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Week 7 - 12 > Reproductive System > Flashcards

Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What does the Scrotum do?

A

Suspend testes outside body

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2
Q

What is the skin like on scrotum?

A

Rugose

Contains dartos muscle (smooth muscle)

Midline raphae

Divided by septum

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3
Q

What is each testis surrounded by?

A

Tunica albuginea

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4
Q

Why is each testis suspended in septum?

A

To keep cool

2-3 degrees below core temp.

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5
Q

Where do sperm pass from?

A

From seminiferous tubules to epididymis

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6
Q

What structures add nutrients to semen?

A

Bulbourethral gland and seminal vesicle

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7
Q

What do Gonads do?

A

Produce ‘seed’ cells or gametes

Male gonads produce sperm by spermatogenesis

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8
Q

What structures are part of the male gonad?

A

Testis and Epididymis

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9
Q

Where does spermatogenesis occur?

A

Seminiferous tubules

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10
Q

What do leading cells do?

A

Steroid synthesis

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11
Q

What do serotonin cells do?

A

Nurse cells for sperm

Help sperm develop

Continuous + have tight junctions

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12
Q

What are the Gonadal hormones?

A

FSH - follicle stimulating hormone

LH - Luteinizing hormone

Testosterone (regulated by FSH and LH)

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13
Q

Spermatogenesis:

A 
Spermatogonia 
            |
Primary spermatocytes
            |
Secondary spermatocytes
            |
Spermatids 
            |
Spermatozoa
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14
Q

What’s spermatogenesis regulated by?

A

FSH and testosterone

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15
Q

What’s in head of sperm?

A

Acrosomal cap - enzymes to aid penetration of ovum

Nucleus - genetic material

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16
Q

What’s in the mid piece of sperm?

A

Mitochondria around filamentous core

Energy for tail

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17
Q

What’s the tail of sperm like?

A

Specialised flagellum - movement

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18
Q

Where are testicular endocrine functions?

A

Leading and Sertoli cells

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19
Q

Importance of LH in Testis:

A

Stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone

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20
Q

What happens to testosterone in testis?

A

Diffuses across BM into Sertoli cells

Regulates spermatogenesis

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21
Q

What can Sertoli cells do to Leydig cells?

A

Regulate gene expression in Leydig cells - reduce testosterone production

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22
Q

Explain what happens between testosterone and estradiol in the testis?

A

Testosterone diffuses from Leydig cell to Sertoli cell

Aromatise converts testosterone to estradiol

Estradiol diffuses back to Leydig cell

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23
Q

What HDTV’s HPT axis stand for?

A

Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular axis

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24
Q

What happens in HPT axis?

A

GnRH is released from preoptic + arcuate nucleus of hypothalamus
|
Anterior pituitary gonadotropes secrete LH and FSH
|
Leydig cell responds to LH and produces testosterone
Sertoli cell responds to FSH and produces inhibin B

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25
Effect of testosterone and Inhibin B in HPT axis:
Negative feedback effect on hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gonadotropes
26
Comparison of HPT axis to pathways in ovaries:
1 primary hormone in HPT axis (testosterone) 2 hormones in ovaries (oestrogen and progestins) No role of activins has been established
27
Effect of testosterone in bone:
Growth
28
Effect of testosterone on muscle:
Growth
29
Effect of testosterone in reproductive organs:
Growth + development of structures Growth of facial, axillary + pubic hair Growth of larynx - deeper voice Spermatogenesis
30
Effect of testosterone on skin:
Increase in sebaceous gland size + secretions
31
Shape of uterus:
Pear
32
Purpose of uterus:
Central pelvic organ for implantation of fertilised ovum Growth of foetus
33
Structure of uterus:
Anteflexed between cervix + body Anteverted at entry to vagina
34
Position of ovary:
On lateral pelvic wall
35
Where does ovulation happen?
Into peritoneal cavity
36
What happens to ovum in ovulation?
Picked up by fimbriae Ed end of uterine tube
37
What are the female gonads?
Ovaries
38
What do female gonads produce?
Oocytes by oogenesis
39
Where does oogenesis take place?
In follicle
40
What cells are in follicle?
Theca and Granulosa cells
41
What gonadal hormones are involved in oogenesis?
FSH LH Oestrogen and Progestins
42
When does oogenesis begin?
Foetal stage of females
43
Oogenesis:
``` Primordial germ cells (oogonia) increase in number | Oogonia mature into oocytes | 20 weeks gestation = max oocyte number | Oocyte numbers decline ```
44
What do oocytes contain?
Follicles in various stages of development (folliculogenesis) Primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary, mature (Graafian) follicles
45
Purpose of endocrine ovaries:
Primarily related to latter follicles Theca and granulosa cells Work cooperatively to synthesis + secrete oestradiol
46
Structure of theca cells:
Superficial layer of follicle LH receptors
47
What do Theca cells do?
Convert cholesterol into progenolone Produce androstenedione and testosterone
48
Structure of Granulosa cells:
Deep compared to theca LH and FSH receptors
49
What do Granulosa cells do?
Convert cholesterol into pregnolone Activate aromatase
50
What does HPO axis mean?
Hypothalamic Pituitary Ovarian Axis
51
What are the main hypothalamic areas involved in ovarian control?
Preoptic and supraoptic nucleus
52
Significance of GnRH in HPO axis:
Peptide hormone and produced as prohormone Modified to active form Secreted into hypophysis portal system
53
Why is GnRH release pulsatile in HPO axis?
Less energy needed Doesn’t desensitise target tissue receptors
54
What does LH (secreted by anterior pituitary gonadotropes) do in HPO axis?
Stimulate Theca cell | Produce progestins and estrogens (negative feedback effect)
55
What does FSH (secreted by anterior pituitary gonadotropes) do in HPO axis?
Stimulate Granulosa cell | Produces Inhibins and Activins
56
How do progestins and estrogens operate in HPO axis?
Negative feedback with hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gonadotropes
57
How do inhibins and activins operate in HPO axis?
Inhibins = negative feedback with anterior pituitary gonadotropes Activins = positive feedback with anterior pituitary gonadotropes
58
What are the 3 main Oestrogens?
Oestradiol Oestrone Oestriol (during pregnancy)
59
Effects of oestrogens on bone:
Growth via osteoblasts
60
Effect of Oestrogens on endocrine:
Increase in progesterone responses
61
Effects of Oestrogens on Liver:
Increase in clotting factors Increase in steroid-binding proteins Decrease LDL Increase HDL
62
Effects of Oestrogens on reproductive organs:
Uterine, vaginal and fallopian tube growth Breast growth Increase cervical mucus secretion Increase number of LH receptors on granulosa cells
63
What are progestins?
Progesterone Produced in theca and granulosa cells
64
Effects of Progestins on breast:
Increase in lobular development Decrease milk production
65
Effects of Progestins on reproductive organs:
Decrease endometrial growth but increase secretions Thicker mucosal secretions
66
Effects of Progestins on temperature:
Increase internal temp
67
Hormonal regulation of lactation:
Stimulus from sucking stimulates production of prolactin Prolactin stimulates milk production Decrease in GnRH production - inhibits ovarian cycle
68
What does continuous administration of GnRH cause?
Suppression of gonadotrophin secretion
69
What’s endometriosis?
Growth of endometrial tissue outside uterine cavity Results in pain + infertility
70
How can GnRH be used in endometriosis?
Continuous administration reduces oestrogen levels - reduced endometriosis tissue
71
Give examples of therapeutic uses of GnRH:
Endometriosis IVF
72
Different types of birth control pill:
Fixed combination Varying-dose Progestin only
73
How do contraceptive pills work?
Suppress LH and FSH secretion No ovulation as no follicular development / LH surge Progestin inhibits sperm penetration + reduces chances of implantation

Week 7 - 12 (38 decks)

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