Sex Hormones :) Flashcards
define puberty
Maturation of reproductive organs
define thelarche
development of the breasts
define pubarche
pubic hair growth
-arche
onset of
define gonadarche
activation of gonads by the HPG axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis)
define menarche
onset of menstrual cycles
define spermarche
onset of spermatogenesis
define spermatogenesis
the origin and development of the sperm cells within the male reproductive organs, the testes.
define adrenarche
adrenal androgen production
when does adrenarche start
2 years before gonadarche
what are the 2 key adrenal androgen hormones
DHEA/DHEAS
Testosterone
role of adrenal androgen
play a role in development of male sex organs and important for onset of female body hair following puberty
what is oestradiol
steroid hormone that matures and maintains the reproductive system
state the 3 components of puberty
- Production of sex-steroids i.e Oestradiol and Testosterone
- Develop secondary sexual characteristics
- Attain capability to reproduce
what is tanner staging?
the way we grade puberty (I= pre-pubertal and 5 = adult)
what 3 characteristics are taken into consideration in Tanner staging?
- thelarche
- genetalia => testicular vol in boys
- pubarche
how does the Tanner Staging regarding genetalia measure?
testicular volume in boys
what is the pre-pubertal testicular volume in boys?
< 4mls
what is the adult size testicular volume in men?
> 15mls
what is the first sign of puberty
gonadarche
what are the effects of oestradiol in women - 4
- thelarche
- hair growth
- sweat gland composition
- changes to external genitalia
what is axillary hair growth?
armpit hair
how is testicular size measured
using a Prader Orchidometer
how does the Prader Orchidometer work
compares testicular size to beads
state the 4 effects of testosterone in males
- deepening of voice
- hair growth
- sweat gland composition
- changes to external genitalia
what is the first sign of puberty in girls after gonadarche
thelarche
what is the late sign of puberty in girls
menarche
when does puberty occur in girls?
8-13 yrs
when does puberty occur in boys?
9-14 years
state the 2 gonads
ovaries and testes
trophin
to stimulate or grow
what does gonadotropin lead to the release of? - 2
LH and FSH
as the Tanner stage increases, what happens to gonadotropin levels
gonadotropin levels increase
why is adrenarche more important in girls?
girls do not produce testosterone so are more dependant on adrenal androgens
order of puberty progession in females
adrenarche => thelarche => growth spurt => pubarche => menarche
order of puberty progression in males
adrenarche => increase in testicular volume => pubarche => growth spurt => spermarche
order of puberty progression in males
adrenarche => increase in testicular volume => pubarche => growth spurt => spermarche
normal GnRH secretion is….
pulsatile
what does pulsatile mean?
released in bursts
why is pulsatility important
stimulates the pituatory gland
what would happen if GnRH wasn’t pulsatile?
decreased LH and FSH secretion
what does GnRH do
stimulates pituitary gland to make and release gonadotrophins
what does HPG stand for?
hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG)
when is the HPG axis first activated
pre-puberty
what is mini-puberty
the activation of HPG axis shortly after birth
what is classed as an abnormal onset of puberty
mean +/- 2.5 standard deviations
what is precocious puberty?
early puberty before 8 years old
what is delayed puberty
late puberty after 14 years
what is amenorrhoea?
absence of periods for at least 3-6 months or up to 3 periods a year
what is primary amenorrhoea?
not ever having periods
what is secondary amenorrhoea?
when you have had periods but they have stopped.
why is mini-puberty important? - 4
- Sertoli cell maturation
- Behavioural effects
- Penile length
- Testicular descent
define peak height velocity
the period of time in which a child experiences the fastest growth
link between menarche and peak height velocity
menarche is often soon after individual reaches peak height velocity
amenorrhoea - age where it is abnormal
> 16 yrs
in the first 18 months are periods regular?
no
how many days is in a standard menstrual cycle
28 days
commonest cause of secondary amenorrhoea
pregnancy
what is the common variation between the menstrual cycle
+ or - 2 days for each person each month
what is oligomenorrhoea?
few periods