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[AMS] Reproductive System > S3) Puberty and HPG Axis > Flashcards

S3) Puberty and HPG Axis Flashcards

1
Q

What is puberty?

A

Puberty is a stage of human development when sexual maturation and growth are completed and result in ability to reproduce

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2
Q

Identify 3 forms of development that occur during puberty

A
  • Morphological development
  • Physiological development
  • Behavioural development
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3
Q

Identify the primary sexual characteristics

A
  • Gonads
  • Genitals
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4
Q

Identify 4 secondary sexual characteristics

A
  • Pubic hair
  • Axillary hair
  • Female breast development
  • Male voice changes
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5
Q

Briefly, describe the reproductive system before and after puberty

A
  • Primary sexual characteristics are established before birth
  • Reproductive system inactive until puberty
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6
Q

Identify 4 events that occur in puberty for males and females

A
  • Accelerated somatic growth
  • Maturation of primary sexual characteristics
  • Appearance of secondary sexual characteristics
  • Menstruation and spermatogenesis begin
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7
Q

Describe the involvement of the pineal gland in puberty

A
  • Triggered by changes in day length
  • Varies with secretion of melatonin
  • Pineal gland tumours influence puberty
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8
Q

Describe the variation in the menarche of puberty in western countries over the years

A
  • Average age of menarche = 17 years (C 1800)
  • Average age of menarche < 13 years (C 2000)
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9
Q

Explain how nutrition has a notable role in the onset of puberty

A
  • Body weight most important factor
  • Leptins may be involved in signalling
  • Significant weight loss = menstrual cycles stop
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10
Q

What is the critical weight for puberty to begin in girls?

A

Weight = 47 kg

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11
Q

When does puberty begin in girls?

A

9 - 13 years

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12
Q

What is thelarche?

A

Thelarche is the onset of female breast development

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13
Q

What is pubarche?

A

Pubarche is the appearance of sexual hair

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14
Q

What is adrenarche?

A

Adrenarche is the onset of androgen-dependent body changes such as growth of axillary and pubic hair, body odor, and acne

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15
Q

Describe the sequence of events in female puberty

A

Breast bud growth → Pubic hair growth → Growth spurt → Onset of menstruation

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16
Q

Which hormones drive puberty in females?

A
  • Oestrogen
  • Testosterone
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17
Q

Describe the sequence of events in male puberty

A

Genital development → Pubic hair growth → Spermatogenesis → Growth spurt

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18
Q

Which hormone drives puberty in males?

A

Testosterone

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19
Q

Identify the stages of the following photos in the Tanner Scale:

A
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20
Q

Identify the stages of the following photos in the Tanner Scale:

A
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21
Q

Accelerated somatic growth occurs in both sexes. What drives this process?

A
  • Growth hormone
  • Sex steroids
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22
Q

What concludes the period of accelerated somatic growth in both sexes?

A

Epiphyseal fusion

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23
Q

If accelerated somatic growth occurs in both sexes, why are women generally smaller/shorter?

Provide 3 reasons

A
  • Growth spurt in girls is shorter and earlier
  • Growth spurt in boys is longer and slightly faster
  • Oestrogen closes epiphyses earlier in girls
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24
Q

Compare and contrast puberty in males and females in terms of the following:

  • Onset
  • First sign of puberty
  • Growth velocity
  • Duration of puberty
25
Outline the HPG axis in females
26
Outline the HPG axis in males
27
Identify the 4 events which succeed increased stimulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis
- Gradual **activation of GnRH** - Increased frequency and amplitude of **LH pulses** - Stimulated secretion of **sexual steroids** - Extragonadal **hormonal changes**
28
GnRH -1 gene is primarily responsible for mammalian GnRH. What happens when GnRH is blocked?
- Lack of gonadotrophin synthesis and secretion - Lack reproductive development occurs
29
Identify 5 characteristic functions of hypothalamic releasing hormones
- Act on specific membrane **receptors** - **Transduce signals** via second messengers - Stimulate **release & synthesis** of stored pituitary hormones - Stimulates **hyperplasia & hypertrophy** of target cells - Regulates its **own receptor**
30
How are hypothalamic releasing hormones secreted?
Secretion in pulses tied to internal biological clock
31
GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary gland gonadotrophs to secrete two gonadotropic hormones. Identify them
- Luteinising hormone (LH) - Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH)
32
What is leptin and what is its broad function?
- **Leptin** is an adipocyte-derived protein hormone - It signals information about energy stores to CNS
33
Describe the release of leptin
- Leptin has **pulsatile release patterns** significantly associated with the variations in LH - Its secretion may be influenced by gonadal steroids but appears to be **independent of LH control**
34
What role does leptin have in reproductive function?
- Leptin can accelerate the onset of reproductive function by regulating GnRH levels - Reproductive dysfunction associated with leptin deficiency
35
In four steps, explain how GH secretion from the pituitary gland leads to a growth spurt
⇒ Increased **TSH** ⇒ Increased **metabolic** rate ⇒ Promoted **tissue** growth ⇒ Increased **androgens**
36
What effect does the increased production of androgens have?
It retains minerals in body to support bone and muscle growth
37
How often is GnRH released?
Released every 1-3 hrs
38
Identify the two factors which affect the intensity of the GnRH stimulus
- Frequency of release - Intensity of release
39
Where is GnRH released into?
Travels to the anterior pituitary gland in the hypophyseal portal system
40
How is the anterior pituitary connected to the hypothalamus?
Anterior pituitary is connected to the hypothalamus by the **superior hypophyseal artery**
41
Identify the six peptide hormones found in the anterior pituitary
- Prolactin - Growth hormone (GH) - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) - Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
42
Most parts of the reproductive system can work before the normal age of puberty. Why does puberty not occur earlier?
Puberty is under **hormonal control**: - LH and FSH levels insufficient to initiate gonadal function - Between 9-12 yrs, blood levels of LH & FSH increase to trigger puberty
43
Which cells does LH act on in males?
**Leydig cells:** release testosterone
44
Where in the body is the most testosterone produced?
Testes
45
Which factors affect the production of testosterone?
- Circadian rhythm (highest early in morning) - Environmental stimuli
46
Describe the structure of the testes
- Each lobule contains 1-4 **seminiferous tubules** - Interstitial tissue contains **Leydig cells** - Contains loose **connective tissue** - Contains **blood vessels**
47
Describe the structure and function of the seminiferous tubules
- **Structure**: I. Tightly coiled tubes II. Composes 90% of testicular volume - **Function**: location for spermatogenesis
48
Explain the relationship between leydig cells and seminiferous tubules
- Leydig cells function independently of seminiferous tubules - Seminiferous tubules need functioning Leydig cells
49
Identify the two cells found in the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules
- Sertoli cells - Spermatogenic cells/germ cells
50
What do Sertoli cells do?
Sertoli cells provide **nutrition** and **hormonal support** to germ cells allowing sperm formation
51
Describe the hormonal control and release of Sertoli cells
- Sensitive to FSH (increase sperm production) - Secrete inhibin (feedback on AP FSH)
52
What do LH & FSH do in the female HPG axis?
They act primarily on gonads via Gαs PCR → adenylate cyclase
53
Identify the target cells of FSH and LH in the female
- Granulosa cells - Theca interna
54
What are the roles of FSH and LH in the female HPG axis?
- Stimulate sex hormone synthesis (**steroidgenesis**) - Control gamete production (**folliculogenesis** and **ovulation**)
55
Identify some sex hormones in females
- Oestrogen - Progesterone - Inhibin
56
Describe the hormonal control of ovarian cells
- Granulosa cells respond to **FSH** - Theca cells respond to **LH**
57
Describe the control of oestrogen on GnRH secretion
- **Moderate** titres of oestrogen **reduce GnRH** secretion (negative feedback) **- High titres** of oestrogen alone **promote GnRH** secretion (positive feedback LH ‘surge’)
58
Describe the control of progesterone on GnRH
- Progesterone **increases inhibitory effects** of moderate oestrogen - Progesterone **prevents positive feedback** of high oestrogen (no LH surge)
59
Describe the function and location of inhibin secretion in females
- **Location**: secreted from granulosa cells of corpus luteum - **Function**: inhibits the FSH secretion & small inhibitory effect on LH

[AMS] Reproductive System (21 decks)

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