes barrier?

A

Adjacent Sertoli cells in tubule are linked to each other by tight junctions that form an additional barrier between the lumen of the tubule and the interstitial fluid outside the tubule. These tight junctions are called the blood-testes barrier. They form 3 compartments.

35
Q

How long is the sperm cycle?

A

3 months

36
Q

What controls spermatogenesis?

A

Testosterone

37
Q

What do testosterone and inhibin inhibit?

A

GnRH secretion by hypothalamus

LH and FSH by pituitary

38
Q

Secretions from what glands contribute to semen?

A

Bulbourethral
Seminal vesicles
Prostate

39
Q

What are the two distinct phases of spermatogenesis?

A
  1. Spermatogenesis

2. Spermiogenesis

40
Q

What happens during spermatogenesis?

A

Clonal expansion and maturation through mitotic and meiotic process. Produce a population of cells destined to become sperm

41
Q

What is spermiogenesis?

A

Differentiation into mature sperm cells. Process begins at puberty. Maturation of spermatids into functional sperm cells.

42
Q

Where does 99% of the volume of semen come from?

A

Accessory glands

43
Q

What is the function of semen?

A

Provides a liquid medium for delivering sperm

44
Q

Describe the contribution of the bulbourethral gland to semen.

A

Contribute mucous for lubrication and buffers to neutralise the usually acidic environment of the vagina

45
Q

Describe the contribution of the seminal vesicles to semen

A

Contribute prostaglandins that influence sperm motility and transport

46
Q

What pretesticulal factors can affect spermatogenesis?

A

Problems with hormonal control of sperm production. Such as excessive weight loss, intracranial tumours, cysts, prolactinoma, medications, genetic

47
Q

What testicular factors affect spermatogenesis?

A

Problem at site of production for example: surgery, STI, mumps, testicular trauma or torsion, radiotherapy or chemotherapy

48
Q

What environment/ lifestyle factors affect spermatogenesis?

A

Maternal/paternal smoking
Persistent organic pollutants
Sedentary position of father
Accumulation of body fat of parents

49
Q

At what point of the female cycle does raised temperature indicate?

A

Ovulation