Session 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What is the HPG axis?

A

Hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis

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2
Q

Which hypothalamic releasing hormone is associated with the HPG axis?

A

GnRH

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3
Q

What is the name of the depression in the sphenoid bone in which the pituitary gland is located?

A

Sella turcica

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4
Q

What other name can be given to the pituitary gland?

A

Hypophysis

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5
Q

What other names can be given to the anterior pituitary gland?

A

Pars distalis

Adrenohypophysis

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6
Q

What other name can be given to the posterior pituitary gland?

A

Pars nervosa

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7
Q

What are the six peptide hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland?

A
Prolactin
Growth hormone (GH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
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8
Q

Which two hormones are secreted by the anterior pituitary in response to GnRH?

A

LH

FSH

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9
Q

Describe the release of of GnRH from the hypothalamus.

A

Pulsatile (every 1-3 hours)

Travels to the pituitary via the hypophysial portal system

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10
Q

What is the name given to the cells of the anterior pituitary that secrete FSH and LH?

A

Gonadotrophs

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11
Q

Which cells of the testis secrete testosterone?

A

Leydig cells

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12
Q

Which hormone stimulates Leydig cells?

A

LH

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13
Q

Which hormone stimulates Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules?

A

FSH

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14
Q

What two functions are provided by Sertoli cells?

A

Increased spermatogenesis

Inhibin secretion

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15
Q

In the male, what feedback effect will testosterone have on the HPG axis?

A

Negative feedback on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland

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16
Q

Which hormone of the anterior pituitary stimulates theca cells of the ovary and what do they secrete?

A

LH

Progestins (and androgens)

17
Q

Which hormones stimulate the granulosa cells of the ovary and what do they secrete?

A

LH and FSH
Oestrogens
Progestins
Inhibin

18
Q

In what conditions will oestrogen promote negative feedback on the hypothalamus?

A

Moderate concentration of oestrogen

19
Q

In what conditions will oestrogen promote positive feedback on the hypothalamus?

A

High concentrations of oestrogen AND an absence of progesterone (this causes the LH ‘surge’)
Progesterone increases the inhibitory effects of moderate oestrogen and prevents positive feedback of high oestrogen

20
Q

Predominantly, the secretion of which hormone is inhibited by inhibin?

A

FSH (Inhibin has a small inhibitory effect on LH)

21
Q

In the female, by what mechanisms can oestrogen have both a positive and negative feedback effect on the HPG axis?

A

Moderate concentrations of oestrogen will cause negative feedback on the HPG axis.
High concentrations of oestrogen, in the absence of progesterone, will cause positive feedback on the HPG.

22
Q

Which two events does the the menstrual cycle refer to?

A

Uterine cycle

Ovarian cycle

23
Q

In the early stage of the menstrual cycle, steroid and inhibin levels are low. The levels of which hormone subsequently rise?

A

FSH

24
Q

What is the effect of rising levels of FSH?

A

Follicular development continues
The follicle is now capable of secreting oestrogen
Inhibin levels rise

25
Q

When oestrogen is being secreted by the follicle, what feedback effect is seen on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary?

A

Positive feedback

26
Q

What effect is seen as a response to the positive feedback caused by high concentrations of oestrogen?

A

Increase in LH

27
Q

What causes the LH surge and what does this trigger?

A

Rapid rise in circulating oestrodial and inhibin

Ovulation

28
Q

What are the effects of LH after ovulation?

A

Luteinisation of the follicle (formation of the corpus luteum)

29
Q

What is secreted in large quantities by the corpus luteum?

A

Progesterone (negative feedback on LH secretion)
Oestrogen
Inhibin

30
Q

After how long will the corpus luteum spontaneously regress in the absence of a further rise in LH?

A

14 days (after this point a dramatic fall in gonadal hormones will occur, relieving negative feedback and restarting the cycle)

31
Q

What is secreted by a conceptus that will support the corpus luteum after 14 days?

A

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG is an LH analogue produced by the syncytiotropoblast in the second week of development)

32
Q

The corpus luteum, supported by placental hCG, produces steroid hormones to support the pregnancy. eventually, what will take over the production of steroid hormones?

A

Placenta

33
Q

What are the names given to the two phases of the ovarian cycle?

A
Follicular phase (more variable in length)
Luteal phase (14 days)

Ovulation occurs between the two phases

34
Q

What are the names given to the three phases of the endometrial cycle?

A

Menses
Proliferative phase
Secretory phase

35
Q

What are the physical effects of oestrogen during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle?

A
Fallopian tube function
Thickening of endometrium
Growth & motility of myometrium
Thin alkaline cervical mucus
Vaginal changes
Changes in skin, hair, metabolism
36
Q

What are the physical effects of progesterone during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

A

Further thickening of endometrium into secretory form
Thickening of myometrium, but reduction of motility
Thick, acid cervical mucus
Changes in mammary tissue
Increased body temperature
Metabolic changes
Electrolyte changes