Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
What are the main female reproductive hormones ?
GnRH - Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (Hypothalamus)
Gonadotrophins - FSH and LH (Pituitary Gland)
Steroid Hormones (Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone - Gonads)
Which hormones trigger the cycle and also trigger the release of an egg ?
FSH and LH
What are the 2 main phases of the ovarian cycle ?
Follicular Phase and the Luteal Phase
Which 2 hormones initiate the growth of new follicles, beginning a new ovarian cycle ?
FSH and LH
In the 1st phase which hormone is highest ?
FSH
What hormone has a surge before the luteal phase ?
LH
When does ovulation occur ?
36 hours after the LH surge
What are the 2 main phases of the menstrual cycle ?
Proliferate Phase
Secretory phase
What occurs in the Proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle ?
The replacing and repairing of the endometrium from the last cycle
What occurs in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle ?
The built-up endometrial lining is thick and prepared for fertilization of the egg.
Which is higher in the follicular ohase Oestrogen or Progesterone ?
Estrogen
Which is higher in the luteal phase, Oestrogen or Progesterone ?
Progesterone
How long does the corpus luteum stay ?
~14 days and then degenerates if their is no pregnancy/fertilization.
How does HCG affect the corpus luteum ?
Increases the amount of progesterone - stimulating the lining of the uterus to become thick and vascular.
What are Oogonium ?
The stem cells of the ovary
When do Oogonium undergo miotic division to produce a primary oocyte ?
Completed shortly after birth.
What happens to the primary oocyte at the start of a cycle ?
1 primary oocyte completes 1st meiotic division and releases a haploid secondary oocyte at ovulation.
What happens to the secondary oocyte ?
Completes 2nd meiotic division when fertilized by a sperm to form a mature ovum and polar body.
Where is sperm produced ?
Testis
Where in the testis does spermatogenesis occur ?
Seminiferous tubule
What type of cells produce sperm ?
Germ cells
What do sertoli cells do ?
Support the sperm producing cell and produce inhibin
What to the leydig (Interstitial) cells do ?
Produce testosterone
Which hormone activates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH ?
GnRH
FSH acts on which part of the male reproductive system ?
The seminiferous Tubules - Generating spermatogonia.
LH acts on which part of the male reproductive system ?
The leydig/interstitial cells of the testes
What is the purpose of the leydig cells in the testis?
Production of androgens which are responsible for secondary male sex characteristics.
Where is the semen fluid created ?
Seminal vesicles
What is the normal process of ejaculation ?
- Sperm are generated in the testis
- Sperm travels through vas deferens
- Seminal vesicles and prostate create semen which is carried alongside sperm to the urethra.
- Sperm and semen travel through the urethra and are ejaculated out of the penis.
How many sperm does one spermatogonium produce ?
4 mature sperm
What are some factors which affect Oogenesis/Spermatogenesis ?
Issues with hormonal control i.e. genetic tumours, medications and functional problems.
Problems at the site of production i.e. cancer treatment, surgery, trauma or infections.
Where in the ovary do the eggs develop ?
The follicles.
There will a dominant follicle which will release an egg for fertilization.
What happens to the endometrial lining during the proliferative phase ?
The endometrium repairs itself
What happens to the lining of the endometrium during the secretory phase ?
The lining is thick and vascular and ready for a fertilized egg.
What is needed (hormonal) for the egg to be released?
LH surge
What is the action of GnRH ?
From Hypothalamus
Stimulates LH and FSH secretion from the anterior pituitary.
What is the action of FSH ?
From anterior pituitary
Stimulates follicular recruitment and development.
What is the action of LH ?
From anterior pituitary.
Maintains dominant follicle.
Induces folicular maturation and ovulation.
Stimulate CL function.
What is the action of Oestradiol ?
From Granulosa cells. Supports female secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive organs. -ve feedback control of LH and Gnrh. Stimulates prolifertive endometrium. -ve control of FSH.
What is the action of Progesterone ?
From CL
Maintenance of secretory endometrium.
-ve feedback control of HPO.
What does a polar body consist of ?
Nuclear material + egg
From the LH surge how long does it take for ovulation to occur ?
~36 hours
