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Semester 1 flashcards > Reproductive System > Flashcards

Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the structures surrounding the testes.

A

Each testis is surrounded by the tunica vaginalis and suspended in the scrotum to keep cool.

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2
Q

What path does sperm take through the male reproductive system?

A

Seminiferous tubule to epididymis through the ductus deferens, passing by the seminal gland and the prostate and out through the urethra.

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3
Q

Function of the scrotum?

A

Suspend testes outside the body.

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4
Q

Describe the structure of the scrotum.

A

The skin is rugose and contains dartos (smooth) muscle. It has a midline raphe and is divided by a septum.

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5
Q

Location of the ovary?

A

On the lateral pelvic wall.

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6
Q

How do eggs enter the Fallopian tube?

A

Ovulated into the peritoneal cavity where the ovum is picked up by the fimbriated end of the uterine tube.

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7
Q

Describe the position of the uterus and its function.

A

Pear-shaped, central pelvic organ for the implantation of the fertilised ovum and growth of the foetus.

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8
Q

Where are the fascial thickenings on the pelvic floor?

A

They pass from the uterus and cervix to the sacrum, pubis and lateral pelvic walls.

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9
Q

What are the fascial thickenings on the pelvic floor important for?

A

Hugely important to allow the uterus to support the increasing mass/volume of contents during pregnancy.

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10
Q

What is the function of gonads?

A

Producing “seed” cells or gametes.

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11
Q

What is the name of the gametes female gonads produce?

A

They produce oocytes (eggs) by oogenesis.

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12
Q

What is the name of the gametes male gonads produce?

A

Male gonads produce sperm by spermatogenesis.

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13
Q

What are gonadal hormones involved in?

A

Gamete production; supporting conception, pregnancy, lactation; affect bone, muscle, blood vessels.

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14
Q

Describe the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis.

A

Hypothalamic signalling hormone (GnRH) and pituitary hormones (LH + FSH) target either the ovaries or the testes.

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15
Q

What does GnRH stand for?

A

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

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16
Q

What do LH and FSH stand for?

A

Luteinising hormone and Follicle stimulating hormone.

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17
Q

What happens when ovaries are targeted during the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis?

A

When ovaries are targeted progesterone and oestradiol is secreted.

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18
Q

What happens when testes are targeted during the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis?

A

Testosterone released from Leydig cells.

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19
Q

Why are ovaries subject to multi-tiered endocrine axis feedback?

A

It allows for precise regulation of function.

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20
Q

What are the main hypothalamic areas involved in ovarian control?

A

Preoptic nucleus and and Supraoptic nucelus.

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21
Q

What are the benefits of GnRH release being pulsatile rather than constant?

A
  • Requires less energy.
  • Does not desensitise target tissue receptors.
  • Stress + other inputs influence secretion.
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22
Q

How is GnRH secreted?

A

It is produced as a prohormone, modified into an active form then secreted into the hypophyseal portal system

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23
Q

What kind of hormone is GnRH?

A

It is a peptide hormone.

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24
Q

What do the gonadotobes in the pituitary gland secrete? (and wewhat do these target?)

A

-FSH
-LH
These both target the gonads.

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25
Q

How is GnRH delivered to the pituitary gland?

A

GnRH is delivered via hypophyseal portal circulation to the anterior pituitary gonadotrobes.

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26
Q

What do theca and grunulosa cells do within the ovaries?

A

They work cooperatively to synthesise and secrete oestradiol.

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27
Q

What are the stages of development of ovarian follicles?

A

Primordial, Primary, Secondary, tertiary and Graafian follicles.

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28
Q

Which kind of follicles are related to endocrine ovaries?

A

Latter follicles.

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29
Q

Overview of theca cells?

A
  • Superficial layer of follicle
  • Have LH receptors
  • Convert cholesterol into pregnenolone.
  • Then produce androstenedione.
30
Q

Overview of Granulosa cells?

A
  • Deep compared to theca
  • Layer inc. in size markedly during primary to secondary follicle development
  • Have LH anf FSH receptors
  • Also convert cholesterol into pregnenolene = activate aromatase.
31
Q

When does oogenesis begin?

A

In the fetal stage of females (primordial germ cells [oogonia] inc. in number).

32
Q

When is the point in life when oocyte numbers are at their maximum?

A

At roughly 20 weeks gestation.

33
Q

What are the three main oestrogens?

A
  • Oestrdiol
  • Oestrone
  • Oestriol
34
Q

What is oestrogen’s effect on bone?

A

Increased growth via osteoblasts.

35
Q

What is oestrogen’s effect on endocrine?

A

Increased progesterone responses.

36
Q

What is oestrogen’s effect on Liver?

A
  • Inc. clotting factors
  • Inc. steroid-binding proteins
  • Dec. total and LDL (low density lipoprotein).
  • Dec. HDL (High density lipoprotein).
37
Q

What is oestrogen’s effect on reproductive organs?

A
  • Inc. uterine growth.
  • Inc. Vaginal and fallopian tube growth.
  • Inc. breast growth.
  • Inc. cervical mucus secretion.
  • Inc. LH receptors on granulosa cells.
38
Q

What happens mid-cycle during the secretion regulation feedback loops?

A

Mid-cycle shift from -ve to +ve feedback.

39
Q

What causes the mid-cycle shift?

A

Caused by the upregulation of receptors (eg. GnRH in anterior pituitary) when oestrogen levels are inc., this results in LH and FSH surge prior to ovulation.
This is called the LH surge.

40
Q

Give some properties of progestins.

A
  • Produced in the theca and granulosa cells.
  • Has short half life (5-mins) in circulation.
  • Secretion regulation is intrinsically linked to oestrogen secretion.
41
Q

Effect of progestins on breast tissue?

A
  • Inc. lobular development

- Dec. milk production.

42
Q

Effect of progestins on reproductive organs.

A
  • Dec. endometrial growth.
  • Inc. endometrial secretions
  • Mucosal secretions become thicker.
43
Q

Effect of progestins on temperature.

A

Increased internal temperature.

44
Q

What two things does the menstrual cycle consist of?

A

Consists of the ovaraian cycle and the endometrial cycle.

45
Q

What divides the phases of the Ovarian cycle?

A

Ovulation and menses.

46
Q

List the two phases of the ovarian cycle.

A

Follicular phase and Luteal phase.

47
Q

Describe the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle.

A

Main result is the development of (typically one, sometimes more than one) mature Graafian follicle and secondary oocyte.

48
Q

Describe the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle.

A

Dominated by orpus luteum actions ie. synthesis/secretion of oestrogen and progesterone.

49
Q

What is important about the secretion of oestrogen and progesterone in the luteal phase?

A

They are needed for implantation and maintenance of any fertilised oocytes.

50
Q

What happens to the corpus luteum if there is no fertilisation?

A

It regresses and degenerates in 10-12 days if there is no fertilisation.

51
Q

What are the three phases of the endometrial cycle?

A
  • Proliferative phase
  • Secretory phase
  • Menstruation
52
Q

Describe the proliferative phase of the endometrial cycle.

A
  • Endometrial growth is mediated by inc. oestrogens.
  • From 1-2mm to 8-10mm thick with blood vessel and gland growth occurring.
  • Ovulation marks the end of this phase.
53
Q

Describe the secretory phase of the endometrial cycle.

A
  • Maturation (not growth) of endometrium due to inc. oestrogens.
  • Mucus glands more fully develop.
  • Glands and blood vessels inc. surface area.
54
Q

Describe the menstruation phase of the endometrial cycle.

A
  • This happens if no fertilisation has occurred.
  • the endometrial lining is replaced.
  • This happens by vasoconstriction of the spiral arteries, local ischemic injury and inflammatory cell infiltration.
55
Q

What is the function of the mammary glands?

A

Milk production and secretion.

56
Q

What happens to breast tissue during puberty?

A

It is prepared during puberty via female gonadal hormones.

57
Q

What causes the further developments of breast tissue in pregnancy?

A
  • Oestrogens
  • Progestins
  • hCG from fetus.
  • Prolactin.
58
Q

What is the two stages of the hormonal regulation of lactation?

A
  • Milk production is mediated by prolactin.

- Milk release is mediated by oxytocin.

59
Q

What is the difference between the male and female response to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis?

A

Responses are generally the same but sex differences are confined to target organs.

60
Q

What is the function of Leydig cells?

A

They produce testosterone.

61
Q

What is the function of the seminiferous tubules?

A

Produce sperm and house Sertoli cells.

62
Q

What is contained within the testes?

A

They contain Leydig cells, blood vessels and seminiferoustubules.

63
Q

What is the testicular equivalent of the theca and granulosa cells?

A

They are the Leydig and Sertoli cells.

64
Q

What are the stages of spermatogenesis?

A
  • Spermatogonia.
  • Primary spermatocytes.
  • Secondary spermatocytes.
  • Spermatids.
  • Spermatozoa.
65
Q

What regulates the process of spermatogenesis?

A

It is regulated by testosterone.

66
Q

What is the effect of testosterone on bone?

A

Inc. growth of bone and connective tissue.

67
Q

What is the effect of testosterone on muscle?

A

Inc. growth of muscle and connective tissue.

68
Q

What is the effect of testosterone on reproductive organs?

A
  • Inc. growth and development of testes, prostate, seminal vesicles and penis.
  • Growth of facial, axillary and pubic hair.
  • Spermatogenesis.
69
Q

What is the effect of testosterone on skin?

A

Sebaceous gland size and secretions.

70
Q

What is the difference between the testosterone and oestrogen secretion regulation pathways?

A

The pathways are similar but with two exceptions;

  • Only one primary hormone (ie. testosterone) vs. two (ie. oestrogens and progestins).
  • No roles of actins has been established in the testosterone pathway.
71
Q

There is a mid-cycle switch in the testosterone secretion regulation pathway, true or false?

A

False, there is no mid-cycle shift as there is no cycle.

Semester 1 flashcards (33 decks)

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