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Y2 Reproduction, Development & Ageing > Reproductive Physiology > Flashcards

Reproductive Physiology Flashcards

1
Q

Label the male reproductive tract

A

Check notes

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2
Q

What are the regulatory hormones of the male reproductive system and where are they produced

A

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) - Hypothalamus
luteinising hormone (LH) - anterior pit.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) - anterior pit.
Testosterone (T) - testis

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3
Q

Describe the regulation/feedback systems of the male reproductive system

A
  1. Release of GnRH
  2. Release of FSH and LH
  3. LH stimulated testosterone release from Leydig cells
  4. Testosterone and FSH induce spermatogenesis
  5. Inhibit from spermatogenic cells and testosterone from Leydig cells induce -ve feedback on the pituitary glandd + hypothalamus
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4
Q

Explain the process of spermatogenesis

A
  1. Germ cell divides by mitosis to produce spermatogonia which become primary spermatocyte
  2. Spermatogonia undergo the first meiotic division to produce secondary spermatocytes
  3. Second meiotic division to produce spermatids
  4. maturation of spermatids -> sperm
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5
Q

Describe male reproductive function (age changes)

A

Starts at puberty
Functions continually
Normally continues throughout the rest of life
Sperm quantity and quality generally decreases with increasing age

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6
Q

Which cells support spermatogenesis occur in and which hormones are involved

A

Sertoli cells support spermatogenesis
LH stimulates testosterone production
FSH and testosterone sustain Sertoli cell function

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7
Q

Describe female reproductive function (age changes)

A

Starts at puberty
Functions cyclically
Normally operates until ~45 years of age
Egg quality generally decreases with increasing age

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8
Q

Describe the role of FSH and LH in reproductive function

A 
FSH stimulates (some) development of ovarian follicles + 17b-estradiol synthesis
LH stimulates progesterone production
The steroids regulate uterine endometrium
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9
Q

Describe the regulation/feedback systems of the female reproductive system

A
  1. Hypothalamus releases GnRH/LHRH to stimulate the pituitary
  2. LH and FSH release form pituitary
  3. Progesterone and oestrogen release from the ovaries
  4. -ve feedback
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10
Q

Describe the changes in the female hypothalamus-pituitary axis during the menstrual cycle

A

Follicular - GnRH, FSH and LH release, ovaries release oestradiol -> -ve feedback

Midcycle - GnRH, Surge in LH + FSH, oestradiol -> +ve feedback

Luteal - Progesterone release from the ovaries -> -ve feedback

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11
Q

Draw a graph to show the changes in circulating hormones in a female

A

Refer to notes

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12
Q

What are the changes in tissue structures during the normal human menstural cycle

A

-

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13
Q

Describe the process of folliculogenesis

A

-

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14
Q

Describe oogenesis

A

Ovulation = release of mature oocyte (egg) from the ovary
Oocyte is 2n at this stage, in meiotic arrest (metaphase II)
Enters the Fallopian tube
Needs to be fertilised within 24 hours, as it degenerates after this

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15
Q

What occurs after fertilisation

A
  1. Meosis of maternal chromosomes resumes, forming female pronucleus (23 chromatids), and 2nd polar body.
  2. Sperm chromosomes decondense to form male pronucleus (23 chromatids).
  3. Chromatids in both pronuclei are duplicated
  4. They align on the mitotic spindle, and are separated into 2 identical ‘daughter’ cells (1st cleavage division of the embryo).
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16
Q

What are the important structures in the testis

A

Seminiferous tubules
Leydig cells
Sertoli cells

17
Q

What is the function of the Seminiferous tubules

A

Produces sperm

18
Q

Describe the Leydig (interstitial) cells

A

Secrete testosterone
LH responsive
Important for sexual differentiation and spermatogenesis

19
Q

Describe Sertoli cells

A

“Nurse cells”
FSH responsive
Support spermatogenesis
Regulate the internal environment of the seminiferous tubules

20
Q

What occurs in the epididymis

A

Sperm are released from the testis and stored here prior to ejaculation

21
Q

What occurs at ejaculation

A

At ejaculation, sperm are released into the contractile Vas Deferens then pass through urethra.
During ejaculation sperm are mixed with fluid from the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.

22
Q

What are the two cycles of the menstrual cycle

A

Ovarian - follicular, ovulatory, luteal

Endometrial - menstrual, proliferative and repair, secretory

23
Q

Describe what occurs in the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle

A

Development and growth of several follicles (although only one is selected to ovulate)
Stimulated by FSH
Leads to increased production of oestrogen which inhibits FSH and LH secretion

24
Q

Describe what occurs in the ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle

A

Follicle continue to grow, producing more oestrogen.
Dominant follicle is selected for ovulation
Oestrogen begins to stimulate secretion of LH and FSH of pituitary leading to LH surge in ovulation

25
Q

Describe what occurs in the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle

A

After ovulation, follicle develops into corpus luteum

Corpus luteum produces progesterone (and some oestrogen)

26
Q

Describe the menstrual phase of the endometrial cycle

A

Day 1-5 of cycle
Shedding of blood and endometrial lining of uterus
Remaining basal endometrium very thin

27
Q

Describe the proliferative and repair phase of the endometrial cycle

A

Day 5-14 of cycle
Stimulation of endometrial cell proliferation, increase in thickness, increase in number and length of glands, increased in length of arteries

28
Q

Describe the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle

A

Day 15-28 of cycle
Production of nutrients and other factors
Epithelial glands widen, endometrium thickens, increased coiling of spiral arteries o Endometrial lining maintained by progesterone
Importance of PROGESTERONE

29
Q

What occurs in the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle when there is no pregnancy vs if there is pregnancy

A

If there is no pregnancy, progesterone falls and endometrium sheds →
If there is a pregnancy, corpus luteum will continue to maintain progesterone levels → no menses

30
Q

Describe the process of fertilisation up to capacitation

A
  1. Sperm enters female tract near cervix following intercourse
  2. Cervical mucus is normally hostile to sperm which changes mid cycle to allow sperm entry into uterus
  3. Passage of sperm through uterus to fallopian tube
  4. Survival of the fittest so fertilization window is a few days
31
Q

Describe the process of fertilisation from capacitation

A
  1. Capacitation
  2. Fusion of egg and sperm within ~24hrs post ovulation
  3. ACROSOME REACTION
  4. CALCIUM INFLUX
  5. Initiation of embryo mitotic cleavage following fusion of maternal and paternal pro nuclei
32
Q

What occurs in capacitation

A

Mediated by progesterone release from oocyte, leading to increased motility of sperm and chemotaxis

33
Q

What occurs in the acrosome reaction

A

Digests zona pellucida to allow sperm entry

Hardening of zona pellucida to prevent polyspermy

34
Q

What occurs during calcium influx during fertilisation

A

Resumption of meiosis

Release of second polar body

Y2 Reproduction, Development & Ageing (11 decks)

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