Sex hormones and menstrual cycle terms Flashcards
any of steroid hormones that are active in sexual and reproductive physiology
sex steroid
any of a class of steroids- the most important being testosterone- that promote male sexual development and that have a variety of other functions in both sexes
androgen
any of a class steroids -the most important being estradiol - that promote the development of female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty and that have many other functions in both sexes
estrogen
an of a class of steroids, the most important being progesterone, that cause the endometrium to proliferate and help maintain pregnancy. (The term progestin is sometimes reserved for synthetic compounds)
progestin (or progestagen)
a steroid hormone secreted by the ovary and the placenta; it is necessary for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy
progesterone
the principal estrogen, secreted by granulosa cells in ovarian follicles
estradiol
the principle androgen, synthesized in the testes and, in lesser amounts, in the ovaries and adrenal glands
testosterone
an androgen that plays an important role in the development of the male external genitalia
DHT (dihyrdotestosterone)
the enzyme that converts testosterone to estradiol
aromatase
the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT
5-reductase
a gland near the kidney that secretes a variety of steroids, including sex steroids
adrenal glands
a secretory structure in the ovary derived from an ovarian follicle after ovulation
corpus luteum
cells within the corpus luteum that secrete progesterone
granulosa - lutein cells
a molecular structure to which a hormone or neurotransmitter binds. upon binding, the receptor trigger a specific cellular activity
receptor
a long polymer made up of amino acids
protein
a polymer of amino acids, usually shorter than a protein
peptide
a gland situated below, and under the control of, the hypothalamus; its posterior lobe secretes oxytocin and vasopressin, and its anterior lobe secretes gonadotrophins and other hormones
pituitary gland
a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of gonadotrophins from the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.
gonadotropin-releasing hormone GnRH
a region of the hypothalamus where GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) is secreted, located immediately above the pituitary gland
median eminence
one the two major gonadotrophins secreted by the pituitary gland; it promotes maturation of gametes
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
one of the two major gonadotrophins secreted by the pituitary gland; it promotes the secretion of androgens and, in females, participates in the regulation of menstrual cycle
luteinizing hormone (LH)
a hormone that regulates the function of gonads
gonadotropin
a protein hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that promotes breast development, among other effects
prolactin
a protein hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that promotes growth
growth hormone
a gonadotropin secreted by the conceptus and by the placenta; it prevents regression of corpus luteum
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
the developing organism from the 2-cell stage onward, including both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues
conceptus
a peptide hormone involved in the interaction between the pituitary gland and the gonads as well as in other functions
inhibin
a peptide hormone secreted by Sertoli Cells of the testis that prevents the development of the female internal reproductive tract
anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH)
a group of nonsteroidal signaling molecules that, among many other functions, help prepare the uterus for childbirth
prostaglandins
compounds containing an amine group, including catecholamines and serotonin
monoamines
a monoamine derived from amino acid tryptohan that functions as a neurotransmitter
serotonin
a catecholamine that serves as a neurotransmitter and also as a hormone, inhibiting that release of prolactin from anterior lobe of the pituitary glands
dopomine
a control system in which a compound directly or indirectly lowers its own rate of synthesis or secretion
negative feedback
a region of the hypothalamus involved in the regulation of sexual behaviors typically shown by males
medial preoptic area
the breakdown and shedding of the endometrium at approximately monthly intervals, with consequent loss of tissue and blood from the vagina
menstruation
a rare but life-threatening illness caused by a staphylococcal infection and associated with tampon use
menstrual toxic shock syndrome
a cup placed within the vagina that collects the menstrual flow
menstrual cup
release of an ovum from the ovary
ovulation
pain associated with ovulation
mittelschemerz
the phase of the menstrual cycle during which follicles are developing under the in the influence of gonadotropins
follicular phase
an alternative term for follicular phase
preovulatory phase
the phase of the menstrual cycle between ovulation and the beginning of menstruation.
luteal phase
an alternative term for luteal phase
postovulatory phase
an oocyte arrested in its first meiotic division
primary oocyte
an undeveloped primary oocyte with its surrounding granulosa cells
primordial follicle
a follicle that has enlarged but does not yet have an antrum
preantral follicle
the cavity that form in ovarian follicle as it matures
antrum
the single enlarged antral follicle that will ovulate in a particular cycle
preovulatory follicle
the oocyte in preovulatory follicle after it has completed its first meiotic division
secondary oocyte
a small body containing the discarded chromosomes from an oocytes’s first meiotic division
first polar body
a layer of cells derived from the granulosa cells of an ovarian follicle, that surrounds the ovum after ovulation
cumulus cells
a mature female gamete, prior to or immediately after fertilization
ovum
the arteries that supply the blood to the endometrium
spiral arteries
cells of the corpus lutuem, derived from follicular thecal cells, that synthesize testosterone
theca-lutein cells
sharp pelvic pains that may accompany or precede menstration
menstrual cramps
menstruation accompanied by pain
dysmenorrhea
a collection of physical and/ or psychological symptoms that may begin a few days before the menstrual period and continue into the period
premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
PMS- associated mood changes that are serve enough to interfere with relationships
premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
absence of mentruation
amenorrhea
infrequent or irregular menstruation
oligomenorrhea
failure to commence menstruation at puberty
primary amenorrhea
excessively heavy menstrual bleeding
menorrihagia
estrogen-like compounds of plant origin
isoflavones
