Sexual Differentiation, Puberty, and Menstruation Flashcards

1
Q

Wolffian Ducts

A

Mesonephric ducts that develop in males to become the epididymis, vas defrens, and seminal vesicles

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2
Q

Mullerian Ducts

A

Paramesonephric ducts that develop in females to become uterus and fallopian tubes.

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3
Q

Sequential Process of Sexual Differentiation

A

Establishment of genetic sex, development of gonads, then development of secondary sex characteristics.

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4
Q

When do testes develop?

A

Week 6-7

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5
Q

When do ovaries develop?

A

Week 9

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6
Q

Until what point are gonads bipotential?

A

Week 5

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7
Q

What determines genetic sex of embryo?

A

SRY (sex determining region) on Y chromosome, located in unpairing region.

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8
Q

Pairing region of y chromosome

A

Small region where crossing over can occur with X chromosome. SRY sits outside of this region.

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9
Q

Swyer’s Syndrome (Deletion/mutation of SRY gene)

A

XY individual with a uterus, fallopian tubes, and a cervix. Present at time of puberty with delayed sexual maturation and amenorrhea, but normal pubic hair. All gonads are normal, but gonadectomy needed because tumors likely.

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10
Q

What happens if SRY is translocated to X chromosome.

A

XX individual with male characteristics and genitalia.

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11
Q

Sertoli Cells

A

Located next to developing sperm. Secrete AMH (antimullerian hormone) that causes paramesonephric ducts to wither.

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12
Q

Interstitial Cells of Leydig

A

Secrete testosterone, stimulates Wolffian duct growth and differentiation into epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts.

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13
Q

Granulosa Cells

A

Secrete estradiol

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14
Q

Theca cells

A

Secrete progesterone.

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15
Q

Why won’t a fetus with testes become female?

A

Because AMH and testosterone secreted!

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16
Q

How and when do penis/scrotum differentiate.

A

At weeks 9-10, due to presence of DHT.

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17
Q

Why does Wolffian duct regression occur in females?

A

No testosterone.

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18
Q

5alpha-reductase

A

Converts Testosterone into DHT, which stimulates growth of penis/scrotum.

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19
Q

What happens when there’s no DHT?

A

Labia and clitoris develop

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20
Q

Testicular Feminization (Androgen Insensitivity syndrome)

A

XY. Androgen receptor defect, Testosterone and DHT cannot be sensed. Causes a phenotypic female that doesn’t menstruate and has a blind ending vagina. Also has sparse pubic and axillary hair. It’s a spectrum though.

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21
Q

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

A

Enzyme deficiency in adrenals, most commonly in 21-hydroxylase causes a backup of 17-OH progesterone and progesterone, and a lack of cortisol, shifts adrenals to make more androgens. So, there’s a masculinization of female external genitalia at birth, with normal uterus fallopian tubes, etc. Also, aldosterone deficient (hyperkalemic, hypovolemic, salt wasting).

22
Q

Puberty endpoint

A

The creation of viable gametes

23
Q

Maturation of the hypothalamus

A

At birth, the HPTestes axis is very active, but turns off at 24 mos. During puberty it somehow turns on again.

24
Q

What substance’s pulses determine puberty?

A

GnRH, type of pulse will affect LH or FSH differently.

25
Q

Prepubertal period hormone levels

A

GnRH low, LH, FSH low, low T and E

26
Q

Pubertal hormone levels

A

Increase in pulse frequency amplitude of GnRH release. Increases in FSH and LH pulses, increase in E and T, beginning of folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis.

27
Q

When in a female’s life is FSH/LH highest?

A

Menopause.

28
Q

Gonadarche and Adrenarche

A

Signs of puberty in girls.

29
Q

Primordial germ cells

A

Precursor cells to gametes, move from their origin in the hindgut of the embryo to the gonads. Eventually become spermatogonia/oogonia.

30
Q

Male vs female gonadogenesis

A

In males it’s continuous, in females there’s a fixed limited pool of oocytes.

31
Q

Meiosis

A

46 Ds, becomes 23 ds, becomes 23 ss.

32
Q

When are oocytes arrested in meiosis?

A

Primary oocyte is arrested in prophase I of meiosis I until ovulation, where it is completed. Secondary oocytes completes meiosis II at fertilization.

33
Q

What hormone dominates the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle?

A

Estrogen.

34
Q

What happens just before day 14

A

Progesterone spike. LH spike on day 14.

35
Q

What hormone dominates the luteal phase?

A

Both estrogen and progesterone.

36
Q

Are variations in cycle length normal?

A

Yes

37
Q

What does follicle growth include

A

Growth of granulosa cells, development of antrum, growth of oocyte

38
Q

Granulosa Cells respond to what and secrete what?

A

Respond to FSH and secrete estrogen. Will not work without theca cells

39
Q

Theca cells respond to what and secrete what?

A

Respond to LH and secrete androgens which are aromatized by granulosa cells into estrogen.

40
Q

How is estradiol production controlled?

A

GnRH causes LH secretion which causes theca cell to produce androgens. These androgens are converted to estradiol in granulosa cells after FSH stimulates aromatase activity.

41
Q

How many follicles start at the beginning of a menstrual cycle?

A

20-50 that had started growing 2-3 months ago.

42
Q

How is only 1 follicle selected for dominance?

A

One that has the most FSH receptors.

43
Q

How does the LH surge occur at day 14?

A

Because the hypothalamus and pituitary become more sensitive to estradiol.

44
Q

What does the LH surge do to cause ovulation?

A

Meiotic division 1 is complete. Starts and arrests meiosis 2. Cumulus cells loosened.

45
Q

How is the egg extruded from the follicle?

A

Progesterone causes prostaglandin and enzyme release to cause the walls to break down.

46
Q

How does the ruptured follicle become the corpus luteum?

A

Thecal cells and blood vessels invade. Granulosa cells hypertrophy and terminally differentiate.

47
Q

What does the corpus luteum do?

A

Secretes progesterone and estradiol.

48
Q

What causes endometrial thickening?

A

Estradiol

49
Q

What causes stromal cell differentiation (decidualization)

A

Progesterone causes glandular proliferation.

50
Q

When does menstruation occur?

A

When the corpus luteum degenerates.

51
Q

What does hCG do?

A

Maintain the corpus luteum, act a lot like LH and FSH.