Reproductive physiology Flashcards
what do the testis contain?
- seminiferous tubules: to produce sperm
- Leydig cells: produce testosterone
what is the epididymis? what’s stored in them?
- one within each scrotal sac
- sperm stored in them
- at ejaculation, sperm passed through vas deferens
- mixed with fluid from seminal vesicles
- fluid leaves duct and passes into urethra to mix with prostrate secretions
what do leydig cells release? what stimulates them?
- testosterone
- LH stimulated
what do sertoli cells release? what stimulates them?
- inhibin
- FSH stimulated
describe spermatogenesis
- Germ cells (44XY) mitotic division - primary spermatocyte (44XY) 1st meiotic division - secondary spermatocyte (22X, 22Y) 2nd meiotic division - spermatids (22X, 22Y) - spermatozoa (22X, 22Y)
what does the ovary produce?
- gametes
- steroids (oestrogens and progesterones)
what do the fallopian tubes do?
- sustains oocyte
- conceptus
what happens in the uterus?
- conceptus implants here
what do thecal cells release? What stimulates them?
- oestrogen and androgens
- LH stimulates
what do granulosa cells release? what stimulates?
- androgens –> oestradiol
- produce progesterone in second half of cycle
- FSH stimulates
what do progestogens and oestrogens do to endometrium?
- progestogens: maintain endometrium
- oestrogens: stimulate proliferation of endometrium
what 2 cycles is the menstrual cycle composed of?
- endometrial: menstrual, repair, proliferative, secretory phases
- ovarian: follicular, luteal phases
describe the hormonal changes that cause the movement between stages of the cyle
- FSH and LH stimulate follicular phase
- results in oestradiol production = endometrial proliferation - oestradiol (E2) production continues at greater pace. -ve feedback switches to +ve
- ovulation occurs - corpus luteum produces progesterone and E2
- endometrium enters secretory phase
describe the menstrual phase in the endometrial cycle
- day 1 of cycle
- shed blood and enometrial lining
- remaining basal endometrium is very thin
- lasts around 5 days
describe the repair and proliferative phase
- 9 days
- stimulation of endometrial cell proliferation
- inc. in thickness
- number and length of glands
- length of arteries
- stimulated by E2 from follicular phase
describe the secretory phase of endometrial cycle
- production of nutrients and other factors
- epithelial glands widen, endometrium thickens, inc. coiling of spiral arteroes
- stimulated by progesterone and E2 from luteal phase