Reproductive Strand Flashcards
What is the primary role of follicle stimulating hormone?
Stimulates the oocytes to develop
What is the primary role of luteinising hormone?
Triggers ovulation
What is the primary role of oestrogens?
Thicken the endometrium
What is the primary role of progesterone?
Maintains the endometrium
What makes up the hypothalamic-pituitary- gondola (HPG) axis?
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
Posterior pituitary
How does the hypothalamus stimulate the pituitary?
- proteins pass through the artery from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary
- the posterior pituitary stimulated by nervous stimulation
What hormones are released from the posterior pituitary?
ADDH
Oxytocin
What hormones are released from the anterior pituitary?
GH ACTH TSH FSH LH Prolactin
What is the primary role of oxytocin?
- uterine contractions
- lactation
What is gonadotrophin hormone (GnRH)?
- decapeptide
- released in pulses every 90-120 mins
- released by hypothalamus
- stimulated related of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary
How many oocytes to females have throughout their lifetime?
- born with 1-2 million
- by puberty 300,000-400,000 are left
- after puberty, women loose about 1000 oocytes a month
When do oocytes start meiosis?
During fatal life
- then pause as primordial follicles
What are the stages of maturation of a oocyte follicle?
- Primordial follicle
- Primary/preantral follicle
- Secondary/antral follicle
- Preovulatory follicle
How long does it take for a follicle to develop to the stage where it is ready for ovulation?
Almost a year
Describe the structure of a developed oocyte
From outer layer to inner layer
- Theca externa - fibrous outer surface
- Thece interna - produces androgens
- Granulosa cells - convert the androgens to estradiol
- Antrum - fluid-filled cavity
What is the role of the theca external?
Fibrous outer surface
What is the role of the theca interna?
produces androgens
What is the role of the granulose cells?
Converts androgens to estradiol
What is the role of the antrum?
fluid filled cavity
What happens to the theca interna and granulosa cella after ovulation?
They undergo lutenisation
What results from lutenisation?
The corpus luteum
What is the role of the corpus luteum
To produce progesterone and estradiol
What is day one of the menstural cycle?
The first day of the menstrual period
Describe the hormone levels on day 1 of the menstrual cycle
- LH levels are low
- FSH levels are starting to rise
- The dominant follicle starts the final stages of development
Describe the hormone levels in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle
- FSH stimulates follicular development
- The granulose cells produce more oestrogens
- Oestrogens provide
negative feedback to
the hypothalamus and
pituitary - FSH levels start to fall
Describe the hormone levels around ovulation
- oestrogen levels continue to rise so the negative feedback switches to positive feedback - The resulting LH surge triggers ovulation
Describe the hormone levels in the literal phase of the menstrual cycle
- The corpus luteum produces progesterone and estradiol - These give negative feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary, so FSH and LH levels are low
What are the 2 phases of the hormonal and follicular cycle called?
- Follicular phase
2. Luteal phase
What is the endometrium?
- uterine lining
- endometrial glands and supporting storm
- very vascular
Describe what happens to the endometrium in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle
- the menstrual cycle starts with the endometrium being shed
- the estradiol causes the endometrium to proliferate
What are the two phases of the endometrium cycle of the menstrual cycle?
- proliferative phase
2. secretory phase
Describe what happens to the endometrium in the secretory phase
- Progesterone readies the endometrium for implantation: • Glands become convoluted • Glycogen stores increase - It also causes cervical mucus to thicken - In the absence of implantation, falling progesterone causes the endometrium to start breaking down
When does menarche occur?
(start of menstruation)
12-13, but can be as young as 8
When does menopause occur?
around 51
between 45 and 55
How long is a normal menstrual cycle?
21-40 days
What does the day of ovulation depend on?
The length of the luteal phase
- ie when there is variation in cycle length, thi sis due to variation in the length of the follicular phase. The luteal phase is fixed at 14 days
What is menorrhagia?
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Describe heavy menstrual bleeding
- Most women loose 30-40ml blood / period
- Menorrhagia >80ml +/or patient perception
- Affects up to 1:5 women
What are the consequences of menorrhagia?
- Anaemia
- Interference with daily activities
- Anxiety and depression
- Estimated cost to economy >£500 million/year
What is the treatment for menorrhagia?
Continuous progesterone treatment or combination with oestrogen
How does continuous progesterone treat menorrhagia?
Continuous progesterone thins the endometrium and inhibits release of GnRH, FSH and LH