SUGER Flashcards
What sex chromosomes do males have?
XY
What sex chromosomes do females have?
XX
Why does the male partner determine foetal sex?
Because spermatozoon can be 23X or 23Y whereas the egg can only contribute X chromosome
Which gene on the Y chromosome is important for the development of male gonads?
SRY gene
Where are both the male and female gonads embryologically derived from?
Urogenital Ridge
Primordial gonads remain undifferentiated until when?
up till 6th week of uterine life
What are the components of the undifferentiated reproductive tract?
Wolffian Duct (mesonephric duct) Mullerian Duct (Paramesonephric duct) Common opening to outside for genital ducts
Which duct regresses in male gonad embryological development and why?
Y chromosome present so SRY present so mullerian inhibiting substance produced which causes the mullerian duct to regress
Which cells produce Mullerian inhibiting substance?
Sertoli cells
What role does testosterone play in development of male genitalia?
Testosterone produced by Leydig cells causes the wolffian duct to differentiate in the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles and ejaculator ducts
Which parts of the male genitalia is dihydrotestosterone responsible for?
Penis
Scrotum
Prostate
Which duct regresses in the female and why?
Wolffian ducts regress because there’s no SRY gene so no MIF and no testes so no testosterone secretion
What does the Mullerian system differentiate into in the female?
Uterus
Fallopian tubes
Inner vagina
What is the first stage of gametogenesis of primordial germ cells?
Mitosis
When does germ cell mitosis occur in the male?
Some mitosis occurs in embryonic testes to generate primary spermatocytes and the rest begins at puberty
When does germ cell mitosis occur in the female?
Primarily during foetal development
What does germ cell mitosis in the male produce
Primary spermatocytes
What does germ cell mitosis produce in the female?
Primary oocytes
What is the result of the first meiotic division in males
2 secondary spermatocytes are produced
What is the result of the first meiotic division in females?
1 secondary oocyte and a polar body
When does the second meiotic division occur in males
After puberty
When does the second meiotic division occur in females?
After fertilisation
What is the result of the second meiotic division in males
Production of 4 spermatids
What is the result of the second meiotic division in females?
Zygote and a second polar body
The production of 2 identical daughter cells occurs in what process
Mitosis
Production of haploid (half the number of chromosomes) gametes occurs in what process
Meiosis
Where does meiosis occur in the male?
Seminferous tubules
Where does meiosis occur in the female?
Ovaries
What are the three erectile compartments of the penis?
Corpus cavernosum x2
Corpus spongiosum
What is the peritoneal structure that covers the testis anteriorly?
Tunica vaginalis
What is the white fibrous capsule that covers each testicle?
Tunica Albuginea
At what point do the testes migrate from the abdomen to the scrotum?
7th month of pregnancy
Why do the testes need to descend from the abdomen to the scrotum?
Because sperm production requires a temperature 2 degrees lower than body temperature
How are the testes cooled to a temperature that enables spermatogenesis?
Pampiniform plexus venous blood carries heat away from the testes as it ascends
Where does spermatogenesis occur?
Seminiferous tubules
Which cells make up the blood testes barrier?
Sertoli cells
What do Leydig cells secrete?
Testosterone
Describe the passage of sperm to the epididymis
Seminiferous tubules to the straight tubules to the rate testes to the efferent ductus to the epididymis
What structure do the vas deferens pass through?
Inguinal canal
What are the 5 stages of sperm maturation
Spermatogonia Primary Spermatocytes Secondary Spermatocytes Spermatids Spermatozoa
Which part of the epididymis receives sperm from the efferent ductules?
Head of the epididymis
Where is spermatozoa primarily stored?
Tail of the epididymis
What is the name of the enlarged region of the ductus deferens prior to the seminal vesicle and prostate?
Ampulla
what are the 3 parts of the urethra?
Prostatic
Membranous
Spongy
What do secretions from the seminal gland contain?
High fructose conc
Prostaglandins to stimulate smooth muscle contraction
Fibrinogen to form fibrin clot
Alkaline to neutralise vaginal acid
Where do the bulbourethral glands enter the urethra?
Just after the urethra leaves the prostate
How much fluid is expelled during orgasm?
2-5ml
describe the composition of semen
60% seminal vesicle fluid
30% prostatic secretion
10% sperm
Trace of bulbourethral fluid
What does the prostatic secretion contain
Seminal plasmin which has antibiotic properties that help to prevent urinary tract infections in males
What does the bulbourethral fluid contain?
Lubricating thick alkaline mucus that neutralises urinary acids that remain in the urethra
What enzymes are found in the semen?
Protease to dissolve vaginal mucus
Seminal plasmin
Prostatic enzyme that coagulates semen through conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
Fibrinolysin that coverts the semen clot to liquid after 15 mins
How long does spermatogenesis take?
64 days
What are the two types of daughter cell produced from the mitotic division of spermatogonia?
Type A - remain outside blood-testis barrier and produce more daughter cells
Type B - Differentiate in primary spermatocytes which pass through the blood-testis barrier through tight junctions of Sertoli cells
Define spermiogenesis
Transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa
Grow tail and discard cytoplasm to become lighter
Describe the structure of spermatozoa
Pear shaped head Nucleus with haploid chromosomes Acrosome containing enzymes Flagellum Mitochondria
Where is gonadotrophin releasing hormone produced?
Hypothalamus
Describe the control of pituitary hormones on male reproduction
GnRH stimulates release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary
FSH acts on Sertoli cells to initiate spermatogenesis
LH acts on leydig cells to produce testosterone
Testosterone diffuses into Sertoli cells and facilitates spermatogenesis
Describe the negative feedback mechanisms in the pituitary hormone control of males
High testosterone negatively feedbacks to decrease secretion of GnRH and also acts directly on anterior pituitary to decrease LH
Sertoli cells also secrete inhibin which acts on anterior pituitary to inhibit release of FSH
What are the functions of testosterone?
maintain sexual libido
Stimulate bone and muscle growth
Establish male secondary sex characteristics
Maintains organs and accessory glands
What two layers cover the ovaries
Outermost is visceral peritoneum
Inner layer is tunica albuginea
What are the two divisions of the stroma (internal tissue) of the ovary?
Superficial cortex
Deeper medulla
What are the 3 parts of the uterine tube
Infundibulum - closest to ovary and has fimbrae projections
Ampulla - middle region where smooth muscle thickens
Isthmus - Short segment connected to the uterus
What is the normal position of the uterus
Anteverted and ante flexed
Describe the anatomy of the uterus?
Main part is the body
Curvature of body above the entry point of uterine tubes I the fundus
Body ends at constriction point called isthmus
Cervix is inferior portion
Uterine cavity then internal Os then cervical cavity then external Os
What is the blood supply of the uterus?
Uterine artery (from internal iliac arteries) and vein which anastomose with the ovarian artery (from abdominal aorta) and vein
What are the 4 ligaments that hold the uterus in place?
Broad ligament
Uterosacral ligament - lateral uterus surface to anterior sacrum
Round ligament - lateral surface of uterus (inferior to uterine tubes) extend through the inguinal canal to external genitalia
Cardinal Ligaments - base of uterus and vagina to lateral pelvic wall
What are the three layers of the uterine wall?
Endometrium - innermost
Myometrium - thick muscle
Perimetrium - covers fundus, posterior uterine body and isthmus
What ligaments hold the ovaries in place?
broad ligament
Mesovarium
2 Supporting ligaments
What are the two supporting ligaments that hold the ovaries in place?
Ovarian ligament - extends from medial ovary to uterus near where uterine tubes attach
Suspensory ligament - extend from the lateral ovary to the pelvic wall
What structures are enclosed in the broad ligament?
Uterus
Uterine tubules
Ovaries
When does meiosis 1 in females becomes arrested
at metaphase I until puberty
When does meiosis 2 become arrested until?
Arrested at metaphase II until fertilisation
What are the 3 differences between spermatogenesis and oogenesis?
1 spermatocyte produces 4 spermatids whereas 1 oocyte produces 1 ovum
Both maturations for sperm occur in testis whereas one occurs in ovary and one in Fallopian tube for ovum
Spermatogenesis is continuous whereas oogenesis is discontinuous
What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle?
Follicular phase (day 1-13) Luteal phase (day 14-28)
What does the primordial follicle contain?
primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells
What do granulosa cells secrete?
Oestrogen
Small amounts of progesterone
Inhibin
What does the primordial follicle develop into?
Primary follicle
What separates the granulosa cells and the oocyte in a follicle?
Zona pellucida
Describe the development of the pre-antral follicle
Mitosis of granulosa cells of primary follicle causes follicle to grow and surrounding granulosa cells differentiate into theca cells
Theca cells and granulosa cells together secrete oestrogen
Describe the development of the early antral follicle
Primary oocyte reaches full size
Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid which creates the antrum
What happens to larger antral follicles that are not chosen to become the dominant follicle?
They undergo atresia
Describe the development of the mature (Graafian follicle)?
Dominant follicle enlarges as antrum increases in size
primary oocyte undergoes meiotic division to become secondary oocyte
Follicle becomes so large it balloons onto ovary surface and ovulation occurs releasing oocyte onto ovarian surface
What happens to the Graafian follicle following ovulation?
Following discharge of antral fluid and egg, the granulosa cells enlarge to form gland-like corpus luteum which remains for 10 days if there is no pregnancy before being broken down to the corpus albicans
How long is an oocyte viable for following ovulation?
24-48 hours
How long is sperm viable for in the vagina?
4-6 days
Describe the steps of follicle development in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle
Mature (Graafian follicle) develops and so does the secondary oocyte
Describe the steps of follicle development in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle
Begins at ovulation and ends with the death of the corpus luteum
Where is oestrogen synthesised in the follicular phase?
Granulosa cells
Where is oestrogen synthesised after ovulation?
by the corpus luteum
Where is progesterone synthesised before ovulation?
In small amounts by the granulosa and theca cells
Where is progesterone synthesised after ovulation?
By the corpus luteum
Describe the pituitary hormone control of female reproduction
GnRH pulses determine the release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary
Release of FSH causes the development of follicle which in turn causes the release of oestrogen from granulosa cells
Increased oestrogen concentration as follicle develops has negativee feedback on hypothalamus release of GnRH
Inhibin is also released with causing further inhibition of FSH secretion
Increased oestrogen production from follicle causes change in GnRH pulse activity which causes surge of LH
LH binds and causes completion of meiosis I and ovulation of mature follicle
Following ovulation the corpus luteum forms which secretes progesterone and has a negative feedback on GnRH and lasts for 10 days before breaking down into the corpus albicans. When it degrades, oestrogen and progesterone drop and this removes negative feedback on FSH, LH and GnRH secretion causing the cycle to repeat
What do theca cells produce?
Androgens which are converted to oestrogen by the granulosa cell enzyme aromatase
What are the two effects of the LH surge?
Causes ovulation of the mature follicle and transforms remaining granulosa and theca cells into the corpus luteum
What are the three phases of the menstrual cycle?
Menses - day 1
Proliferative - day 6-13
Secretory - day 16-28
What happens in the menses phase of the menstrual cycle
Functional zone of endometrium degenerates due to constriction of spiral artery blood flow
This is due to removal of progesterone stimulus
What happens in the proliferative phase of menstrual cycle?
Between the cessation of menstruation and start of ovulation
Basilar zone and uterine glands of endometrium multiply
Oestrogen produced by the theca cells sustain the proliferation
By day 14, the functional zone is several mm thick
Increased oestrogen induces synthesis of progesterone receptors in endometrial cells
What happens in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle?
Occurs between ovulation and onset of next menstruation
Uterine glands enlarge and accelerate secretion of glycogen rich mucus
Spiral arteries elongate through functional zone
Progesterone acts on oestrogen primed endothelium to convert it to an actively secreting tissue which makes the endometrium a more hospitable environment for implantation
What is the effect of ovarian hormones on the cervix
Progesterone and oestrogen effect the secretion of mucus in cervix
oestrogen causes mucus to be clear and water around the time of ovulation
Progesterone after ovulation causes mucus to become thick and sticky to form a plug to prevent bacteria entering the uterus
What effect do ovarian hormones have on the vagina?
High oestrogen causes columnar epithelium of vagina to become more mitotically active and show little keritanisation
Describe how an ovum is moved from the ovary to the site of fertilisation?
Extruded onto ovary surface then the fimbrae cilia beat waves towards the interior of the Fallopian tube, sweeping the egg inwards
Once in the Fallopian tube the eggs are moved by Fallopian tube cilia
How long does it take the egg to reach the uterus after release from the ovary?
4 days
Where do the sperm and the egg fuse together?
Ampulla of the Fallopian tube
What part of the ovum do sperm bind to?
ZP3 glycoprotein of the zonal pellucida
Describe what happens in the acrosome reaction
Plasma membrane of sperm head is altered so acrosome enzymes are exposed to zona pellucida so enzymes can forge a path and fuse with the egg
What is the name of the mechanism that prevents polyspermy?
Cortical reaction
Describe what happens in the cortical reaction
Secretory vesicles release contents into space between the zona pellucida and egg plasma which inactivates the sperm binding proteins by hardening the entire zona pellucida
What happens 4-7 hours after gamete fusion?
Two haploid chromosome sets form the male and female pronuclei
Describe what happens in syngamy?
male and female pronuclei migrate to centre and haploid chromosomes pair and replicated DNA ready for first mitotic division
Pronuclear membrane breaks down and mitotic spindles form with 46 chromosomes aligned at spindle equator
Describe the process of cleavage on day 2 of fertilisation
Ooplasm divides into two equal halves with decondensation of pronuclei and movement into one of the two blastomeres
successive cleavages increase the cell number
When does the activation of the embryonic genome and embryonic gene transcription begin?
4-8 cell Embryo
What happens during compaction in day 4 of fertilisation?
Cells flatten to maximise their intracellular contents and tight junctions form
What happens during cavitation and differentiation in day 5 of fertilisation?
Tight junctions form between the outer cells and fluid filled cavity expands to form blastocyst
Blastocyst has outer layer of cells called trophoblast and inner cell mass and central fluid filled cavity
Trophoectoderm becomes the placenta
Inner cell mass forms the foetus
What happens In the expansion phase of day 5/6 of fertilisation?
Cavity expands with diameter increasing and zona pellucida thining to ensure blastocyst can break through
What happens during hatching on day 6+ of fertilisation?
Blastocyst expansion causes embryo to hatch from ZP
What is the genetic control of the early cleavage cells in fertilisation?
maternal
What is the genetic control of the blastocyst in fertilisation?
Embryonic
What is the metabolic activity of the early cleavage cells in fertilisation?
Low
What is the metabolic activity of the Blastocyst in fertilisation?
High
What is the biosynthetic activity of the early cleavage cells in fertilisation?
Low
What is the biosynthetic activity of the blastocyst in fertilisation?
High
What are the energy requirements of early cleavage cells in fertilisation?
Simple
- low glucose and non essential amino acids
What are the energy requirements of blastocyst in fertilisation?
Complex
High glucose
Essential and non essential amino acids
Vitamins
What are the three phases of embryo implantation
Apposition
Attachment
Invasion
Describe the process of apposition?
Unstable adhesion between blastocyst and uterine lining
Synchronisation of embryo and endometrium
Hatched blastocyst orientates via embryonic pole
What happens in the process of attachment (adhesion)?
Apical surface of endometrial cells and trophoblastic cells express interns which leads to attachment
What happens in the process of invasion (Penetration)?
trophoblast protrusions penetrate the endometrium and change to syncyntiotrophoblast cells which erode the endometrial blood vessels
When syncyntiotrophoblast cells contact maternal blood and form chorionic villi it triggers the initiation of placenta formations
How is maternal recognition of the implanting embryo prevented?
Endometrial storm cells secrete interleukin 2 which prevents maternal recognition
Where is hCGa synthesised?
In the cytotrophoblastic cells
Where is hCGb synthesis
syncyntiotrophoblast
What is the role of hCG
Sustains early pregnancy
Ensures corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone
Immunosuppressive
What are the 7 stages of fertilisation in order
Fertilisation (Day 1) Syngamy Cleavage (Day 2-3) Compaction (Day 4) Cavitation and differentiation (Day 5/6) Expansion (Day 6) Hatching (Day 6+)
Describe the anatomical location of the kidneys
Retroperitoneal between T12 and L3 with the right kidney lower than the left due to the liver
Describe the anatomy of the kidney from outer to inner
Fibrous capsule - Cortex - medullary pyramids, minor calyx, major calyx - pelvis
At what level does the renal artery exit the abdominal aorta
L1
Describe the blood supply of the kidney
Abdominal aorta to the renal artery to segmental arteries to interLOBAR to arcuate arteries to interLOBULAR arteries to the afferent arterioles to glomerular capillaries to efferent arteriole
Describe the venous drainage of the kidney
peritubular capillaries/vasa recta to the interLOBULAR veins to arcuate veins to interLOBAR veins to segmental veins to renal vein
what are the components of the renal corpuscle
Glomerular tuft and Bowmans capsule
In histology, which stain is used to differentiate mesangial cells from glomerular capillaries and why?
Periodic Acid Shift because it stains the glycoproteins in the glomerulus
What are the 3 main functions of mesangial cells?
- Structural support for capillary and production of extracellular matrix protein
- Contraction of mesangial cells tightens capillaries and reduces GFR which is important in tubuloglomerular feedback
- Involved in phagocytosis of GFR breakdown products
What are the two components of the juxtaglomerular apparatus
Afferent arteriole
Distal convoluted tubule
Where are the granular cells located?
Afferent arteriole
What is the function of granular cells?
Detect blood pressure and secrete RENIN when BP reduces
Where are the macula densa cells located
expanded mass of the DCT close to the glomerulus and afferent arteriole
What is the function of macula densa cells?
Detect Na+ conc and adjust GFR accordingly by altering afferent arteriole resistance
What are the 3 cell types in the juxtaglomerular apparatus
Granular cells
macula densa cells
Lacis Cells
How is the PCT adapted for function?
Microvilli to increase surface area for absorption
Many mitochondria to actively transport Na+ and K+
What is reabsorbed (and how much) at the PCT
Na+ (65%) H2O (65%) Glucose AA Lactate K+ Mg2+ Cl- HCO3- Ca2+
The descending limb of the loop of Henle is impermeable to?
Ions
Descending limb of loop of Henle is permeable to?
Water
Ascending limb of loop of Henle is permeable to?
Ions (Na+, K+, 2Cl- via NKCC2) but also Mg2+ and Ca2+ via paracellular
What are the two cell types in the DCT and CD?
Principal
Intercalated
What are the three major functions of the kidneys?
Endocrine function
Maintain balance of water, salt and pH
Excrete waste products
How much cardiac output does each kidney receive?
20%