Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GI, Endocrine, and Reproductive Physiology > Sexual Differentiation, Puberty, and Menstruation > Flashcards

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Mullerian Ducts

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Sequential Process of Sexual Differentiation

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When do testes develop?

A

Week 6-7

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When do ovaries develop?

A

Week 9

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Until what point are gonads bipotential?

A

Week 5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What determines genetic sex of embryo?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Pairing region of y chromosome

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happens if SRY is translocated to X chromosome.

A

XX individual with male characteristics and genitalia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Sertoli Cells

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Interstitial Cells of Leydig

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Granulosa Cells

A

Secrete estradiol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Theca cells

A

Secrete progesterone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why won’t a fetus with testes become female?

A

Because AMH and testosterone secreted!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How and when do penis/scrotum differentiate.

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why does Wolffian duct regression occur in females?

A

No testosterone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

5alpha-reductase

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What happens when there’s no DHT?

A

Labia and clitoris develop

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
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.

GI, Endocrine, and Reproductive Physiology (7 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions