Reproductive physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Which neural pathway is dominant in the neuroendocrine control of reward and pleasure?

A

Mesolimbic dopaminergic

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2
Q

Which neural pathway is dominant in the neuroendocrine control of movement?

A

nigrostriatal tract

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3
Q

What is the dominant neural region involved in erection?

A

Limbic system

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4
Q

Recall the sequence of neuroendocrine events that lead to erection

A

PNS acts on SMCs of pudendal artery
NO increased
cGMP increased
Blood flow in corpus cavernosum increased

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5
Q

Recall the mechanism of action of viagra

A

Inhibits phosphodiesterase - a de-activator of cGMP

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6
Q

What is the functional equivalent of the penis in females?

A

Clitoris

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7
Q

Recall the main components of the testes

A

Seminiferous tubules

Leydig cells

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8
Q

What is the function and location of the epididymis?

A

One within each scrotal sac

sperm storage prior to ejaculation

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9
Q

Recall the points at which fluid enters the ejaculate along the vas deferens

A
  1. Epidydmis (sperm)
  2. seminal vesicles
  3. Prostate gland
    Sperm are released from the testis and stored in epididymis prior to ejaculation. At ejaculation sperm pass through the two Vas Deferens (which are contractile), and are mixed with fluid from the seminal vesicles. The fluid then leaves the ejaculatory duct, and passes into the urethra where it mixes with secretions from the prostate gland.
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10
Q

What cells are found within the seminiferous tubules?

A

Sertoli cells

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11
Q

What cells are responsible for testosterone production and what is their stimulant?

A

Leydig cells

LH

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12
Q

What cells are responsible for spermatogenesis and what is their stimulant?

A

Sertoli cells

FSH

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13
Q

Where is inhibin produced, and upon which hormone does it negatively feedback?

A
Seminiferous tubules (sertoli cells)
GnRH
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14
Q

Why are gonadotropins released in a pulsatile fashion?

A

Testosterone negatively feeds back on LH, so as one rises the other falls

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15
Q

What is the role of sertoli cells in spermatogenesis?

A

Provide nutritional and hormonal support

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16
Q

Recall the precursor cells leading to the production of a sperm cell, and at which point they become haploid

A
Spermatogonium undergoes mitosis
Primary spermocyte undergoes 1st meiosis
Secondary spermocyte (haploid) 2nd meiosis
Spermatid (haploid) differentiates
Spermatozoa
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17
Q

At what point in the male lifespan are germ cells present?

A

Always - sperm production continues throughout life

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18
Q

Recall 4 key structures in the fallopian tube?

A
From proximal to distal
Isthmus
Ampulla
infundibulum
Fimbriae
19
Q

Recall the 3 layers of the uterus

A

perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium

20
Q

By what part of the broad ligament is the ovary suspended?

A

Mesovarium

21
Q

What is the name given to the primordial germ cell destined to become an egg cell?

A

Oogonium

22
Q

At what point in the female lifespan are germ cells present?

A

By birth they have all developed into at least the oogonium stage - no germ cells present after birth

23
Q

Recall the precursor cells leading to the production of an egg cell

A

Oogonium
Primary oocyte
Secondary oocyte and 1st polar body but paused in metaphase 2.
Does not complete meiosis 2 until fertilisation (paused in metaphase 2)
After fertilisation: release of 2nd polar body and ovum is made.

24
Q

Recall the cells that respond to LH and FSH in the female reproductive system and each of their functions

A

FSH - Granulosa cells: stimulate conversion of androstenedione to oestrone using aromatases
LH - Thecal cells: stimulate androgen synthesis

25
Q

Recall the phases of the ovarian cycle and their length

A

Follicular (14 days)

Luteal (14 days)

26
Q

What is the function of the follicular stage of the ovarian cycle?

A

17-beta-oestradiol production

Produced by thecal and granulosa cells

27
Q

What is the function of the luteal stage of the ovarian cycle?

A

Production of E2 and progesterone by corpus luteum

28
Q

How is ovulation stimulated

A

E2 surge –> LH surge

LH triggers ovulation

29
Q

Recall the approximate change in basal body temperature at ovulation

A

+0.5 degrees celcius

30
Q

What is the normal range of the menstrual cycle?

A

21-35 days

31
Q

What name is given to a girl’s first period?

A

Menarche

32
Q

Recall the changes in oestrogen feedback on the adenohypophysis throughout the menstrual cycle

A

At low levels = neg feedback

At high levels = positive feedback

33
Q

Recall the phases of the endometrial cycle and their lengths

A

Menstrual (5 days)
Proliferative (9 days)
Secretory (13 days)

34
Q

What is the function of the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle?

A

Produce nutrients and other factors

Progesterone thickens endometrial lining for implantation which happens in mid secretory phase

35
Q

How is ovulation coordinated between the ovaries?

A

Alternate release of follicle between 2 ovaries so that there is 56 days between release of each secondary oocyte from each ovary

36
Q

When do follicles undergo their first meiotic division? By what are they stimulated

A

Initiated in embryonic development: the oogonia undergoes MITOSIS to become primary oocyte. Primary oocyte initiates meiosis I but FREEZES at prophase I.
During puberty, the primary oocytes complete meiosis 1 to become SECONDARY oocytes. SECONDARY oocytes go through meiosis 2 and are halted in metaphase 2. This will not continue until after fertilisation.

37
Q

Around how many follicles will be ovulated in a woman’s full lifetime?

A

400

38
Q

When a follicle is ovulated, in what stage of meiosis is it halted?

A

Metaphase 2 of meiosis 2. Will not progress until fertilisation

39
Q

How long does it take for a primordial follicle to develop into a secondary oocyte?

A

Just over a month

40
Q

Why are sperm most likely to be able to enter the uterus mid-cycle?

A

Cervical mucus is usually hostile to sperm, changes mid-cycle to permit sperm entry

41
Q

What does sperm bind to on the secondary oocyte surface?

A

ZP3 glycoprotein

42
Q

Recall the events following sperm binding to a secondary oocyte that lead to fertilisation

A

Calcium influx
Meiosis II resumed
Sperm releases hyaluronidase
Penetrates ovum
Zona pellucida hardens to prevent further sperm entry
Female pronucleus produced along with 2nd polar body

43
Q

When do the maternal and paternal pronuclei first fuse in the fertilised egg?

A

First mitotic division

44
Q

What must happen in order for maternal and paternal pronuclei to fuse?

A

Decondensation of nuclear material