The Reproductive System Flashcards

1
Q

What is seminal fluid made of?

A
  • Fructose
  • Citric acid
  • Bicarbonate
  • Fibrinogen
  • Fibrinolytic enzymes
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2
Q

What is the HPG axis?

A

hypothalamus
pituitary
Gonad organs axis

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3
Q

What is the spermatic cord?

A

-Formed at deep inguinal ring

-Contains several structures including:
Testicular artery
Pampiniform plexus (v)
Autonomic & GF nerves
Lymph vessels
Vas deferens

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4
Q

Do remember most of this diagram.

A

Y or N

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5
Q

What causes erection and what causes ejaculation?

A
  • Erection due Parasympathetic stim
  • Ejaculation due Sympathetic stim

Point and Shoot

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6
Q

What is the penis made of?

A

2 x Corpora Cavernosa
1 x Corpora Spongiosum

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7
Q

What is the male gonad?

A

the testes

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8
Q

What is the lymphatic drainage of the testes?

A

para-aortic lymph nodes

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9
Q

Are you happy with this diagram?

A

Y or N

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10
Q

What is the lymphatic drainage of the female reproductive tract?

A

Ovaries -> Para-aortic LNs

Uterus/Vagina -> Iliac, sacral, aortic and inguinal LNs

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11
Q

Are you happy with this diagram?

A

Y or N

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12
Q

Where are ovaries?

A

Ovaries inside peritoneal cavity (remainder outside)

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13
Q

What do fallopian tubes have?

A

cilia and spiral muscle

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14
Q

Where does fertilisation occur?

A

ampulla (wider part of Fallopian tube)

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15
Q

What supports the uterus?

A

Uterus supported by tone of pelvic floor (levator ani & coccygeus) and ligaments (broad, round, uterosacral)

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16
Q

Where is the endometrium shed and why?

A

shed at menses due to vasoconstriction of arterioles

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17
Q

What is 1cm lateral to cervix?

A

ureter

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18
Q

What areas are sterile of the female reproductive tract?

A

All areas superior to cervix are sterile (shedding, thick mucus, narrows, pH<4.5)

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19
Q

What are the functions of the gonads in both males and females?

A

Gametogenesis

Reproductive hormone production

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20
Q

Is a man always fertile?

A

yes, throughout his life

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21
Q

What are spermatogonia?

A

Undifferentiated male germ cell
Spermatogonia undergo spermatogenesis to form mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules of the testis

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22
Q

What happens to number of germ cells for both men and women across their lifetime?

A
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23
Q

What happens to spermatogonia throughout life?

A
  • Gametogenesis begins at puberty
  • Spermatogonia undergo differentiation and self-renewal -> pool available for subsequent spermatogenic cycles throughout life (continuous fertility)
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24
Q

How many mature sperm are formed per second?

A

-Produce ~1,500 mature sperm/second

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25
Q

What happens to oogonia throughout a woman’s life?

A

BEFORE BIRTH
-Multiplication of Oogonia to ~ 6 million/ovary
-Form 10 Oocytes within ovarian follicles (= primordial follicle) -These begin meiosis (halted in prophase)
-Some primordial follicles degenerate (atresia).

At birth ~2 million/ovary remain

PUBERTY
-By puberty <0.5 million/ovary remain (due further atresia)

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26
Q

What is gametogenesis for males?

A

spermatogenesis (produce mature spermatozoa)

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27
Q

How does spermatogenesis work?

A
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28
Q

Who determines the sex of a child?

A

Men

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29
Q

What is this?

A

seminiferous tubules

coiled tubes, the walls of which contain cells that produce sperm

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30
Q

Do you remember this diagram of the seminiferous tubules?

A

Y or N

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31
Q

What do sertoli cells do (google)?

A

support process of spermatogenesis

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32
Q

What are leydig cells (google)?

A

the primary source of testosterone or androgens in males

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33
Q

What are the reproductive hormones produced in the male gonads?

A

Androgens
-Testosterone
-Dihydrotestosterone
-Androstenedione

Inhibin + Activin

Oestrogens
-(from androgen aromatisation)

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34
Q

What does oestrogen do in males?

A

preserves role in bone mass and roles in sexual behaviours

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35
Q

What do activins and inhibins do?

A

inhibin inhibit FSH

activin activate FSH

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36
Q

What does FSH do in males (google)?

A

control production of sperm

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37
Q

What are sertoli cells?

A

Within seminiferous tubules
Have FSH receptors

FUNCTION:

  • Support developing germ cells
  • Assist movement of germ cells to tubular lumen
  • Transfer nutrients from capillaries to developing germ cells
  • Phagocytosis of damaged germ cells
  • Hormone synthesis
  • Inhibin & Activin (-ve or +ve on FSH)
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
  • Androgen-Binding Protein (ABP)
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38
Q

What are leydig cells?

A

Between seminiferous tubules
Pale cytoplasm as cholesterol-rich
LH receptors

FUNCTION:

  • Hormone synthesis…
    On LH stimulation, secrete androgens:
  • Testosterone (oestrogens)
  • Androstenedione
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (can be aromatised to oestrogens)
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39
Q

What converts testosterone to oestrogen?

A

androgens and aromatisation

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40
Q

What is gametogenesis in females?

A

oogenesis (produce mature oocytes)

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41
Q

How does oogenesis work?

A
42
Q

What happens during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy?

A

In 2nd trimester of pregnancy, all Oogonia in foetus develop into 1ary Oocytes (forming primordial follicles)

43
Q

What is menarche?

A

the first occurrence of menstruation.

44
Q

What is folliculogenesis?

A

Follicle development

45
Q

Describe folliculogenesis.

A
  1. Primordial follicle (1ary Oocyte at birth)
  2. Primary (=Preantral) follicle
    - 1ary Oocyte and layers of granulosa cells and outer theca cells
  3. Secondary (=Antral) follicle
    - Fluid-filled cavity (antrum) develops
    - FSH and LH receptors
  4. Mature (=Graafian/Preovulatory) follicle
    - Forms due to LH surge
    - 2ary Oocyte formed
  5. Ruptures surface of ovary

6-7. Corpus Luteum
- Progesterone & oestrogen (stim by LH/HCG)
- In pregnancy, progesterone & oestrogen
production taken over by placenta

46
Q

What is corpus albicans?

A

a scar on the surface of the ovary that is a remnant of ovulation

47
Q

When is menarche?

A

between the primary and secondary follicles

48
Q

What is a mature follicle called?

A

Ovary

49
Q

What is in an ovary?

A

Ovum
Follicular fluid
Remnants of last corpus luteum
Ovarian stroma
Follicles undergoing atresia

50
Q

What is another way to say mature follicle?

A

(Sac that contain ovum)

Graafian follicle
Preovulatory follicle

51
Q

What are the reproductive hormones produced by female gonads?

A

Oestrogens
-Oestradiol
-Oestrone
-Oestriol

Progestogens
-Progesterone

Androgens
-Testosterone
-Androstenedione
-DHEA (but not DHEAS which is made in adrenals)

Relaxin

Inhibin

52
Q

What is a theca cell in the ovary?

A

Associated with outer part of ovarian follicles

FUNCTION:

Support folliculogenesis

Structural & nutritional support of growing follicle

Hormone synthesis
- LH stimulates synthesis of androgens
- Overactivity -> high androgen levels

53
Q

hat are granulosa cells in the ovary?

A

Associated with inner part of ovarian follicle

FUNCTION:

Hormone synthesis
- FSH stimulates granulosa cells to convert androgens to oestrogens (by aromatase)
- Secrete Inhibin & Activin (effects on FSH)

After ovulation…
- Turn into granulosa lutein cells that produce:
Progesterone (-ve feedback, promote pregnancy by maintaining endometrium)
Relaxin (helps endometrium prepare for pregnancy and softens pelvic ligaments/cervix)

54
Q

What are the gonadal/ sex steroid hormones?

A

Oestradiol and testosterone

55
Q

Where does steroidogenesis occur?

A

all of steroidogenesis occurs in leydig cells

56
Q

Where does steroidogenesis occur for women?

A

Theca and granulosa cells
Adrenals
Theca only
Granulosa only

within those they can happen in the mitochondria or SER

57
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for reproduction?

A
58
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for metabolism?

A

hypo-> pituitary-> glands/ target-> target hormones

59
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for lactation?

A

hypo-> pituitary-> glands/ target-> target hormones

60
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for growth?

A

hypo-> pituitary-> glands/ target-> target hormones

61
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for stress?

A

hypo-> pituitary-> glands/ target-> target hormones

62
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for water balance?

A

Hypothalamus-> gland/ target

63
Q

What is the hypothalamic-Pituitary-’Gland’ Axis for lactation parturition?

A

Hypothalamus-> gland/ target

64
Q

Diagram for HPG axis.

A

hypophyseal portal circulation

systemic circulation

65
Q

How does the HPG axis work?

A

Prolactin binds to prolactin receptors on kisspeptin neurons in hypothalamus->
Inhibits kisspeptin release->
Decreases in downstream GnRH/LH/FSH/T/Oest->
Oligo (>35d menses) or amenorrhoea (3-6m no menses)/Low libido/Infertility/Osteoporosis

66
Q

What inhibits kisspeptin?

A

hyperprolactinaemia (lots of prolactin)

67
Q

What are the hormones of the menstrual cycle?

A

LH
FSH
Oestrogen
Progesterone

68
Q

What does the female reproductive system prepare for?

A

possible fertilisation of 2ary oocyte

69
Q

What is the ovarian cycle?

A
70
Q

What causes tubular fluid reabsorption in the male reproductive tract and why does it happen?

A

Oestrogen
More concentrated and less volume?? (I think)

71
Q

What causes nutrients (e.g., fructose) and glycoprotein secretion into epididymal fluid?

A

androgens

72
Q

What is the voyage of the spermatozoa?

A

Travels 100,000 x its length from Testes to Fallopian tube

73
Q

How many semen ejaculate into the cervix?

A

1/100

74
Q

How many spermatozoa make it from cervix to ovum?

A

1/10000

75
Q

Overall how many reach ovum?

A

1/1,000,000

76
Q

What is carried in ejaculation?

A

Leukocytes
potentially viruses e.g., hep B, HIV

Spermatozoa 15-120 million/ml
seminal fluid 2-5 ml

77
Q

Where does seminal fluid come from?

A

Small contribution from:
Epididymis/testis

Mainly from accessory sex glands:
Seminal vesicles
Prostate
Bulbourethral glands

78
Q

Why is there bicarbonate in seminal fluid?

A

to neutralise pH in cervix

79
Q

What is capacitation of sperm?

A

= Achieve fertilising capability in the female repro tract

  1. Loss of glycoprotein ‘coat’
  2. Change in surface membrane characteristics
  3. Develop whiplash movements of tail

Takes place in ionic & proteolytic environment of the Fallopian tube
- Oestrogen-dependent
- Ca2+-dependent

80
Q

What is the structure of a sperm?

A

Head
Mid piece
Tail

acrosome (has lots of enzymes to break into egg)
nucleus
mitochondria
proximal centriole
axial filament
end piece

81
Q

What is the acrosome reaction?

A

Sperm binds to ZP3
(= sperm receptor)

  • Ca2+ influx into sperm (stimulated by progesterone)
  • Release of hyaluronidase & proteolytic enzymes (from acrosome)

Spermatozoon penetrates the Zona Pellucida

82
Q

What is in the oocyte during the acrosome reaction?

A
83
Q

Where does fertilisation occur?

A

fallopian tube (ampulla)

84
Q

What does fertilisation trigger?

A

Cortical reaction

Cortical granules release molecules which degrade Zona Pellucida (e.g. ZP2 & 3)
- Therefore prevents further sperm binding as no receptors
- Haploid -> Diploid

85
Q

What is conceptus?

A

the embryo in the uterus, especially during the early stages of pregnancy.

86
Q

What is the development of conceptus?

A

Continues to divide as it moves down Fallopian tube to uterus (3-4 days)
Receives nutrients from uterine secretions
This free-living phase can last for ~ 9-10 days

87
Q

What are the phases of implantation?

A

attachment phase then decidualization phase

Requries progesterone domination in the presence of oestrogen

88
Q

What is the attachment phase of implantation?

A

Attachment phase: outer trophoblast cells contact uterine surface epithelium

89
Q

What is the decidualization phase of implantation?

A

changes in underlying uterine stromal tissue (within a few hours)

90
Q

What happens if there is no pregnancy?

A

corpus luteum shrinks
hCG works on LH receptors to maintain corpus luteum

91
Q

What does attachment need?

A

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) from endometrial cells stimulates adhesion of blastocyst to endometrial cells

Interleukin-11 (IL11) also from endometrial cells is released into uterine fluid, and may be involved

Many other molecules involved in process (e.g. HB-EGF)

92
Q

What is decidualization?

A

Endometrial changes due to progesterone

  • Glandular epithelial secretion
  • Glycogen accumulation in stromal cell cytoplasm
  • Growth of capillaries
  • Increased vascular permeability (→oedema)

Factors involved:
Interleukin-11 (IL11), histamine, certain prostaglandins & TGFb (TGFb promotes angiogenesis)

93
Q

What are the hormone changes and effects during pregnancy?

A
94
Q

What is progesterone and oestrogen production like during pregnancy?

A

First 40 days
- Produced in corpus luteum (in maternal ovary)
- stimulated by hCG (produced by trophoblasts) which acts on LH receptors
- Essential for developing fetoplacental unit
- Inhibits maternal LH & FSH (-ve feedback)

From day 40
– Placenta starts to take over

95
Q

What are the physiological increases in maternal hormones during pregnancy?

A

ACTH
Adrenal steroids
Prolactin
IGF 1 (stimulated by placental GH-variant)
Iodothyronines
PTH related peptides (mobilise calcium for foetus)

96
Q

What are the physiological decrease in maternal hormones during pregnancy?

A

Gonadotrophins
Pituitary GH
TSH

97
Q

Other than TSH, what in pregnancy can stimulate T3 and T4?

A

hCG

98
Q

What is parturition?

A

labour

99
Q

What is the endocrine control of partruition?

A

oxytocin
- uterine contraction
- cervical dilation
- milk ejection

myometrium and endometrial cells involved

100
Q

Endocrine control of lactation.

A
101
Q

What stimulates ejection of milk and what stimulates production of milk?

A

oxytocin= ejection of milk

prolactin= production of milk